Glossary of Medical and Health Terms. List R

Respiration

The act or process of breathing, the process by which a living organism or cell takes in oxygen from the air or water and uses it

Rash

Visual marks or spots that appear on the skin as a reaction to some other agent

Serotonin

A brain chemical or neurotransmitter involved in different body functions such as sleep and depression and memory

Spermicides

A preparation or substance (as nonoxynol-9) used to kill sperm, also called spermatocide to prevent conception

Stress

A state of bodily or mental tension resulting from factors that tend to alter an existent equilibrium

Sexually transmitted disease

A disease transmitted by sexual intercourse or genital contact

Tachycardia

An abnormally rapid heartbeat

Testosterone

One of the male sex hormones

Thyroid gland

A large endocrine gland located in the front and sides of the neck and below the Adam's apple. Essential for the regulation of growth and metabolism

Tonsillectomy

A procedure to remove the tonsils located in the throat

Tonsils

A pair of oval masses of lymphoid tissue, one on each side of the throat at the back of the mouth

Tuberculosis

An infectious disease caused by bacteria and characterized by the formation of tubercles in various tissues of the body, especially of the lungs, can be fatal in not properly treated

Typhoid fever

A bacterial infection with Salmonella typhi transmitted by contaminated water, milk or other foods. Proper sanitation and hygiene prevent the spread of disease