29 L
labia (LĀ-bē-ă): Lips of the mouth.
labyrinthectomy (lab-ĭ-rin-THEK-tŏ-mē): Excision of the inner ear (labyrinth).
labyrinthitis (lab-ĭ-rin-THĪT-ĭs): Inflammation of the inner ear (labyrinth).
laceration (las-ĕ-RĀ-shŏn): Torn, ragged-edged wound.
lacrimal (LAK-rĭ-măl): Pertaining to the tear duct.
lactation (lak-TĀ-shŏn): Secretion of milk.
lacteals (LAK-tē-ăls): The lymphatic vessels of the small intestine which absorb digested fats.
lactic (LAK-tik): Pertaining to milk.
lactogenic (lak-tŏ-JĔN-ĭk): Producing milk.
lactorrhea (lak-tŏ-RĒ-ă): Discharge of milk.
lamina propria: Connective tissue of the mucous membrane which helps support epithelial layer.
laminectomy (lăm-ĭ-NĔK-tō-mē): Excision of the lamina.
laparoscope (LAP-ă-rŏ-skōp): Instrument used to view the abdominal cavity.
laparoscopy (lap-ă-ROS-kŏ-pē): Process of viewing internal organs in the abdomen.
laparotomy (lap-ă-ROT-ŏ-mē): Incision into the abdominal cavity.
laryngeal (lar-ĭn-JĒ-ăl): Pertaining to the larynx.
laryngitis (lar-ĭn-JĪT-ĭs): Inflammation of the larynx.
laryngopharynx (lăr-ĭn-gō-FĂR-ĭnks): The laryngopharynx borders the oropharynx, trachea, and esophagus.
laryngoplasty (lăr-ĬN-gō-plăs-tē): Surgical repair of the larynx.
laryngoscope (lă-RING-gŏ-skōp): Instrument used for visual examination of the larynx.
laryngoscopy (lăr-ĭn-GŎS-kō-pē): Process of viewing the larynx.
laryngospasm (lăr-ĬN-gō-spăzm): Spasmodic contraction of the larynx.
laryngostomy (lăr-ĭn-GŎS-tō-mē): Creation of an artificial opening in to the larynx.
laryngotracheobronchitis (LTB) (lă-rĭng-gō-trā-kē-ō-brŏng-KĪ-tĭs): Inflammation of the laryn, trachea, and bronchi.
laryngotracheotomy (lăr-ĭn-gō-trā-kē-ŎT-ō-mē): Incision into the larynx and trachea.
larynx (LAR-ingks): The larynx is a cartilaginous structure inferior to the laryngopharynx that connects the pharynx to the trachea and helps regulate the volume of air that enters and leaves the lungs.
laser surgery (LĀ-zĕr SŬRJ-ĕ-rē): A surgical procedure using a powerful beam of light to cut or burn tissue.
lateral (LĂT-ĕr- ăl): Describes the side or direction toward the side of the body.
leiodermia (lī-ō-DĔR-mē-ă): Condition of smooth skin.
lesion (lĒ-zhŏn): Visible change in tissue resulting from injury or disease.
lethargy (LĔTH-ăr-jē): Periods of weakness.
leukemia (loo-KĒ-mē-ă): A cancer involving an abundance of leukocytes. It may involve only one specific type of leukocyte from either the myeloid line (myelocytic leukemia) or the lymphoid line (lymphocytic leukemia). In acute leukemia, there is an overproduction of young, immature leukocytes. In both conditions the cells do not function properly.
leukocoria (loo-kō-KŎR-ē-ă): Condition of white pupil.
leukocytes (loo-kō-SĬT-ĭs): White blood cells.
leukocytopenia (loo-kō-sī-tō-PĒ-nē-ă): Abnormal reduction of white (blood) cells.
leukoderma (loo-kō-PLĀ-kē-ă): White patches caused by depigmentation.
leukoplakia (loo-kŏ-DĔR-mă): White, thickened patches on mucus membrane tissue of the tongue or che