Artifact

Something artificial, a distortion that does not reflect normal anatomy or pathology, not usually found in the body. A structure or substance not normally present but produced by an external agent or action, such as a structure seen in a microscopic specimen after...

Aspiration

An accidental sucking in of food particles or fluids into the lungs. Can also mean removal of a sample of fluid and cells through a needle. Aspiration as a medical procedure is the removal of fluid or tissue through a needle, called a needle biopsy. Breathing in a...

Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is the buildup of fat and other material inside the artery walls. Atherosclerosis is a disease in which plaque (plak) builds up on the insides of the arteries. Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood to the heart and other parts of the...

Atrophic Vaginitis

Thinning of the lining of the vagina due to decreased production of estrogen. Atrophic vaginitis is an inflammation of the vagina due to thinning and shrinking tissues and a decrease in lubrication. Atrophic vaginitis is typically caused by a decrease in estrogen...

Atrophy

A wasting of tissues, organs, or the entire body. Muscle atrophy can be caused by lack of physical exercise (Disuse atrophy), and can be reversed by exercise. But the second and most severe type of muscle atrophy is neurogenic atrophy. It occurs when there is injury...