| loop excision | A diagnostic and therapeutic gynecological surgical technique for removing dysplastic cells from the cervix. In this office procedure conducted with the aid of colposcopy, a small wire loop is used to excise visible patches of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Like cauterization, cryosurgery, and CO2 laser procedures, loop excision can be done with local anaesthetic, and is an uncomplicated, relatively inexpensive way of removing dysplastic cells; in addition, it provides material for biopsy. It is not advised for cases of severe dysplasia or carcinoma in situ, which are better addressed by cervical conization, an inpatient procedure. Synonym: loop resection. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| loop of henle | A u-shaped turn in the medullary portion of a renal tubule, with a descending limb from the proximal convoluted tubule and an ascending limb to the distal convoluted tubule. (12 Dec 1998) |
| loop of hypoglossal nerve | A loop in the cervical plexus consisting of fibres from the first three cervical nerves. Fibres from a loop between the C-1 and C-2 spinal nerves accompany the hypoglossal nerve for a short distance, leaving it as the superior root of the ansa cervicalis. Fibres from a loop between the C-2 and C-3 spinal nerves form the inferior root of the ansa cervicalis. Most commonly, the roots merge, forming the ansa cervicalis, which gives rise to branches innervating infrahyoid muscles. Synonym: cervical loop, loop of hypoglossal nerve. (05 Mar 2000) |
| loop resection | A diagnostic and therapeutic gynecological surgical technique for removing dysplastic cells from the cervix. In this office procedure conducted with the aid of colposcopy, a small wire loop is used to excise visible patches of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Like cauterization, cryosurgery, and CO2 laser procedures, loop excision can be done with local anaesthetic, and is an uncomplicated, relatively inexpensive way of removing dysplastic cells; in addition, it provides material for biopsy. It is not advised for cases of severe dysplasia or carcinoma in situ, which are better addressed by cervical conization, an inpatient procedure. Synonym: loop resection. (05 Mar 2000) |