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

proinsulin
(pro-in´sә-lin) a precursor of insulin, having low biologic activity.

projectile vomiting
vomiting with the material ejected with great force; seen commonly in congenital pyloric obstruction.

projection
(pro-jek´shәn) a throwing forward, especially the reference of impressions made on the sense organs to their proper source, so as to locate correctly the objects producing them. a connection between the cerebral cortex and other parts of the nervous system or organs of special sense. th...

projection areas
those areas of the cerebral cortex that receive the most direct projection of the sensory systems of the body.

projection fiber
a nerve fiber that connects the cerebral cortex with the subcortical centers, brain stem, and spinal cord.

projective test
any of various tests in which an individual interprets ambiguous stimulus situations (such as the series of inkblots of the Rorschach test), according to unconscious dispositions, thus yielding information about personality structure, its underlying dynamics, and any possible psychopathology.

prokaryon
(pro-kar´e-on) nuclear material scattered in the cytoplasm of the cell, rather than bounded by a nuclear membrane; found in some unicellular organisms, such as bacteria. prokaryote.

Prokaryotae
(pro-kar″e-o´te) Monera.

prokaryote
(pro-kar´e-ōt) any member of the kingdom Monera; a unicellular organism lacking a true nucleus and nuclear membrane, having genetic material composed of a single loop of naked double-stranded DNA. The microorganisms, comprising the bacteria and blue-green bacteria (formerly blue-green algae), are predominantl...

prokaryotic cell
a cell without a true nucleus; bacteria are prokaryotic. See also eukaryotic cell.

prokinetic
(pro″kĭ-net´ik) stimulating movement or motility, such as a drug that promotes gastrointestinal motility.

prolabium
(pro-la´be-әm) the prominent central part of the upper lip.

prolactin
(pro-lak´tin) an anterior pituitary hormone that promotes growth of breast tissue and stimulates and sustains milk production in postpartum mammals; it also shows luteotropic activity in certain mammals. Called also lactogenic hormone and mammotropin.

prolactin cell
lactotroph.

prolactin cell adenoma
prolactin-secreting adenoma prolactinoma.

prolactin-inhibiting hormone
a hormone released by the hypothalamus that inhibits the secretion of prolactin by the adenohypophysis.

prolactin-releasing hormone
any of various hormones elaborated by the hypothalamus that stimulate the release of prolactin by the adenohypophysis (anterior pituitary). Most such activity is exerted by vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, although in humans thyrotropin-releasing hormone can also have this action.

prolactin-secreting tumor
prolactinoma.

prolactinoma
(pro-lak″tĭ-no´mә) a pituitary adenoma made up of lactotrophs that secretes excessive amounts of prolactin; this may delay puberty in either sex, cause galactorrhea-amenorrhea syndrome in women, or decrease libido and fertility in men. Called also prolactin cell or prolactin-secreting adenoma and lactotrope o...

prolapse
(pro-laps´) the falling down or downward displacement of a part or viscus; called also procidentia and ptosis. to undergo such displacement. prolapse of cord protrusion of the umbilical cord ahead of the presenting part of the fetus in labor. prolapse of iris&...

prolepsis
(pro-lep´sis) recurrence of a paroxysm before the expected time. adj., prolep´tic., adj.

prolidase
(pro´lĭ-dās) an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of the imide bond between an α-carboxyl group and proline or hydroxyproline.

proliferating trichilemmal tumor
a large, solitary, multilobulated lesion of the hair follicle, occurring on the scalp, usually in middle-aged or older women; often confused with squamous cell carcinoma.

proliferation
(pro-lif″ә-ra´shәn) the reproduction or multiplication of similar forms, especially of cells. See also hyperplasia and hypertrophy. adj., prolif´erative, prolif´erous., adj.

proliferative arthritis
inflammation of joints with proliferation of the synovium, seen in rheumatoid arthritis.

proliferative fibrosis
that in which the fibrous elements continue to proliferate after the original causative factor has ceased to operate.

proliferative phase
the phase of the uterine cycle, corresponding to the follicular phase of the ovarian cycle, during which the functional layer of the endometrium is repaired and proliferates under the influence of estrogen following menstruation .

proliferative retinopathy
the proliferative type of diabetic retinopathy.

proligerous
(pro-lij´әr-әs) producing offspring.

prolinase
(pro´lĭ-nās) an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of dipeptides containing proline or hydroxyproline as N-terminal groups.

proline
(pro´lēn) a nonessential amino acid that is a major constituent of collagen.

