vaginal hysterectomy - the uterus is removed through the vaginal opening.

vaginosis, bacterial - very common vaginal infection characterized by symptoms such as increased vaginal discharge or itching, burning, or redness in the genital area.

vagotomy - operation to cut the vagus nerve, which causes the stomach to produce less acid.

vagus nerve - nerve in the stomach that controls the production of stomach acid.

valve - fold in the lining of an organ that prevents fluid from flowing backward.

valves, heart - (the heart valves are tricuspid, pulmonic, mitral, and aortic) - the "doors" between the chambers of the heart.

valvuloplasty - repairing a heart valve.

varices - stretched veins such as those that form in the esophagus from cirrhosis.

varicose vein - an abnormally dilated vein, usually found in the legs.

vascular - pertaining to blood vessels.

vasodepressors - a medication that raises blood pressure.

vasodilator - agent that widens blood vessels.

vein - a blood vessel that carries blood from the body back into the heart.    

velocardiofacial syndrome - an inherited disorder characterized by cleft palate, heart defects, a characteristic facial appearance, minor learning problems, and speech and feeding problems.

ventilation - movement of air (gases) in and out of the lungs.

ventricle - one of the two pumping chambers of the heart; the right ventricle receives oxygen-poor blood from the right atrium and pumps it to the lungs through the pulmonary artery; the left ventricle receives oxygen-rich blood from the left atrium and pumps it to t

ventricular fibrillation - a condition in which the ventricles contract in rapid and unsynchronized rhythms and cannot pump blood into the body.

vestibular neuronitis - infection at the vestibular nerve.

vestibular system - system in the body that is responsible for maintaining the body's orientation in space, balance, and posture; regulates locomotion and other movements and keeps objects in visual focus as the body moves.

vestibule - bony cavity of the inner ear.

villi - tiny, finger-like projections on the surface of the small intestine that help absorb nutrients.

viral hepatitis - hepatitis caused by a virus. Five different viruses (A, B, C, D, and E) most commonly cause this form of hepatitis. Other rare viruses may also cause hepatitis. (See also hepatitis.)

vitrectomy - an operation to remove the blood that sometimes collects at the back of the eyes when a person has eye disease.

vitreous body - a clear, jelly-like substance that fills the center of the eye.

vocal cords (Also called vocal folds.) - muscularized folds of mucous membrane that extend from the larynx (voice box) wall; enclosed in elastic vocal ligament and muscle that control the tension and rate of vibration of the cords as air passes through them.

vocal tremor - trembling or shaking of one or more of the muscles of the larynx - resulting in an unsteady-sounding voice.

voice - sound produced by air passing out through the larynx and upper respiratory tract.

voice disorders - group of problems involving abnormal pitch, loudness, or quality of the sound produced by the larynx (voice box).

volvulus - twisting of the stomach or large intestine.

vomiting - release of stomach contents through the mouth.