apocrine gland
A type of gland that is found in the skin, breast, eyelid, and ear. Apocrine glands in the breast secrete fat droplets into breast milk and those in the ear help form earwax. Apocrine glands in the skin and eyelid are sweat glands. Most apocrine glands in the skin are in the armpits, the groin, and the area around the nipples of the breast. Apocrine glands in the skin are scent glands, and their secretions usually have an odor. Another type of gland (eccrine gland or simple sweat gland) produces most sweat.
apolizumab
A substance being studied in the treatment of hematologic (blood) cancers. Apolizumab binds to a protein called ID10, which is found on the surface of some types of immune cells and cancer cells. It may help the immune system kill cancer cells. It is a type of monoclonal antibody.
apoptosis
A type of cell death in which a series of molecular steps in a cell lead to its death. This is one method the body uses to get rid of unneeded or abnormal cells. The process of apoptosis may be blocked in cancer cells. Also called programmed cell death.
appendage
In medicine, a body part (such as an arm or leg) that is attached to the main part of the body.
appendectomy
Surgery to remove the appendix (small finger-shaped pouch at the end of the first part of the large intestine).
appendix
A small, fingerlike pouch that sticks out from the cecum (the first part of the large intestine near the end of the small intestine).
appetite
A desire to satisfy a physical or mental need, such as for food, sex, or adventure.
aprepitant
A drug used with other drugs to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. It is also used to prevent nausea and vomiting after surgery. Aprepitant blocks the action of a certain chemical in the brain that may trigger nausea and vomiting. Blocking this chemical may lessen nausea and vomiting. Aprepitant is a type of antiemetic and a type of substance P/neurokinin 1 receptor antagonist. Also called Emend.
Aptivus
A drug used with another drug, ritonavir, to treat patients who are infected with HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) and have been treated with other anti-HIV drugs. Aptivus blocks the HIV virus from making copies of itself. It is a type of anti-HIV agent and a type of protease inhibitor. Also called tipranavir sodium.