Prolixin
(pro-lik´sin) trademark for preparations of fluphenazine, an antipsychotic agent.

prolonged infantile apnea
sudden infant death syndrome.

prolonged QT interval syndrome
long QT syndrome.

prolymphocyte
(pro-lim´fo-sīt) a cell of the lymphocytic series intermediate between the lymphoblast and lymphocyte.

prolymphocytic leukemia
a type of chronic leukemia marked by large numbers of circulating lymphocytes, predominantly prolymphocytes, with massive enlargement of the spleen and occasionally lymphadenopathy; the prognosis is often poor.

promastigote
(pro-mas´tĭ-gōt) the morphologic stage in the development of certain protozoa, characterized by a free anterior flagellum and resembling the typical adult form of Leptomonas.

promazine
(pro´mah-zēn) a phenothiazine derivative used as an antipsychotic agent in the form of the hydrochloride salt; administered orally, intramuscularly, and intravenously.

promegakaryocyte
(pro-meg″ә-kar´e-o-sīt) a precursor in the thrombocytic series that is a developmental form intermediate between the megakaryoblast and the megakaryocyte.

promegaloblast
(pro-meg´ә-lo-blast) the earliest form in the abnormal erythrocyte maturation sequence occurring in vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiencies; it corresponds to the pronormoblast, and develops into a megaloblast.

prometaphase
(pro-met´ә-fās) the phase of cell division that follows prophase, during which the nuclear membrane disintegrates and the chromosomes, attached to the spindle, begin moving toward the cell equator.

promethazine
(pro-meth´ah-zēn) a phenothiazine derivative having marked antihistaminic activity as well as sedative and antiemetic actions; used to provide bedtime, surgical, and obstetrical sedation, to treat allergic conditions including rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and itching, to manage nausea, vomiting, and vertigo associated with ...

promethium
(Pm) (pro-me´the-әm) a chemical element, atomic number 61, atomic weight 147.

prominence
(prom´ĭ-nәns) a protrusion or projection.

promonocyte
(pro-mon´o-sīt) a cell of the monocytic series intermediate between the monoblast and monocyte, with coarse chromatin structure and one or two nucleoli.

promontory
(prom´on-tor″e) a projecting process or eminence.

promoter
(prә-mo´tәr) a segment of DNA usually occurring upstream from a gene coding region and acting as a controlling element in the expression of that gene; it serves as a recognition signal for an RNA polymerase and marks the site of initiation of transcription. a substance in a catalyst that increa...

promotility
(pro″mo-til´ĭ-te) serving to stimulate motility in the gastrointestinal tract; said of medications.

prompt insulin zinc suspension
a rapid-acting insulin made from bovine or porcine insulin, having a time of onset of about 1hour and duration of action of 14 hours, administered subcutaneously.

promyelocyte
(pro-mi´ә-lo-sīt) a precursor in the granulocytic series, intermediate between myeloblast and myelocyte, containing a few undifferentiated cytoplasmic granules.

promyelocytic leukemia
acute promyelocytic leukemia.

pronate
(pro´nāt) to subject to pronation.

pronation
(pro-na´shәn) the act of assuming the prone position, or the state of being prone. Applied to the hand, turning the palm backward (posteriorly) or downward, performed by medial rotation of the forearm. Applied to the foot, a combination of eversion and abduction movements taking place in the tarsal and metatarsal ...

pronation sign
Babinski sign (def. 5). pronation of the forearm caused by passive flexion, seen in hemiplegia; called also Strümpell sign.

pronator
(pro-na´tәr) a muscle that pronates.

pronator quadratus muscle
origin, anterior surface and border of distal third or fourth of shaft of ulna; insertion, anterior surface and border of distal fourth of shaft of radius; innervation, anterior interosseous nerve; action, pronates forearm.

pronator syndrome
pronator teres syndrome an entrapment neuropathy in which the median nerve or its anterior interosseous branch is compressed by the structures of the cubital fossa or by its passage between the heads of the pronator teres muscle, causing pain in the forearm and weakness or sensory deficits in the radial aspect of the hand.

pronator teres muscle
(2 heads): origin,HUMERAL HEAD—medial epicondyle of humerus, ULNAR HEAD—coronoid process of ulna; insertion, lateral surface of radius; innervation, median nerve; action, flexes elbow and pronates forearm.

prone
(prōn) lying face downward, or on the ventral surface; see also prone position. Called also procumbent.

prone position
a position with the patient lying face down with arms bent comfortably at the elbow and padded with the armboards positioned forward.

pronephric duct
the duct of the pronephros, which later serves as the mesonephric duct.

pronephros
(pro-nef´ros) pl. proneph´roi a vestigial excretory structure developing in the embryo before the mesonephros; its duct is later used by the mesonephros, which arises caudal to it. the definitive excretory organ of primitive fishes.

