Glossary of Terms

Alkaline Phosphatase

An enzyme produced by liver (and other) cells. Elevated blood levels of this substance may indicate abnormal function of the liver.

Antibody

A protein produced by the body to eliminate foreign substances, such as bacteria.

Bile

A fluid produced by the liver, stored in the gallbladder and released into the small intestine to help absorb dietary fats.

Biopsy

The removal and examination of tissue for diagnosis.

Cirrhosis

Scar tissue found in the liver due to disease.

Detoxify

To change a harmful substance into a safer form.

Diabetes

A disease in which patients have high levels of sugar in their blood.

Enzyme

A protein made in the body and capable of changing a substance from one form to another.

Glucose

A simple sugar that is the end product of carbohydrate digestion and is found in the blood.

Hypoglycemia

An abnormally low level of glucose in the blood. Medication-induced is a common occurrence during the treatment of Type-2 diabetes.

Immunosuppresive Drug Treatment

Medications given to prevent rejection of a transplanted organ.

Insulin

A hormone secreted by the beta cells in the pancreas that controls the metabolism and cellular update of sugars, proteins and fats. As a drug it is used principally to control Type-2 diabetes.

Intravenous or IV

Refers to giving medicines or fluids directly through the veins.

Jaundice

A yellowing of the skin and eyes caused by excess bile products in the blood. This would occur due to liver damage.

Liver

Largest solid organ in the body, situated on the right side below the diaphragm.

Liver Enzymes

Substances produced by the liver and released into the blood; these are measured to assess liver function.

Liver Transplantation

The replacement of a diseased liver due to chronic liver failure, acute liver failure or tumors within the liver. The diseased liver is replaced with a segment of liver from a healthy human donor (usually a relative or close friend).

Rejection

An immune response against grafted tissue which, if not successfully treated, results in failure of the graft to survive.

Retransplantation

Due to organ rejection or transplant failure, some patients need another transplant and return to the waiting list.

Status

Indicates the degree of medical urgency for patients awaiting transplants such as liver transplants.

Transplant Surgery

Is the transfer of a tissue or an organ from one person to another, or from one site to another in the same person.

Waiting List

After evaluation by the transplant physician, a patient is added to the national waiting list by the transplant center. Lists are specific to both geographic area and organ type, such as the liver. Each time a donor becomes available, the UNOS computer generates a list of potential recipients based on factors that include genetic similarity, organ size, medical urgency and time on the waiting list. Through this process, a "new" list is generated each time an organ becomes available.

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