Vaccine: Inactivated, killed, or weakened
disease-causing organisms (for example, mumps or measles virus) that are injected into the
body for the purpose of developing resistance to the disease. The body’s immune
system responds to the vaccine by forming antibodies and activating certain immune system
cells that are specifically targeted to those particular organisms. The result is that the
body is then resistant (immune) to the disease for a specific period of time; in some
cases, the immunity lasts forever. Development of a cancer vaccine is a subject of intense
research. (See immune system and antibody).
Vaginitis: Any inflammation (swelling) of the
vagina. Atrophic vaginitis is an inflammation of the vagina in which the vaginal tissue
becomes thin and dry. This condition may occur after menopause due to a lack of estrogen.
(See also menopause.) An estrogen cream may be prescribed to relieve this problem.
Vaginitis can also be a side effect of chemotherapy.
Valley view: Also called
"cleavage view,” it is a mammogram view of the most medial portions of the
breasts. This is the portion of breast tissue "in the valley" between the two
breasts.
Updated: August 2006
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