Health Library

The vagina is the female body part that connects the womb (uterus) and to the outside of the body.

This article discusses vaginal bleeding that occurs between a woman’s monthly menstrual periods. Such bleeding may be called “intermenstrual bleeding.” See also:

Vaginal bleeding in pregnancy is bleeding coming through the vagina during pregnancy, for any reason.

A vaginal is a closed sac on or under the vaginal lining that contains fluid or semisolid material.

Vaginal discharge refers to secretions from the . Such discharge can vary in: Consistency (thick, pasty, thin) Color (clear, cloudy, white, yellow, green) Smell (normal, odorless, bad odor)

Vaginal itching is a tingling or uneasy irritation of the skin of the and the surrounding area (). The itching may cause a desire to scratch the affected area.

A vaginal tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue in the vagina, a female reproductive organ.

Vaginal yeast infection is an infection of the vagina, most commonly due to the fungus Candida albicans.

Vaginismus is an involuntary spasm of the muscles surrounding the . The spasms close the vagina.

The vaginitis wet mount test is a test to detect an infection of the vagina that does not involve the urinary tract. See also:

A varicocele is a widening of the veins along the cord that holds up a man’s .

are swollen, twisted, painful veins that have filled with blood. They usually develop in the legs. Your doctor may be able to treat them in noninvasive ways instead of , the traditional surgery for this problem.

Vein stripping is surgery to remove varicose veins in the legs.

Varicose veins are swollen, twisted, and sometimes painful veins that have filled with an abnormal collection of blood. See also:

Varnish is a clear liquid coating. Varnish poisoning occurs when someone swallows varnish. This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the National ...

Vascular ring is an abnormal formation of the aorta, the large artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. It is a congenital problem, which means it is present at birth. See also:

A vasectomy is surgery to cut the vas deferens, the tubes that carry a man’s sperm from his scrotum to his urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries sperm and urine out of the penis. After a vasectomy, sperm cannot move out of the . A man who has had a successful vasectomy cannot make a woman ...

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) is a substance found throughout the body, but the highest levels normally occur in the nervous system and gut. VIP has many functions: It helps control or send nerve signals It helps relax certain muscles along the gastrointestinal tract It increases the ...

Vasoconstriction is the narrowing (constriction) of blood vessels by small muscles in their walls. When blood vessels constrict, the flow of blood is restricted or slowed. Vasoconstriction may be slight or severe. It may result from disease, medication, or psychological conditions. Medications ...

Vasomotor rhinitis is a nonallergic condition that involves a constant runny nose, sneezing, and nasal congestion. See also:

The VDRL test is a screening test for . It measures substances, called antibodies, that can be produced in response to Treponema pallidum, the bacteria that causes syphilis. The test is similar to the newer (RPR) test.

A vegetarian diet is a meal plan that contains little or no animal products. Types of vegetarian diets include: Vegan: Diet consists of only foods of plant origin. Lacto-vegetarian: Diet consists of plant foods plus some or all dairy products. Lacto-ovovegetarian: Diet consists of plant foods, ...

Venipuncture is the collection of blood from a vein, usually for laboratory testing.

A venogram is a way to look at veins in your body using x-rays and a special dye called contrast. It is most often use to look at veins in the legs and belly area (abdomen). Veins are not normally seen in an x-ray. That is why the special dye is used. The health care provider injects this dye into ...

Lower extremity venography is a test used to see the veins in the leg. are a form of electromagnetic radiation like light, but of higher energy, so they can go through the body to form an image on film. Structures that are dense (such as bone) will appear white, air will be black, and other ...

Venous insufficiency is a condition in which the veins have problems sending blood from the legs back to the heart. See also:

Ventricular assist devices (VAD) help your heart pump blood from the main pumping chamber of your heart (the left ventricle) to the rest of your body. These pumps may be implanted in your body or connected to a pump outside your body.

Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is a severely abnormal heart rhythm () that can be life-threatening.

Ventricular septal defect describes one or more holes in the wall that separates the right and left ventricles of the heart. Ventricular septal defect is one of the most common congenital (present from birth) heart defects. It may occur by itself or with other congenital diseases.

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a rapid heartbeat that starts in the ventricles.

