Medical Dictionary: Glossary (B)

What is Biopsy?

The removal of a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope to check for cancer cells or other abnormalities.

What is Bed sore?

A painful reddish area of degenerating, ulcerated skin caused by pressure and lack of movement, and worsened by exposure to urine or other irritants on skin.

What is Blister?

Also called bleb or bulla, it is a collection of fluid underneath the top layer of skin. There are many causes of blisters, including burns, friction forces, and diseases of the skin.

What is BMI?

Stands for Body Mass Index. A person’s weight in kilograms (kg) divided by their height in meters (m) squared.

What is Bone marrow?

The spongy blood-manufacturing tissue that fills the cavities of bones and contains immature and mature blood cells, such as white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.

What is Bradycardia?

A slow heart rate, usually defined as less than 60 beats per minute.

What is Bypass?

An operation in which a new pathway is created literally bypassing a passage that may be blocked or diseased.

What is Bronchus?

The large tube that begins at the end of the trachea and branches into the lungs.

What is Bacillophobia?

An abnormal and persistent fear of bacilli (bacteria).
A phobia is an unreasonable sort of fear that can cause avoidance and panic.
Phobias are a relatively common type of anxiety disorder.

What is Bariatrics?

Medical speciality that provides treatment for obesity including diet and nutrition,exercise, behavior modification, lifestyle changes and surgery.

What is Belching?

A process of releasing through the mouth, air that accumulates in the stomach, thereby relieving distention which is a normal action.