Glossary

Health Terms beginning with "L"

Labia

Folds of skin surrounding the opening of the vagina.

Lactobacillus

A type of bacterium that has several types, one of which is responsible for keeping the vagina's pH at normal levels.

Lacto-ovo vegetarians

Vegetarians who eat milk products and eggs, and who generally are able to meet their nutritional needs without supplements.

Lactose intolerance

Difficulty digesting dairy products; may be more common as you age. Lactose is the sugar found in milk.

Lamivudine

An oral antiviral drug for hepatitis B that was developed for treating HIV. It appears to have fewer side effects than interferon.

Laparoscope

A long, thin telescope-like device inserted into the abdomen that is used to see inside the pelvic cavity. It can be used to assist surgeons in performing surgery with very small incisions. Typically, the laparoscope is inserted through a woman's belly button to view the entire pelvis.

Laparoscopically

When an operation is done with the use of a laparocope.

Laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy

A procedure in which a small telescope is inserted through a woman's naval to assist the surgeon in a hysterectomy. Other instruments are inserted in the abdomen through other small incisions, which can be used to perform parts of the hysterectomy, but most of the procedure is completed through the vagina.

Laparoscopic hysterectomy

A hysterectomy where the entire procedure is performed through the laparoscope in the abdomen.

Laparoscopy

A procedure in which a laparoscope (operative camera) is inserted into the abdominal cavity to get a close look at the inside of the abdomen. It's performed under general anesthesia and is utilized both for diagnosis and treatment.

Laparotomy

A test used to determine the stage of disease; a small incision allows a small scope to be inserted and allows your healthcare professional to view your organs and/or take a biopsy.

Large cell carcinoma

A lung cancer consisting of large cells that look abnormal.

Laser resurfacing

A procedure to improve cosmetic flaws that uses a wand-like laser handpiece to remove undesired skin cells. One of the most significant advantages of laser resurfacing over traditional techniques is that treatment is relatively bloodless.

Latex

Sap produced by the rubber plant, it is used to make medical gloves, balloons and condoms, among other things. Allergy to latex affects about 1 percent of the U.S. population and is on the rise.

Law of Similars

The contention that a substance that can cause a set of symptoms when given to a healthy person can—in diluted form—help a person who is ill if he or she exhibits the same set of symptoms. This is the basis of homeopathy.

Laxative

A substance that causes you to have a bowel movement.

Laxatives

Medications used to treat constipation.

LDL cholesterol

Low-density lipoprotein; one of the two types of cholesterol. LDL is known as "bad" cholesterol because too much LDL in the blood can lead to cholesterol buildup and blockage in the arteries. You should aim for levels below 130 mg per deciliter.

Learning disorder

A disorder that affects a person's ability to master language or certain academic skills, typically reading and math.

Lens

A transparent structure of the eye with an outward curve on both sides that focuses light onto the retina at the back of the eye.

Lesion

A broad term referring to any disfiguration or abnormality of the skin or mucous membrane. Lesions caused by herpes, called herpetic lesions, go through phases—from blisters to ulcers—and are found most commonly on the genital and anal region. Usually within eight to 10 days the sores heal without leaving scars; especially in recurrent outbreaks, lesions may last only a few days.

Leukocytes

White blood cells that play an important role in the immune system.

Leukotrienes

Chemicals produced by the cells in the lung lining; part of the chain reaction that causes inflammation and constriction of airways.

Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system

A new type of intrauterine device (IUD). This system, like other IUDs, is a T-shaped device small enough to fit in the palm of the hand. It is inserted by a health care professional into the uterus. It releases a low dose of the hormone levonorgestrel, a type of progestin similar to the progesterone produced by a woman's ovaries. It is designed to be in place for up to five years but may be removed by a health care professional at any time. It is more than 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy.

Libido

Sexual drive.

Lifestyle physical activity

Activity that is worked into the normal course of the day, for example, using the stairs, walking your dog or playing actively with your kids.

Ligament

A band of fibrous tissue that connects various bones and cartilages.

