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mondofacto - Online Medical Dictionary Category: Health and Medicine > Medical Dictionary Date & country: 26/01/2008, UK Words: 116197

precarious
1. Depending on the will or pleasure of another; held by courtesy; liable to be changed or lost at the pleasure of another; as, precarious privileges. ... 2. Held by a doubtful tenure; depending on unknown causes or events; exposed to constant risk; not to be depended on for certainty or stability; uncertain; as, a precarious state of health; precar …

precartilage
A closely packed aggregation of mesenchymal cells just prior to their differentiation into embryonic cartilage. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

precava
Synonym for superior vena cava ... <anatomy> The major venous channel draining the thorax and head which ends in the right atrium. ... (19 Jan 1998) ...

precentral
Referring to the cerebral convolution immediately anterior to the central sulcus: precentral gyrus. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

precentral area
The cortex of the precentral gyrus. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

precentral artery
Synonym for precentral sulcal artery ... <anatomy, artery> A branch of the terminal part of the middle cerebral artery distributed to the cortex on either side of the precentral sulcus. ... Synonym: arteria sulci precentralis, artery of precentral sulcus, pre-Rolandic artery, precentral artery. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

precentral cerebellar vein
<anatomy, vein> An unpaired vein originating in the precentral cerebellar fissure passing anterior and superior to the culmen on its way to terminate in the great cerebral vein. ... Synonym: vena precentralis cerebelli. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

precentral gyrus
Bounded posteriorly by the central sulcus and anteriorly by the precentral sulcus. ... Synonym: gyrus precentralis, anterior central convolution, anterior central gyrus, ascending frontal convolution, ascending frontal gyrus. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

precentral sulcal artery
<anatomy, artery> A branch of the terminal part of the middle cerebral artery distributed to the cortex on either side of the precentral sulcus. ... Synonym: arteria sulci precentralis, artery of precentral sulcus, pre-Rolandic artery, precentral artery. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

precentral sulcus
An interrupted fissure anterior to and in general parallel with the central sulcus, marking the anterior border of the precentral gyrus. ... Synonym: sulcus precentralis, sulcus verticalis. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

preceptorship
An educational program designed to give the professionally trained student experience outside the academic environment working in the specialty area of his choice with a physician, dentist or other advisory supervisors. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

precervical sinus
Synonym for cervical sinus ... In young mammalian embryos a depression in the nuchal region caudal to the hyoid arch, with the third and fourth branchial arches and ectodermal grooves in its floor; normally it is obliterated after the second month, but occasionally cervical fistulae persist as vestiges of it. ... Synonym: precervical sinus. ... (05 Ma …

precession
The act of going before, or forward. Lunisolar precession. ... <astronomy> The slow backward motion of the equinoctial points along the ecliptic, at the rate of 50.2<sec/ annually, caused by the action of the sun, moon, and planets, upon the protuberant matter about the earth's equator, in connection with its diurnal rotation; so called bec …

prechiasmatic sulcus
Synonym for chiasmatic groove ... The groove on the upper surface of the sphenoid bone running transversely between the optic canals bounded anteriorly by the sphenoidal limbus and posteriorly by the tuberculum sellae; forms in relationship to the optic chiasm. ... Synonym: sulcus prechiasmatis, chiasmatic sulcus, optic groove, prechiasmatic sulcus.< …

prechordal plate
Synonym for prochordal plate ... A small area immediately rostral to the cephalic tip of the notochord where ectoderm and endoderm are in contact; when turned under the growing head, it forms the pharyngeal membrane. ... See: oral plate. ... Synonym: prechordal plate. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

prechroming
Treatment of a tissue or fabric first with a metal mordant, followed by a dye. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

precinct
1. The limit or exterior line encompassing a place; a boundary; a confine; limit of jurisdiction or authority; often in the plural; as, the precincts of a state. 'The precincts of light.' ... 2. A district within certain boundaries; a minor territorial or jurisdictional division; as, an election precinct; a school precinct. ... 3. A parish or prescri …

