Glossary of Medical Terms – T

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T3 Uptake

This test measures the amount of thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) in the patient’s serum. When TBG is increased, T3 uptake is decreased, and vice versa. T3 Uptake does not measure the level of T3 or T4 in serum. Increased T3 uptake (decreased TBG) in euthyroid patients is seen in chronic liver disease, protein-losing states, and with use of the following drugs: androgens, barbiturates, bishydroxycourmarin, chlorpropamide, corticosteroids, danazol, d-thyroxine, penicillin, phenylbutazone, valproic acid, and androgens. It is also seen in hyperthyroidism. Decreased T3 uptake (increased TBG) may occur due to the effects of exogenous estrogens (including oral contraceptives), pregnancy, acute hepatitis, and in genetically determined elevations of TBG. Drugs producing increased TBG include clofibrate, lithium, methimazole, phenothiazines, and propylthiouracil. Decreased T3 uptake may occur in hypothyroidism

T4

See Thyroxine

TACE

Transarterial Chemo-Embolization, Transcatheter Hepatic Artery Chemoembolization

TAE

Transcatheter Hepatic Artery Chemoembolization

Tamarack

Larix Americana. The bark, used as a decoction, is a diuretic, laxative, tonic, and alterative, used in the treatment of obstructions of the liver, jaundice, rheumatism, and some cutaneous diseases. A decoction of the Tamarack leaves has been used for diarrhea, dysentery, hemoptysis, piles, and menorrhagia

Taurine

Nonessential amino acid but may be essential for individuals with certain diseases or nutritional concerns. May be needed for the proper development and maintenance of the central nervous system. Taurine’s role in bile formation is important for fat metabolism and blood cholesterol control. Colorless crystalline cysteine derivative found in nerve tissue, in bile, and in the juices of muscle particularly in invertebrates. Helps stabilize the excitability of membranes which is important in the control of epileptic seizures

TB

Tuberculosis

TBG

Thyroxine-Binding Globulin

T Cell

Lymphocytes that are produced in the bone marrow and mature in the thymus. Responsible for mediating the second branch of the immune system called “cellular immune response.” T cells can live for months to years. This lymphocyte population is defined by the presence of a rearranged T-cell receptor

T Cells

Cells that are involved in rejecting foreign tissue, controlling the production of antibodies in the presence of antigens, regulating immunity. One of the two major types of lymphocytes (white blood cells) There are two types of T-cells – “helper” T-cells and “killer” T-cells

TE

Tracheoesophageal

Tea

Camellia Thea. Considered to be a strong stimulant and astringent. Rarely used as a medicine, but, the infusion is useful to  help relieve neuralgic headaches

Tea Tree Oil

Also called Cajuput Oi. Used extensively as a anti-microbial, antiseptic, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, expectorant, and stimulant. Has also been used for colds, headaches, toothache, rheumatism, skin disorders and sore muscles

TEF

Tracheoesophageal Fistula

Telangiectasia

Broken veins

tid

Three times a day

T Lymphocyte

Mononuclear white blood cells having the property of destroying target cells. Thymus dependent cells, coordinate the cell-mediated immune system

Teratogenic

Causing malformations in a fetus

Term

Definition

Terminal Bile Duct

The smallest branch of the portal tract-based biliary system; corresponds to the bile duct seen in terminal portal tracts

Terminal Hepatic Artery

The smallest branch of the hepatic artery; corresponds to hepatic artery seen in terminal portal tracts

Terminal Hepatic Vein

The smallest branch of the hepatic venous system situated in the center of the secondary as well as the classic lobule; also called the central vein

Terminal Portal Tract

A mesenchyme-based structure containing 1 or more parallel sets of (bile duct and hepatic artery), and only 1 portal venous channel; the classic “portal triad.”

