Glossary of terms

That medical terms are complicated? Yes, we agree. But they can be explained. That's why we've put together an easy-to-understand medical glossary, where you'll find all sorts of terms from the world of medicine, diagnostics and related fields. So that you don't have to get confused anymore.

F

Fibrinogen

Fibrinogen – one of the most important acute phase proteins and the main protein supporting platelet aggregation (e.g. scab formation)

G

Genetic association

Genetic association – the occurrence of a specific allele with a specific phenotype more often than would be expected by chance.

Genetic code

Genetic code – the way hereditary information is written in the form of nucleic acids.

Germline mutation

Germline mutation – a mutation that can be passed on to an offspring.

H

Haplotype

Haplotype – a set of alleles of linked genes that tend to be inherited together.

Hematology test

Hematology test – a laboratory analysis of blood that evaluates the composition and properties of blood cells

Hemogram

Hemogram (blood count) – a basic hematological examination providing information about the composition of the blood, including the number and properties of red and white blood cells and platelets

Heritability

Heritability – the proportion of phenotypic variability attributable to genotypic variability.

I

Immunoglobulins

Immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM) - an immunoglobulin test helps diagnose immune system disorders

Inbreeding

Inbreeding – the crossing of individuals that share one or more common ancestors.

Inflammatory markers

Inflammatory markers (CRP, procalcitonin) – substances in the blood that signal the presence of inflammation in the body

INR

INR (International Normalized Ratio) – a laboratory parameter used to assess blood clotting

Ionogram

Ionogram (Na, K, Cl, Ca, Mg) – a laboratory test that measures the levels of important ions (electrolytes) in the blood

L

Lactate

Lactate – a waste product formed during anaerobic metabolism, i.e. when the body produces energy without sufficient oxygen supply (e.g. during intense physical exertion)

Liabilita

Liabilita (susceptibility) – a limiting set of predisposing traits.

Linkage disequilibrium

Linkage disequilibrium – the occurrence of closely linked alleles more frequently than would be expected by chance.

Lyme disease

Lyme disease – an infection transmitted by ticks.

M

Mendel’s laws

Mendel’s laws – a set of rules governing the inheritance of monogenic traits discovered by Mendel, often presented as the “law of segregation of genetic factors (traits)”.

Microalbuminuria

Microalbuminuria - an important test for early detection of kidney problems and an important indicator of other health conditions

Minerals

Minerals (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe) – play a key role in the viability of the organism and their deficiency/excess can lead to health problem