Medical glossary for healthcare interpreters

R

Radial keratotomy 

a surgical procedure in which incisions are made into the epithelium of the cornea to correct refractive error.

Radiation

use of high-energy radiation from x-rays, neutrons, and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.

Radiation colitis

inflammation of the colon from radiation therapy.

Radical mastectomy

surgical removal of the entire breast, the pectoral muscles, and the ancillary lymph nodes.

Radical prostatectomy

surgery to remove the prostate along with the two seminal vesicle glands attached to the prostate.

Radical retropubic prostatectomy

an operation to remove the entire prostate gland and seminal vesicles through the lower abdomen.

Radiculopathy

pinched nerve usually from a herniated, or slipped, disk; can cause a shooting pain often described as an electrical feeling.

Radioisotope

a radioactive material injected into the body so that a nuclear scanner can make pictures.

Radionuclide scan

an imaging scan in which a small amount of radioactive substance is injected into the vein. A machine measures levels of radioactivity in certain organs, thereby detecting any abnormal areas or tumors.

Radionuclide ventriculography

a diagnostic procedure used to determine the shape and size of the heart's chambers.

Radiopharmaceutical (also called tracer

the basic, radioactively-tagged compound necessary to produce a nuclear medicine image.

Range of motion

measurement of the extent to which a joint can go through all of its normal range of movements.

Rapid gastric emptying

see dumping syndrome.

Recommended dietary allowance (rda)

recommendations for daily intake of specific nutrients for groups of healthy individuals, as set by the food and nutrition board of the national research council of the national academy of science.

Rectal manometry

test that uses a thin tube and balloon to measure pressure and movements of the rectal and anal sphincter muscles.

Rectocele

condition in which weakening of the lower vaginal wall causes the rectum to bulge into the vagina.

Rectum

lower end of the large intestine, leading to the anus.

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (rsd)

caused by an abnormal sympathetic muscle reflex, giving rise to a response that is out of proportion to, and inconsistent with, the injury.

Reflux (also called regurgitation.)

condition that occurs when gastric juices, or small amounts of food from the stomach, flow back into the esophagus and mouth.

Reflux esophagitis

irritation of the esophagus due to stomach contents flowing back into the esophagus.