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| This glossary contains: 19186 medical terms |
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Acquired
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Acquired"Anything that is not present at birth but develops some time later. In medicine, the word ""acquired"" implies ""new"" or ""added."" An acquired condition is ""new"" in the sense that it is not genetic (inherited) and ""added"" in the sense that was not present at birth. For example, AIDS (the acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is an acquired form of immune deficiency due to the acquisition of HIV (the human immunodeficiency virus). An acquired mutation is a change in a gene that occurs in a single cell after the conception of the individual. That change is then passed along to all cells descended from that cell. Acquired mutations are involved in the development of cancer."
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Acquired
"Anything that is not present at birth but develops some time later. In medicine, the word ""acquired"" implies ""new"" or ""added."" An acquired condition is ""new"" in the sense that it is not genetic (inherited) and ""added"" in the sense that was not present at birth. For example, AIDS (the acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is an acquired form of immune deficiency due to the acquisition of HIV (the human immunodeficiency virus). An acquired mutation is a change in a gene that occurs in a single cell after the conception of the individual. That change is then passed along to all cells descended from that cell. Acquired mutations are involved in the development of cancer."
Condition
The term "condition" has a number of biomedical meanings including the following: 1.An unhealthy state, such as in "this is a progressive condition." 2.A state of fitness, such as "getting into condition." 3.Something that is essential to the occurrence of something else; essentially a "precondition." 4.As a verb: to cause a change in something so that a response that was previously associated with a certain stimulus becomes associated with another stimulus; to condition a person, as in behavioral conditioning.
Genetic
Hereditary. Having to do with the genes.
AIDS
A medical condition where the immune system cannot function properly and protect the body from disease. As a result, the body cannot defend itself against infections (like pneumonia). Aids is caused by the Human Immunodifiency Virus (HIV). This virus is spread through direct contact with the blood and body fluids of an infected individual. High-risk activities include unprotected sexual intercourse and intravenous drug use (sharing needles). There is no cure for AIDS; however, research efforts are on going to develop a vaccine.
Immune
Resistant to a particular disease.
Mutation
A change in DNA that alters a gene and thus the gene's product, leading in some cases to deformity or disease. Mutations can occur spontaneously during cell division or can be triggered by environmental stresses, such as sunlight, radiation, and chemicals.
Gene
1. A unit of DNA that carries information for the biosynthesis of a specific product in the cell. 2. Ultimate unit by which inheritable characteristics are transmitted to succeeding generations in all living organisms. Genes are contained by, and arranged along the length of, the chromosome. The gene is composed of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Each chromosome of each species has a definite number and arrangement of genes, which govern both the structure and metabolic functions of the cells and thus of the entire organism.
Cell
Fundamental structural unit of all life. The cell consists primarily of an outer plasma membrane, which separates it from the environment; the genetic material (DNA), which encodes heritable information for the maintainance of life; and the cytoplasm, a heterogeneous assemblage of ions, molecules, and fluid.
Conception
When a sperm and egg join to form a single cell, usually in the Fallopiantubes. After joining, the fertilized egg travels into the uterus, where itimplants in the lining on its way to growing into an embryo and then a fetus.
Development
The process of growth and differentiation.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Acquired epileptiform aphasia
See Landau-Kleffner syndrome.
Acquired immunity
Immunity acquired by infection or vaccination (active immunity) or by the transfer of antibody or lymphocytes from an immune donor (passive immunity). Acquired immunity is in contrast to innate immunity (natural immunity).
Acquired immunodeficiency disease
Acquired immunodeficiency disease: Disease caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
AIDS.
Acquired mutation
A mutation (a genetic change) acquired by a somatic cell after conception. Acquired mutations occur in somatic cells, not germ cells, and so cannot be transmitted to the children. However, acquired mutations are transmitted to all cells descended from the mutant cell, giving rise to a clone (colony) of cells marked by the mutation. Some acquired mutations are involved in the development of cancer. Also known as an acquired genetic mutation, somatic mutation, or somatic cell mutation.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Acoustic nerve
A cranial nerve concerned with hearing, balance and head position. The acoustic nerve is the 8th cranial nerve. It branches into two parts -- a cochlear part integral to hearing and a vestibular part which mediates the sense of balance and head position. Also called the vestibulocochlear nerve.
