This gland is found above each kidney and is made up of an outer wall (cortex) that secretes important steroid hormones and an inner portion (medulla) that produces adrenaline and noradrenaline.

An unusual illness, of uncertain cause, that is characterised by unexplained fatigue, weakness, muscle pain, lymph node swelling and malaise.

A projection on the inner side of the distal end of the numerus; the internal condyle.

A test that measures the rate at which red blood cells settle through a column of liquid. A nonspecific index of inflammation.

A disorder characterized by muscle pain, stiffness and easy fatigability. The cause is unknown and an estimated 3 million are affected in the USA.

A bacterium that has been implicated in the development of duodenal and gastric ulcers.

A deficiency of thyroid activity. In adults, it is most common in women and is characterised by decrease in basal metabolic rate, tiredness and lethargy, sensitivity to cold and menstrual disturbances. If untreated, it progresses to full blown myxoedema (severe hypothyroidism usually as a result of autoimmunity to thyroglobulin. A variety of severe physiological problems accompany the reduction in thyroid function and the clinical features are dry skin, coarse hair, intolerance to cold, cognitive impairment and slowing of the relaxation phase of deep tendon reflexes). In infants, severe hypothyroidism leads to cretinism. In juveniles, the manifestations are intermediate, with less severe mental and developmental retardation and only mild symptoms of the adult form. When due to pituitary deficiency of thyrotropin secretion it is called secondary hypothyroidism.

A chronic inflammatory condition of the bladder. The cause of interstitial cystitis is unknown, but occurs more commonly in females. Symptoms include difficulty urinating, pain on urination, urinary urgency and increased frequency of urination.