Explanation of medical terms used in liver transplantation
| Allergy | When the body becomes hypersensitive to something you eat, breathe or touch. |
| Anaesthetic | The loss of sensation or feeling. A general anaesthetic is given to ensure that you are asleep and pain free during operations. |
| Antibody | A substance produced by the body which destroys foreign substances (e.g. bacteria) |
| Ascites | A build up of fluid in the abdomen. |
| Bacteria | Germs that can cause disease. |
| Bile | A fluid that is produced by the liver and stored in the gall bladder. Bile coats the fatty foods we eat, making them easier to digest. |
| Biopsy | The removal and examination of a small piece of body tissue which is taken in order to make a (e.g. liver biopsy) |
| Cholangitis | Inflammation of the bile ducts. |
| Cirrhosis | Scarring of the Liver, which affects the way it works. |
| CT Scan | A special type of X-ray which uses a computer to show a cross section of the body. |
| Donor | A person who donates a part of their body to help other people. |
| Echocardiogram | Uses sound waves to show how well your heart is working. |
| Electrocardiogram | Records the electrical activity in your heart (ECG). |
| Encephalopathy | Tiredness, irritability, lack of concentration, and personality changes, associated with liver failure. |
| Endoscopy | Examination of the inside of the gut using a telescope. |
| Haematemesis | Vomiting of fresh or old blood. |
| Hepatic | Refers to the liver. |
| Hepatomegaly | Enlargement of the liver. |
| Immunosuppression | The use of medicines to stop your body rejecting your new liver. |
| Intravenous catheter | A small tube which goes into a vein to give fluids, blood or medicines. |
| Jaundice | A build up of bile that causes the skin and eyes to go yellow. |
| Liver function test | Blood test to see how well the liver is working (LFT). |
| Melaena | Black stools caused by the partially digested blood. |
| Oedema | Build up of fluid causing swelling. |
| Pruritis | Itching caused by an increase in bile salts in the blood. |
| Splenomegaly | Enlargement of the spleen. |
| Variceal bleed | Bleeding from varicose veins in the food pipe or stomach. |
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