Bma Illustrated Medical Dictionary

protease inhibitorsA type of antiviral

drugused to delay the progression of

HIVinfection (see AIDS).

proteinsLarge molecules consisting of

hundreds or thousands of amino acids

linked into long chains. Proteins may

also contain sugars (glycoproteins) and

lipids(lipoproteins). There are 2 main

types of proteins. Fibrous proteins are

insoluble and form the structural basis

of many body tissues. Globular proteins

are soluble and include all enzymes,

many hormones, and some blood pro-

teins, such as haemoglobin.

protein synthesisThe formation of

protein molecules through the joining

of amino acids.

proteinuriaThe presence of proteinin

the urine. It may result from kidney dis-

orders, including glomerulonephritisand

urinary tract infection. Increased protein

in the urine may also occur because of a

generalized disorder that causes in-

creased protein in the blood. Proteinuria

is diagnosed by urinalysis.

proton pump inhibitorsA type of

ulcer-healing drugthat is used to treat

peptic ulcers.

protoplasmA term for the entire con-

tents of a cell.

protozoaThe simplest, most primitive

type of animal, consisting of a single

cell. All protozoa are bigger than bacte-

riabut are still microscopic. About 30

types of protozoa

are human parasites,

including those that

are responsible for

malaria,amoebiasis,

giardiasis, sleeping

sickness, trichomon-

iasis,toxoplasmosis,

and leishmaniasis.

protriptylineAn

antidepressant drug

that is used to treat

depressionaccomp-

anied by tiredness

and lethargy. Possi-

ble adverse effects

include palpitations,

anxiety, insomnia,

and a rash that be-

comes worse when

exposed to sunlight.

proximalA term describing a part of

the body nearer to a central point of ref-

erence, such as the trunk.

prurigoThickening and itchingof the

skindue to repeated scratching.

pruritusThe medical term for itching.

pruritus aniItching of the anus. Causes

may include an anal fissure, haemor-

rhoids, or threadworm infestation.

PSAAn abbreviation for prostate spe-

cific antigen.

pseud-/pseudo-Prefixes meaning false.

pseudarthrosisA term meaning false

joint, used to describe an operation in

which the ends of the 2 opposing bones

in a joint are removed and a piece of tis-

sue is fixed in the gap as a cushion.

The term also describes a rare child-

hood condition in which congenital

abnormality of the lower half of the tibia

leads to spontaneousfracture.

pseudocyesisSee pregnancy, false.

pseudodementiaSevere depressionin

elderly people that mimics dementia.

Symptoms include intellectual impair-

ment and loss of memory.

pseudoephedrineA decongestant drug

used to relieve nasal congestion. High

doses may cause anxiety, nausea, and

dizziness. Occasionally, hypertension,

headache, and palpitationsoccur.

pseudoepidemicAn outbreak of an ill-

ness in a community or in an institution

that is thought to be due to a form of

hysteria. Typical symptoms are head-

ache and a general feeling of sickness.

pseudogoutA form of arthritis that

results from the deposition of calcium

pyrophosphate crystals in a joint. The

underlying cause is unknown; in rare

cases, it is a complication of diabetes

mellitus, hyperparathyroidism, and haem-

ochromatosis. Symptoms are similar to

gout. Diagnosis is from a sample of

joint fluid. Treatment is with nonsteroidal

anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs).

pseudohermaphroditismA congeni-

talabnormality in which the external

genitalia resemble those of the oppo-

site sex, but ovarian or testicular tissue

is present as normal. A female pseudo-

hermaphrodite may have an enlarged

clitorisresembling a penisand enlarged

labiaresembling a scrotum. A male may

have a very small penis and a divided

PROTEASE INHIBITORS PSEUDOHERMAPHRODITISM

P

Nucleus

Flagellum

TYPICAL PROTOZOAN

PROTOZOA

Cytoplasm

Outer cell

membrane

Endoplasmic

reticulum

Mitochondrion