Medical Glossary
Terms starting with W
- ChickenpoxWindpocken
- Chickenpox is a highly contagious viral illness that mainly affects children and causes an itchy skin rash with blisters. The pathogen is the varicella zoster virus, which can later also trigger shingles.
- ContractionsWehen
- Contractions are rhythmic tightenings of the muscles of the womb during pregnancy and birth. They open the cervix and push the baby through the birth canal.
- Growth hormoneWachstumshormon
- Growth hormone is produced in the pituitary gland and controls body growth as well as metabolism. A deficiency in childhood can lead to short stature.
- MenopauseWechseljahre
- The menopause refers to the phase of a woman's life in which fertility comes to an end and menstruation ceases. The hormonal changes can cause symptoms such as hot flushes and sleep disturbances.
- Soft tissueWeichteile
- Soft tissues are the soft tissues of the body such as muscles, tendons, fatty tissue and connective tissue. The term distinguishes them from hard structures such as bone.
- SpineWirbelsäule
- The spine is the bony axis of the trunk, made up of individual vertebrae and the intervertebral discs between them. It supports the body, allows movement and protects the spinal cord.
- Vegetative stateWachkoma
- A vegetative state is a condition following severe brain damage in which those affected appear awake and open their eyes, but show no conscious action or response. It may be temporary or persist permanently.
- VertebraWirbel
- A vertebra is one of the individual bones that make up the spine. The vertebrae enclose and protect the spinal cord and allow the back to move.
- WoundWunde
- A wound is a break in or damage to the skin or tissue, for example caused by a cut, impact or pressure. Wounds can vary in depth and, if left untreated, carry a risk of infection.
- Wound healingWundheilung
- Wound healing is the natural process by which the body closes and repairs injured tissue. It takes place in several phases and may be delayed by conditions such as diabetes.