25 H
hard palate (hard PAL-ăt): The hard palate is located at the anterior region of the nasal cavity and is composed of bone.
heart murmur (hart MŬR-mŭr): An abnormal heart sound.
heart rate (hart rāt): The number of times the heart contracts in one minute.
hematocrit (hē-MAT-ŏ-krĭt): A lab test which measures the percentage red blood cells in a sample of whole blood. It represents how much of the person’s blood is made up of red blood cells, by volume.
hematologist (hĕm-ă-TŎL-ō-jĭst): Physician who specializes and treats blood disorders.
hematology (hĕm-ă-TŎL-ō-jē): Study of blood.
hematoma (hĕm-ă-TŌ-mă): Tumor composed of blood.
hematopoiesis (hē-mat-ŏ-poy-Ē-sĭs): The process in which the body produces blood.
hematosalpinx (hē-măt-ŏ-SAL-pingks): Blood in the uterine/fallopian tube.
hematuria (hē-mă-TOOR-ē-ă): Blood in the urine.
hemicolectomy (hĕm-ē-kō-LĔK-tō-mē): Excision of half of the colon.
hemiparesis (hĕm-ē-PĂR-ĕ-sĭs): Slight paralysis of half (right or left) side of the body.
hemiplegia (hĕm-ē-PLĒ-jē-ă): Paralysis that effects one side of the body.
hemodialysis (HD) (hē-mō-dī-ĂL-ĭ-sĭs): Procedure for removing impurities from the blood due to an inability of the kidney to function.
hemolysis (hĕ-MŎL-ĭ-sĭs): Breaking apart of the erythrocyte cell membrane, allowing its contents to leak out.
hemopoiesis (hē-mō-poy-Ē-sĭs): The production of blood cells and platelets, which occurs in the bone marrow.
hemopoietic growth factors: Chemical messengers which promote the proliferation and differentiation of formed elements and include erythropoietin, thrombopoietin, colony-stimulating factors, and interleukins.
hemoptysis (hē-MŎP-tĭ-sĭs): coughing up blood
hemorrhage (HEM-(ŏ-)răj): Excessive or uncontrolled bleeding from the blood vessels.
hemorrhagic stroke (HEM-(ŏ-)răj-ik strōk): Disruption of blood flow to the brain caused by bleeding within the cranial vault.
hemorrhoids (HEM-ŏ-royds): Distended and swollen veins in the rectum and anus.
hemostasis (hē-MŎ-STĀ-sĭs): The process by which the body seals a ruptured blood vessel to prevent further blood loss. Biological process that results in stable equilibrium.
hemothrax (hē-mŏ-THŌR-aks): Blood in the chest cavity.
hepatitis (hep-ă-TĪT-ĭs): Inflammation of the liver.
hepatoma (hĕp-ă-TŌ-mă): Tumor of the liver.
hepatomegaly (hep-ăt-ō-MEG-ă-lē): Enlarged liver.
herniorrhaphy (hĕr-nē-OR-ă-fē): Suturing of a hernia.
hiatal: Location where the diaphragm has a small opening (hiatus) through which the esophagus passes before connecting.
hidradenitis (hi-dra-ĕn-ĪT-ĭs): Inflammation of a sweat gland.
high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (hi DEN-sit-ē lip-ō-PRŌ-tēn): High-density lipoprotein, often referred to as ‘good’ cholesterol.
hilum (HĪ-lŭm): The hilum is a ridge of cartilage that separates the two main bronchi. A concave region where blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves also enter the lungs.
hirsuitism (HŬR-sŭ-tĭ-zm): Excess hair all over the body.
histamine (HIS-tă-mēn): Vasoactive mediator in gra