Copy of `Dorland's Medical Dictionary`

The wordlist doesn't exist anymore, or, the website doesn't exist anymore. On this page you can find a copy of the original information. The information may have been taken offline because it is outdated.

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

posttraumatic atrophy of bone
posttraumatic osteoporosis.

posttraumatic epilepsy
epileptic seizures following a head injury.

posttraumatic osteoporosis
loss of bone substance after an injury in which there is nerve damage; in some cases it is due to decreased blood supply caused by the nerve damage, and in other cases it is the result of disuse because of pain. Called also Sudeck disease.

posttraumatic spondylitis
Kümmell disease.

posttraumatic stress disorder
PTSD; an anxiety disorder caused by exposure to an intensely traumatic event, such as rape or assault, military combat or bombing of civilians, torture, death camps, natural disasters, terrible accidents, developmentally inappropriate sexual experiences, or life-threatening illness. Characteristics include reexperiencing ...

posttraumatic syndrome
posttraumatic brain syndrome postconcussional syndrome.

postulate
(pos´tu-lāt) a proposition that is assumed or taken for granted. postulate of causality the postulate that every phenomenon has a cause or causes, i.e., that events do not occur at random but in accordance with physical laws so that in principle causes can be found for each ...

postulnar bone
pisiform bone.

postural contraction
the state of muscular tension and contraction that just suffices to maintain the posture of the body.

postural control
motor control that stabilizes the body in space by integrating the input from the senses about the position of the body; this may be followed by motor activity to coordinate the muscles and keep the body's center of mass within its base of support. righting reactions. are important in postural control. Called also balance.

postural drainage
removal of secretions in bronchiectasis and lung abscess by positioning the patient so that gravity helps to drain secretions from the affected region of the lung, often combined with other maneuvers such as chest percussion.

postural reflex
a reflex which consists of some assumption of posture.

posture
(pos´choor) a position of the body. Good posture cannot be defined by a rigid formula; it is usually considered to be the natural and comfortable bearing of the body in normal, healthy persons. This means that in a standing position the body is naturally, but not rigidly, straight, and that in a sitting position t...

posturing
(pos´chәr-ing) the assumption of abnormal patterns of flexion and extension in a patient with severe brain injury. See also decerebrate rigidity and decorticate rigidity. decerebrate posturing decerebrate rigidity.

posturography
(pos″chәr-og´rә-fe) testing procedures for upright posture, balance, and sense of equilibrium, done with the patient standing on a force platform.

potable
(po´tә-bәl) fit to drink.

Potain sign
extension of percussion dullness over the arch of the aorta, in dilatation of the aorta, from the manubrium to the third costal cartilage on the right-hand side. timbre métallique.

potassemia
(pot″ә-se´me-ә) hyperkalemia.

potassium
(K) (po-tas´e-әm) a chemical element, atomic number 19, atomic weight 39.102. In combination with other minerals in the body, potassium forms alkaline salts that are important in body processes and play an essential role in maintenance of the acid-base balance and fluid balance in the body. ...

potassium acetate
an electrolyte replenisher and systemic and urinary alkalizer.

potassium bicarbonate
an electrolyte replenisher, antacid, and urinary alkalizer.

potassium bitartrate
a compound administered rectally as a suppository with sodium bicarbonate to produce carbon dioxide, which promotes defecation by distending the rectal ampulla; administered for relief of constipation, and evacuation of the colon before surgical or diagnostic procedures or childbirth.

potassium channel
a slow voltage-gated channel selective for the passage of potassium ions, found on the surface of a wide variety of cells, including nerve, muscle, and secretory cells; its functions include regulation of cell membrane excitability, regulation of repetitive low frequency firing in some neurons, and recovery of the nerve f...

potassium channel blocking agent
any of a class of ANTIARRHYTHMIC agents that inhibit the movement of potassium ions through potassium CHANNELS, thus prolonging repolarization of the cell membrane. Called also potassium channel blocker.

potassium chloride
a compound used orally or intravenously as an electrolyte replenisher.

potassium citrate
a systemic and urinary alkalizer, electrolyte replenisher, and diuretic.

potassium gluconate
an electrolyte replenisher used in the prophylaxis and treatment of hypokalemia.

potassium guaiacolsulfonate
an expectorant.

potassium iodide
an expectorant, antithyroid agent, and antifungal.

potassium permanganate
a topical antiinfective and oxidizing agent, and an antidote for many poisons.

