Opitz G/BBB Family Connection
(Canada)

43 Swallow Street, Kitimat, British Columbia V8C 1K6

Phone: 250-632-7026  Fax:250-639-9062 E-Mail

A

Library

Abdominal cavity: the part of the body between the bottom of the ribs and the top of the thighs, containing most of the digestive and urinary systems along with some reproductive organs

Acid reflux: a disorder in which acid in the stomach comes up into the esophagus, because the valve separating the stomach and esophagus does not function properly

Acute respiratory disease: an urgent condition in which oxygen levels in the blood are lower than normal and breathing is difficult

Agenesis: Lack of development of something. For example, agenesis of a toe means that toe failed to form.

Airway obstruction: blockage of the passage of air through the windpipe to the lungs

Amniotic fluid: clear fluid that surrounds a fetus during pregnancy and cushions and protects it

Anal fissure: a long, open sore on the skin of the anus

Anal fistula: an abnormal tube like passage connecting the anus to the surface of the surrounding skin

Anal sphincter: a ring of muscle fibers at the opening of the rectum, controlling the opening and closing of the anus

Anatomy: the structure of bodies; commonly refers to the study of body structure

Anomaly:  A deviation from the usual, something different, peculiar, or abnormal.  A congenital anomaly is something that is unusual and different at birth. A minor anomaly in this context is defined as an unusual anatomic feature that is of no serious medical or cosmetic consequence to the patient. A minor anomaly of the feet might, for example, be curvature of the second toe so it overlaps the third toe a little. By contrast, a major anomaly might be a cleft lip and palate, a birth defect of serious medical and cosmetic consequence to the patient.

Antibody:  a protein made by white blood cells that reacts with a specific foreign protein as part of the immune response

Anus:  the opening through which feces are passed from the body

Apnea:  a possibly life-threatening condition in which breathing stops, for either a short or long period of time

Aspiration: Removal of a sample of fluid and cells through a needle. Aspiration also refers to the accidental sucking in of food particles or fluids into the lungs.

Asthma:  a disorder characterized by inflamed airways and difficulty breathing

Atresia:  a birth defect in which a normal body opening or canal is absent; usually requires surgical repair soon after birth

Atrophy:  the shrinkage or near disappearance of a tissue or organ

Autism:  a mental disorder characterized by an inability to relate to other people and extreme withdrawal

Autosomal dominant: a term describing a gene on any (non-sex chromosomes) that produces its effect whenever it is present; can also describe the effect of the gene itself  that will almost always produce a specific trait or disease. An autosomal dominant disorder can be inherited when only one parent passes on the gene. The chance of passing the gene (and therefore the disease) to a child is 50-50 in each pregnancy.

Autosomal recessive: a term used to describe a gene on any chromosome other than the sex chromosomes that produces its effect only when two copies of it are present; can also describe the effect of the gene itself

Axilla: medical term for the armpit

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