Word Part | Definition |
L | liter |
L&D | labor and delivery |
L&R | left & right |
lab | laboratory |
labi/o | lips, labia |
labial | Pertaining to the lips. |
labial mucosa | The inner lining of the lips. |
-labile | unstable, subject to change |
labor | The childbirth process of expulsion of the fetus and placenta from the uterus. |
labrum | A lip. |
labyrinth | A complex system of ducts and cavities that comprise the organs of hearing and balance. |
labyrinth/o | inner ear |
labyrinthectomy | An ear operation used for Meniere's syndrome. |
labyrinthitis | Inflammation of the inner ear (labyrinth). |
laceration | A wound, specifically a deep tear or cut of the flesh. |
lacrim/o | tears |
lacrimation | Crying. |
lact/o | milk |
lactase | An enzyme secreted by the small intestine glands that convert lactose into glucose and galactose. |
lactation | Production of milk by the mammary glands. |
lacti- | milk |
lactic acid | A organic acid produced by anaerobic respiration, by fermentation of carbohydrates in the rumen and by bacterial action on milk. |
lactose | The main sugar of milk consisting of one molecule each of glucose and galactose. |
lacuna | A small cavity or depression. |
LAD | left anterior decending |
lal/o | speech |
lamella | A thin scale or plate, as of bone. |
lamin/o | lamina (part of the vertebral arch that forms the roof of the spinal canal) |
laminectomy | A surgical procedure to remove a portion of the vertebral bone called the lamina. |
lampr/o | clear |
lancet | A two-edged surgical knife with a sharp point. |
lanolin | Wool fat that is refined and used as an emollient, cosmetic, and pharmaceutic aid. |
lapar/o | abdominal wall |
laparoscope | An endoscope for examining the abdominal and pelvic organs in the peritoneal cavity. |
laparoscopy | Surgery using a thin light tube inserted into a small incision. |
laparotomy | Incision into the side of the abdomen between the ribs and pelvis. |
larva | Wormlike developmental stage in the life cycle of insects, worms, and other metamorphosing animals. |
laryng/o | larynx |
laryngectomy | Partial or total removal of the larynx. |
laryngitis | Inflammation of the larynx, including the vocal cords. Characterized by voice disorders, usually viral etiology. |
laryngomalacia | An abnormally underdeveloped or degenerated cartilage in the larynx. |
laryngoplasty | Plastic repair of the larynx. |
laryngoscopy | Visual examination of the larynx. May also include treatment. |
larynx | The voice box. Includes the vocal cords and surrounding cartilage. |
laser trabeculoplasty | Using a very focused beam of light to treat the drainage angle of the eye. |
lat | lateral |
later/o | side |
lateral | Away from the body's midline |
lavage | Washing out a body cavity with water or medicated solution. |
laxative | Agents that produce a soft formed stool and relax the bowels, used to relieve constipation. |
lb | pound |
LBBB | left bundle branch block |
LBW | low birth weight |
LDH | lactate dehydrogenase |
LDL | low-density lipoprotein |
LE | lower extremity |
lecith/o | yolk, ovum |
leeching | The application of leeches to the body to draw blood for therapeutic purposes. |
leg | The inferior part of the lower extremity between the knee and the ankle. Common usage is the entire lower limb. |
-legia | reading |
legionnaires disease | An acute bacterial infection of the lungs characterized by high fever, malaise, muscle aches, respiratory disorders and headache. |
lei/o | smooth |
leiomy/o | smooth (visceral) muscle |
leiomyoma | A benign neoplasm derived from smooth muscle tissue, also known as a fibroid tumor. They usually occur in the uterus. |
leiomyosarcoma | A malignant neoplasm derived from smooth muscle. |
leishmaniasis | A group of infections, caused by the protozoan flagellate Leishmania. |
-lemma | sheath, confining membrane |
lentigo | A small, flat, pigmented spot on the skin. |
lepid/o | flakes, scales |
leprosy | Chronic bacterial infection that affects peripheral nerves in the hands and feet, mucous membranes of the nose, throat and eyes and that causes skin lesions. |
-lepsis | seizure |
-lepsy | seizure |
lept- | thin, slight, slender |
leptin | A hormone that regulates energy balance by helping control appetite. |
lesion | Any abnormal changes or damage to body tissues. |
lethargy | A condition of tiredness, fatigue, or lack of energy. |
leuk/o | white |
leukemia | Cancer of the blood. The bone marrow then produces abnormal white blood cells which do not function properly. |
leukocyt/o | white blood cell |
leukocyte | A white blood cell. |
leukocytosis | An abnormally large increase in the number of leukocytes in the blood. |
leukoplakia | A white patch lesion found on a mucous membrane that cannot be scraped off. |
leukorrhea | Normal vaginal discharge during pregnancy . It is thin, white, milky and mild smelling. |
levo- | left |
levocardia | Congenital abnormalities in which the heart is in the normal position in the left side of the chest but some or all of the thorax or abdomen viscera are transposed laterally. |
-lexia | reading, word |
LFT | liver function test |
LGI | lower gastrointestinal |
LH | luteinizing hormone |
Li | lithium |
libido | Sexual desire. |
lichen | Any of various papular skin disease in which the lesions are typically small, firm papules set very close together. |
lidocaine | A local anesthetic, analgesic and cardiac depressant. |
lien/o | spleen |
LIF | leukemia inhibatory factor |