Terminal Portal Vein

The smallest branch of the portal vein that gives rise to portal venules. Corresponds to the portal vein seen in terminal portal tracts

Testing for Safety and Effectiveness

New drugs approved by the U.S. Government must not only be shown to be safe to use, but also to be effective at producing the desired effect. All candidate drugs must go through multiple phases of testing before they are approved. Early testing shows safety in animals and humans, while the later phases test for effectiveness and further confirm safety. This process is very expensive and may take many years. For this reason, many potential drugs remain untested

Testosterone

Naturally occurring androgenic hormone

Tetany

Muscle spasm

TF

Tube Feeding

Thalamus

Part of the brain

Therapeutic Range

Maximum effectiveness of a drug is generally found only for a narrow range of dosages. Below that range, the amount of drug in the body is too low to have the desired effect. Above that range, undesirable side effects or toxicity are produced. Drugs with a narrow therapeutic range (e.g., digitoxin), are more dangerous than drugs with a large therapeutic range (i.e. vitamin C)

Therapy

Treatment of a disease

Thiamine

Vitamin B-1. A B-complex vitamin that acts as a coenzyme necessary for the conversion of carbohydrates into glucose, which is burned in the body for energy. It is essential for the functioning of the nervous system as well as the muscles and heart, aids in the digestion of carbohydrates; stabilizes the appetite; and promotes growth & good muscle tone. A deficiency of Thiamin may lead to the loss of appetite, insomnia, weakness, fatigue,  paralysis, nervous irritability, weight loss, minor aches & pains, mental depression & constipation, and heart & gastrointestinal problems

Thistle

Considered a diaphoretic, stimulant, tonic, emetic and emmenagogue. In large doses, Blessed Thistle acts as a strong emetic, producing vomiting with little pain and inconvenience. Also see Milk Thistle

Threonine–L

Threonine, Essential amino acid needed for proper growth in infants and maintenance of nitrogen balance in adults. Found in eggs, milk, gelatin, and other proteins. Helps prevents fat build-up in the liver; helps the digestive and intestinal tracts function more smoothly; and assists metabolism & assimilation

Thrill

A vibration that a doctor or nurse can feel by touch, often used to describe cardiac murmurs that can be felt through the chest wall

Thrombocytopenia

Low blood platelet count

Thrombocytosis

Increased platelets in the blood

Thromboembolism

Blood clotting

Thrombolytic

Dissolving blood clots

Thrombophlebitis

Vein inflammation plus blood clotting

Thrombosis

Blood clot

Thrombus

Blood clot

Thrush

Fungus infection in the mouth

Thyme

Also called Creeping thyme, Mountain thyme, and Wild thyme. Used as a anthelmintic, antispasmodic, carminative, diaphoretic, expectorant, and sedative. As a tincture, extract, or infusion, it is used for throat and bronchial problems, acute bronchitis, laryngitis, and whooping cough, diarrhea, chronic gastritis, and lack of appetite. Excessive internal use of Garden thyme can lead to symptoms of poisoning and to over stimulation of the thyroid gland

Thymidine

One of the four basic nucleotides comprise DNA

Thymidine Kinase

An enzyme that is involved in DNA replication and that increases greatly during infection with some viruses (as the herpesvirus causing herpes simplex) and during periods of increased growth rate, as in liver regeneration

Thymus

The lymphoid organ in which T lymphocytes are educated, mature and multiply

Thyrotoxicosis

Overactive thryoid

Thyroxine (T4)

This is a measurement of the total thyroxine in the serum, including both the physiologically active (free) form, and the inactive form bound to thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG). It is increased in hyperthyroidism and in euthyroid states characterized by increased TBG. Occasionally, hyperthyroidism will not be manifested by elevation of T4 (free or total), but only by elevation of T3 (triiodothyronine). Therefore, if thyrotoxicosis is clinically suspect, and T4 and FTI are normal, the test “T3 -RIA” is recommended (this is not the same test as “T3 uptake,” which has nothing to do with the amount of T3 in the patient’s serum). T4 is decreased in hypothyroidism and in euthyroid states characterized by decreased TBG. A separate test for “free T4” is available, but it is not usually necessary for the diagnosis of functional thyroid disorders

Thyroxine-Binding Globulin

A blood serum glycoprotein that is synthesized in the liver and that binds tightly to thyroxine and less firmly to triiodothyronine preventing their removal from the blood by the kidneys and releasing them as needed at sites of activity

Tincture

Alcoholic solution of medicinal substances, usually 50% alcohol

Tisane

An infusion of flowers

Tissue Typing

Blood test (performed prior to transplantation) to evaluate the closeness of tissue match between donor’s organ and recipient’s HLA antigens

Titre

Concentration of a substance in solution

TIW

Three times a week

TMV

Tobacco Mosaic Disease

Tobacco

Nicotiana Tabacum. Tobacco is used as a diuretic, discutient, expectorant, sedative, and sialagogue, and internally only as an emetic, when all other emetics fail. Externally the nicotine in tobacco is an antiseptic

