| VAGINA: |
The passage (birth canal) connecting the female external genitalia with the uterus. |
| VAGINAL BIRTH OR DELIVERY: |
Birth of a baby through the birth canal (vagina). |
| VAGUS NERVE: |
Nerve that serves the esophagus, larynx, stomach, intestines, lungs and heart. |
| VALVULAR: |
Relating to an anatomical valve, in this case a valve of the heart. |
| VARICOSE: |
Dilated or swollen. |
| VARICOSE VEINS: |
Veins that are twisted and swollen just below the skin. Veins carry
blood back to the heart. |
| VARUS: |
Angulation of a bone towards the midline. |
| VAS DEFERENS: |
Duct that transports sperm from the testes to the ejaculatory duct. |
| VASCULAR: |
Relating to the blood vessels mainly veins. |
| VASOMOTOR: |
Tension of the blood vessels. |
| VEIN: |
Blood vessel that returns blood to the heart. |
| VENEREAL: |
Involving the genital organs. |
| VENTILATION: |
Exchange of air in and out of the lungs. |
| VENTILATOR: |
A machine that assists or controls breathing; a respirator. |
| VENTRICLE: |
A small cavity or chamber. |
| VENTRICULAR: |
Relating to the ventricles of the heart or brain. |
| VENULE: |
Small vein. |
| VERMILION: |
Red part of the lip. |
| VERMIS: |
Worm-like structure; usually refers to the vermis of the cerebellum, which is part of the brain. |
| VERNIX CASEOSA: |
A slippery, white, fatty substance covering the skin of a fetus. |
| VERTEBRA: |
One of 33 bony segments that form the spinal column. There are 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral (fused into one sacrum bone) and 4 coccygeal (fused into one coccyx bone). |
| VERTERBRAL ARTERY: |
One of a pair of arteries carrying oxygen-rich blood from the aorta, up the back of the neck, contributing to the Circle of Willis and supplying predominantly the back of the head and brain, including the cerebellum. |
| VERTEBRAL BODY: |
The cylindrical expansion of the front of each bony ring (vertebra) of the spinal column. |
| VESICLE: |
A small sac containing liquid. |
| VESTUBULAR STIMULATION: |
Activities that stimulate the structures of the inner ear that provide and maintain a sense of balance. |
| VISCERAL: |
The internal organs, especially those located within the abdominal cavity. |
| VITAL: |
Necessary to maintain life. Breathing is a vital function. |
| VITAL SIGNS: |
Respiration, heart rate and body temperature. |
| VITRECTOMY: |
Removing the gel from the center of the eyeball because it has blood and scar tissue in it that blocks sight. An eye surgeon replaces the clouded gel with a clear fluid. |
| VITREOUS FLUID: |
A jellylike substance that fills most of the interior of the eye. |
| VITREOUS HUMOR: |
Gelatinous substance found within the eye. |
| VOCAL CORDS: |
Two small bands of muscle within the larynx. They close to prevent food from getting into the lungs, and they vibrate to produce the voice. |
| VOLVULUS: |
Twisted intestine. |
| VOMIT: |
The ejection of contents of the stomach through the mouth; or, the material itself. |
| VULVA: |
External genitalia of the female including the clitoris and labia. |
