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Glossary

Showing 531-540 out of 1175 Terms

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  • HIV test

    A test to check for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

  • HLA

    A type of molecule found on the surface of most cells in the body. HLAs play an important part in the body's immune response to foreign substances. They make up a person’s tissue type, which varies from person to person. HLA tests are done before a donor stem cell or organ transplant, to find out if tissues match between the donor and the person receiving the transplant. Also called human leukocyte antigen and human lymphocyte antigen.

  • Hair Follicle

    (… FAH-lih-kul)

    A shaft or opening on the surface of the skin through which hair grows.

  • Harvest

    The removal of a donor's bone marrow prior to bone marrow transplant.

  • Head and neck cancer

    (... KAN-ser)

    Cancer that arises in the head or neck region (in the nasal cavity, sinuses, lips, mouth, salivary glands, throat, or larynx [voice box]).

  • Health History

    (helth HIH-stuh-ree)

    A record of information about a person’s health. A personal health history may include information about allergies, illnesses, surgeries, immunizations, and results of physical exams and tests. It may also include information about medicines taken and health habits, such as diet and exercise. A family health history includes health information about a person’s close family members (parents, grandparents, children, brothers, and sisters). This includes their current and past illnesses. A family health history may show a pattern of certain diseases in a family. Also called medical history.

  • Healthcare provider

    (HELTH-kayr proh-VY-der)

    A licensed person or organization that provides healthcare services.

  • Healthcare proxy

    (HELTH-kayr PRAK-see)

    A type of advance directive that gives a person (such as a relative, lawyer, or friend) the authority to make healthcare decisions for another person. It becomes active when that person loses the ability to make decisions for himself or herself. Also called HCP.

  • Heart attack

    A heart attack happens when the flow of oxygen-rich blood in one or more of the coronary arteries, which supply the heart muscle, suddenly becomes blocked, and a section of heart muscle can’t get enough oxygen. The blockage is usually caused when a plaque ruptures. If blood flow isn’t restored quickly, either by a medicine that dissolves the blockage or a catheter placed within the artery that physically opens the blockage, the section of heart muscle begins to die.

  • Hematocrit

    (hee-MA-toh-krit)

    The amount of whole blood that is made up of red blood cells. It depends on the number and size of red blood cells. A hematocrit test is usually part of a complete blood count (CBC). It may be used to check for conditions such as anemia, dehydration, malnutrition, and leukemia. Also called HCT.