precipice
1. A sudden or headlong fall. ... 2. A headlong steep; a very steep, perpendicular, or overhanging place; an abrupt declivity; a cliff. 'Where wealth like fruit on precipices grew.' (Dryden) ... Origin: F. Precipice, L. Praecipitium, fr. Praeceps, -cipitis, headlong; prae = before + caput, capitis, the head. See Pre-, and Chief. ... Source: Websters D …

precipitate
<chemistry> To cause a solid to settle out of a solution. ... The solid that settles out of a solution. ... To be deposited out of a solution. ... (09 Oct 1997) ...

precipitate labour
Very rapid labour ending in delivery of the foetus. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

precipitated calcium carbonate
CaCO3;used as an antacid in the management of peptic ulcers and other conditions of gastric hyperacidity. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

precipitated sulfur
Sublimed sulfur boiled with lime water, the lime being removed from the precipitate by washing with diluted hydrochloric acid; used in preparing sulfur ointment and in the treatment of various skin disorders. ... Synonym: lac sulfuris, milk of sulfur. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

precipitating antibody
Synonym for precipitin ... <protein> Any antibody that forms a precipitating complex (a precipitin line) with an appropriate multivalent antigen. The term is now outmoded. ... (18 Nov 1997) ...

precipitating cause
A factor that brings on the onset of manifestations of a disease process. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

precipitating factors
Factors associated with the definitive onset of a disease, illness, accident, behavioural response, or course of action. Usually one factor is more important or more obviously recognizable than others, if several are involved, and one may often be regarded as 'necessary'. Examples include exposure to specific disease; amount or level of an infectio …

precipitation
The act or process of precipitating. ... Origin: L. Praecipitatio ... (18 Nov 1997) ...

precipitation curve
A graph of the quantity of precipitate formed as a function of the quantity of antigen added during the titration of an antibody with an antigen. ... Synonym: Heidelberger curve. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

precipitation test
Synonym for precipitin test ... An in vitro test in which antigen is in soluble form and precipitates when it combines with added specific antibody in the presence of an electrolyte. ... See: gel diffusion precipitin tests, ring precipitin test. ... Synonym: precipitation test. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

precipitin
<protein> Any antibody that forms a precipitating complex (a precipitin line) with an appropriate multivalent antigen. The term is now outmoded. ... (18 Nov 1997) ...

precipitin reaction
See: precipitin, precipitin test. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

precipitin test
An in vitro test in which antigen is in soluble form and precipitates when it combines with added specific antibody in the presence of an electrolyte. ... See: gel diffusion precipitin tests, ring precipitin test. ... Synonym: precipitation test. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

precipitin tests
Serologic tests in which a positive reaction manifested by visible precipitation occurs when a soluble antigen reacts with its antibody. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

precipitinogen
1. An antigen that stimulates the formation of specific precipitin when injected into an animal body. ... 2. A precipitable soluble antigen. ... Synonym: precipitogen. ... Origin: precipitin + G. -gen, producing ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

precipitinogenoid
A precipitinogen that is altered by means of heating, thereby resulting in a substance that combines with the specific precipitin, but does not lead to the formation of a precipitate. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

precipitins
Antibodies which elicit precipitation when combined with antigen. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

precipitogen
Synonym for precipitinogen ... 1. An antigen that stimulates the formation of specific precipitin when injected into an animal body. ... 2. A precipitable soluble antigen. ... Synonym: precipitogen. ... Origin: precipitin + G. -gen, producing ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

precipitoid
A heat-treated precipitin that when mixed with specific precipitinogen does not cause a precipitate and also interferes with the precipitating effect of additional nonheated precipitin. ... Origin: precipitin + G. Eidos, resemblance ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

precipitophore
In Ehrlich's side chain theory, the portion of a precipitin molecule that is required in the formation of a precipitate, as distinguished from the haptophore group. ... Origin: precipitin + G. Phoros, bearing ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