potassium phosphate
a compound combining potassium and phosphoric acid, usually dibasic potassium phosphate.

potassium rectifying currents
transmembrane currents that rectify inwardly or outwardly to make adjustments in cellular functions; they are mainly responsible for the repolarization phase of the action potential. There are at least six mechanisms by which potassium ions move across cardiac cell membranes in the role of rectifier.

potassium sodium tartrate
a compound used as a saline cathartic.

potassium-losing nephritis
potassium-losing nephropathy hypokalemic nephropathy after persistent potassium loss; it may be seen in metabolic alkalosis, adrenocortical hormone excess, or in intrinsic renal disease such as renal tubular acidosis or hyperplasia of juxtaglomerular cells.

potato tumor
carotid body tumor.

potency
(po´tәn-se) power. the ability of the male to perform coitus; see also impotence. the power of a medicinal agent to produce the desired effects. Dose-effect curve for two drugs of different potency: Drug A is more potent than drug B. the ab...

potential
(po-ten´shәl) existing and ready for action, but not active. electric tension or pressure.

potentialization
(po-ten″shәl-ĭ-za´shәn) potentiation (def. 1).

potentiation
(po-ten″she-a´shәn) enhancement of one agent by another so that the combined effect is greater than the sum of the effects of each one alone.

Pott curvature
abnormal posterior curvature of the vertebral column as a result of Pott disease.

Pott disease
(pot) spinal tuberculosis.

Pott fracture
fracture of lower part of the fibula with serious injury of the lower tibial articulation.

Pott paralysis
Pott paraplegia a type due to vertebral caries or spinal tuberculosis.

Pott puffy tumor
a circumscribed area of edema surrounding lesions of osteomyelitis of the skull.

Potter facies
the characteristic facial appearance seen with oligohydramnios sequence, consisting of a flattened nose, receding chin, wide interpupillary space, large low-set ears, and sometimes other anomalies.

Potter syndrome
(pot´әr) oligohydramnios sequence.

Potts operation
anastomosis between the descending aorta and left pulmonary artery as palliative treatment of congenital pulmonary stenosis. Called also Potts anastomosis or shunt.

pouch
(pouch) a bag or pocket; see also cavity, recess, and sac.

pouch of Douglas
Douglas cul-de-sac.

poudrage
(poo-drahzh´) the application of powder to a surface, as between the visceral and parietal layers of the pericardium or pleura to promote their fusion in pleurodesis.

poultice
(pōl´tis) a soft, moist mass about the consistency of cooked cereal, spread between layers of muslin, linen, gauze, or towels and applied hot to a given area in order to create moist local heat or counterirritation.

pound
(lb) (pound) in the avoirdupois system, a unit of weight equal to 16 ounces (453.6 grams). in the apothecaries' system, a unit of weight equal to 12 ounces (373.2 grams).

Poupart ligament
(poo-pahr´) inguinal ligament.

pour point
the temperature at which a liquid just begins to flow.

povidone
(po´vĭ-dōn) a synthetic polymer used as a dispersing and suspending agent. Called also polyvinylpyrrolidone. povidone-iodine(PVP-I) a complex produced by reacting iodine with the polymer povidone; it slowly releases iodine and is used as a topical antiinfective...

Powassan virus
a virus of the genus Flavivirus that causes encephalitis in eastern North America and is transmitted by ticks.

powder
(pou´dәr) an aggregation of particles, as that obtained by grinding or rubbing a solid.

power
(pou´әr) capability; the ability to act. the ability of a statistical test to detect statistically significant differences when they exist. defining power the ability of a lens to make an object clearly visible. resolving power the abili...

pox
(poks) any eruptive or pustular disease, especially one caused by a virus, such as chickenpox, cowpox, or smallpox.

pox virus
poxvirus.

Poxviridae
(poks″vir´ĭ-de) the poxviruses, a family of DNA viruses, including the viruses that cause smallpox, cowpox, and paravaccinia. Genera that infect humans are Orthopoxvirus and Parapoxvirus.

poxvirus
(poks´vi-rәs) any virus of the family Poxviridae.

PP cells
cells in the pancreatic islets, exocrine pancreas, and intestine that secrete pancreatic polypeptide. Called also F cells.

PPD
purified protein derivative (tuberculin).

PPLO
pleuropneumonialike organisms.

ppm
parts per million. pulses per minute.

