Bma Illustrated Medical Dictionary

liquid paraffinA lubricant laxative

drugobtained from petroleum. It can

cause anal irritation, and prolonged use

may impair the absorption of vitamins

from the intestine into the blood.

lisinoprilAn ACE inhibitor drugcom-

monly used to treat hypertension.

lispA common speech disordercaused

by protrusion of the tongue between the

teeth so that the “s” sound is replaced

by “th”. Sometimes the cause is a cleft

palate (see cleft lip and palate). In most

children, there is no physical defect and

lisping disappears by the age of about 4.

listeriosisAn infection that is common

in animals and may also affect humans.

It is caused by the bacterium LISTERIA

MONOCYTOGENES, which is widespread in

the environment, especially in soil. Pos-

sible sources of human infection include

soft cheese, ready-prepared coleslaw and

salads, and improperly cooked meat.

In most adults, the only symptoms are

fever and aching muscles. There may also

be sore throat, conjunctivitis, diarrhoea,

and abdominal pain. Pneumonia,septi-

caemia, and meningitismay develop in

severe cases. However, listeriosis can be

life-threatening, particularly in elderly

people, those with reduced immunity,

and newborn babies. In pregnant women,

infection may cause a miscarriage.

The condition is diagnosed by blood

testsand analysis of other body fluids,

such as urine. Treatment is with antibi-

otic drugs, such as ampicillin.

lithiumA drug used in the long-term

treatment of maniaand manic-depressive

illness. High levels of lithium in the blood

may cause vomiting, diarrhoea, blurred

vision, tremor, drowsiness, rash, and, in

rare cases, kidney damage.

lithotomySurgical removal of a calculus

(stone) from part of the urinary tract.

The procedure is only performed for

large stones; smaller stones are usually

crushed and removed using cystoscopy,

or pulverized ultrasonically by lithotripsy.

lithotomy positionPosition in which a

patient lies on his or her back with the

hips and knees bent and the legs wide

apart. Once used for lithotomy, the posi-

tion is still used for pelvic examinations

and some types of pelvic surgery.

lithotripsyThe process of using shock

waves or ultrasonic waves to break up

calculi(stones) inside the kidneys, upper

ureters, and gallbladderfor excretion.

LIQUID PARAFFIN LITHOTRIPSY

L

LITHOTRIPSY

Shock-wave

generator

Lead apron

Monitors X-ray beam to locate

kidney stones

X-ray source

Water- or gel-

filled cushion

Control

unit X-ray receiver

Shock waves

EXTRACORPOREAL LITHOTRIPSY