Tobacco Mosaic Disease

First recognized viral disease, tobacco mosaic disease is caused by the tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). It attacks tobbaco leaves, causing a mosaic-like pattern of discolorations in the plant

Tocopherol

Any of several fat soluble, oily, phenolic compounds with antioxidant vitamin E activity

Tocotrienol

Form of vitamin E that differs from tocopherols by possessing three double bonds in its side chain rather than being saturated. Tocotrienols have recently been isolated and have antioxidant capabilities greater than vitamins C and E and their tocopherol counterpart

Tomography

CT scanning

Tonic

Drug or medicine that improves body tone by stimulating tissue nutrition. Substance that invigorates, restores, or stimulates the system

Topical

Applied to the surface

Toradol

Ketorolac, an injectable nonsteroid antiinflammatory agent often used as a substitute for morphine in intoxicated patients or for those patients suspected of seeking narcotics

Total Parenteral Nutrition

TPN. Intravenous infusion of all nutrients through a catheter placed in a large vein near the collar bone. TPN is used to ensure that malnourished patients or severely ill receive adequate nutrition, to rest the bowel, or to prepare poorly nourished patients for surgery

Total Protein

Increase in serum total protein reflects increases in albumin, globulin, or both. Generally significantly increased total protein is seen in volume contraction, venous stasis, or in hypergammaglobulinemia. Decrease in serum total protein reflects decreases in albumin, globulin or both

Toxic Effects

The physiologic, physical, or laboratory manifestations or derangement’s that can be attributed to the presence of a substance within the body

Toxicity

Poisonousness

Toxicological

Poison study related

Toxic Threshold

The minimum dose of a medication or herbal remedy required to produce toxicity. This level is not always well- defined, as it may depend on the individual taking the treatment

Toxin

Any chemical that interferes with normal cell function. Toxins may be man- made (such as DDT), or made by plants (phytotoxins), fungi (mycotoxins), or bacteria. Many herbal remedies obtain their effect from low levels of phytotoxins

Toxoids

Preparations of pathogenic organisms or their derivatives made nontoxic and intended for active immunologic prophylaxis. They include deactivated toxins

Tox Screen

Toxicological analysis of the blood, ordered when a drug overdose is suspected and the drugs need to be identified

TPN

Total Parenteral Nutrition– can provide all or most of a patient’s nutrient requirements by intravenous means

Trace Element

Essential mineral that is essential to nutrition. Analytical chemists prefer to call minerals, trace elements and Nutritionists prefer to call minerals either minerals or trace minerals depending on the amount needed by the body

Trace Minerals

Minerals that occur in tiny amounts within the body. An aid in replacing electrolytes lost through heavy perspiration, diarrhea, and protect against toxic reaction and heavy metal poisoning.  They are essential in the effective assimilation and utilization of vitamins and other nutrients

Transaminase

Enzyme

Transaminases

Liver enzymes in the blood which can signal liver infection. The same as ALT and AST

Transcription

Constructing a mRNA molecule using a DNA molecule as a template; results in the transfer of genetic information to the mRNA.

Transcriptase

RNA polymerase; an enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of RNA with DNA serving as a template, also known as RNA transcriptase

Transcortin

An alpha globulin produced in the liver that binds with and transports hydrocortisone in the blood

Transcutaneous

Through the skin

Transdermal

Through the skin

Transfusion

Introduction of whole blood or components of blood (platelets, plasma) from one person into the body of another

Transitory

Brief

Transmission

Passing of a disease or infection from one person to another. The process by which a pathogen passes from a source of infection to a new host. There are two major types: horizontal and vertical transmission. The majority of transmission processes operate horizontally

Transmission Chain

Illustration adapted from Dickinson & Gordon (1990) to show the necessary factors required for the transmission of viral hepatitis

Transmission Threshold

Occurs for a parasite when the basic reproductive rate Ro is equal to 1. Below this threshold level the disease is unable to maintain itself within the host population. Typically, for directly transmitted parasites there is a transmission threshold for the host population size

Transplantation

Implanting organs or tissue from one person to another

Treatment

Therapy, Administration or application of a remedy to a patient with an injury or disease

Triage

The system of prioritizing patients in an emergency situation in which there are a great number of injured or ill

Trichloroacetic Acid

CCI3COOH, Toxic, deliquescent, colorless crystals with a pungent aroma, used as a chemical intermediate and library reagent, and in medicine, pharmacy, and herbicides

