HAE Glossary

Abdominal: pertaining to the part of the body that lies between the chest and the pelvis and encloses the stomach, intestines, liver, spleen and pancreas

Acute: sharp, rapid onset, short severe course

Angioedema (angioneurotic edema): recurring episodes of noninflammatory swelling

Autosomal: having to do with a chromosome other than a sex chromosome, normally occurring in pairs in somatic cells and singly in gametes

Autosomal dominant gene: a gene from one parent that produces its effect even if the gene from the other parent does not match (eg, HAE occurs when only one gene is abnormal for C1-INH)

Autosomal recessive gene: a gene that does not produce its effect unless there is an identical gene from the other parent (ie, it takes two matching genes to cause the effect)

Chromosome: threadlike linear strand of DNA and associated proteins in the nucleus of animal and plant cells that carries the genes and functions in the transmission of hereditary information

Complement-1 Inhibitor Esterase (C1-INH): a protein that helps to regulate the immune system

Chronic: of long duration, slow progress

Edema: an accumulation of an excessive amount of watery fluid in cells, tissues, or serous cavities

Gamete: a sperm or an egg

Hereditary: transmitted or capable of being transmitted genetically from parent to offspring

Hereditary angioedema (HAE): manifested by recurring episodes of edema of the skin, mucous membranes of viscera, and associated with either a deficiency of an esterase inhibitor of one of the components of complement or a functionally inactive form of the inhibitor

Laryngeal: affecting or near the larynx (airway)

Peripheral: constituting an outer boundary surface, or outer part of a body or organ

Pitting (pitting edema): formation of well-defined, relatively deep depressions in a surface

Plasma: clear, yellowish fluid portion of blood

Prophylaxis: treatment designed to prevent or minimize symptoms or attacks

Somatic: characteristic of the body

Tracheotomy: an incision through the neck into the windpipe that is made when the upper airway is blocked.

Urticaria: skin condition characterized by welts that itch intensely, caused by an allergic reaction, an infection, or a nervous condition.