Category: La-Lh

A bacterium normally found in the mouth, intestinal tract, and vagina. Lactobacillus can also live in fermenting products, such as yogurt. Humans appear to have a symbiotic relationship with this bacteria: some types have become an important part of food digestion, although Lactobacillus can also contribute to cavities in the teeth if allowed to remain too long within the mouth.

Acidosis (too much acid in the body) due to the buildup of lactic acid in the body. Lactic acidosis occurs when cells make lactic acid (from glucose) faster than it can be metabolized. The key signs of lactic acidosis include unusually deep and rapid breathing, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Lactic acidosis is a feature of different disorders, usually…

Shedding tears, or shedding more tears than is normal (for example, as a result of eye injury or irritation).

Inflammation of the labyrinth of the ear, which can be accompanied by vertigo. Labyrinthitis has many potential causes including virus infection, M’ni’re’s disease, and autoimmune disease.

In medicine, a ring of fibrocartilage (fibrous cartilage) around the edge of the articular (joint) surface of a bone. The term labrum is used in anatomy to designate a lip, edge, or brim. Plural: labra. The glenoid labrum is a ring of fibrocartilage that runs around the cavity of the scapula (wingbone) in which the head of the humerus (the bone in the…

The plural of labrum, a ring of fibrocartilage (fibrous cartilage) around the edge of the articular (joint) surface of a bone. In Latin, “labrum” means “lip.” The term is generally used to designate a lip, edge, or brim.

A place for doing tests and research procedures, and for preparing chemicals and some medications. Also known as lab.

Childbirth, the process of delivering a baby and the placenta, membranes, and umbilical cord from the uterus to the vagina to the outside world. During the first stage of labor (which is called dilation), the cervix dilates fully to a diameter of about 10 cm (2 inches). The first stage of labor is divided into two phases: the latent phase and the active phase. In the…

The state or quality of being labile: susceptible to change, error or instability. From the Latin labilis meaning prone to slip, from labi meaning to slip.

Unstable. For example, labile blood pressure is blood pressure that abnormally increases and decreases frequently.