Ventriculoperitoneal shunting is surgery to relieve increased pressure inside the skull due to excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) on the brain (). This article primarily discusses shunt placement in children. See also:

Vernal conjunctivitis is long-term (chronic) swelling (inflammation) of the outer lining of the eyes due to an allergic reaction. See also:

Vertebrobasilar circulatory disorders are conditions in which blood supply to the back of the brain is disrupted. See also:

Vertical sleeve gastrectomy is surgery to help with weight loss. The surgeon removes a large portion of your stomach. The new, smaller stomach is about the size of a banana. It limits the amount of food you can eat by making you feel full after eating small amounts of food. See also:

is a sensation of motion or spinning that is often described as dizziness. Vertigo is not the same as . People with vertigo feel as though they are actually spinning or moving, or that the world is spinning around them.

A vesicle is a small fluid-filled blister. See also:

VIPoma is a very rare type of cancer that usually grows from cells in the pancreas called islet cells.

Viral arthritis is swelling and irritation (inflammation) of the joints from a viral infection.

Viral gastroenteritis is inflammation of the stomach and intestines from a virus. The infection can lead to and vomiting. It is sometimes called the “stomach flu.”

Viral pneumonia is inflammation (irritation and swelling) of the lungs due to infection with a virus. See also:

Virilization is when a female develops male sex characteristics, or a newborn boy has increased male characteristics at birth.

Virtual colonoscopy (VC) is an imaging or x-ray test that looks for cancer, , or other disease in the large intestine (colon).

Visceral larva migrans is infection with certain parasites found in the intestines of dogs and cats.

Visceromegaly is enlargement of the internal organs in the abdomen, such as liver, spleen, stomach, kidneys, or pancreas. Related topics:

Night blindness is poor vision at night or in dim light.

There are many types of eye problems and visual disturbances. These include blurred vision, halos, blind spots, floaters, and other symptoms. Blurred vision is the loss of sharpness of vision and the inability to see small details. Blind spots (scotomas) are dark “holes” in the visual ...

The visual acuity test is used to determine the smallest letters a person can read on a standardized chart (Snellen chart) or a card held 14 – 20 feet away.

The visual field refers to the total area in which objects can be seen in the side (peripheral) vision while you focus your eyes on a central point.

Vital signs include the heart beat, breathing rate, temperature, and . These signs may be watched, measured, and monitored to check an individual’s level of physical functioning. Normal vital signs change with age, sex, weight, exercise tolerance, and condition. Normal vital sign ranges ...

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin.

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin. This article describes the test used to measure the amount of vitamin A in the blood. See also:

Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin. Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water. After the body uses these vitamins, leftover amounts leave the body through the urine. The body can store vitamin B12 for years in the liver.

The vitamin B12 level is a test to tell how much is in your blood.

Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin. Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water. The body cannot store them. Leftover amounts of the vitamin leave the body through the urine. That means you need a continuous supply of such vitamins in your diet.

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that is necessary for normal growth and development. Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water. Leftover amounts of the vitamin leave the body through the urine. That means you need a continuous supply of such vitamins in your diet.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the body’s fatty tissue.

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin.

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin.

Vitamins are a group of substances that are essential for normal cell function, growth, and development. There are 13 essential vitamins, meaning they are needed for the body to function. They are: Vitamin A Vitamin C Vitamin D Vitamin E Vitamin K Vitamin B1 () Vitamin B2 () Vitamin B3 () Folate ...

Vitiligo is a skin condition in which there is a loss of brown color (pigment) from areas of skin, resulting in irregular white that feel like normal skin.

VLDL stands for very low density lipoprotein. Lipoproteins are substances made of cholesterol, triglycerides, and proteins. They move cholesterol, , and other to different parts of the body. There are three major types of lipoproteins. VLDL contains the highest amount of triglycerides. VLDL is ...

A voiding cystourethrogram is an examination of the bladder and urethra that is performed while the bladder is emptying.

Volkmann’s contracture is a deformity of the hand, fingers, and wrist caused by injury to the muscles of the forearm. See also:

A volvulus is a twisting of the intestine that can occur in childhood. It causes a blockage, and may cut off blood flow and damage part of the intestine.

Vomiting blood is the forcing of the stomach contents up through the esophagus (the swallowing tube) and out of the mouth, in which the vomit contains blood. When blood is vomited, it may appear either a bright red or dark red color. Only blood may be seen, or the blood may come up mixed with ...

Von Gierke disease is a condition in which the body cannot break down glycogen for energy. Gycogen is stored in the liver and muscles and is normally broken down into glucose when you do not eat. Von Gierke disease is also called Type I glycogen storage disease (GSD I).

Von Willebrand disease is the most common hereditary .

The vulva is the external female genitalia. It includes the “lips” or folds of skin (labia), clitoris, and the openings to the urethra and .

Vulvovaginitis is inflammation or infection of the vulva and vagina.