Lip biopsy

In this test, the health care professional removes a few minor salivary glands from inside your lower lip.

Lipid

As it relates to the eye, the lipid is the oily, outer layer of tear film on the eye that smooths the eye's surface and keeps tears from evaporating too fast and helps them stay on the eye.

Lipids

Fatty substances, including cholesterol and triglycerides, that are present in blood and body tissues.

Lipodystrophy

A disturbance in the way the body produces, uses and distributes fat. Lipodystrophy is also referred to as a "buffalo hump," "protease paunch," or "Crixivan potbelly." It may be related to protease inhibitors, as well as to the virus itself or with other classes of drugs.

Lipoplasty

A term for liposuction.

Lipoprotein profile

A test that uses blood from the arm to measure your total cholesterol, HDL, and LDL, and triglyceride levels. The test requires a fast for 9-12 hours beforehand. Nothing can be consumed but water, or coffee or tea with no cream or sugar.

Lipoproteins

Protein-coated packages that carry fat and cholesterol through the bloodstream. Lipoproteins are classified according to their density, including high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein.

Liposuction

An elective, surgical procedure that suctions out localized pockets of fat beneath the skin that do not respond to diet and exercise.

Lithium

A medication used for treating those with bipolar disorder.

Lithotripsy

A method of breaking up kidney stones using shock waves or other means.

Living will

A legal document that describes what type of care you would like, should you be unable to decide for yourself in the future.

Lobectomy

A surgical procedure during which a section of the lung is removed.

Lobotomy

Removal of a lobe of the brain.

Localized scleroderma

The milder version of scleroderma, in which the skin is generally the only organ affected.

Long-term care insurance

Insurance covers the cost of nursing-home or other long-term care.

Low birth weight

Refers to an infant born weighing less than 5.5 pounds.

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)

LDL is known as "bad" cholesterol because too much LDL in the blood can lead to cholesterol buildup and blockage in the arteries. Aim for levels below 100 milligrams per deciliter.

Lower GI series (barium dye enema)

A substance called barium is injected via the rectum into the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract to detect abnormal areas that may be caused by ovarian cancer.

Low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion

A condition characterized by a few immature cells among mostly mature cells; the abnormal cells extend through one-third the thickness of the cervical skin.

Lumbar puncture test

A physician extracts cerebrospinal fluid from around your spine, which is the liquid that flows around your brain and spinal cord. Tests on this fluid may suggest multiple sclerosis but are not conclusive.

Lumpectomy

Removal of any cancerous tissue in the breast, while still preserving the breast itself. Lumpectomies are done in conjunction with an axillary lymph node dissection.

Lupus

An inflammatory, multisystem disorder in which the immune system attacks healthy tissues, leading to such symptoms as achy joints, fever, arthritis, skin rashes and fatigue. The disease affects primarily young women of childbearing age. There are three types of lupus: discoid lupus erythematosus, drug-induced systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic lupus erythematosus (see separate entries).

Luteal phase

The stage between mid-cycle and day 28 during which the unfertilized egg begins to produce high levels of estrogen and progesterone, preparing for menstruation. Symptoms you experience during this phase are considered true PMS.

Luteinizing hormone

Hormone produced in the pituitary that stimulates ovulation and restores egg-releasing follicles to hormone-producing glandular tissue. Works in conjunction with follicle-stimulating hormone.

Lyme disease

An acute inflammatory disease that is transmitted by ticks. It is often characterized initially by a spreading red skin lesion at the site of the infection, fever and chills, and may result in joint pain, arthritis and cardiac and neurological disorders.

Lymph

The almost colorless fluid that bathes body cells and contains cells that help fight infection.

Lymphatic system

The lymph nodes, spleen and thymus, which produce and store infection-fighting cells, and the network of channels that carry lymph fluid.

Lymph nodes

Small bean-shaped structures scattered throughout the body along the channels of the lymphatic system; also called the lymph glands. Nodes filter bacteria or cancer cells that may travel through the lymphatic system.

Lymphocytes

Immune system cells found in the bone marrow and blood.