precise
1. Having determinate limitations; exactly or sharply defined or stated; definite; exact; nice; not vague or equivocal; as, precise rules of morality. 'The law in this point is not precise.' (Bacon) 'For the hour precise Exacts our parting hence.' (Milton) ... 2. Strictly adhering or conforming to rule; very nice or exact; punctilious in conduct or …

precision
1. The quality of being sharply defined or stated; one measure of precision is the number of distinguishable alternatives to a measurement. ... 2. In statistics, the inverse of the variance of a measurement or estimate. ... 3. Reproducibility of a quantifiable result; an indication of the random error. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

precision attachment
A frictional or mechanically retained unit used in fixed or removable prosthodontics, consisting of closely fitting male and female parts, an attachment that may be rigid in function or may incorporate a movable stress control unit to reduce the torque on the abutment. ... Synonym: frictional attachment, internal attachment, key attachment, keyway a …

precision rest
A rest consisting of closely interlocking parts. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

preclinical
1. Before a disease becomes clinically recognisable. ... 2. <pharmacology> Refers to the testing of experimental drug the test tube or in animals before clinical trials in humans may be carried out. ... (10 Oct 1997) ...

preclinical studies
<pharmacology> Studies in which a drug is tested on animals and in other non-human test systems. Safety information from such studies are used to support an investigational new drug application. ... (14 Nov 1997) ...

preclinical study
A study to test a drug, procedure or other medical treatment in animals. The aim is to collect data in support of safety. Preclinical studies are required before clinical trials can be started. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

preclude
1. To put a barrier before; hence, to shut out; to hinder; to stop; to impede. 'The valves preclude the blood from entering the veins.' (E. Darwin) ... 2. To shut out by anticipative action; to prevent or hinder by necessary consequence or implication; to deter action of, access to, employment of, etc.; to render ineffectual; to obviate by anticipat …

precocious
1. Ripe or mature before the proper or natural time; early or prematurely ripe or developed; as, precocious trees. ... 2. Developed more than is natural or usual at a given age; exceeding what is to be expected of one's years; too forward; used especially of mental forwardness; as, a precocious child; precocious talents. ... Origin: L. Praecox, -ocis …

precocious puberty
Condition in which pubertal changes begin at an unexpectedly early age; often the result of a pathological process involving a gland capable of secreting oestrogens or androgens, e.g., the ovary or the adrenal cortex. ... Synonym: pubertas praecox. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

precocity
Unusually early or rapid development of mental or physical traits. ... Origin: see precocious ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

precognition
Advance knowledge, by means other than the normal senses, of a future event; a form of extrasensory perception. ... Origin: L. Praecogito, to ponder before ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

precollagenous fibres
Immature, argyrophilic fibre's. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

precommercial thinning
Thinning for timber stand improvement purposes, generally in young, densely stocked stands. ... (05 Dec 1998) ...

precommissural bundle
See: olfactory bundle. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

precommissural septal area
Synonym for subcallosal gyrus ... A slender vertical whitish band immediately anterior to the lamina terminalis and anterior commissure; contrary to its name, it is not a cortical convolution but is the ventral continuation of the transparent septum. ... Synonym: area subcallosa, gyrus paraterminalis, gyrus subcallosus, pedunculus corporis callosi, c …

precommissural septum
See: septal area. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

preconception care
An organised and comprehensive program of health care that identifies and reduces a woman's reproductive risks before conception through risk assessment, health promotion, and interventions. Preconception care programs may be designed to include the male partner in providing counseling and educational information in preparation for fatherhood, such …

preconceptual counselling
The interchange of information prior to pregnancy. Usually for pregnancy planning and care. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

preconceptual stage
In psychology, the stage of development in an infant's life, prior to actual conceptual thinking, in which sensorimotor activity predominates. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

preconscious
In psychoanalysis, one of the three divisions of the psyche according to Freud's topographical psychology, the other two being the conscious and unconscious; includes all ideas, thoughts, past experiences, and other memory impressions that with effort can be consciously recalled. ... Compare: foreconscious. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

preconvulsive
Denoting the stage in an epileptic paroxysm preceding convulsions (e.g., aura). ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

precordia
The epigastrium and anterior surface of the lower part of the thorax. ... Synonym: antecardium. ... Origin: L. Praecordia (ntr. Pl. Only), the diaphragm, the entrails, fr. Prae, before, + cor (cord-), heart ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

precordial
<anatomy, cardiology> Pertaining to the precordium, which is the region over the heart and lower part of the thorax. ... (18 Nov 1997) ...

