374 List of Difficult Words
intramuscular injection (IM) Injection deep
into the muscle.
intravenous (IV) When medicines or fluids
are put into a vein.
J
jaundice Yellow color of the skin and eyes.
Jaundice can be a sign of hepatitis or of
newborn jaundice.
L
ligament Tough strips or bands inside the
body that hold joints and bones together.
Ligaments join bones with other bones,
while tendons or cords join bones with
muscles.
liver A large organ under the lower right ribs that
helps clean the blood and get rid of poisons.
M
massage A way of touching the body to relieve
pain, tension, or other signs. Massaging the
belly can help the womb contract and stop
heavy bleeding after birth, miscarriage, or
abortion.
midwife Someone with special training or
experience to help a woman give birth.
N
nerves Thin fibers along which messages
travel in the body. Nerves are the
‘messengers’ of the body. Some nerves let
us feel things, and tell us when something
hurts. Other nerves let us move parts of the
body when we want to.
O
operation When a doctor makes a cut in the
skin in order to repair damage inside, or to
change the way the body functions.
orthopedic Aids, procedures, or surgery
to help with the prevention or correction
of injuries or disorders of the bones and
skeletal system, and associated muscles,
joints, and ligaments.
P
paraplegia Paralysis or loss of movement in
the muscles of both legs (sometimes with
slight involvement elsewhere) caused by
disease or injury to the spinal cord.
physical therapist, physiotherapist A
person who designs and teaches exercises
and activities for people with physical
disabilities.
placenta (afterbirth) A spongy organ in
a woman’s womb that gives the baby
everything it needs to grow during
pregnancy. The baby is connected to the
placenta by the cord. After the baby is born,
the placenta also comes out of the womb.
plant medicines Flowers, leaves, roots, and
other parts of plants that can be used to
treat diseases.
progesterone A female hormone.
progestin A hormone made in a laboratory
that is similar to the progesterone made
naturally in a woman’s body. It is found in
some hormonal family planning methods.
pus White or yellow fluid that is filled with
germs, often found inside an infected tear or
wound.
Q
quadriplegia (tetraplegia) Paralysis or loss
of movement in the muscles of both arms
and legs caused by disease or injury high up
in the spinal cord, close to or in the neck.
A Health Handbook for Women with Disabilities 2007