Glossary

localized collection of pus

painful white blisters inside the mouth

medical history; information about a patient, his/her life, past and present environment, problems and previous illnesses, treatments, illnesses that run in the family as reported by the patient or others familiar with the patient before the commencement of treatment

a condition where erythrocyte and/or haemoglobin concentration in the blood is decreased due to bleeding, faulty red blood cell production, destruction of red blood cells or a combination of both

a chronic form of arthritis that primarily affects the spine

inflammation of a joint

chronic, autoimmune disease of the liver that occurs when the body's immune system attacks liver cells causing the liver to be inflamed

indicator of acute inflammation, in healthy individuals present in very low concentrations

calcium binding protein found in neutrophils and secreted into faeces in inflammatory bowel disease

large intestine

an abnormal development, size, shape and organisation of cells, tissues, organs, extremities, body

a device for visual examination of body cavities and hollow organs and performing certain procedures (with cold light source, usually with a canal for irrigation of visual field, canal for introducing instruments and connection with a camera)

examination by means of an endoscope

a thin layer of tissue that lies between the white of the eye (sclera) and the conjunctiva

inflammation of the episclera

a type of skin inflammation that produces tender red and often painful bumps (nodules) under the skin

an abnormal passage, usually as a canal between two organs or from a deeper tissue to the surface (skin, mucosa), formed by a pathologic process (e.g. purulent infection, operation or due to development disorders, often named after organs or parts with which it connects

digestive tract

a protein molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen to tissues and gives blood its red colour

urine-filled dilation of the renal pelvis and/or calyces as a result of obstruction

severe or complete mechanical and/or functional obstruction of the normal movement of the product of digestion with typical symptoms (abdominal cramps, vomiting, not passing stools or gas); bowel obstructio

number of newly diagnosed cases

localised flat tissue change; plaque

the opening inside the intestine

expression

a membrane that lines various cavities in the body; it contains glands that excrete mucus

number of existing cases

a rare skin condition that is characterized by small, red bumps or blisters (papules or nodules) that eventually erode to form swollen ulceration of various sizes with a blue-black rim. They are not related to an infection or to gangrene. Often occurs as an extra intestinal form of chronic inflammatory bowel disease.

a temporary diminution of the severity of a health condition

an inflammation of sacroiliac joints where spine and pelvis join

inflammation of one or more vertebrae

appearing or happening at irregular intervals in time, scattered or isolated instances

erythrocyte sedimentation rate

excessive build-up of fat in various tissues

narrowing of tubular body organs

a surgically created opening on the abdominal wall connected with the bowels, through which the bowel excretes its contents

inflammation of the oral mucosa

disintegration of surface epithelial tissue resulting from processes on the surface or below

a lesion or sore on the skin or mucous membrane resulting from the gradual disintegration of surface epithelial tissue

the middle layer of the eye

inflammation of the uvea