P
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Pacemaker |
an implanted heart device to correct a very slow or irregular heart beat |
| PCR - polymerase chain reaction |
a procedure that produces millions of |
| Perioperative |
around the time of surgery |
| PGD |
abbreviation for preimplantation genetic diagnosis achieved through in vitro fertilization where analysis of embryos is done prior to being implanted by a doctor into the uterus of a woman |
| Pharynx |
the upper expanded portion of the digestive tube, between the esophagus below the mouth and nasal cavities above and in front |
| Phenotype |
the observable signs, symptoms and other aspects of a person's outward appearance and behavior |
| PICU |
Pediatric intensive care unit |
| Pilomatrixoma |
benign skin tumors under the skin; associated with hair follicles |
| Placenta |
organ formed inside the lining of the womb that provides nourishment for fetus and elimination of its waste products |
| Placenta accreta |
condition in pregnancy in which the |
| Placenta previa |
condition in pregnancy in which the |
| Polyhydramnios |
excessive amniotic fluid build-up during pregnancy |
| Postoperative apnea |
absence of breathing after surgery |
| Postpartum hemorrhage |
heavy bleeding from the birth canal after vaginal delivery of a baby |
| Pre-mutation |
the presence of slightly more than the normal number of nucleotide repeats in the genetic mutation, e.g. in DM1, somewhere between 38 and 50; CTG repeats; |
| Prenatal diagnosis |
a process of determining whether a child in the womb has a specific inherited disorder |
| Prognosis |
forecast of the probable course |
| PROMM |
abbreviation for proximal myotonic myopathy or DM2 |
| Proximal |
in medicine, it refers to a part of the body that is nearest to the trunk of the body, such as thighs and upper arms |
| Ptosis |
droopy eye-lids due to muscle atrophy |
| Pulse oximetry |
a test to measure oxygen levels in the blood |
