5
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
fibroid

A benign tumour, most often in the uterus.

fibroids

Benign tumours, most often in the uterus.

fibroma

A non-cancerous tumour of the cells that make up connective tissue.

fibromyalgia

A chronic, disabling condition characterised by widespread muscle pain and fatigue.

fibrosing alveolitis

A chronic lung disease also known as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in which repeated injury to small areas of lung tissue leads to inflammation and then scarring, impeding breathing and oxygen intake

fibrosis

Thickening and scarring of tissues, for example, owing to inflammation or injury.

fifth disease

A common viral illness in children caused by the human parvovirus B19. The symptoms include a rash that looks as though the face has been slapped.

filariasis

A group of tropical diseases caused by various parasitic worms.

fine needle aspiration

The withdrawal of fluid or cells from a bodily structure, such as a cyst, through a syringe, to enable further analysis

FISH

Fluorescence in situ hybridisation - a technique for the detection of genetic abnormalities.

fistula

An abnormal channel between two parts of the body, for example between a hollow organ and another hollow organ, or between the inside and the outside of the body.

fixed drug eruption

A type of allergic reaction to a medicine. They characteristically recur in the same site or sites each time a particular medication is taken.

flare-up

Term to describe an episode when the symptoms of a condition worsen.

flare-ups

Term to describe episodes when the symptoms of a condition worsen.

flavonoid

Compounds found in some fruits and vegetables that have antioxidant effects.

floroquinolone

One of a group of antibiotics.

flu

A viral infection affecting the respiratory system.

fluorescein angiography

A technique for assessing the blood vessels in the retina, using a dye to see the vessels more clearly.

fluoroscopy

The use of an image intensifier and TV monitor to view X-ray images.

folate

One of the B vitamins, involved in the production of red blood cells.

folic acid

A vitamin in the group of vitamin Bs.

folliculitis

Inflammation of one or more hair follicles as a reult of a staphylococcal infection.

fontanelle

One of the two membrane-covered spaces between the bones of a baby's skull. At birth, the skull bones are not fully fused and two soft areas can be felt through the scalp.

foramen ovale

The opening between the two upper chambers (atria) of the heart of the fetus, which normally closes at birth. The term 'foramen ovale' may also be used to describe the large hole at the base of the skull.