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Labetalol: alpha- and beta blocking drug used in the treatment of high blood pressure

Labioplasty: surgical repair of the lips, either due to injury or deformity (e.g. cleft lip).

Labour: the sequence of stages by which a baby is born, from dilatation of the cervix to delivery of the baby and expulsion/extraction of the placenta (or afterbirth)

Labyrinthitis: also known as otitis interna. Inflammation of the inner ea

Laceration: a tear in the flesh

Laminectomy: surgical removal of a portion of the backbone in order to gain access to and/or relieve pressure on the spinal cord. Used in the treatment of tumours and injuries to the spine, for example a slipped or prolapsed disc

Laparoscope: a surgical instrument using fibre optics which ha surgeon inserts through the abdominal wall to enable his or her to view the abdominal organs. Used for carrying out exploratory examinations and also keyhole surgery

Laparoscopy: examination of the abdominal structures using a laparoscope. This is used not only as a diagnostic aid but also to carry out surgery e.g. cholecystectomy (gall bladder removal)

Laparotomy: a surgical incision into the abdominal cavity , often for major open abdominal surgery

Larynx: also known as the voice box. The organ responsible for the production of vocal sounds

LASEK: laser in situ epithelial keratomileusis. A technique of laser eye surgery

Laser: a device which produces a powerful beam of light and heat, often to operate on small areas of abnormality without causing damage to surrounding tissue, e.g. laser eye surgery

LASIK: laser in situ keratomileusis. A technique of laser eye surgery

Lateral: relating to the region or parts of the body which are furthest away from the middle of the body

Lavage: the washing out of a body cavity, e.g. stomach or colon

Laxative: a drug used to stimulate or increase the frequency of bowel evacuation

Lesion: in area of tissue with impaired function as a result of damage by trauma or disease

Leucocyte: white blood cell

Leukaemia: any of a group of malignant diseases in which blood-forming organs, e.g. bone marrow, overproduces leucocytes. This leads to increased susceptibility to infection among other symptoms

Lidocaine: also, lignocaine. A widely used local anaesthetic administered by injection for minor surgery and dental procedures

Ligament: a band of fibrous connective tissue that connects bones or cartilages, to provide strength and support to the joints whilst limiting its movements in certain directions

Lipoma: a benign tumour made up of fat cells e.g. in the breast

Liposarcoma: a malignant tumour of fat cells

Liposuction: a procedure by which unwanted collections of fat in the body are removed using powerful suction

Lithium: Lithium carbonate, a drug given orally to treat psychiatric disorders

Lithtripsy: a procedure by which stones (e.g. of the gallbladder) are destroyed by using shock waves

Liver: the largest organ in the human body, situated in the right upper quadrant of the abdominal cavity below the right lower ribs. The liver has a number of important functions: processing the nutrients arising from food digestion; dealing with drugs and other toxins absorbed by the intestines; regulating the amount of blood sugar; breaking down red blood cells; producing bile

Lorazepam: a drug used to treat anxiety, tension and/or insomnia

Lumbar puncture: procedure by which cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is removed by a hollow needle inserted into the lower back. This is used for diagnostic purposes, e.g. where meningitis is suspected

Lung cancer: cancer arising in the epithelium of the lung or air passages. The main types are small cell lung carcinoma and non-small cell lung carcinoma

Lupus: a chronic disease of the immune system which can lead to symptoms of extreme fatigue, muscle aches, joint pain, rashes, anaemia and damage to vital organs

Lymph: the watery clear fluid present within the vessels of the lymphatic system. This fluid distributes immune cells throughout the body. It also interacts with the blood circulatory system to drain fluid from cells and tissues

Lymphatic system: a complex network of organs, ducts, and nodes which transports lymph and protects the body against viruses and bacteria that invade the body

Lymph node: one of a number of small masses of lymphatic tissue, found in many parts of the body, particularly in the armpit, groin and neck. They may become enlarged due to tumour or infection

Lymphoma: a malignant tumour of the lymph nodes, including Hodgkin’s disease and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

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