Category: Ph-Pl

Iron deficiency anemia, esophageal webs, and dysphagia (difficulty swallowing). The iron deficiency is typically chronic and severe. It triggers the growth of web-like membranes in the throat which cause dysphagia. The syndrome is more common in women. Treatment is iron supplementation and, if need be, dilation of the web to permit normal swallowing and the passage of food. Named…

Proteolipid protein: Abbreviation: PLP. Also called lipophilin. The most abundant protein of myelin, the covering and insulation around nerves. The gene PLP1 that codes for PLP is on the X chromosome. Mutations in PLP cause Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease (PMD), an X-linked recessive disorder characterized by loss of myelin. PMD causes nystagmus (rhythmical oscillation of the eyeballs), psychomotor developmental delay, tremor, spasticity (increased muscular tone), and ataxia (wobbliness).…

1. In medicine, a network or tangle of lymphatic vessels, nerves, or veins. For example, the brachial plexus is a network of nerves leading to the arm. In general, any interwoven entity made up of elements in a structure or system.

Inflammation of the pleura which may be caused by infection, injury or tumor. When the pleura becomes inflamed, it can produce more than the normal amount of fluid, causing a pleural effusion.

Pertaining to the pleura, the thin covering that protects the lungs. The term “pleural” is pronounced like “plural” (but does not have plural meanings).

One of the two membranes around the lungs. These two membranes are called the visceral and parietal pleurae. The visceral pleura envelops the lung, and the parietal pleura lines the inner chest wall. There is normally a small quantity (about 3 to 4 teaspoons) of fluid that is spread thinly between the visceral and parietal pleurae. The pleural fluid acts as a lubricant between the two…

Florid, red-faced. Persons with polycythemia vera commonly have a plethoric facial appearance.

Many-formed. For example, a pleomorphic tumor would be a growth that is composed of different types of tissues. Also known as protean.

Pleiotropic cytokine: cytokine that affects the activity of multiple cell types. A cytokine is a small protein that has a specific effect on the interactions between cells, on communications between cells, or on the behavior of cells.

Suffix meaning paralysis or a stroke. As in cardioplegia (paralysis of the heart), hemiplegia (paralysis of one side of the body), paraplegia (paralysis of the legs), and quadriplegia (paralysis of all four extremities). From the Greek plege meaning a blow or stroke.