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Dura
DuraThe outermost, toughest, and most fibrous of the three membranes (meninges) covering the brain and the spinal cord. Dura is short for dura mater (from the Latin for hard mother). Also called the pachymeninx (singular) or pachymeniges (plural). RELATED TERMS-------------------------------------- Membranes Also know as the bag of waters, this thin sac contains the amniotic fluid and the fetus. The membranes will either rupture spontaneously during labor or be ruptured to speed up labor. Brain "That part of the central nervous system that is located within the cranium (skull). The brain functions as the primary receiver, organizer and distributor of information for the body. It has two (right and left) halves called ""hemispheres."" " Cord 1. In anatomy, a long ropelike structure. 2. Short for the spinal cord or the umbilical cord. Dura The outermost, toughest, and most fibrous of the three membranes (meninges) covering the brain and the spinal cord. Dura is short for dura mater (from the Latin for hard mother). Also called the pachymeninx (singular) or pachymeniges (plural). SIMILAR TERMS-------------------------------------- PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS-------------------------------------- Dumdum fever Also called kala-azar, a chronic, potentially fatal parasitic disease of the viscera (the internal organs) due to infection by an agent called Leishmania donovani. Dummy In science experiments, a substance without any active ingredient, a placebo. Duodenal biliary drainage A procedure used to diagnose gallstones when suspicion is high but other tests are negative. A thin tube is passed through a nostril down the throat, through the esophagus and stomach, into the duodenum. Once the tube is in place, a synthetic hormone related to cholecystokinin is injected IV. It causes the gallbladder to contract and squeeze out bile into the duodenum. The bile then is sucked up through the tube and examined for the presence of cholesterol and pigment particles under a microscope. A modification of duodenal biliary drainage involves collection of bile through an endoscope at the time of EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy) or ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography). Duplication Part of a chromosome in duplicate, a particular kind of mutation (change) involving the production of one or more copies of any piece of DNA, including a gene or even an entire chromosome. Dupuytren contracture A localized formation of scar tissue in the palm of the hand. The scarring accumulates in a tissue called the fascia beneath the skin of the palm that normally covers the tendons that pull the fingers grip. As Dupuytren contracture progresses, more of the fascia becomes thickened and shortened. Dimpling and puckering of the skin over the area eventually occur. Dura Durable power of attorney This is a type of advance medical directive in which legal documents provide the power of attorney to another person in the case of an incapacitating medical condition. Dural Pertaining to the dura. Dural sac The membranous sac that encases the spinal cord within the bony structure of the vertebral column. Dural refers to the dura, the name of the membrane around the spinal cord (and brain, too). Dursban An insecticide that has adverse neurological effects. Known alternatively as chlorpyrifos. Dursban causes weakness, vomiting, diarrhea and other ill effects in children. It can also cause blurred vision and memory loss. Dust mite A tiny microscopic organism that is the primary cause of allergies related to house dust. The term "dust mite allergy" is a misnomer because it is the excretion of these mites to which people are allergic. Dust mites can therefore trigger allergic reactions even when dead. We thank you for using the Medical Glossary to search for Dura. If you have a better definition for Dura than the one presented here, please let us know by making use of the suggest a term option. This definition of Dura may be disputed by other professionals. Our attempt is to provide easy definitions on Dura and any other medical topic for the public at large.
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| ura / dra / dua / dur / ddura / duura / durra / duraa / eura / rura / fura / vura / cura / xura / sura / wura / d7ra / d8ra / dira / dkra / djra / dhra / dyra / d6ra / du4a / du5a / duta / duga / dufa / duda / duea / du3a / durq / durw / durs / durx / durz / | ||||||||||||||||