Copy of `Dorland's Medical Dictionary`

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Dorland's Medical Dictionary Category: Health and Medicine > Medical Dictionary Date & country: 31/12/2010, USA Words: 39128

focal dystonia
dystonia that occurs in just a few muscles.

focal epilepsy
epilepsy consisting of focal motor seizures.

focal epithelial hyperplasia
hyperplasia of oral mucous membranes, especially on the lower lip, with sessile papules, caused by infection with a human papillomavirus, seen most often in children and adolescents. Called also Heck disease.

focal glomerular sclerosis
focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.

focal motor seizure
a simple partial seizure consisting of clonus or spasm of a muscle or muscle group, occurring either singly or in a continuous repetitive series.

focal nodular hyperplasia
(FNH) presence of a single benign regenerative nodule in the liver, usually asymptomatic and chiefly in women; it is a firm, highly vascular mass resembling cirrhosis, usually with a stellate fibrous core containing numerous small bile ducts, and having vessels lined by Kupffer cells.

focal point
see focus (def. 1), and cardinal point (def. 1).

focal sclerosing osteomyelitis
a chronic, localized inflammatory response of bone to low-grade infection, with formation of dense trabecular bony masses with little interstitial marrow tissue. It occurs particularly in the mandibles of children and young adults, adjacent to the apex of a tooth that has long-term pulpitis. Called also condensing osteitis.

focal seizure
partial seizure.

focal spot
the object of a patient's gaze during distraction techniques. a small area of an x-ray target that receives the main electron stream.

focus
(fo´kәs) pl. fo´ci the point of convergence of light rays or sound waves. the chief center of a morbid process. Ghon focus the primary parenchymal lesion of primary pulmonary tuberculosis in children; when associated with a corresponding lymph node focus, it is known as...

focus groups
individuals with a common interest who meet to explore a problem in depth.

focused grid
a linear grid in which all of the lead strips are aligned in a tilted fashion toward a centering point.

focusing
(fo´kәs-ing) the act of converging at a point. isoelectric focusing electrophoresis in which the protein mixture is subjected to an electric field in a gel medium in which a pH gradient has been established; each protein then migrates until it reaches the site at which the ...

fog
(fog) a colloid system in which the dispersion medium is a gas and the dispersed particles are liquid. an artifact seen on a radiograph caused by unintentional exposure to reducing contrast.

Fogarty catheter
a type of balloon-tip catheter used to remove thrombi and emboli from blood vessels.

fogging
(fog´ing) in ophthalmology, a method of determining refractive error in astigmatism, the patient being first made artificially myopic by means of plus spheres, in order to relax all accommodation before using cylinders.

Foix syndrome
(fwah) cavernous sinus syndrome.

Foix-Alajouanine syndrome
(fwah´ ah-lah-zhoo-ah-nēn´) a necrotizing myelopathy characterized by necrosis of the gray matter of the spinal cord, thickening of the walls of the spinal vessels, and abnormal spinal fluid; symptoms include subacute spastic paraplegia of the lower extremities that progresses to flaccid paralysis, often asce...

folate
(fo´lāt) the anionic form of folic acid.

fold
(fōld) plica; a thin margin curved back on itself, or doubled over.

folded lung syndrome
round atelectasis.

Foley catheter
an indwelling catheter retained in the bladder by a balloon inflated with air or liquid;

foliate papilla
one of the parallel mucosal folds on the tongue margin at the junction of its body and root.

folic acid
(fo´lik) a water-soluble vitamin of the vitamin B complex, involved in the synthesis of amino acids and DNA. Green vegetables, liver, and yeast are major food sources, and folic acid can also be produced synthetically. Deficiency of the vitamin (leading to megaloblastic anemia) may result from inability of a person's bo...

folic acid antagonist
an antimetabolite of folic acid; some are used as antineoplastic agents because they interfere with DNA replication and cell division by inhibiting the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase. Examples include trimethoprim, an antibacterial; pyrimethamine, an antimalarial agent; and methotrexate, an antineoplastic agent.

folic acid deficiency anemia
macrocytic anemia due to deficiency of folic acid. Called also nutritional macrocytic anemia.

folie
(fo-le´) a French word meaning insanity. folie à deux (ah ddbobr) mental disorder affecting two persons who share the same delusions; formally classified as shared psychotic disorder. folie du pourquoi (doo poor-kwah´) ...

folinic acid
(fo-lin´ik) the 5-formyl derivative of tetrahydrofolic acid, a metabolically active derivative of folic acid used to treat folic acid deficiencies and as an antidote to folic acid antagonists. Called also citrovorum factor and leucovorin.

folium
(fo´le-әm) pl. fo´lia Latin word meaning leaf. In anatomy, it is used for a leaflike structure, especially one of the leaflike subdivisions of the cerebellar cortex.

folk medicine
the use of home remedies and procedures as handed down by tradition.

follicle
(fol´ĭ-kәl) a sac or pouchlike depression or cavity. adj., follic´ular, adj. .

follicle-stimulating hormone
(FSH) an anterior pituitary hormone that is a gonadotropin and stimulates growth and maturity of graafian follicles in the ovary, and stimulates spermatogenesis in the male.

