Bma Illustrated Medical Dictionary

a gamete or any cell that is undergoing

gametogenesis (the process by which

gametes are formed).

germ cell tumourA growth comprised

of immature spermcells in the male

testisor of immature ovain the female

ovary. A seminomais one type of germ

cell tumour (see testis, cancer of).

gerontologyThe study of aging. (See

also geriatric medicine.)

Gestalt theoryA school of psychology

that emphasizes viewing things as a

whole rather than breaking them down

into collections of stimuli and responses.

Gestalt therapy aims to increase self-

awareness by looking at all aspects of

an individual in his or her environment.

gestationThe period of about 9 months

from conception to birth, duringwhich

the infant develops in the uterus. (See

also embryo;fetus; pregnancy.)

gestational diabetes Diabetes that

develops for the first time during preg-

nancy, usually clearing up after delivery.

(See diabetic pregnancy.)

gestodeneA progestogen drug used

with the oestrogen drug ethinylestradiol

in low-strength combined oral contra-

ceptives. Gestodene is reported to have

a slightly higher risk of venous throm-

boembolismthan older drugs.

giant cell arteritisAn alternative name

for temporal arteritis.

giardiasisAn infection of the small

intestine caused by the protozoanpara-

site GIARDIA LAMBLIA. Giardiasis is spread

by eating or drinking

food or water that

is contaminated or

by way of direct

contact with some-

one who is infected.

Most of those in-

fected do not have

symptoms. If, how-

ever, symptoms do

occur, they begin

1–3 days after in-

fection and include

diarrhoea and wind.

The faeces of those

infected tend to be

highly foul-smelling,

greasy, and float.

Abdominal discom-

fort, cramps, and swelling, loss of appe-

tite, and nausea may also occur. In some

cases, giardiasis becomes chronic.

Infection is diagnosed from examina-

tion of a faecal sample or by a jejunal

biopsy. Acutegiardiasis usually clears up

without treatment, but the drug metro-

nidazolequickly relieves symptoms and

prevents the spread of infection.

giddinessSee dizziness.

GIFT See gamete intrafallopian transfer.

gigantismExcessive growth (especially

in height), resulting from overprod-

uction of growth hormone during

childhood or adolescence by a tumour

of the pituitary gland (see pituitary

tumours). Untreated, the tumour may

compress other hormone-producing

cells in the pituitary gland, causing

symptoms of hormone deficiency (see

hypopituitarism). The condition may be

treated with drugs such as bromo-

criptinethat block the release of growth

hormone, or by surgery or radiotherapy

to remove or destroy the tumour. See

also acromegaly.

Gilbert’s diseaseA common inherited

condition that affects the way in which

bilirubinis processed by the liver. Usually

there are no symptoms, but jaundice

may be brought on by an unrelated ill-

ness. Sufferers are otherwise healthy.

No treatment is necessary.

Gilles de la Tourette’s syndromeA

rare, inherited neurological disorder. It

starts in childhood with repetitive gri-

maces and tics. Involuntary barks, grunts,

or other noises may appear as the dis-

ease progresses. In some cases, the

sufferer has episodes of issuing foul

language. The syndrome is more com-

mon in males. It is usually of lifelong

duration, but antipsychotic drugscan

help in some cases.

gingivaThe Latin name for the gums.

gingival hyperplasiaSee hyperplasia,

gingival.

gingivectomyThe surgical removal of

part of the gummargin. Gingivectomy

may be used to treat severe cases of

gingival hyperplasiaor to remove pock-

ets of infected gum in advanced cases

of periodontitis.

gingivitisInflammation of the gums.

Gingivitis is a reversible stage of gum

GERM CELL TUMOUR GINGIVITIS

G

GIARDIASIS

GIARDIA LAMBLIA

Giardia

parasite

Lining of small

intestine