Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

Kussmaul breathing
Air hunger, or the rapid,
deep, and labored breathing characteristic of
patients with acidosis (excess acidity of tissues). For
example, Kussmaul breathing is seen with the aci-
dosis of diabetes mellitus that is seriously out of
control. Treatment is directed toward controlling
the underlying disease.
kwashiorkor
A childhood disease that is caused
by protein deprivation. Early signs include apathy,
drowsiness, and irritability. More advanced signs
are poor growth, lack of stamina, loss of muscle
mass, swelling, abnormal hair (sparse, thin, often
streaky red or gray hair in dark-skinned children),
and abnormal skin that darkens in irritated but not
sun-exposed areas. An enlarged and protuberant
belly is common. Kwashiorkor disables the immune
system, rendering the affected individual susceptible
to a host of infectious diseases. It is responsible for
much illness and death among children worldwide.
Also known as protein malnutrition and protein-
calorie malnutrition (PCM).
kyphoplasty
A somewhat incorrect name for the
vertebroplasty procedure. Kyphoplasty literally
means “to repair the bending of the spine to curve
outward from the body.” Kyphosis can result when a
vertebra (or several vertebrae) suffers a compres-
sion fracture from osteoporosis. Vertebroplasty is
the procedure that can re-establish the height of a
compressed vertebra. Sometimes, but not always,
vertebroplasty can correct some of the kyphosis.
See also 
vertebroplasty.
kyphoscoliosis
A combination of outward cur-
vature (kyphosis) and lateral curvature (scoliosis)
of the spine. Kyphoscoliosis can be due to muscu-
loskeletal disease or to unknown causes. Treatment
includes physical therapy and wearing a back brace,
and in some cases surgery. Surgery for kyphoscol-
iosis may involve inserting a metal rod in the spine
and restructuring some bones, and it is usually fol-
lowed by wearing a back cast and then a back brace
for some time.