Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

lip, cleft
See 
cleft lip.
lipectomy, suction-assisted
See 
liposuction.
lipid
A fat. Lipids are vital parts of cells and, with
carbohydrates and proteins, are the main con-
stituents of cells. Lipids are easily stored in the body
and serve as fuel. Among the well-known lipids are
cholesterol, triglycerides, fatty acids, and steroids
(such as cortisone). Lipoproteins, glycolipids, and
phospholipids are all compound lipids (lipids in
combination with other types of chemicals).
lipid profile
A pattern of lipids in the blood. A
lipid profile usually includes the levels of total cho-
lesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) choles-
terol, triglycerides, and the calculated low-density
lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.
lipid storage disease
One of a number of dis-
orders that are due to inborn errors in lipid metab-
olism. Lipid storage diseases result in the abnormal
accumulation of lipids in various organs. Examples
include Gaucher disease, Fabry disease, Niemann-
Pick disease, and metachromatic leukodystrophy.
lipodystrophy, cephalothoracic
See 
cephalo-
thoracic lipodystrophy.
lipodystrophy syndrome
A disturbance of lipid
(fat) metabolism that involves the partial or total
absence of fat, and often abnormal deposition and
distribution of fat in the body. There are a number
of different lipodystrophy syndromes. Some of them
are present at birth (congenital), and others are
acquired later. Some are genetic (inherited), and
others are not. One lipodystrophy syndrome is asso-
ciated with HIV infection and antiretroviral drug
therapy but the exact cause of this syndrome is
unknown. In lipodystrophy syndrome, the face,
arms, and legs become thin due to loss of subcuta-
neous fat, and the skin becomes dry, the lips crack,
and weight drops. See also 
cephalothoracic lipody-
strophy; protease inhibitor.
lipoma
A benign tumor of adipocytes (fat cells).
Lipomas are common in the skin and are found any-
where on the body. They may be surgically removed
for cosmetic reasons.