Medical Glossary - Letter J

This medical glossary of terms beginning with the letter "J" contains the more common medical terms one might expect to encounter in a medical report or in hospital notes. The glossary is intended as a quick reference only; many of the terms are also referenced and illustrated in more detail in the medical libraries, to which you should refer for more detailed information.

Jaw

Refers to either the maxilla, the upper jawbone or the mandible, the lower jawbone

Jejunostomy

A jejunostomy is the making of a surgical opening through the abdomen into the jejunum (the second part of the small intestine). The procedure is usually performed so that the contents of the jejunum are diverted through the abdomen into an enterostomy bag. A percutaneous jejunostomy is performed using an endoscope rather than making an open surgical incision. Jejunostomy may be temporary or permanent

Jejunum

The middle part of the small intestine

Joint Aspiration

A procedure to remove fluid from within a joint using a needle

Joint Capsule

Synovial lined tissue that surrounds a joint

Joint Cavity

The space between bones that form a joint

Jugular Vein

There are two jugular veins, one on either side of the neck, referred to as the external and internal jugular veins. The external jugular drains blood from part of the face and the skull. The internal jugular drains blood from the brain, face and neck

Juxtaposition

To place something near or alongside