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proctosigmoiditis

Inflammation of the rectum and the sigmoid colon, the lower part of the colon that connects to the rectum.

prognosis

An assessment of the likely progress of a condition.

prognostic factors

Factors that affect the progress of a disease.

progressive

Continuously increasing in extent or severity.

prolactin

A hormone produced by the pituitary gland in the brain that stimulates breast growth and milk production. Both men and women produce some prolactin, but levels increase in women during pregnancy and breastfeeding

prolactinoma

A benign tumour of the pituitary gland in the brain, secreting the hormone prolactin

prolapse

Displacement of part of the body below its normal site.

prolapsed disc

When one of the discs of the spine is ruptured allowing the cushioning gel to leak out.

prone

Lying face-downwards.

prostaglandin

A naturally occurring hormone-like substance.

prostaglandins

One of a group of hormone-like substances that have a wide variety of actions, including the dilation of blood vessels and contraction of smooth muscle.

prostate

A gland that surrounds the urethra near the bladder. It produces a fluid that forms part of the semen.

prostate-specific antigen

An enzyme that is produced by the prostate, a gland that surrounds the urethra near the bladder. High levels are present in the blood when the prostate gland is enlarged or inflamed.

prostatectomy

Surgical removal of the prostate, a gland that surrounds the urethra near the bladder.

prostatism

Lower urinary tract symptoms due to any prostate condition that interferes with urine outflow from the bladder.

prostatitis

Inflammation of the prostate, a gland that surrounds the urethra near the bladder.

prosthesis

An artificial device attached to the body.

prosthetic

Artificial.

protein

Compounds that form the structure of muscles and other tissues in the body, as well as comprising enzymes and hormones.

protein-losing enteropathy

An abmormal loss of protein from the digestive tract or the inability of the digestive tract to absorb proteins. There are many causes for this and any condition that results in inflammation of the intestines can lead to protein loss.

proteinuria

Protein in the urine.

protozoa

Single-celled, microscopic organisms, many of which are parasites.

PSA

An abbreviation for prostate-specific antigen, an enzyme that is produced by the prostate. High levels are present in the blood when the prostate gland is enlarged or inflamed.

PSA velocity

The assessment of changes over time in levels of PSA (prostate-specific antigen), an enzyme produced by the prostate that is present in the blood in high levels when the prostate gland is enlarged or inflamed.