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| This glossary contains: 19186 medical terms |
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Acromegaly
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AcromegalyA condition that occurs when the pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone. In adults, this can cause overgrowth of bones that occurs in smaller bones, such as those in the jaw, hands and feet. In children or teenagers, this can cause giantism.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
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.
Pituitary
The gland from which a number of hormones are released into the bloodstream. These hormones include growth hormone, ACTH, B-lipocortin (the precursor to B-endorphorin), FSH, LH, and TSH.
Gland
An organ that releases a chemical. Endocrine glands are ductless and secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream. Exocrine glands secrete externally, either through a tube or duct.
Hormone
A chemical substance formed in the body that is carried in the bloodstream to affect another part of the body; an example is thyroid hormone, produced by the thyroid gland in the neck, which affects growth, temperature regulation, metabolic rate, and other body functions.
Feet
The plural of foot, both an anatomic structure and a unit of measure. As an anatomic structure, the foot is the end of the leg on which a person normally stands and walks. The foot is a particularly complex structure made up of dozens of bones that work together with muscles and tendons to execute precise movements. The bones of the foot include the 10 metatarsal bones and the 28 phalanges (toe bones).
Giantism
Abnormal growth of the body due to an excessive amount of growth hormone produced by the pituitary gland.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Acrocentric chromosome
"A chromosome (one of the microscopically visible carriers of the genetic material DNA) with its centromere (the ""waist"" of the chromosome) located quite near one end of the chromosome. The ""acro-"" in acrocentric comes from the Greek ""akron"" meaning ""the end."" Humans have 5 pairs of acrocentric chromosomes. Down syndrome (trisomy 21) is due to an extra acrocentric chromosome, namely chromosome 21.A chromosome with a centromere near one end. Down syndrome (trisomy 21) is due to an extra acrocentric chromosome."
Acrocephalosyndactyly
An inherited disorder causing abnormalities of the skull and face and the hands and feet. In acrocephalosyndactyly there is closure too-early of some of the sutures of the skull (craniosynostosis). This results in an abnormally shaped head, which is unusually tall and peaked, and an abnormally shaped face with shallow eye sockets and underdevelopment of the midface. There is fusion of fingers and toes (syndactyly) and broad ends of the thumbs and big toes. Surgery is often useful to correct the abnormalities of the skull, face, hands and feet. Acrocephalosyndactyly is an autosomal dominant trait with boys and girls affected equally. A affected parent can have transmit the gene for the disorder or both parents can be normal with the disorder appearing in the child due to a new mutation. The best-known type of acrocephalosyndactyly is Apert syndrome which is due to a mutation in the fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) gene on chromosome 10. Different mutations in FGFR2 are responsible for two other genetic diseases, namely, Pfeiffer syndrome (another type of acrocephalosyndactyly) and Crouzon syndrome (purely a craniofacial disorder with no hand or foot problems). All are dominant traits.
Acrochordon
"A small tag of skin that may have a stalk (a peduncle). An acrochordon may appear on skin anywhere although the favorite locales are the eyelids, neck, armpits (axillae), upper chest, and groin. Invariably benign, this tiny tumor of the skin usually causes no symptoms unless repeatedly irritated as, for example, by the collar. Treatment may be done by freezing with liquid nitrogen or by cutting off with a scalpel or scissors if the acrochordon is irritating or cosmetically unwanted. The term ""acrochordon"" is from the Greek ""acro-"" (which means top, summit, extreme, or refers to an arm or leg) + ""chorde"", string. Medically, an acrochordon is also called a cutaneous papilloma. It is far better known as a skin tag."
Acrocyanosis
Cyanotic changes occurring at the extremities (blue discolouration on exposure to cold).
Acrodermatitis
Inflammation of the skin of the extremities, particularly of the paws or feet.
Acrodermatitis enteropathica
An historic model for the therapy of genetic disease. In an era (the 1950s) when inherited disorders were usually seen as hopeless, this progressive hereditary (autosomal recessive) disease of children was found treatable. Acrodermatitis enteropathica is characterized by the simultaneous occurrence of skin inflammation (dermatitis) and diarrhea. The skin on the cheeks, elbows and knees and tissue about the mouth and anus are inflamed. There is also balding of the scalp, eyebrows and lashes, delayed wound healing and recurrent bacterial and fungal infections due to immune deficiency. The key laboratory finding in acrodermatitis enteropathica is an abnormally low blood zinc level, reflecting impaired zinc uptake. Treatment with zinc by mouth is curative.
Acrodynia
Pain in the extremities (the hands and feet).
