Medical dictionary

What is rosacea? Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that causes a facial rash, which may include red blotches, telangiectasia (spider veins), pimples or spots, and possibly a burning sensation on the skin of the cheeks, nose, chin and forehead. It is a long-term condition that appears more frequently in middle-aged people and can vary in intensity.   What are the symptoms o

What is salivary gland surgery? The main salivary glands, those that generate and empty saliva in the mouth, consistent of three pairs: the submandibular glands the sublingual salivary glands the parotid glands. Salivary gland surgery is responsible for removing any of these glands. Anaesthesia used during the procedure will depend on the gland that is removed: if it is from majo

What is sarcoma? Sarcoma is a unique form of cancer that originates in the body's connective tissues, encompassing a wide array of crucial components such as fat, blood vessels, nerves, bones, muscles, deep skin tissues, and even cartilage. While it predominantly affects the limbs, including both the upper and lower extremities, it's important to recognise that sarcoma's reach exten

What is sciatica?Sciatica is a very painful condition that can last for several days. It occurs due to the irritation of the sciatic nerve, which can occur as a result of inflammation or injury. Sciatica is not a disease itself, but is a symptom of another health problem. It usually causes a radiating pain that extends from the back to the leg, even reaching the feet. The muscles around

What is a sentinel lymph node biopsy? A sentinel lymph node biopsy is a surgical procedure that identifies whether cancer cells have spread beyond a primary tumour and into the lymphatic system. It is most commonly used when treating breast cancer and melanoma.    Where are the sentinel lymph nodes located in the body? The sentinel nodes are the first place in which ca

What is a sentinel lymph node?   Sentinel lymph nodes are a part of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system's job is to pick up cellular waste, water, and other substances accumulated between cells. The sentinel lymph nodes are the first to be reached by the lymphatic drainage system, and play an important part in fighting infection and diseases. The sentinel lymph nodes work

What is a simple goitre?   A simple goitre is an enlargement of the thyroid gland, with a lack of thyroid malfunction or thyroid cancer being apparent. Most goitres are non-cancerous and goitres are not tumours. The thyroid gland is located at the front of the neck where the collarbones meet. It is an important gland in the endocrine system, as it makes the hormones which control man

What is skin cancer? Skin cancer is one of the most commonly occuring types of cancer. There are certain types of skin cancer. There are non-melanoma skin cancers which are a group of cancers that are slow-growing and develop on the upper layers of the skin. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer and start in the cells of the lower epidermis. Squamous cell carcinoma (

How is dermatology defined? Dermatology is the branch of medicine dedicated to skin, nails, and hair diseases. It encompasses more than 3,000 diseases, and thus, both the diagnosis and treatment can be complex. It is roughly divided into different categories: 1) Inflammatory skin diseases, for example, psoriasis, eczema, autoimmune diseases like lupus, morphea, Bullous diseases (pe