precordial catch syndrome
<syndrome> A benign syndrome of uncertain origin, characterised by sharp, sudden pain in the region of the cardiac apex on inspiration, yet usually relieved by forcing a deeper breath; tenderness is absent. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

precordial electrocardiography
Recording of electrocardiographic signals from the anterior left chest; conventionally six electrode positions are used but any number may be applied. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

precordial leads
Synonym for chest leads ... Those in which the exploring electrode is on the chest overlying the heart or its vicinity. ... Synonym: precordial leads, semidirect leads. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

precordialgia
Pain in the precordial region. ... Origin: precordia + G. Algos, pain ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

precordium
Singular of precordia. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

precorneal film
A protective film, 7 to 9 nm thick, consisting of external oily, intermediate watery, and deep mucoprotein layers. ... Synonym: tear film. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

precorrin 6x oxidoreductase
<enzyme> Catalyses NADPH-dependent reduction of precorrin-6x to precorrin-6y; involved in vitamin b12 synthesis in pseudomonas denitrificans ... Registry number: EC 1.3.1.- ... Synonym: precorrin-6x oxidase ... (26 Jun 1999) ...

precorrin-2 methyltransferase
<enzyme> Catalyses the conversion of precorrin-2 to precorrin-3; cobi isolated from e. Coli ... Registry number: EC 2.1.1.- ... Synonym: cobi gene product ... (26 Jun 1999) ...

precorrin-2 O-methyltransferase
<enzyme> From pseudomonas denitrificans; catalyses the c-20 methylation of precorrin-2 to precorrin-3 ... Registry number: EC 2.1.1.- ... Synonym: s-adenosyl-l-methionine-precorrin-2 o-methyltransferase ... (26 Jun 1999) ...

precorrin-3 11-methyltransferase
<enzyme> One of enzymes involved in hydrogenobyrinic acid synthesis; 11 aa amino-terminal sequence given in first source ... Registry number: EC 2.1.1.- ... Synonym: cbif gene product ... (26 Jun 1999) ...

precorrin-3 synthase
<enzyme> One of enzymes involved in hydrogenobyrinic acid synthesis; methylates c-20 of precorrin-2 to form precorrin-3; 10 aa amino-terminal sequence given in first source ... Registry number: EC 2.1.1.- ... Synonym: cbil gene product, precorrin-2 20-methyltransferase ... (26 Jun 1999) ...

precorrin-4 methyltransferase
<enzyme> Catalyses the coversion of precorrin-4 to precorrin-5; cobm isolated from e. Coli ... Registry number: EC 2.1.1.- ... Synonym: cobm gene product ... (26 Jun 1999) ...

precorrin-5 methyltransferase
<enzyme> Catalyses conversion of precorrin-5 to precorrin-6x; cobf isolated from e. Coli; has both deacetylase and methyltransferase activities ... Registry number: EC 2.1.1.- ... Synonym: precorrin-5 deacetylase, cobf gene product ... (26 Jun 1999) ...

precorrin-6 methyltransferase
<enzyme> Catalyses the conversion of precorrin-6y to precorrin-8x; has both methyltransferase and decarboxylase activity; cobl isolated from e. Coli ... Registry number: EC 2.1.1.- ... Synonym: precorrin-6 decarboxylase, cobl gene product ... (26 Jun 1999) ...