lig | ligament |
ligament | Flexible, tough bands of fibrous tissue connecting bones at a joint. |
limbic | Edge. |
lingu/o | tongue |
lingual | Pertaining to or near the tongue. |
liniments | Heat-generating liquids that are applied to the skin. |
lip/o | fat, lipid |
lipedema | A chronic disease that occurs mostly in females. It is characterized by bilateral, symmetrical fatty tissue excess, mainly in the legs. |
lipid | Organic compounds, including the fats, oils, waxes, sterols, and triglycerides, that are insoluble in water but soluble in nonpolar organic solvents. |
lipolysis | The metabolic process of breaking down of fat. |
lipoma | A noncancerous growth of fatty tissue cells. Occurs over area of past trauma. |
lipomatosis | A disorder characterized by abnormal tumor-like accumulations of fat in body tissues. |
liposarcoma | A malignant neoplasm of fat cells that occurs in the retroperitoneal tissues and the thigh. |
liposuction | Plastic surgery that removes subcutaneous fat using a suction tube. |
-lipsis | omit, fail |
liq. | liquid; fluid |
-listhesis | slipping |
lith/o | stone, calcification |
lithiasis | Formation of stones in an internal organ, such as in the gallbladder, kidney, and lower urinary tract. |
-lithiasis | presence of stones |
-lithotomy | incision for stone removal |
liver | A large lobed glandular organ in the abdomen with a wide range of function including detoxification, metabolism, synthesis and storage of various substances. |
LLE | left lower extremity |
LLL | left lower lobe |
LLQ | left lower quadrant |
lmp | last menstrual period |
lob/o | lobe |
lobe | A major division of an organ. |
LOC | level/loss of consciousness |
loc- | place |
lochia | A vaginal discharge occurring during the first week or two after childbirth. |
locomotion | Movement or the ability to move from one place or another. |
locus | A place or site. |
-log | speech, words, thought |
log- | speech, words |
logad/o | whites of the eyes |
-logist | specialist |
logo- | words, speech |
-logy | study of |
loin | The part of the side and back between the lowest rib and the pelvis. |
longevity | An organism's life span. |
longitudinal studies | Studies in which variables relating to an individual or group of individuals are assessed over an extended span of time. |
loph/o | ridge, crested part |
lord/o | curve, swayback |
lordosis | Abnormal, concave curvature of the lower spine. Also called swayback. |
lot. | lotion |
loupe | A magnifying lens. |
low density lipoprotein | Cholesterol that collects on blood vessel walls, increasing risk of heart problems. |
lox/o | oblique, slanting |
lozenge | A medicated candy. |
LP | lumbar puncture |
LR | lactated ringer (solution) |
LRI | lower respiratory infection |
LRT | lower respiratory tract |
lubrication | The use of an agent such as grease to diminish friction between two surfaces. |
luc/i | light |
-lucent | light admitting |
LUE | left upper extremity |
LUL | left upper lobe |
lumb/o | lower back |
lumbago | Mild to severe low back pain. |
lumbar | Referring to the lower back below the thoracic vertebrae and above the sacral vertebrae. |
lumen | The channel within a tube or tubular organ. |
lumin/o | lumen (channel within a tube) |
luminescence | Emission of light from a body as a result of a chemical reaction. |
lumpectomy | Surgical excision of a tumor from the breast without removing large amounts of surrounding tissue. |
lungs | A pair of organs that aerate the blood. The right lung is divided into three lobs while the left lung has two lobes. |
lupus | Any of a group of inflammatory autoimmune disorders can affect the skin, joints and internal organs. |
LUQ | left upper quadrant |
luteinizing hormone | A hormone released by the pituitary gland. It stimulates the secretion of sex hormones by the ovary and the testes and is involved in the maturation of spermatozoa and ova. |
luteoma | An ovarian neoplasm composed of luteal cells derived from luteinized granulosa cells and theca cells. |
LV | left ventricle |
LVAD | left ventricular assist device |
LVH | left ventricular hypertrophy |
lyme disease | An subacute inflammatory disorder caused by a spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted chiefly by ticks. It is characterized by fatigue, concentration difficulties or joint pain. |
lymph | The interstitial fluid that is in the lymphatic system. |
lymph/o | lymph |
lymphaden/o | lymph node |
lymphadenitis | Inflammation of the lymph nodes. |
lymphadenopathy | Inflammation of the lymph nodes causing enlargement. |
lymphangi/o | lymph vessel |
lymphangiectasis | A transient dilatation of the lymphatic vessels. |
lymphangioma | A congenital malformation of the lymphatic system. |
lymphangiosarcoma | A malignant neoplasm originating from the endothelial cells of lymphatic vessels. |
lymphedema | Edema due to obstruction of lymph vessels or disorders of the lymph nodes. A common complication in the arms after mastectomy. |
lymphocele | Cystic mass containing lymph. |
lymphocytes | White blood cells that help determine the body's immune response to infectious microorganisms. |
lymphocytosis | An abnormal increase in the number of lymphocytes in the blood. |
lymphoma | A cancer of the lymphatic system. |
lymphopenia | Decrease in the number of lymphocytes of the blood. |
lymphuria | The presence of lymph in urine. |
lysine | An essential amino acid. |
-lysis | loosening, separating |
lyso- | dissolution, loosen |