Medical glossary for healthcare interpreters

F

Fallopian tubes

two thin tubes that extend from each side of the uterus, toward the ovaries, as a passageway for eggs and sperm.

False negative report

a negative result when in reality it is positive in nature.

False positive report

a positive result when in reality it is negative in nature.

Fatty liver (also called steatosis)

build-up of fat in liver cells.

Fecal incontinence

being unable to hold stool in the colon and rectum.

Fecal occult blood test

test to check for hidden blood in stool; screening test for cancer of the colon or rectum.

Femur

thighbone.

Festination

walking with a series of quick, small, shuffling steps as if hurrying forward to keep balance.

Fibrillation

rapid contractions of the heart muscle.

Fibroadenoma

noncancerous, firm, rubbery lump in the breast that is painless and moves around easily when touched.

Fibrocystic breasts

noncancerous condition in which small lumps and cysts develop in the breasts.

Fibroids

noncancerous growths in, on, or within the walls of the uterus.

Fibrosis

the growth of scar tissue possibly due to infection, inflammation, injury, or even healing.

Fibrositis

a benign, intermittently recurring, and protracted disease process, with a lack of underlying pathology.

Fine needle aspiration

the use of a thin, hollow needle to withdraw tissue from the body.

Flexor muscle

any muscle that causes the bending of a limb or other body part.

Flutter

ineffective contractions of the heart muscles.

Follicle-stimulating hormone (fsh)

hormone secreted by the pituitary gland in the brain that stimulates the growth and maturation of eggs in females and sperm in males, and sex hormone production in both males and females.

Food exchanges

a way to help people stay on special food plans by letting them replace items from one food group with items from another group.

Food intolerance

an adverse food-induced reaction that does not involve the immune system (i.e. lactose intolerance).