| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Bladder |
The sac that holds urine. |
| Blood Test |
A procedure in which a sample of blood is taken and analyzed in a laboratory for evidence of infection or disease. |
| Bone mineral density (BMD) |
A term used to describe the amount of Calcium present in bone. |
| Breast cancer |
A disease in which abnormal cells in the breast divide and multiply in an uncontrolled fashion. The cells can invade nearby tissue and can spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system (lymph nodes) to other parts of the body. |
| Bulbourethral glands (Cowper's glands) |
Pea-sized structures located on the sides of the urethra just below the prostate gland. These glands produce a clear, slippery fluid that empties directly into the urethra. This fluid serves to lubricate the urethra and to neutralize any acidity that may be present due to residual drops of urine in the urethra. |
| Calcitonin |
Calcitonin is a hormone produced by cells in the Thyroid Gland (located in the neck). Calcitonin controls the level of calcium in the blood and assists the body in absorbing calcium into bones. |
| Calcium |
A mineral taken in through the diet that is essential for a variety of bodily functions, such as the transmission of nerve impulses, muscle contraction and proper heart function. Imbalances of calcium can lead to many health problems and can cause nerve cell death. Calcium is also important for bone health. |
| Candida |
A species of fungus that normally lives in small numbers in the vagina, as well as in the mouth and digestive tract of both men and women. |
| Carcinoma in situ |
This is a condition that is considered a pre-cancer, because cancer cells are found on the surface of the organ or tissue. ("In situ" literally means "in its proper place.") |
| Carcinomas |
A type of cancer that arises from the lining cells of the body, called epithelial cells. Epithelial cells form the outer layer of the skin, and the membranes lining the digestive tract, bladder and uterus, as well as the tubes and ducts that run through the body’s organs. |
| Cataracts |
A cloudy or opaque area in the lens of the eye. |
| Cell proliferation |
An increase in the number of cells as a result of cell growth and cell division. |
| Cervical biopsy |
A procedure in which the doctor removes a small amount of tissue from the cervix to be examined more closely. |
| Cervical cancer |
Cancer that occurs when abnormal cells in a woman’s cervix—the lowest part of the uterus (womb) through which babies pass when they are born—divide and grow uncontrolled. |
| Cervix |
The lowest part of the womb, or uterus, through which babies pass when they are born. |