Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

Western blot
A technique in molecular biology
that is used to separate and identify particular 
proteins.
WF
Medical shorthand for white female.
Wharton’s jelly
A gelatinous substance that pro-
vides insulation and protection within the umbilical
cord. Stem cells are present in Wharton’s jelly, as
well as in umbilical cord blood.
wheezing
A whistling noise in the chest during
breathing. Wheezing occurs when the airways are
narrowed or compressed.
whiplash injury
A hyperextension and flexion
injury to the neck, often a result of being struck
from behind, as by a fast-moving vehicle in a car
accident. The mechanics of whiplash injury are
thought to be as follows: The victim may be first
pushed or accelerated forward, pushing the body
forward, but the head remains behind momentarily,
rocking up and back, and some muscles and liga-
ments in and around the spine may be stretched or
torn. These muscles, in a reflex action, contract to
bring the head forward again, to prevent excessive
injury. There may be overcompensation when the
head is traveling in a forward direction as the vehi-
cle decelerates. This may rock the head violently
forward, stretching and tearing more muscles and
ligaments.
Whipple disease
A form of inability to absorb
nutrients from the intestine. It can affect any part of
the body, leading to arthritis and then weight loss,
cough, fever, diarrhea, hypotension (low blood
pressure), abdominal swelling, increased skin pig-
mentation, and severe anemia. Whipple disease has
been discovered to be due to a type of bacteria
named Tropheryma whippelii. Whipple disease is
treated with antibiotics. Some patients relapse and
need long-term, even life-long, treatment.
Whipple procedure
A type of surgery that is
used to treat pancreatic cancer and was devised by
the US surgeon Allen Whipple. The head of the pan-
creas, the duodenum, a portion of the stomach, and
other nearby tissues are removed.
whipworm
A nematode (roundworm), also
called Trichuris trichiura, that is the third most
common roundworm in humans. The whipworm is
found worldwide, and whipworm infections are
most frequent among children and in areas with
tropical weather and poor sanitation practices.
Infection with whipworm most often occurs without
symptoms. Heavy infections, especially in small chil-
dren, can cause gastrointestinal problems (such as
abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal prolapse) and
possibly growth retardation. Treatment involves use
of the drugs albendazole or mebendazole.