Pronestyl
(pro-nes´tәl) trademark for preparations of procainamide, a cardiac depressant.

prong
(prong) a conical projection. nasal prongs nasal cannula.

pronormoblast
(pro-nor´mo-blast) a term often considered a synonym of proerythroblast; sometimes limited to one in the course of normal erythrocyte maturation, as opposed to a promegaloblast.

pronucleus
(pro-noo´kle-әs) the haploid nucleus of a germ cell. female pronucleus the haploid nucleus of the fully mature oocyte, which loses its nuclear envelope and liberates its chromosomes to meet the synapsis with those from the male pronucleus. male pronucleus ...

propafenone
(pro″pah-fe´nōn) a sodium channel blocking agent that acts on the Purkinje fibers and the myocardium; used as the hydrochloride salt in treatment of life-threatening arrhythmias, administered orally.

propagation
(prop″ә-ga´shәn) reproduction. adj., prop´agative., adj.

propantheline
(pro-pan´thә-lēn) an anticholinergic and antimuscarinic used as the bromide salt for its antispasmodic effects, especially in the treatment of peptic ulcer.

proparacaine
(pro-par´ah-kān) a topical ophthalmic anesthetic; used as the hydrochloride salt.

proper cochlear artery
origin,common cochlear artery; branches, none; distribution, cochlea.

proper palmar digital arteries
origin, common palmar digital arteries; branches, none; distribution, fingers.

proper plantar digital arteries
origin, common plantar digital arteries; branches, none; distribution, toes.

properdin
(pro´pәr-din) a protein of the alternative complement pathway, augmenting complement activation. Called also factor P.

properitoneal hernia
preperitoneal hernia.

prophage
(pro´fāj) the latent stage of a bacteriophage in a lysogenic bacterium, in which the viral genome becomes inserted into a specific portion of the host chromosome and is duplicated into each cell generation.

prophase
(pro´fāz) the first stage of cell replication in either meiosis or mitosis.

prophylactic
(pro″fә-lak´tik) pertaining to prophylaxis. tending to ward off disease. an agent that so acts. condom.

prophylaxis
(pro″fә-lak´sis) disease prevention; called also preventive treatment. dental prophylaxis oral prophylaxis. oral prophylaxis cleaning of the teeth by a dentist or dental hygienist, including removal of plaque, materia alba, calculus, and extrins...

propiolactone
(pro″pe-o-lak´tōn) a disinfectant effective against bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

Propionibacterium
(pro″pe-on″ĭ-bak-tēr´e-әm) a genus of gram-positive, anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria, found as saprophytes in humans, animals, and dairy products. P. ac´nes (also known as Corynebacterium acnes) is a normal skin inhabitant and can cause chronic infections of the blood and bone marrow. P. granulo´sum...

propionic acid
(pro″pe-on´ik) a fatty acid found in chyme and sweat, and one of the products of bacterial fermentation of wood pulp waste; its salts (calcium propionate and sodium propionate) are antifungal agents and inhibitors of mold on foods.

propofol
(pro´po-fol) a short-acting sedative and hypnotic used as a general anesthetic and adjunct to anesthesia; administered intravenously.

proportional assist ventilation
positive pressure ventilation in which the ventilator can sense the patient's level of inspiratory flow and deliver pressure support to achieve a given tidal volume.

propositus
(pro-poz´ĭ-tәs) proband. more specifically the first proband to be ascertained (index case).

propoxyphene
(pro-pok´sĭ-fēn) an opioid analgesic administered orally as the hydrochloride and napsylate salts; called also dextropropoxyphene.

propranolol
(pro-pran´ә-lol) a beta-adrenergic blocking agent used as the hydrochloride salt in treatment of hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, and hypertrophic subaortic stenosis, tremors, and inoperable pheochromocytoma, in prophylaxis of migraine, and for reducing the long-term risk of mortality and reinfarction after the acute ...

proprietary
(pro-pri´ә-tar-e) protected against free competition as to name, product, composition, or process of manufacture by secrecy, patent, trademark, copyright, or other means; see also proprietary medicine.

proprietary medicine
any chemical, drug, or similar preparation used in the treatment of diseases, if such article is protected against free competition as to name, product, composition, or process of manufacture by secrecy, patent, trademark, or copyright, or by other means.

proprietary name
a brand name or trademark under which a proprietary product is marketed. See proprietary.

proprioception
(pro″pre-o-sep´shәn) perception mediated by proprioceptors or proprioceptive tissues.

proprioceptive nervous system
that portion of the afferent elements of the somatic nervous system which is sensitive to stimuli originating inside the body (from muscles, bones, joints, and ligaments).

proprioceptive reflex
a reflex that is initiated by stimuli arising from some function of the reflex mechanism itself.

proprioceptive sensibility
the sensibility afforded by receptors in muscles, joints, and other parts, by which one is made aware of their position and state.

proprioceptor
(pro″pre-o-sep´tәr) any of the sensory nerve endings that give information concerning movements and position of the body; they occur chiefly in muscles, tendons, and the labyrinth. adj., propriocep´tive., adj.

proprotein
(pro-pro´tēn) a protein precursor that is cleaved to form an active protein, such as proinsulin, the precursor of insulin.

proptometer
(prop-tom´ә-tәr) an instrument for measuring the degree of exophthalmos.

proptosis
(prop-to´sis) forward displacement or bulging, especially of the eye.

propulsion
(pro-pul´shәn) a tendency to fall forward in walking. festination.

propyl
(pro´pәl) the univalent radical CH3CH2CH2sbond, from propane.