Acromioclavicular joint
"The acromioclavicular (AC) joint is located between the acromion (a projection of the scapula that forms the point of the shoulder) and the clavicle (the collar bone). This is a gliding type of joint. The ligaments that serve to support and strengthen this joint are called the capsular; superior and inferior acromioclavicular; articular disk; and coracoclavicular (trapezoid and conoid) ligaments."
Acromion
"The projection of the scapula (the shoulder blade) that forms the point of the shoulder. The acromion is part of the scapula. It protrudes laterally (away from the midline) and is triangular in shape. The top of the shoulder is acromial. The word ""acromion"" comes from the Greek ""akron"", peak + ""omos"", shoulder = the peak of the shoulder."
Acrophobia
"An abnormally excessive and persistent fear of heights. Sufferers experience severe anxiety even though they usually realize that, as a rule, heights pose no real threat to them. Derived from the Greek ""acron"", height + ""phobos"", fear."
Acrosclerosis
Skin changes at the extremities typical of scleroderma.
Acrotomophilia
1. a paraphilia of the stigmatic/eligibilic type in which sexuoerotic arousal and facilitation or attainment of orgasm are responsive to, and contingent on a partner who is an amputee [from Greek, akron, extremity + tomo, a cutting + -philia; a liking of an amputated extremity]. An acrotomophile is erotically excited by the stump(s) of the amputee partner. 2. the condition of being dependent on the appearance or fantasy of one's partner as an amputee in order to obtain erotic arousal and facilitate or achieve orgasm. The reciprocal paraphilic condition, namely self-amputation, is apotemnophilia.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Abs
Commonly used slang for the abdominal muscles, the muscles running up and down in the abdominal wall. The "abs" contain the rectus abdominus muscle, "rectus" meaning straight."
Abstinence
To hold back or restrain. For example, to refrain from the use of drugs or alcohol, or from having sexual intercourse.
Acclimation
The process of getting used to a new climate or altitude.
Acidosis
An abnormal condition in the body in which excessive acid lowers the pH of the blood and body tissues.
Acoustic
Having to do with sound and hearing.
Acromegaly
Actinic keratoses
Scaly, pink, gray or tan patches or bumps on the face or scalp, or on the back of the hands. Occur mostly on people who have light skin that has been damaged by the sun.
Acute
1. Of short course. 2. Severe, but of a short duration. Not chronic.
Addiction
Strong dependence or habitual use of a substance or practice, despite the negative consequences of its use.
Adenoids
Glandular tissue in the back of the throat that may swell, especially during childhood, obstruct breathing and speaking, and lead to ear infections.
Adenovirus
One of the viruses that cause the common cold.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
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.
Pituitary
The gland from which a number of hormones are released into the bloodstream. These hormones include growth hormone, ACTH, B-lipocortin (the precursor to B-endorphorin), FSH, LH, and TSH.
Gland
An organ that releases a chemical. Endocrine glands are ductless and secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream. Exocrine glands secrete externally, either through a tube or duct.
Hormone
A chemical substance formed in the body that is carried in the bloodstream to affect another part of the body; an example is thyroid hormone, produced by the thyroid gland in the neck, which affects growth, temperature regulation, metabolic rate, and other body functions.
Feet
The plural of foot, both an anatomic structure and a unit of measure. As an anatomic structure, the foot is the end of the leg on which a person normally stands and walks. The foot is a particularly complex structure made up of dozens of bones that work together with muscles and tendons to execute precise movements. The bones of the foot include the 10 metatarsal bones and the 28 phalanges (toe bones).
Giantism
Abnormal growth of the body due to an excessive amount of growth hormone produced by the pituitary gland.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Acrocentric chromosome
"A chromosome (one of the microscopically visible carriers of the genetic material DNA) with its centromere (the ""waist"" of the chromosome) located quite near one end of the chromosome. The ""acro-"" in acrocentric comes from the Greek ""akron"" meaning ""the end."" Humans have 5 pairs of acrocentric chromosomes. Down syndrome (trisomy 21) is due to an extra acrocentric chromosome, namely chromosome 21.A chromosome with a centromere near one end. Down syndrome (trisomy 21) is due to an extra acrocentric chromosome."
Acrocephalosyndactyly
An inherited disorder causing abnormalities of the skull and face and the hands and feet. In acrocephalosyndactyly there is closure too-early of some of the sutures of the skull (craniosynostosis). This results in an abnormally shaped head, which is unusually tall and peaked, and an abnormally shaped face with shallow eye sockets and underdevelopment of the midface. There is fusion of fingers and toes (syndactyly) and broad ends of the thumbs and big toes. Surgery is often useful to correct the abnormalities of the skull, face, hands and feet. Acrocephalosyndactyly is an autosomal dominant trait with boys and girls affected equally. A affected parent can have transmit the gene for the disorder or both parents can be normal with the disorder appearing in the child due to a new mutation. The best-known type of acrocephalosyndactyly is Apert syndrome which is due to a mutation in the fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) gene on chromosome 10. Different mutations in FGFR2 are responsible for two other genetic diseases, namely, Pfeiffer syndrome (another type of acrocephalosyndactyly) and Crouzon syndrome (purely a craniofacial disorder with no hand or foot problems). All are dominant traits.