Pr
praseodymium.

practice
(prak´tis) the exercise of a profession. family practice the medical specialty of a family physician, concerned with the planning and provision of comprehensive primary health care, regardless of age or sex, on a continuing basis. Called also family medicine. gener...

practitioner
(prak-tish´әn-әr) a person who practices a profession. multiskilled health practitioner a person with training in more than one health care discipline.

Prader-Willi syndrome
(prah´dәr vil´e) a congenital syndrome consisting of obesity, short stature, lack of muscle tone, hypogonadism, and central nervous system dysfunction. Information and support for families and individuals affected by this syndrome can be obtained from the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association U.S.A., 5700 Midnig...

pralidoxime
(pral″ĭ-doks´ēm) a cholinesterase reactivator whose salts are used in treatment of organophosphorus compound poisoning; it also has limited value in counteracting overdosage of carbamate-type cholinesterase inhibitors in persons being treated for myasthenia gravis.

pramipexole
(pram″ĭ-pek´sōl) a dopamine agonist used in the form of the dihydrochloride salt in treatment of Parkinson disease, administered orally.

pramoxine
(prә-mok´sēn) a local anesthetic applied topically as the hydrochloride salt for temporary relief of pain and pruritus associated with skin and anorectal disorders.

prandial
(pran´de-әl) pertaining to a meal.

praseodymium
(Pr) (pra″ze-o-dim´e-әm) a chemical element, atomic number 59, atomic weight 140.907.

pravastatin
(prav´ә-stat″in) an antihyperlipidemic agent that acts by inhibiting cholesterol synthesis, used as the sodium salt in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and other forms of dyslipidemia and to lower the risks associated with atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease; administered orally.

praxiology
(prak″se-ol´ә-je) the science or study of conduct.

praziquantel
(pra″zĭ-kwahn´tәl) a broad-spectrum anthelmintic used for treatment of a wide variety of parasitic fluke and tapeworm infections; administered orally.

prazosin
(prah´zo-sin) a postsynaptic alpha-adrenergic blocking agent that acts as a peripheral vasodilator; administered orally as the hydrochloride salt as an oral antihypertensive agent.

pre-β-lipoprotein
pre-beta lipoprotein a lipoprotein belonging to a group having certain similar physical characteristics; the group essentially consists of the very-low-density lipoproteins.

pre-B cells
the earliest identifiable precursors of B lymphocytes: large, rapidly dividing cells found in the fetal liver and adult bone marrow that lack surface immunoglobulin but contain diffuse cytoplasmic immunoglobulin of the IgM type.

pre-T cell
a T lymphocyte precursor before undergoing induction of the maturation process in the thymus; it lacks the characteristics of a mature T lymphocyte.

preanesthetic
(pre″an-әs-thet´ik) pertaining to preanesthesia. an agent that produces preanesthesia. occurring before the administration of an anesthetic.

preauricular
(pre″aw-rik´u-lәr) in front of the auricle of the ear.

preauricular pit
a small depression anterior to the helix of the ear, sometimes leading to a fistula or congenital preauricular cyst. Called also ear pit.

preauricular point
a point on the posterior root of the zygomatic arch just anterior to the auricular point.

preaxial
(pre-ak´se-әl) situated before an axis; in anatomy, referring to the lateral (radial) aspect of the upper limb, and the medial (tibial) aspect of the lower limb.

prebetalipoproteinemia
(pre-ba″tә-lip″o-pro″te-ne´me-ә) hyperprebetalipoproteinemia.

precancer
(pre´kan-sәr) a condition that tends to become malignant (see cancer). adj., precan´cerous., adj.

precancerous
(pre-kan´sәr-әs) pertaining to a pathologic process that tends to become malignant; called also premalignant.

precapillary
(pre-kap´ĭ-lar″e) located just to the arterial side of a capillary. arterial capillary.

precapillary arteriole
arterial capillary.

precardinal veins
paired venous trunks in the embryo cranial to the heart.

precaution
(pre-kaw´shәn) a protective measure taken in advance.

precava
(pre-ka´vә) superior vena cava. adj., preca´val., adj.

precentral area
primary somatomotor area.

precentral cerebellar vein
a vein arising in the precentral cerebellar fissure and passing anterior and superior to the culmen, ending in the great cerebral vein.

precentral gyrus
the convolution of the frontal lobe immediately in front of the central sulcus; the primary motor area of the cerebral cortex; called also anterior central gyrus.

precentral sulcus
one separating the precentral gyrus from the remainder of the frontal lobe.

prechordal
(pre-kor´dәl) in front of the notochord.