| digital rectal exam | An exam to detect rectal cancer. The doctor inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum and feels for abnormal areas. It is also an important screening test for the detection of prostate abnormalities, including cancer. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| automobile driver examination | Government required written and driving test given to individuals prior to obtaining an operator's license. (12 Dec 1998) |
| bone marrow examination | Removal of bone marrow and evaluation of its histologic picture. (12 Dec 1998) |
| breast self-examination | <procedure> A a regular, defined process of thorough examination of the breasts once a month to detect any changes or suspicious lumps. Exams should be practiced at the end of the period or seven days after the start of the period and be performed monthly at the same time. (09 Oct 1997) |
| Papanicolaou examination | Microscopic examination of cells collected from the cervix. It is used to detect changes that may be cancer or may lead to cancer, and it can show noncancerous conditions, such as infection or inflammation. Also called pap smear. (12 Dec 1998) |
| physical examination | Systematic and thorough inspection of the patient for physical signs of disease or abnormality. (12 Dec 1998) |
| postmortem examination | <procedure> A surgical procedure, postmortem, which involves the examination of body tissues, often to determine cause of death. (02 Jan 1998) |
| cytologic examination | The microscopic examination of cells, especially for diagnosis of disease, performed by a specialist in pathology. (27 Sep 1997) |
| self-examination | The inspection of one's own body, usually for signs of disease (e.g., breast self-examination, testicular self-examination). (12 Dec 1998) |
| EMG examination | Needle electrode examination portion of the electrodiagnostic examination (limited sense), synonym for entire electrodiagnostic examination, including not only the needle electrode examination (electromyogram proper), but the nerve conduction studies as well (expanded sense). (05 Mar 2000) |
| examination | Any investigation or inspection made for the purpose of diagnosis; usually qualified by the method used. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ultrasound examination | <investigation> The use of high-frequency sound waves to locate a tumour inside the body. Helps determine if a breast lump is solid tissue or filled with fluids. (09 Oct 1997) |
| fluorescein eye examination | A special test that allows the examiner to detect cornea abrasions or corneal foreign bodies. An orange dye (fluorescein) is placed into the eye and the eye is illuminated with a cobalt blue light (black light). This serves to highlight any irregularities in the corneal surface. (27 Sep 1997) |
| administration, rectal | The insertion of drugs into the rectum, usually for confused or incompetent patients, like children, infants, and the very old or comatose. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cancer, rectal | A malignant tumour arising from the inner wall of the end (rectum) of the large intestine. The third leading cause of cancer in males, fourth in females in the U.S. Risk factors for cancer of the colon and rectum (colorectal cancer) include heredity, colon polyps, and long standing ulcerative colitis. most colorectal cancers develop from polyps. Removal of colon polyps can prevent colorectal cancer. Colon polyps and early cancer can have no symptoms. Therefore, regular screening is important. Diagnosis can be made by barium enema or by colonoscopy with biopsy confirmation of cancer tissue. Surgery is the most common treatment for colorectal cancer. (12 Dec 1998) |