Medical Dictionary: Glossary (L)

What is labile diabetes?

A type of diabetes when a person’s blood glucose (sugar) level often swings quickly from high to low and from low to high. Also called “unstable diabetes” or “brittle diabetes.”

What is lacrimation?

Shedding tears, or shedding more tears than is normal (for example, as a result of eye injury or irritation).

What is laryngitis?

An inflammation of the larynx. This is most often caused by viral infections. In these cases, other symptoms, such as sore throat, cough, difficulty swallowing, and fever generally occur.

What is larynx?

A tube-shaped organ in the neck that contains the vocal cords. The larynx is about 5 cm (2 in.) long. It is part of the respiratory system and is located between the pharynx and the trachea.

What is LASIK?

Abbreviation standing for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, a kind of laser eye surgery designed to change the shape of the cornea to eliminate or reduce the need for glasses and contact lenses in cases of severe short sightedness.

What is lead poisoning?

An acute or chronic poisoning caused by the absorption of lead or any of its salts into the body. Lead poisoning is an environmental hazard that is capable of causing mental retardation, behavioral disturbance, and brain damage.

What is leptin?

A hormone produced mainly by adipocytes (fat cells) that is involved in the regulation of body fat. Leptin interacts with areas of the brain that control hunger and behavior and signals that the body has had enough to eat.