Medical Glossary
Terms starting with Z
- Central venous catheterZentralvenöser Katheter
- A central venous catheter is a thin tube that is advanced through a large vein until it lies close to the heart. It can be used to administer medication, nutrient solutions or fluids.
- CerebellumZerebellum
- The cerebellum is the little brain, a part of the brain in the back of the skull. It controls balance, movement coordination, and fine-tuning of movements.
- CerebralZerebral
- «Cerebral» means relating to the brain. A cerebral circulatory disorder, for example, is a disturbance of the blood supply in the brain.
- CervicalZervikal
- «Cervical» refers, depending on the context, to the neck or the cervical spine, or to the neck of the womb. The cervical spine, for example, means the neck section of the backbone.
- CervixZervix
- The cervix is the neck of the womb, the lower, narrowed part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. It is where the smear for early detection is taken during cancer screening.
- CirrhosisZirrhose
- Cirrhosis is a progressive remodelling of the liver in which healthy tissue is replaced by scarred connective tissue. Common causes are many years of alcohol consumption or chronic liver inflammation; liver function declines as a result.
- Coeliac diseaseZöliakie
- Coeliac disease is a permanent intolerance to gluten, the sticky protein found in many types of grain. In affected people, gluten damages the lining of the small intestine, which can lead to digestive problems and nutrient deficiencies.
- CyanosisZyanose
- Cyanosis refers to a bluish discolouration of the skin, lips or mucous membranes caused by a lack of oxygen in the blood. It can point to problems with the heart, lungs or circulation.
- CystZyste
- A cyst is a fluid-filled cavity in tissue, surrounded by its own capsule. Cysts are usually benign and can occur, for example, in the kidneys, ovaries or skin.
- CystoscopyZystoskopie
- Cystoscopy is an examination of the bladder in which the urinary bladder is viewed from the inside using a thin optical instrument. It helps to detect bladder conditions such as inflammation, stones or tumours.
- CytologyZytologie
- Cytology is the study of cells and their examination under the microscope. In medicine it is used, among other things, for the early detection of cancer, for example with the smear taken from the cervix.
- DiaphragmZwerchfell
- The diaphragm is the dome-shaped sheet of muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. It is the most important breathing muscle and produces inhalation when it contracts.
- DuodenumZwölffingerdarm
- The duodenum is the first section of the small intestine directly after the stomach, about twelve finger-widths long. This is where digestive juices from the pancreas and bile enter.
- SuppositoryZäpfchen
- A suppository is a solid form of medication that is inserted into the anus or the vagina, where it melts. The active substance is absorbed through the mucous membrane; this form is suitable when tablets are not possible.
- TickZecke
- Ticks are small arachnids that attach themselves to the skin of humans and animals to feed on blood. When they bite, they can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease or the meningitis FSME.
- Zoster
- Zoster is shingles, a painful skin condition with blisters along the course of a nerve. It arises from reactivation of the chickenpox virus, which remains in the body after an earlier infection.