tachycardia - rapid heart beat.

tachypnea - rapid breathing.

tamoxifen - an anticancer drug used in hormone therapy to block the effects of estrogen.

taste - sensation produced by a stimulus applied to the gustatory nerve endings in the tongue; the four tastes include: salt, sour, sweet, and bitter; some say there is a fifth taste described as savory.

taste buds - groups of cells located on the tongue that enable one to recognize different tastes.

technetium bone scan - radiological investigation to detect stress fractures.

telemetry unit - a small transmitter with wires that attach ECG patches to the chest that is used to send information about the heart, via radio transmission, to healthcare professionals for evaluation.

temporal arteries - vessels located over the temples on each side of the head that supply blood to part of the head.

tendon - a cord that connects muscle to bone or other tissue.

tendonitis - inflammation of a tendon or of the tendon covering; usually caused by not just a single injury, but a series of small stresses that repeatedly aggravate the tendon.

thallium stress test - a study in which radioactive potassium is carried by the blood; the progress is followed by x-ray pictures.

Thomas's test - examination to detect a fixed hip deformity.

thoracotomy - surgery to view the lung (that may be used to confirm cancer), or for chest trauma (to detect the source of bleeding).

throat disorders - disorders or diseases of the larynx (voice box) or esophagus.

thrombolysis - the breaking up of a blood clot.

thrombolytic drugs - medications used to dissolve blood clots.

thrombosis - an abnormal condition in which a blood clot develops in the blood vessel or in the heart.

thrombus - a blood clot.

thyroplasty (Also called laryngeal framework surgery.) - surgical technique to improve the voice by altering the cartilages of the larynx.

tibia - shin bone.

tinnitus - sensation of a ringing, roaring, or buzzing sound in the ears or head; often associated with various forms of a hearing impairment.

tissue - group or layer of cells that together perform specific functions.

tomography - from the Greek words "to cut or section" (tomos) and "to write" (graphein); in nuclear medicine, it is a method of separating interference from the area of interest by imaging a cut section of the object.

tongue - large muscle on the floor of the mouth that manipulates food for chewing and swallowing; the main organ of taste; assists in forming speech sounds.

total gastrectomy - complete removal of the stomach.

total hysterectomy - the removal of the uterus, including the cervix; the fallopian tubes and the ovaries remain.

Tourette syndrome - neurological disorder characterized by recurring movements and sounds (called tics).   

transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) - a diagnostic test that is used to measure the sound waves that bounce off of the heart.

transient ischemic attack (TIA) - a stroke-like event that lasts for a short period of time caused by a blocked blood vessel.

transplantation - replacing a damaged organ with one from a donor.

transurethral surgery - surgery in which no external incision is needed; the surgeon reaches the prostate by inserting an instrument through the urethra.

transvaginal ultrasound (Also called ultrasonography.) - an ultrasound test using a small instrument, called a transducer, that is placed in the vagina.

transverse colon - part of the colon that extends across the abdomen from right to left.

Trendelenburg gait - intrinsic disorder of the abductors of the hip, due to either a weakness or an inhibition to function; hip abductors are unable to stabilize the hip, as body weight is transferred to the affected side, resulting in a pelvic drop or tilt towards the opposi

tricuspid valve - the heart valve that controls blood flow from the right atrium into the right ventricle.

trigger finger - an irritation of the digital sheath that surrounds the flexor tendons of the finger. When the tendon sheath becomes thickened or swollen, it pinches the tendon and prevents it from gliding smoothly. In some cases, the tendon catches and then suddenly rele

trigger point - hypersensitive area or site in muscle or connective tissue; usually associated with myofascial pain syndromes.

trimester - a period of three months.

type 1 diabetes (Also called insulin dependent diabetes.) - a condition in which the pancreas produces so little insulin that the body cannot use blood glucose as energy; which must be controlled with daily insulin injections.

type 2 diabetes (Also called non-insulin dependent diabetes.) - a condition in which the pancreas produces so little insulin that the body cannot use the blood glucose as energy; can often be controlled through meal plans and physical activity plans, and diabetes pills or insulin.

tyrosine - the amino acid from which dopamine is made.