Medical Dictionary

Kaolin

This is a white clay that contains metals such as aluminium and silicon that is purified and made into a powder, which is used to help absorb materials. Kaolin is used to activate a test of blood Clotting - the APTT.

Karvea

Karvea is a drug used to control high blood pressure or hypertension.

Karvezide

Karvezide is used to control high blood pressure (also called hypertension).

Everybody has blood pressure which is important to supply blood around the body, but when blood pressure becomes higher than normal, it may cause damage to blood vessels in organs such as the heart, kidneys, eyes and the brain.

Karyotype

A cell's karyotype refers to a photomicrograph of a cell's chromosomes which show the number, size and shape of the chromosomes. Karyotyping is used to detect genetic abnormalities in the cell.

Keloid scar

A keloid scar is a raised scar that grows beyond the boundaries of the wound that it has formed to heal.

Keppra (levetiracetam)

Keppra (levetiracetam) is an antiepileptic medicine used to control the excessive electrical activity in the brain that results in epileptic seizures.

Keratin

Keratin is a tough insoluble protein that forms the basis of hair and nails, and also many areas of the oral mucosa.

Keratinisation

Keratinisation is the process that occurs in certain areas of the body to make keratin on its surface.

Keratinocytes

Keratinocytes are the type of cells that comprise most of the epithelium in the oral cavity.

Keratitis

Keratitis is an inflammation of the cornea, the outermost part of the eye. It is usually caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1, the same virus that causes cold sores. The infection usually begins by affecting the outer layer of the cornea, but it can go deeper into the cornea, increasing the risk of impaired vision. Other viruses that cause keratitis include varicella zoster (also a herpes virus), which is associated with chickenpox and shingles, and the adenoviruses, which cause upper respiratory infections. More rarely, keratitis is caused by other infections, such as bacteria, parasites and fungi.

Keratoconjunctivitis

Keratoconjunctivitis refers to inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva.

Keratohyalin granules

Keratohyalin granules are intensely staining granules in the epithelium.

Ketoacidosis

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a life-threatening disturbance of metabolism that occurs most commonly in type 1 diabetes mellitus. It is caused by a reduction in effective insulin hormone so that glucose cannot be utilised by cells and tissues. This causes very high levels of blood glucose and an excess of ketones (as the body breaks down fats for energy).

Ketosis

Ketosis occurs when your body burns fat due to a lack of glucose (energy fuel for body). When fat is burned ketones (molecule fragments) are released into the bloodstream.

Ketotifen

Ketotifen is an anti-inflammatory medication used in the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis. It is the active ingredient in the eye drops Zaditen.

For more information, see Zaditen.

Kidney

The kidneys are bean shaped organs, which help the body produce urine to get rid of unwanted waste substances. When urine is formed, tubes called ureters transport it to the urinary bladder, where it is stored and excreted via the urethra.
For more information please see male or female urogenital system.

Kidney (Renal) Transplant

A kidney transplant is a surgical treatment for kidney failure. It involves the insertion of a donor kidney into the patient's body.

The replacement kidney may be donated by a live donor (living donor transplantation), or from a person who has just died (cadaveric donation).

Kilojoule

A kilojoule (kJ) is a unit of energy. One kilojoule is approximately equal to 0.239 Calories.

Klinefelter syndrome

Klinefelter syndrome is a genetic disorder. It occurs when the sperm fertilises an egg that has an extra X chromosome (a sex gene) due to non-disjunction. Klinefelter syndrome results when the sperm brings a Y chromosome. The person will be a male with undeveloped testes and unusually large arms and legs.

If the sperm were to bring an X chromosome the embryo would contain three X chromosomes and would develop a condition called Triplo-X syndrome.

Kliogest

Kliogest is a medication used to control post menopausal symptoms.

Kliovance

Kliovance is a medicine used in women to treat the symptoms of menopause. Kliovance replaces the oestrogen and progesterone, which are normally produced in females before menopause, with the oestradiol and the norethisterone acetate in the tablet.

Knee Replacement (Knee arthroplasty)

Knee replacement is surgery for people with severe knee damage. Knee replacement can relieve pain and allow you to be more active. Knee replacement surgery may be recommended if you have knee pain and medicine and other treatments are no longer effective.

Koilonychia (Spoon Nails)

Koilonychia is a disorder of the nails in which nails become flat or concave, rather than convex. They may also become thin and brittle, and change colour. Koilonychia is often associated with iron deficiency.

Kopliks Spots

A characteristic of measles - white spots like salt grains on a red base on the inside of the mouth.

Korsakoff’s syndrome

Korsakoff’s syndrome is a brain disorder caused by a severe shortage of vitamin B1 (thiamine) in the brain. The most common cause of a B1 shortage is excessive continuous alcohol intake. Korsakoff’s is the more severe form of Wernicke's encephalopathy. The symptoms of Korsakoff’s are severe memory loss, invention of memories, poor conversation skills, indifference, and a lack of understanding of their condition. Treatment involves giving high dose of vitamin B1 but the damage is often irreversible.