precorrin-6 reductase
<enzyme> Catalyses reduction of precorrin-6x to precorrin-6y; cobk isolated from e. Coli ... Registry number: EC 1.3.- ... Synonym: cobk gene product ... (26 Jun 1999) ...

precostal
Anterior to the ribs. ... Origin: pre-+ L. Costa, rib ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

precostal anastomosis
Longitudinal anastomosis of intersegmental arteries in the embryo that gives rise to the thyrocervical and costocervical trunk. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

precritical
Relating to the phase before a crisis. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

precuneal
Anterior to the cuneus. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

precuneal artery
<anatomy, artery> The last cortical branch of the pericallosal artery; it supplies the inferior part of the precuneus. ... Synonym: arteria precunealis, inferior internal parietal artery. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

precuneate
Relating to the precuneus. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

precuneus
A division of the medial surface of each cerebral hemisphere between the cuneus and the paracentral lobule; it lies above the subparietal sulcus and is bounded anteriorly by the marginal part of the cingulate sulcus and posteriorly by the parietooccipital sulcus. ... Synonym: lobulus quadratus, quadrate lobe, quadrate lobule. ... Origin: pre-+ L. Cun …

precursor
Something that precedes. ... 1. <biochemistry> In biological processes, a substance from which another, usually more active or mature substance is formed. ... 2. In clinical medicine, a sign or symptom that heralds another. ... Origin: L. Praecursor = a forerunner ... (18 Nov 1997) ...

precursory cartilage
Synonym for temporary cartilage ... A cartilage that is normally replaced by bone, to form a part of the skeleton. ... Synonym: ossifying cartilage, precursory cartilage. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

predation
<zoology> A type of organism interaction where one species feeds on another species (or rarely, on a member of the same species). ... In general, the predator species that does the feeding benefits from this relationship, while the prey species which gets eaten is harmed by the relationship. ... (31 Dec 1997) ...

predator
<epidemiology> An animal that kills its prey and then feeds on it to subsist until the next kill. ... (05 Dec 1998) ...

predatory
1. Characterised by plundering; practicing rapine; plundering; pillaging; as, a predatory excursion; a predatory party. 'A predatory war.' ... 2. Hungry; ravenous; as, predatory spirits. 'Exercise . . . Maketh the spirits more hot and predatory.' (Bacon) ... 3. <zoology> Living by preying upon other animals; carnivorous. ... Origin: L. Praedator …

predatory behaviour
Instinctual behaviour pattern in which food is obtained by killing and consuming other species. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

predecidual
Relating to the premenstrual or secretory phase of the menstrual cycle. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

predentin
The organic fibrillar matrix of the dentin before its calcification. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

prediabetes
A state of potential diabetes mellitus, with normal glucose tolerance but with an increased risk of developing diabetes; (e.g., family history). ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

prediastole
The interval in the cardiac rhythm immediately preceding diastole. ... Synonym: late systole. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

predictive validity
Criterion-related validity used to predict performance in a real-life task at a future time. ... See: construct validity, criterion-related validity. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

predictive value
An expresion of the likelihood that a given test result correlates with the presence or absence of disease. A positive predictive value is the ratio of patients with the disease who test positive to the entire population of individuals with a positive test result; a negative predictive value is the ratio of patients without the disease who test neg …

predictive value of tests
In screening and diagnostic tests, the probability that a person with a positive test is a true positive (i.e., has the disease), is referred to as the predictive value of a positive test; whereas, the predictive value of a negative test is the probability that the person with a negative test does not have the disease. Predictive value is related t …

predispose
1. To dispose or incline beforehand; to give a predisposition or bias to; as, to predispose the mind to friendship. ... 2. To make fit or susceptible beforehand; to give a tendency to; as, debility predisposes the body to disease. ... <medicine> Predisposing causes, causes which render the body liable to disease; predisponent causes. ... Origin: …

predisposing cause
Anything that produces a susceptibility or disposition to a condition without actually causing it. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

predisposing factors
Attitudinal, personality, and related factors that motivate and guide an individual to take certain health actions. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...