Tricyclic

Drugs used to treat depression

Triglycerides

Lipids (fat-like substances) carried through the bloodstream to the tissues. The bulk of the body’s fat tissue is in the form of triglycerides, stored for later use as energy. We get triglycerides primarily from the fat in our diet. Markedly increased triglycerides (>500 mg/dL) usually indicate a nonfasting patient (i.e., one having consumed any calories within 12-14 hour period prior to specimen collection). If patient is fasting, hypertriglyceridemia is seen in hyperlipoproteinemia types I, IIb, III, IV, and V. Exact classification theoretically requires lipoprotein electrophoresis, but this is not usually necessary to assess a patient’s risk to atherosclerosis. Cholestyramine, corticosteroids, estrogens, ethanol, miconazole (intravenous), oral contraceptives, spironolactone, stress, and high carbohydrate intake are known to increase triglycerides. Decreased serum triglycerides are seen in abetalipoproteinemia, COPD, hyperthyroidism, malnutrition, and malabsorption states. Most important of three groups of neutral fats; the basic unit consists of a molecule of glycerol in ester bond with three molecules of fatty acid; it serves as the major storage form of fatty acids and is practically the exclusive constituent of adipose tissue

Tristis

Dull in color

Trivalent

With a valence of three

Trophic

Pertaining to the functions of nutrition, digestion and growth

Tropical Sprue

Condition of unknown cause in which abnormalities of the intestinal lining interfere with the normal absorption of food. Leads to excess fat in the stool. Characterized by anemia

Tropism

The ability of a virus to infect specific cell or tissue types

True-Positive

Test result that accurately gives a positive reading

Tryptophan

Essential amino acid. Natural relaxant and sleep aid due to its precursor role in serotonin (a neurotransmitter) synthesis. Along with tyrosine, it is used in the treatment of addictions. A natural relaxant, Tryptophan helps alleviate insomnia by inducing normal sleep; helps in the treatment of migraine headaches; helps the immune system; reduces anxiety & depression; helps reduce the risk of artery & heart spasms and works with Lysine in reducing cholesterol levels

TSH Test

Test is performed to assess the activity of the thyroid gland. It involves measuring the concentration of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in the blood serum. TSH, which is secreted by the pituitary gland, stimulates the thyroid gland to produce hormones. A change in the level of TSH in the blood may signify a malfunctioning of the thyroid gland

TTH

Transfusion Transmitted Hepatitis

TTP

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

T Tube

Tube placed in the bile duct that allows bile to drain into a bag outside the body

Tubercular

Nodular

Tubules

Small tubes

Tumor

Swelling or enlargement of body tissue that performs no useful function. It can be either cancerous (malignant) or harmless (benign)

Turkey Rhubarb

Helps to improve appetite, increase salivary & gastric flow, and promotes healthy liver function & bile flow. Acts both as a laxative in cases of constipation, and as an astringent in cases of diarrhea

Turmeric

Contains Curcumin. Curcumin increases the secretion of bile by stimulating the bile duct. It also protects the liver by detoxification, stimulating the gall bladder and scavenging free radicals. With the help of the adrenal glands, it inhibits both platelet aggregation and the enzymes which induce inflammatory prostaglandins. Curcumin may also help break down fats and reduce cholesterol. Large doses not recommended in cases of acute bilious colic, obstructive jaundice, painful gallstones, and extremely toxic liver disorders

Type I Mortality

A mortality schedule in which all hosts are assumed to live for a fixed number of years equal to the life expectancy

Type II Mortality

A mortality schedule in which all hosts are assumed to die at a constant rate. This constant rate is equal to the inverse of the life expectancy

Type & Crossmatch

Blood typing to identify patient’s blood type

Tyramine

Amino acid synthesized in the body from the essential amino acid tyrosine that has a sympathomimetic action and is derived from tyrosin

Tyrosine

Nonessential amino acid but may be essential for individuals with certain diseases or nutritional concerns. May be important for neurotransmitter synthesis and mood regulation. May be useful for depression, allergies and addictive states. Tyrosine transmits nerve impulses to the brain; helps overcome depression; improves memory; increases mental alertness; and promotes the healthy functioning of the adrenal thyroid, and pituitary glands

Tyrosinemia

A rare inherited disorder of tyrosine metabolism that is characterized by abnormally high concentrations of tyrosine in the blood and urine with associated abnormalities especially of the liver and kidneys

© Vikki Shaw