Medical Glossary Index:


W

Walleye- a condition in which one eye turns outward

Wart- a contagious, harmless growth caused by a virus that occurs on the skin or a mucous membrane

Weber's test- a test in which a vibrating tuning fork is held against the forehead
to help determine the cause of hearing loss

Wegener's granulomatosis- a disorder in which nodules associated with inflammation of blood vessels develop in the lungs, kidneys, and nasal passageways

Weight-bearing exercise- exercise that puts stress on bones, such as walking, which helps build up bone density and prevent the bones from becoming brittle

Wernicke's encephalopathy- a brain disorder characterized by abnormal eye movements, difficulties with muscle coordination, and confusion; usually the result of chronic alcoholism

Wheeze- a high-pitched sound produced during breathing because of narrowing of the airways; common sign of asthma

Whiplash injury- injury to the ligaments, joints, and soft tissues of the neck
region of the spine because of a sudden, violent jerking motion of the head

Whipple's disease- a rare disorder that has widespread effects on the body, including impaired absorption of nutrients, weight loss, joint pain, and anemia

Whipworm- a small, parasitic worm that can live in the intestines of a human and may cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, and anemia

White blood cell- a group of colorless blood cells that are part of the immune system, helping prevent and fight infection

White blood cell count- the number of white blood cells present in a blood sample; useful in diagnosing and evaluating various diseases and infections

Whitehead- a painless, small, white bump; usually occurs in groups on the nose, cheeks, or around the eyes

Whitlow- an abscess on the end of a finger or a toe that is caused by the herpes simplex virus or a bacterial infection

Whooping cough- see Pertussis

Wilm's tumor- a type of kidney cancer that usually affects children under the age of 5

Wilson's disease- a rare genetic disorder in which copper builds up in the liver and is released into other parts of the body, eventually causing damage to the liver and brain

Withdrawal bleeding- bleeding from the vagina that occurs when hormone levels drop, such as menstruation or the bleeding that occurs at the end of each cycle of the combined oral contraceptive pill