Medical Glossary
Terms starting with V
- Atrial fibrillationVorhofflimmern
- Atrial fibrillation is a common heart rhythm disorder in which the atria of the heart beat in a disordered manner and too quickly. It may be noticeable as heart palpitations and can increase the risk of a stroke.
- General anaesthesiaVollnarkose
- With a general anaesthetic, the person concerned is put into a deep, pain-free sleep by means of medication. It makes larger operations possible, with breathing and circulation being monitored throughout the procedure.
- Preventive careVorsorge
- Preventive care refers to measures intended to prevent illnesses or detect them early. These include, for example, vaccinations, health check-ups and cancer screening.
- VaccineVakzine
- A vaccine is a preparation that prepares the immune system to defend against a particular pathogen. After vaccination, the body can fight the pathogen more quickly should the need arise.
- Vagina
- The vagina is the muscular passage connecting the uterus with the external genital organs of the woman. It serves for sexual intercourse, for menstruation and as the birth canal.
- Vagus nerveVagusnerv
- The vagus nerve is a large nerve that controls many internal organs such as the heart, lungs and digestive tract. It belongs to the autonomic nervous system and has a calming effect on the heartbeat and digestion.
- Varicose veinVarize
- A varicose vein is a dilated, tortuous vein, usually in the legs. It develops when the venous valves no longer close properly, and it can cause a feeling of heaviness and tension.
- VascularVaskulär
- «Vascular» means relating to the blood vessels. One speaks of a vascular disease, for example, when arteries or veins are damaged.
- VasculitisVaskulitis
- Vasculitis is an inflammation of the blood vessels. It can affect various organs and lead to complaints such as skin changes, pain or circulatory disorders.
- VasectomyVasektomie
- A vasectomy is a minor surgical procedure for sterilising a man, in which the sperm ducts are severed. Afterwards, no more sperm reach the seminal fluid.
- VasoconstrictionVasokonstriktion
- Vasoconstriction is the narrowing of the blood vessels. It reduces the blood supply to an area and can raise blood pressure.
- VasodilationVasodilatation
- Vasodilation refers to the widening of the blood vessels. This allows more blood to flow and lowers blood pressure.
- VeinVene
- A vein is a blood vessel that carries oxygen-poor blood back to the heart. Veins often have valves that help the blood flow back against gravity.
- VenousVenös
- «Venous» means relating to the veins or coming from a vein. For example, this is how a venous blood sample or the venous blood flowing back to the heart is described.
- Ventilation
- In medicine, ventilation refers to the airing of the lungs, that is, the exchange of the air we breathe. With artificial ventilation, a machine supports or replaces this process.
- VentricleVentrikel
- A ventricle is a chamber within the body, above all the two chambers of the heart or the fluid-filled cavities in the brain. The heart's ventricles pump blood into the body and the lungs.
- Vertigo
- Vertigo is the medical term for dizziness, the sensation of spinning or swaying. The causes range from disorders of the balance organ and circulatory problems to neurological diseases.
- VestibularVestibulär
- «Vestibular» relates to the balance organ in the inner ear. A vestibular disorder often shows itself through dizziness and problems with balance.
- VirologyVirologie
- Virology is the science of viruses and the diseases they cause. Among other things, it investigates how viruses multiply, spread and can be combated.
- Virus
- A virus is a tiny pathogen that can only multiply inside living cells. Viruses cause illnesses such as the common cold, influenza or measles.
- VisceralViszeral
- «Visceral» means relating to the internal organs of the abdomen and chest. Visceral surgery, for example, deals with operations on the stomach, bowel and liver.
- Vital capacityVitalkapazität
- Vital capacity is the maximum volume of air that can be breathed out after taking the deepest possible breath in. It is measured during a lung function test and provides information about how well the lungs are performing.
- Vital signsVitalzeichen
- Vital signs are measurable basic body functions such as pulse, blood pressure, breathing and body temperature. They provide information about a person's current state of health.
- Vitamin
- Vitamins are essential nutrients that the body usually cannot produce itself and must obtain from food. They are involved in many processes in the body, such as metabolism, the immune defence and blood formation.
- Vulva
- The vulva comprises the external female genital organs, including the outer and inner labia and the vaginal vestibule. It protects the internal genital organs and is supplied with nerves and glands.