follicular adenoma
adenoma of the thyroid in which the cells are arranged in the form of follicles.

follicular atresia
the normal death of the ovarian follicle when unfertilized.

follicular bronchiectasis
a type in which the lymphoid tissue in the affected regions becomes greatly enlarged, projects into the bronchial lumen, and may distort or partially obstruct the bronchus.

follicular center cell
any of a series of B lymphocytes normally found in the germinal center, and pathologically in the neoplastic nodules of follicular center cell lymphoma.

follicular center cell lymphoma
any of a large group of B-cell lymphomas, comprising four subtypes classified on the basis of the predominant cell type; because of the wide variety of prognostic levels and the existence of tumors with several types of cells, the original four categories have now been divided up and scattered among several other categori...

follicular cyst
one due to occlusion of the duct of a follicle or small gland, especially one formed by enlargement of a graafian follicle as a result of accumulated transudate.

follicular degeneration syndrome
a type of cicatricial alopecia, usually beginning in the vertex of the scalp and extending outwards, caused by inflammation of hair follicles. Formerly called hot comb alopecia because it was seen in African-American women and was thought to be related to hair relaxing procedures.

follicular dendritic cells
antigen-presenting cells found in the germinal centers of the lymph nodes, and having the property of retaining for long periods of time antigen-antibody complexes in the labyrinth of clefts bounded by their surface processes. Called also dendritic cells.

follicular epithelial cells
follicle cells.

follicular hyperkeratosis
a skin condition characterized by excessive development of keratin in hair follicles, resulting in rough, cone-shaped, elevated papules whose openings are often closed with a white plug of sebum. Deficiencies of vitamins A and E, B complex vitamins, and essential fatty acids have all been implicated in the etiology. Calle...

follicular infundibulum tumor
a rare type of smooth papular lesion arising from the follicular infundibulum, usually seen on the face and neck of older patients, characterized by platelike proliferation of squamous cells that are connected at many points to the lower surface of the epidermis.

follicular lymphoma
any of several types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in which the lymphomatous cells are clustered into identifiable nodules within the lymph nodes. Called also nodular lymphoma.

follicular phase
the first part of the ovarian cycle, lasting from the end of the menstrual phase until ovulation and corresponding to the proliferative phase of the uterine cycle; it is characterized by the development of a dominant ovarian follicle, which reaches maturity by midcycle. At the end of this phase there are surges of luteinizing hormone...

follicular ulcer
a small ulcer on the mucous membrane having its origin in a lymph follicle.

folliculitis
(fә-lik″u-li´tis) inflammation of a follicle or follicles, usually referring to a hair follicle but sometimes to other follicles. folliculitis barbae sycosis barbae. folliculitis decalvans suppurative folliculitis leading to scarring, with perma...

folliculoma
(fә-lik″u-lo´mә) a benign adnexal tumor of a hair follicle; see fibrofolliculoma and trichofolliculoma. granulosa-theca cell tumor.

folliculus
(fә-lik´u-lәs) pl. folli´culi Latin word meaning follicle; a term used in anatomy.

follitropin
(fol´ĭ-tro″pin) follicle-stimulating hormone; follitropin alfa and follitropin beta are forms produced by genetically modified hamster cells and used in the treatment of infertility.

fomentation
(fo″mәn-ta´shәn) treatment by warm, moist applications; also, the substance thus applied.

fomite
(fo´mīt) an inanimate object or material on which disease-producing agents may be conveyed.

fomivirsen
(fo-miv´әr-sәn) an antiviral agent administered by intravitreal injection in the treatment of cytomegalovirus retinitis associated with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS); used as the sodium salt.

Fonsecaea
(fon-se-se´ә) a genus of imperfect fungi. F. compac´tum and F. pedro´soi are etiologic agents of chromoblastomycosis.

Fontan procedure
(fawn-tah´) functional correction of a tricuspid atresia by anastomosis of, or insertion of a nonvalved prosthesis between, the right atrium and the pulmonary artery with closure of the interatrial communication.

fontanel
(fon″tә-nel´) fontanelle.

fontanelle
(fon″tә-nel´) one of four membrane-covered spaces remaining at the junction of the sutures in the incompletely ossified skull of the fetus or infant. They represent gaps in the bone structure that will be filled in by bone during the normal process of growth. Though these “soft spots” may a...

fontanelle reflex
Grünfelder reflex.

food
(fldbomacd) a nourishing substance that is eaten or otherwise taken into the body to sustain life, provide energy, or promote growth. accessory foods foods high in calories and low in nutritive value, often used to increase palatability of foods with higher nutritive value, for e...

food allergy
allergy produced by ingested antigens, such as food or drugs; strawberries, milk, and eggs are the most common offenders. The organ affected usually is the skin.

Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services whose principal purpose is to enforce the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. The agency insures that foods for sale in the United States are safe, pure, and wholesome; that drugs and therapeutic devices are safe and effective; tha...

food challenge
food challenge test a challenge test for determining food allergens; a small amount of a lyophilized (freeze-dried) preparation of the suspected allergen is administered orally and the patient is monitored for reactions such as rash, rhinorrhea, or diarrhea.

food impaction
forceful wedging of food into the peridontium by occlusal forces, which may occur interproximally or in relation to the vestibular or oral tooth surfaces. It is a common contributing factor in gingival and periodontal disease.

food poisoning
any of a group of acute illnesses due to ingestion of contaminated food. It may result from allergy; toxemia from foods, such as those inherently poisonous or those contaminated by poisons; or foods containing poisons formed by bacteria or foodborne infections. Food poisoning usually causes inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract ...

foot
(foot) the distal part of the lower limb of a primate, upon which the individual stands and walks. something resembling this structure. a unit of linear measure, 12 inches, equal to 0.3048 meter.

foot care
preventive and therapeutic measures to avoid complications and possibly amputation in patients with diabetes, peripheral arterial occlusive disease, and other disorders associated with circulatory stasis.

foot plate
footplate.

foot process disease
minimal change disease.

foot slap
a gait pattern often seen with a foot prosthesis; the prosthesis lands flatly on the ground, making a loud noise.

footboard
(foot´bord) a device placed at the foot of the bed so that the feet rest firmly against it and are at right angles to the legs. It is used to relieve the weight of the bedclothes, to maintain proper positioning of the feet while a patient is confined to bed, and to prevent development of footdrop. It also helps ma...

footdrop
(foot´drop) a contracture deformity associated with bed rest and immobility, resulting in the inability to place the heel on the ground. dropping of the foot from paralysis of anterior muscles of the lower limb.

footling presentation
presentation of the fetus with one foot (single footling) or two feet (double footling) prolapsed into the maternal vagina.

footplate
(foot´plāt) the flat portion of the stapes, which is set into the oval window on the medial wall of the middle ear.

foramen
(fo-ra´mәn) pl. fora´mina Latin word meaning an opening. In anatomy, it is used for a natural opening or passage, especially one into or through a bone.

foramen caecum
(fo-ra´mәn se´kәm) cecal foramen.

foramen lacerum
(fo-ra´mәn la´sәr-әm) a gap formed at the junction of the great wing of the sphenoid bone, tip of the petrous part of the temporal bone, and basilar part of the occipital bone.

foramen magnum
(fo-ra´mәn mag´nәm) a large opening in the anterior inferior part of the occipital bone, between the cranial cavity and spinal canal.

foramen of Bochdalek
pleuroperitoneal hiatus.

foramen of Bochdalek hernia
Bochdalek hernia.

foramen of Key and Retzius
(ke´ ret´ze-oos) an opening at the end of each lateral recess of the fourth ventricle by which the ventricular cavity communicates with the subarachnoid space.

foramen of Magendie
(mah-zhah-de´) a deficiency in the lower part of the roof of the fourth ventricle f the brain through which the ventricular cavity communicates with the subarachnoid space.

foramen of Monro
interventricular foramen.

foramen of Morgagni hernia
Morgagni hernia.

foramen of Vesalius
foramen venosum.

foramen of Winslow
epiploic foramen.

foramen ovale
(fo-ra´mәn o-va´le) the septal opening in the fetal heart that provides a communication between the atria. It normally closes at birth; failure to close results in an atrial septal defect. an aperture in the great wing of the sphenoid for vessels and nerves.

foramen petrosum
(fo-ra´mәn pe-tro´sәm) petrosal foramen.

foramen rotundum
(fo-ra´mәn ro-tun´dәm) a round opening in the great wing of the sphenoid for the maxillary branch of the trigeminal nerve.

foramen venae cavae
(fo-ra´mәn ve´ne ca´ve) the opening in the diaphragm that transmits the inferior vena cava and some branches of the right vagus nerve. Called also caval foramen or caval opening.

foramen venosum
(fo-ra´mәn ve-no´sәm) an opening occasionally found medial to the foramen ovale of the sphenoid, for the passage of a vein from the cavernous sinus.

foramina ethmoidalia
(fo-ram´ĭ-nә eth″moi-da´le-ә) ethmoidal foramina.

Forbes disease
(forbz) glycogen storage disease, type III.

Forbes-Albright syndrome
(forbz´ awl´brīt) galactorrhea-amenorrhea syndrome not associated with pregnancy; usually a prolactin-secreting pituitary tumor is present.

force
(fors) energy or power; that which originates or arrests motion or other activity. electromotive force the force that, by reason of differences in potential, causes a flow of electricity from one place to another, giving rise to an electric current. reserve force ...

force plate
force platform.

forced beat
an extrasystole produced by artificial stimulation of the heart.

forced expiratory flow
(FEF) the rate of airflow recorded in measurements of forced vital capacity, usually calculated as an average flow over a given portion of the expiratory curve; the portion between 25 and 75 per cent of forced vital capacity is called the maximal midexpiratory flow. Called also forced expiratory flow rate.

forced expiratory flow rate
forced expiratory flow.

forced expiratory volume
(FEV) the volume that can be exhaled from a full inhalation by exhaling as forcefully and rapidly as possible for a timed period. Times are denoted by subscripts, such as FEV0.5, FEV1.0, FEV2.0, and FEV3.0 for FEV values for 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 seconds.