V

vaccine (vak-SĒN): A killed or weakened pathogen or its components that, when administered to a healthy individual, leads to the development of immunological memory (a weakened primary immune response) without causing much in the way of symptoms.

vagina (vă-JĪ-nă): A muscular canal approximately 10 cm long that is the entrance to the reproductive tract; it also serves as the exit from the uterus during menses and childbirth.

vaginal (VAJ-ĭn-ăl): Pertaining to the vagina.

vaginal birth following a c-section: Having a vaginal delivery after a previous c-section delivery.

vaginal fistula (VAJ-ĭn-ăl FIS-chŭ-lă): Abnormal opening between the vagina and another organ, such as the urinary bladder, colon, or rectum.

vaginitis (vaj-ĭ-NĪT-ĭs): Inflammation of the vagina.

vaginosis (vaj-ĭ-NŌ-sĭs): Abnormal condition of the vagina.

valvulitis (val-vyŭ-LĪT-ĭs): Inflammation of a valve.

valvuloplasty (VAL-vyŭ-lō-plas-tē): Surgical repair of a valve.

variocele (VAR-ĭō-sēl″): Enlarged veins of the spermatic cord.

vascularized (VAS-kyŭ-lă-rīzd): Has numerous blood vessels.

vasectomy (vă-SEK-tŏ-mē): Excision of a duct.

vasoconstrict (vā-zō-kŏn-STRIK): The smooth muscle layer in the blood vessel wall contracts, causing the vessel diameter to narrow. This increases blood pressure in the vessel.

vasodilate (vā-zō-dī-LĀT): The smooth muscle layer in the wall of the blood vessel relaxes, allowing the vessel to widen. This decreases blood pressure in the vessel.

vasodilation (vā-zō-dil-ă-TĀ-shŏn): The smooth muscle layer in the wall of the blood vessel relaxes, allowing the vessel to widen. This decreases blood pressure in the vessel.

vasovasostomy (vā-zō-vā-ZOS-tŏ-mē): Creation of an artificial opening between ducts (restores fertility to males who have had a vasectomy).

vein (vān): Blood vessels that carry blood back to the heart.

venogram (VĒ-nŏ-gram): Radiographic image of a vein.

ventilator (VENT-ĭ-lāt-ŏr): Mechanical device that assist with breathing.

ventricle (VEN-tri-kĕl): Central cavity within the brain where CSF is produced and circulates.

venules (VEN-ūls): Extremely small veins.

verruca (vĕr-ROO-kă): Also known as a wart. An epidermal growth caused by a virus.

vertebrocostal (vĕr-tĕ-brō-KŎS-tăl): Pertaining to vertebrae and ribs.

vertebroplasty (VER-tē-brō-plas-tē): Surgical repair of the vertebral column.

vesicotomy (vĕs-ĭ-KŎT-ō-mē): Incision into the bladder.

vesicovaginal (vĕs-ĭ-kō-VĂJ-ĭ-năl): Pertaining to the bladder and the vagina.

vesiculectomy (vĕ-sik-yŭ-LEK-tŏ-mē): Excision of the seminal vesicle.

vessel compliance (VES-ĕl kŏm-PLĪ-ăns): The ability of any compartment to expand to accommodate increased content. The greater the compliance of an artery, the more effectively it is able to expand to accommodate surges in blood flow without increased resistance or blood pressure.

vestibular (ves-TIB-yŭ-lăr): Pertaining to the vestibule.

vestibulocochlear (ves-tĭ-būl-ō-KŌ-klē-ar): Pertaining to the vestibule and cochlea.

virus (VĪ-rŭs): Minute microorganism that may cause infection by invading body tissue.

visceral (VĬS-ĕr-ăl): Pertaining to internal organs.

visceral layer (VĬS-ĕr-ăl LĀ-ĕr): Layer of serous membrane which covers the organs (viscera).

viscosity (vis-KOS-ĭt-ē): The thickness of fluids that affects their ability to flow.

visual acuity (VIZH-u-ăl ă-KŪ-ĭt-ē): Sharpness of vision.

void (VOYD): Empty or evacuate waste material, urinate.

voiding (VOYD-ing): Excrete (waste matter).

vulva (VŬL-vă): External genitals of the female including the mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, urinary meatus, and vaginal opening.

vulvectomy (vŭl-VĔK-tō-mē): Excision of the vulva.

vulvovaginal (vŭl-vō-VĂJ-ĭ-năl): Pertaining to the vulva and vagina.

vulvovaginitis (vŭl-vō-văj-ĭ-NĪ-tĭs): Inflammation of the vulva and vagina.