Acoustic neurinoma
A benign tumor that may develop on the hearing and balance nerves near the inner ear. The tumor results from an overproduction of Schwann cells -- small sheet-like cells that normally wrap around nerve fibers like onion skin and help support the nerves. When growth is abnormally excessive, Schwann cells bunch together, pressing against the hearing and balance nerves, often causing gradual hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and dizziness. If the tumor becomes large, it can interfere with the facial nerve, causing partial paralysis, and eventually press against nearby brain structures, becoming life-threatening.
Acoustic neurofibromatosis
See: Neurofibromatosis type 2.
Acoustic neuroma
A benign tumor that may develop on the hearing and balance nerves near the inner ear. The tumor results from an overproduction of Schwann cells -- small sheet-like cells that normally wrap around nerve fibers like onion skin and help support the nerves. When growth is abnormally excessive, Schwann cells bunch together, pressing against the hearing and balance nerves, often causing gradual hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and dizziness. If the tumor becomes large, it can interfere with the facial nerve, causing partial paralysis, and eventually press against nearby brain structures, becoming life-threatening.
ACP (American College of Physicians)
See: American College of Physicians.
Acquired
Acquired epileptiform aphasia
See Landau-Kleffner syndrome.
Acquired immunity
Immunity acquired by infection or vaccination (active immunity) or by the transfer of antibody or lymphocytes from an immune donor (passive immunity). Acquired immunity is in contrast to innate immunity (natural immunity).
Acquired immunodeficiency disease
Acquired immunodeficiency disease: Disease caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
AIDS.
Acquired mutation
A mutation (a genetic change) acquired by a somatic cell after conception. Acquired mutations occur in somatic cells, not germ cells, and so cannot be transmitted to the children. However, acquired mutations are transmitted to all cells descended from the mutant cell, giving rise to a clone (colony) of cells marked by the mutation. Some acquired mutations are involved in the development of cancer. Also known as an acquired genetic mutation, somatic mutation, or somatic cell mutation.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Acquired
"Anything that is not present at birth but develops some time later. In medicine, the word ""acquired"" implies ""new"" or ""added."" An acquired condition is ""new"" in the sense that it is not genetic (inherited) and ""added"" in the sense that was not present at birth. For example, AIDS (the acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is an acquired form of immune deficiency due to the acquisition of HIV (the human immunodeficiency virus). An acquired mutation is a change in a gene that occurs in a single cell after the conception of the individual. That change is then passed along to all cells descended from that cell. Acquired mutations are involved in the development of cancer."
Condition
The term "condition" has a number of biomedical meanings including the following: 1.An unhealthy state, such as in "this is a progressive condition." 2.A state of fitness, such as "getting into condition." 3.Something that is essential to the occurrence of something else; essentially a "precondition." 4.As a verb: to cause a change in something so that a response that was previously associated with a certain stimulus becomes associated with another stimulus; to condition a person, as in behavioral conditioning.
Genetic
Hereditary. Having to do with the genes.
AIDS
A medical condition where the immune system cannot function properly and protect the body from disease. As a result, the body cannot defend itself against infections (like pneumonia). Aids is caused by the Human Immunodifiency Virus (HIV). This virus is spread through direct contact with the blood and body fluids of an infected individual. High-risk activities include unprotected sexual intercourse and intravenous drug use (sharing needles). There is no cure for AIDS; however, research efforts are on going to develop a vaccine.
Immune
Resistant to a particular disease.
Mutation
A change in DNA that alters a gene and thus the gene's product, leading in some cases to deformity or disease. Mutations can occur spontaneously during cell division or can be triggered by environmental stresses, such as sunlight, radiation, and chemicals.
