- Z chromosome
A sex chromosome in certain animals, such as chickens, turkeys, and moths. In humans, males are XY and females XX, but in animals with a Z chromosome, males are ZZ and females are WZ.
- ZAP-70
Zeta-chain-associated protein kinase 70. A member of the protein tyrosine kinase family, ZAP-70 is normally expressed in T cells and natural killer cells and has a critical role in the initiation of T-cell signaling. ZAP-70 is expressed in T cells and tumors of T-cell lineage. A high level of ZAP-70 expression appears restricted to T-cell […]
- Zebra
‘When you hear hoof beats, think of horses, not zebras.’ For example, when someone develops a mild transient cough, a virus infection is the most logical and likely cause, and tuberculosis is a zebra.
- Zygotic lethal gene
A gene that is lethal (fatal) for the zygote, the cell formed by the union of a sperm (male sex cell) and an ovum (female sex cell). The zygote would normally develop into an embryo, as instructed by the genetic material within the unified cell. However, a zygotic lethal gene scotches prenatal development at its […]
- Zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT)
A technique in which a woman’s egg is fertilized outside the body, then implanted in one of her fallopian tubes. This technique is one of the methods used to overcome infertility, the inability of couples to produce offspring on their own. First, the egg and the male sperm needed to fertilize it are harvested. Then […]
- Scan, SPECT
Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography, a nuclear medicine procedure in which a gamma camera rotates around the patient and takes pictures from many angles, which a computer then uses to form a tomographic (cross-sectional) image. The calculation process in SPECT is similar to that in CT (X-ray computed tomography) and in PET (positron emission computed […]
- Neonate
A newborn baby, specifically a baby in the first 4 weeks after birth. After a month, a baby is no longer considered a neonate.
- GJB2
glycine replaced by arginine at position 12 (Gly12Arg), serine replaced by phenylalanine at position 17 (Ser17Phe), or aspartic acid replaced by tyrosine at position 50 (Asp50Tyr). Gap junction beta 2 (GJB2) is also known as connexin 26.
- Papillomatosis, recurrent respiratory
Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis involves the growth of numerous warty growths in the larynx on the vocal cords in children and young adults. A baby can contract recurrent respiratory papillomatosis by being contaminated with the human papilloma virus (HPV) during birth through the vaginal canal of a mother with genital warts (which are also due to […]
- Diverticulitis, bleeding from
Diverticulitis, bleeding from: Diverticular bleeding typically occurs intermittently and rapidly over several days. Colonoscopy is usually performed to confirm the diagnosis and exclude bleeding from other causes. Thermal probes cannot be employed to stop active diverticular bleeding. Therefore, surgical removal of the bleeding diverticula is necessary for those with persistent or recurrent bleeding.