Acrochordon
"A small tag of skin that may have a stalk (a peduncle). An acrochordon may appear on skin anywhere although the favorite locales are the eyelids, neck, armpits (axillae), upper chest, and groin. Invariably benign, this tiny tumor of the skin usually causes no symptoms unless repeatedly irritated as, for example, by the collar. Treatment may be done by freezing with liquid nitrogen or by cutting off with a scalpel or scissors if the acrochordon is irritating or cosmetically unwanted. The term ""acrochordon"" is from the Greek ""acro-"" (which means top, summit, extreme, or refers to an arm or leg) + ""chorde"", string. Medically, an acrochordon is also called a cutaneous papilloma. It is far better known as a skin tag."
Acrocyanosis
Cyanotic changes occurring at the extremities (blue discolouration on exposure to cold).
Acrodermatitis
Inflammation of the skin of the extremities, particularly of the paws or feet.
Acrodermatitis enteropathica
An historic model for the therapy of genetic disease. In an era (the 1950s) when inherited disorders were usually seen as hopeless, this progressive hereditary (autosomal recessive) disease of children was found treatable. Acrodermatitis enteropathica is characterized by the simultaneous occurrence of skin inflammation (dermatitis) and diarrhea. The skin on the cheeks, elbows and knees and tissue about the mouth and anus are inflamed. There is also balding of the scalp, eyebrows and lashes, delayed wound healing and recurrent bacterial and fungal infections due to immune deficiency. The key laboratory finding in acrodermatitis enteropathica is an abnormally low blood zinc level, reflecting impaired zinc uptake. Treatment with zinc by mouth is curative.
Acrodynia
Pain in the extremities (the hands and feet).
Acromioclavicular joint
"The acromioclavicular (AC) joint is located between the acromion (a projection of the scapula that forms the point of the shoulder) and the clavicle (the collar bone). This is a gliding type of joint. The ligaments that serve to support and strengthen this joint are called the capsular; superior and inferior acromioclavicular; articular disk; and coracoclavicular (trapezoid and conoid) ligaments."
Acromion
"The projection of the scapula (the shoulder blade) that forms the point of the shoulder. The acromion is part of the scapula. It protrudes laterally (away from the midline) and is triangular in shape. The top of the shoulder is acromial. The word ""acromion"" comes from the Greek ""akron"", peak + ""omos"", shoulder = the peak of the shoulder."
Acrophobia
"An abnormally excessive and persistent fear of heights. Sufferers experience severe anxiety even though they usually realize that, as a rule, heights pose no real threat to them. Derived from the Greek ""acron"", height + ""phobos"", fear."
Acrosclerosis
Skin changes at the extremities typical of scleroderma.
Acrotomophilia
1. a paraphilia of the stigmatic/eligibilic type in which sexuoerotic arousal and facilitation or attainment of orgasm are responsive to, and contingent on a partner who is an amputee [from Greek, akron, extremity + tomo, a cutting + -philia; a liking of an amputated extremity]. An acrotomophile is erotically excited by the stump(s) of the amputee partner. 2. the condition of being dependent on the appearance or fantasy of one's partner as an amputee in order to obtain erotic arousal and facilitate or achieve orgasm. The reciprocal paraphilic condition, namely self-amputation, is apotemnophilia.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Abs
Commonly used slang for the abdominal muscles, the muscles running up and down in the abdominal wall. The "abs" contain the rectus abdominus muscle, "rectus" meaning straight."
Abstinence
To hold back or restrain. For example, to refrain from the use of drugs or alcohol, or from having sexual intercourse.
Acclimation
The process of getting used to a new climate or altitude.
Acidosis
An abnormal condition in the body in which excessive acid lowers the pH of the blood and body tissues.
Acoustic
Having to do with sound and hearing.
Acromegaly
Actinic keratoses
Scaly, pink, gray or tan patches or bumps on the face or scalp, or on the back of the hands. Occur mostly on people who have light skin that has been damaged by the sun.
Acute
1. Of short course. 2. Severe, but of a short duration. Not chronic.
Addiction
Strong dependence or habitual use of a substance or practice, despite the negative consequences of its use.
Adenoids
Glandular tissue in the back of the throat that may swell, especially during childhood, obstruct breathing and speaking, and lead to ear infections.
Adenovirus
One of the viruses that cause the common cold.
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This dictionary contains 19186 terms.
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