MEDICAL TEST HEALTH TERMS LEGAL GLOSSARY

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Cholesterol and Triglyceride Tests: Blood tests that measure the total amount of fatty substances cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. Cholesterol travels through the blood attached to a protein. This cholesterol-protein package is called a lipoprotein. Lipoprotein analysis (lipoprotein profile or lipid profile) measures blood levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol and triglycerides.

Cervical Smear Pap Test: A Pap test is done to look for changes in the cells of the cervix. During a Pap test, a small sample of cells from the surface of the cervix is collected by your health professional. The sample is then spread on a slide or mixed in a liquid fixative and sent to a lab for examination under a microscope. The cells are examined for abnormalities that may indicate abnormal cell changes, such as dysplasia or cervical cancer. It is important to have your first Pap test within 3 years of starting to have sex or by age 21. You may be able to stop having regular Pap tests after you are 65 to 70 years of age, if you have had 3 normal Pap tests in a row, and you do not have a high risk of cervical cancer. Your physician would make this decision. Women who do not have a uterus may not need a pap test if the uterus was not removed because of cancer. You may need more frequent Pap tests if you have more than one sex partner or have had an abnormal Pap test in the past. Your physician will determine what is best for you.

Computed Tomography (CT)/ Scan of the Body: A computed tomography (CT) scan uses x-rays to make detailed pictures of structures inside of the body. During the test, the patient will lie on a table that is hooked to the CT scanner, which is a large doughnut-shaped machine. The CT scanner sends X-ray pulses through the body area being studied. Each pulse lasts less than a second and takes a picture of a thin slice of the organ or other area. One part of the scanning machine can tilt to take pictures from different positions. The pictures are saved on a computer. A CT scan can be used to study many parts of your body, such as the chest, belly, pelvis, or an arm or leg. It also can take pictures of body organs, such as the liver, pancreas, intestines, kidneys, adrenal glands, lungs, and heart. It also can study blood vessels, bones, and the spinal cord. Fluoroscopy which uses a steady beam of X-ray to look at parts of the body and movement within the body may also be done during a CT. An iodine dye is often used to make structures and organs easier to see on the CT pictures. The dye may be used to check blood flow, find tumors, and look for other problems. Dye can be put in a vein through an IV in your arm, or you may drink the dye for some tests, or the dye may be put into other parts of your body to see those areas better. CT pictures may be taken before and after the dye is used.

Colonoscopy: A test that allows your doctor to look at the interior lining of your large intestine through a thin, flexible viewing instrument called a colonoscope. A small video camera is attached to the colonoscope so that photographic, electronic, or videotaped images of the large intestine can be made. In some cases, the colonoscope may use fiber optics. However, digital video technology has generally replaced fiber optics. A colonoscopy helps detect ulcers, polyps, tumors, and areas of inflammation or bleeding. During a colonoscopy, tissue samples can be collected (which is called a biopsy) and abnormal growths can be removed. Colonoscopy can also be used as a screening test to identify and remove precancerous and cancerous growths in the colon or rectum. The colonoscope can be used to view the entire colon as well as a small portion of the lower small intestine. 

Contraction Stress Test: Used on pregnant women to evaluate the ability of a fetus to tolerate low oxygen levels that normally occurs during contractions when the patient is in labor. It includes external fetal heart monitoring. The test is done when you are 34 or more weeks pregnant.

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