Gene
1. A unit of DNA that carries information for the biosynthesis of a specific product in the cell. 2. Ultimate unit by which inheritable characteristics are transmitted to succeeding generations in all living organisms. Genes are contained by, and arranged along the length of, the chromosome. The gene is composed of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Each chromosome of each species has a definite number and arrangement of genes, which govern both the structure and metabolic functions of the cells and thus of the entire organism.
Cell
Fundamental structural unit of all life. The cell consists primarily of an outer plasma membrane, which separates it from the environment; the genetic material (DNA), which encodes heritable information for the maintainance of life; and the cytoplasm, a heterogeneous assemblage of ions, molecules, and fluid.
Conception
When a sperm and egg join to form a single cell, usually in the Fallopiantubes. After joining, the fertilized egg travels into the uterus, where itimplants in the lining on its way to growing into an embryo and then a fetus.
Development
The process of growth and differentiation.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Acquired epileptiform aphasia
See Landau-Kleffner syndrome.
Acquired immunity
Immunity acquired by infection or vaccination (active immunity) or by the transfer of antibody or lymphocytes from an immune donor (passive immunity). Acquired immunity is in contrast to innate immunity (natural immunity).
Acquired immunodeficiency disease
Acquired immunodeficiency disease: Disease caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
AIDS.
Acquired mutation
A mutation (a genetic change) acquired by a somatic cell after conception. Acquired mutations occur in somatic cells, not germ cells, and so cannot be transmitted to the children. However, acquired mutations are transmitted to all cells descended from the mutant cell, giving rise to a clone (colony) of cells marked by the mutation. Some acquired mutations are involved in the development of cancer. Also known as an acquired genetic mutation, somatic mutation, or somatic cell mutation.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Acoustic nerve
A cranial nerve concerned with hearing, balance and head position. The acoustic nerve is the 8th cranial nerve. It branches into two parts -- a cochlear part integral to hearing and a vestibular part which mediates the sense of balance and head position. Also called the vestibulocochlear nerve.
Acoustic neurinoma
A benign tumor that may develop on the hearing and balance nerves near the inner ear. The tumor results from an overproduction of Schwann cells -- small sheet-like cells that normally wrap around nerve fibers like onion skin and help support the nerves. When growth is abnormally excessive, Schwann cells bunch together, pressing against the hearing and balance nerves, often causing gradual hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and dizziness. If the tumor becomes large, it can interfere with the facial nerve, causing partial paralysis, and eventually press against nearby brain structures, becoming life-threatening.
Acoustic neurofibromatosis
See: Neurofibromatosis type 2.
Acoustic neuroma
A benign tumor that may develop on the hearing and balance nerves near the inner ear. The tumor results from an overproduction of Schwann cells -- small sheet-like cells that normally wrap around nerve fibers like onion skin and help support the nerves. When growth is abnormally excessive, Schwann cells bunch together, pressing against the hearing and balance nerves, often causing gradual hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and dizziness. If the tumor becomes large, it can interfere with the facial nerve, causing partial paralysis, and eventually press against nearby brain structures, becoming life-threatening.
ACP (American College of Physicians)
See: American College of Physicians.
Acquired
Acquired epileptiform aphasia
See Landau-Kleffner syndrome.
Acquired immunity
Immunity acquired by infection or vaccination (active immunity) or by the transfer of antibody or lymphocytes from an immune donor (passive immunity). Acquired immunity is in contrast to innate immunity (natural immunity).
Acquired immunodeficiency disease
Acquired immunodeficiency disease: Disease caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
AIDS.
Acquired mutation
A mutation (a genetic change) acquired by a somatic cell after conception. Acquired mutations occur in somatic cells, not germ cells, and so cannot be transmitted to the children. However, acquired mutations are transmitted to all cells descended from the mutant cell, giving rise to a clone (colony) of cells marked by the mutation. Some acquired mutations are involved in the development of cancer. Also known as an acquired genetic mutation, somatic mutation, or somatic cell mutation.
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This dictionary contains 19186 terms.
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