Research Consent Glossary

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

V

Vagina - Tube that connects the uterus to the outside of the body

Vaginitis- Inflammation of the vagina

Vaginodynia - Pain in the vagina

Vaginoperineorrhaphy - Surgery to fix tears in the vagina and vaginal area

Vaginoplasty - Surgery to fix the vagina

Vagotomy - Surgery to cut the vagus nerve or nerves, usually done to slow down the making of stomach acid

Valvuloplasty - Plastic repair of a valve, esp. of the heart

Varicose Veins - Twisted and bulging veins that are larger than normal

Varices - Enlarged veins

Vas Deferens - Tube that carries sperm out of the testicle

Vasectomy - Surgery to cut out part or all of the ductus deferens done to make a man not able to produce children

Vasoconstrictor - Drug used to make blood vessels tighten up and become narrower

Vasodilator - Drug used to make blood vessels open up and become bigger

Vasospasm - Narrowing of the blood vessels in the brain

Vasovasostomy - Surgery to undo a vasectomy by connecting up the ductus deferens again -done to make a man able to produce children again

VDRL Test - Blood test used to detect syphilis (VDRL stands for Veneral Disease Research Laboratory

Vector - A carrier, usually an insect, that carries and transmits disease causing microorganisms

Vein - The type of blood vessel that carries blood back to the heart from the rest of the body

Vein Ligation - Surgery to remove twisted (varicose) veins in the legs and Stripping

Vena Cava - Largest vein in the body

Venipuncture - Putting a needle into a vein

Venogram - X-ray of a vein

Ventilator - Machine used to help a person breathe

Ventral - Toward or having to do with the front of the body

Ventricle - Small space, such as one of several that hold spinal fluid inside the brain and the two lower chambers of the heart

Venule - Little vein

Verruca - Wart

Vertebra - One of the 33 bones in the spine

Vertebrae - More than one vertebra

Vertebral Column - The spine

Vertebrocostal - Having to do with a vertebra and a rib

Vertigo - Light-headedness; dizziness

Vesicle - Blister

Vesicourethral - Having to do with the urethra and the bladder

Vesicovaginal Fistula - Abnormal opening between the bladder and vagina

Viral - Having to do with a virus

Virus - Tiny type of germ

Visceral - Having to do with the internal organs

Visceral - Layer of Inner layer of the sack around the heart the Pericardium

Visual Acuity Test - Type of vision test

Vitamins - Substances found in food that are necessary for health, growth, and body metabolism

Vitrectomy - Surgery to remove the vitreous body

Vitreous Body - Jelly-like liquid found in the back chamber of the eye

Void - Urinate

Volvulus - Twisting of the intestines causing a blockage

Vomit - Matter discharged from the stomach out of the mouth

Vulva - The tissues around the opening to the vagina

Vulvectomy - Surgery to remove the vulva

Vulvovaginal - Having to do with the vagina and vulva

Vulvovaginitis - Inflammation of the vagina and vulva