Category: Ha-Hf

The presence of an extra digit, a sixth finger or toe, which is a very common congenital malformation (birth defect). This condition is called hexadactyly. The word hexadactyly literally means six digits. In medical usage, hexadactyly does not specify whether the six digits are fingers or toes (although in Greek “dactylos” is without equivocation a finger). The 6th…

In the wrong place, in an abnormal place, misplaced. From the Greek roots “hetero-” meaning “other” + “topos” meaning “place” = other place. For example, heterotopic bone formation is the formation of bone where it is not normally found, as in muscle.

Prefix meaning different, as in heteromorphism (something that is different in form) and heterozygous (possessing two different forms of a particular gene). The opposite of hetero- is homo-.

Also called shingles, zona, and zoster. The culprit is the varicella-zoster virus. Primary infection with this virus causes chickenpox (varicella). At this time the virus infects nerves (namely, the dorsal root ganglia) where it remains latent (lies low) for years. It can then be reactivated to cause shingles with blisters over the distribution of the affected nerve accompanied by often intense pain and itching. Herpes…

Herpes simplex type 1 is a herpes virus that causes cold sores and fever blisters in and around the mouth. In rare cases, when someone’s immune system is severely compromised, this virus can cause infection of the brain (encephalitis), requiring intravenous therapy. Herpes simplex type 1 is also known as herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) human herpesvirus 1 (HHV-1).

A family of viruses. Herpes also refers to infection with one of the human herpesviruses, especially herpes simplex types 1 and 2. Herpes simplex type 1, also known as human herpesvirus 1 (HHV-1), causes cold sores and fever blisters in the mouth and around it. Herpes simplex type 2, also known as human herpesvirus 1 (HHV-1), causes genital herpes, a…

Semisynthetic drug derived from morphine. Discovered in 1874, it was introduced commercially in 1898 by the Bayer company in Germany. The name heroin was coined from the German heroisch meaning heroic, strong. Heroin is stronger (more potent) than morphine.

The surgical repair of a hernia. Herniorrhaphy may be done under local or general anesthesia using a conventional incision or a laparoscope. The term “herniorrhaphy” comes from hernio-, referring to a hernia + the Greek rhaphe, a seam = putting a seam (or suture) in a hernia.

Abnormal protrusion of tissue through an opening.

A genetic disorder of the red blood cell membrane clinically characterized by anemia, jaundice (yellowing) and splenomegaly (enlargement of the spleen). In HS the red cells are smaller, rounder, and more fragile than normal. The red cells have a spherical rather than the biconcave-disk shape of the normal red cell. These rotund red cells (spherocytes) are osmotically fragile and less flexible than normal…