Vaginal hysterectomy  - the uterus is removed through the vaginal opening.

Vaginosis, bacterial - very common vaginal infection characterized by symptoms such as increased vaginal discharge or itching, burning, or redness in the genital area.

Vagotomy - operation to cut the vagus nerve, which causes the stomach to produce less acid.

Vagus nerve - nerve in the stomach that controls the production of stomach acid.

Valgus deformity - a lateral inclination of a distal bone of a joint from the midline.

Valve - fold in the lining of an organ that prevents fluid from flowing backward.

Valves, heart - (the heart valves are tricuspid, pulmonic, mitral, and aortic) - the "doors" between the chambers of the heart.

Valvuloplasty - repairing a heart valve.

Varices - stretched veins such as those that form in the esophagus from cirrhosis.

Varicose vein - an abnormally dilated vein, usually found in the legs.

Varus deformity - a medial inclination of a distal bone of a joint from the midline.

Vascular - pertaining to blood vessels.

Vasodepressors - a medication that raises blood pressure.

Vasodilator - agent that widens blood vessels.

Vein - a blood vessel that carries blood from the body back into the heart.

Velocardiofacial syndrome - an inherited disorder characterized by cleft palate, heart defects, a characteristic facial appearance, minor learning problems, and speech and feeding problems.

Ventilation - movement of air (gases) in and out of the lungs.

Ventricle - one of the two pumping chambers of the heart; the right ventricle receives oxygen-poor blood from the right atrium and pumps it to the lungs through the pulmonary artery; the left ventricle receives oxygen-rich blood from the left atrium and pumps it to t

Ventricular fibrillation - a condition in which the ventricles contract in rapid and unsynchronized rhythms and cannot pump blood into the body.

Vertebral artery testing - evaluation procedure to assess the relationship between cervical spine movement and symptoms which may be vertebrobasilar in origin.

Vestibular neuronitis - infection at the vestibular nerve.

Vestibular system - system in the body that is responsible for maintaining the body’s orientation in space, balance, and posture; regulates locomotion and other movements and keeps objects in visual focus as the body moves.

Vestibule - bony cavity of the inner ear.

Vibrotactile aids - mechanical instruments that help individuals who are deaf detect and interpret sound through the sense of touch.

Villi - tiny, finger-like projections on the surface of the small intestine that help absorb nutrients.

Viral hepatitis - hepatitis caused by a virus. Five different viruses (a, b, c, d, and e) most commonly cause this form of hepatitis. Other rare viruses may also cause hepatitis. (see also hepatitis.)

Vitrectomy - an operation to remove the blood that sometimes collects at the back of the eyes when a person has eye disease.

Vitreous body - a clear, jelly-like substance that fills the center of the eye.

Vocal cord paralysis - inability of one or both vocal folds (vocal cords) to move because of damage to the brain or nerves.

Vocal cords (also called vocal folds.) - muscularized folds of mucous membrane that extend from the larynx (voice box) wall; enclosed in elastic vocal ligament and muscle that control the tension and rate of vibration of the cords as air passes through them.

Vocal tremor - trembling or shaking of one or more of the muscles of the larynx - resulting in an unsteady-sounding voice.

Voice - sound produced by air passing out through the larynx and upper respiratory tract.

Voice disorders - group of problems involving abnormal pitch, loudness, or quality of the sound produced by the larynx (voice box).

Volvulus - twisting of the stomach or large intestine.

Vomiting - release of stomach contents through the mouth.