An instrument with attached light source, usually connected to a camera, which allows the examination of the organs during keyhole surgery.
laparoscope
laparoscopic
A keyhole surgical procedure.
laparoscopy
Keyhole surgery that uses an instrument called a laparoscope to examine the abdominal or pelvic organs.
large loop excision of the transformation zone
A type of surgery used to cut out abnormal tissue of the cervix of the uterus. It uses a loop of heated wire that acts like a scalpel.
laryngitis
Inflammation of the larynx or voice box, usually due to infection, irritation or over-use (such as shouting or screaming)
laryngoscopy
Examination of the larynx either directly, through an endoscope, or indirectly, reflecting light off a mirror held at the back of the throat
larynx
Organ of the body that produces the sounds of the voice, through which air from the mouth cavity (pharynx) passes to and from the lungs.
laser ablation
The destruction of abnormal cells by burning them away using a laser.
laser therapy
The destruction of abnormal cells by burning them away using a laser.
lateral rectus
The eye muscle reponsible for turning the eyeball outwards.
LDL-cholesterol
Substance that carries cholesterol around the bloodstream, a form of so-called 'bad cholesterol'.
Leber's optic atrophy
An inherited form of vision loss.
LEEP
An abbreviation for loop electro-surgical excision procedure, a type of surgery used to cut out abnormal tissue of the cervix of the uterus. It uses a loop of heated wire that acts like a scalpel.
left ventricular thrombus
A blood clot formed within the left lower chamber of the heart.
leishmaniasis
Any of a number of diseases caused by the parasite leishmania.
lentigo maligna
A pre-cancerous condition.
leprosy
A chronic bacterial infection that damages nerves, mainly in the limbs and facial area and may cause skin damage.
leptospirosis
An acute bacterial infection that affects humans and a wide variety of animals.
lesion
a general term to cover any abnormality such as a wound, infection, abscess or tumour.
leucapheresis
The removal of white cells from the blood.
leucocytosis
A raised white blood cell count.
leuconychia
An abnormal whitening of the nails, which may occur spontaneously or after minor injury.
leukaemia
A malignant condition in which increased numbers of white blood cells, leucocytes, are produced in an immature or abnormal state.
leukoplakia
Thickened whitish patches on mucous membranes of the mouth or genitals. They are often pre-malignant.