A review commissioned by the Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, has provided recommendations for when patients die following NHS treatment. Professor Williams’ review recommends that patient deaths which aren’t referred to a coroner...
This medical term glossary provides explanations in plain English of a number of technical terms you may encounter in the process of pursuing a clinical negligence claim.
Labial - Of or relating to either the lips of the mouth or vulva.
Labioplasty - Surgical repair of the labia.
Laceration - Cut in tissue.
Lachrymal - Tear production.
Lag screw - A fracture fixation device.
Laminectomy - Spinal surgery to reach the discs, nerve roots or spinal cord.
Laparoscopy - Technique used for visual inspection of pelvic organs by inflating the cavity.
Laparotomy - Cut in the abdomen to investigate or treat disease.
Laryngectomy - Surgical removal of part of the larynx or ‘voice box’.
Lateral - Away from the midline.
Left homonymous hemianopia - Left side of vision disabled.
Lesion - Damage.
Leucocyte - White blood cells.
Leucocytosis - Increased concentration of white blood cells, commonly associated with infection.
Leukaemia - Disease causing abnormal creation of white blood cells, potentially fatal.
Ligament - Fibrous tissue linking bones.
Lobe - A section of the brain.
Lordosis - Normal curvature of the spine.
Lumbago - The lower part of the back.
Lumbar - Of or relating to the lower back.
Lumbosacral spine - Lower back spine.
Lumen - Cavity within structures such as the intestines.
Lunate bone - A bone of the wrist.
Lymph gland - A structure in the system of lymphatic vessels which transfer the fluid that fills the space between organs.
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