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

propylene glycol
(pro´pĭ-lēn gli´kol) a clear viscous liquid used as a moistening agent and solvent in pharmaceutical preparations.

propylhexedrine
(pro″pәl-hek´sә-drēn) an adrenergic given by inhalation to decongest nasal mucosa.

propyliodone
(pro″pәl-i´o-dōn) a radiopaque medium used in bronchography.

propylthiouracil
(pro″pәl-thi″o-u´rә-sil) a thyroid inhibitor used to treat hyperthyroidism; administered orally.

prorenin
(pro´re-nin) the inactive precursor of renin, stored in the juxtaglomerular cells of the kidney and activated by cleavage to renin.

prorubricyte
(pro-roo´brĭ-sīt) basophilic erythroblast.

prosecretin
(pro″se-kre´tin) the precursor of secretin, found in epithelial cells of the intestine.

prosector
(pro-sek´tәr) one who performs prosection.

prosencephalon
(pros″әn-sef´ә-lon) the portion of the brain developed from the anterior of the three primary brain vesicles in the early embryo, comprising the diencephalon and telencephalon. the most anterior of the primary brain vesicles; called also forebrain.

prosodemic
(pros″o-dem´ik) pertaining to or denoting a disease transmitted directly from person to person rather than spread generally (as by a contaminated water supply).

prosopagnosia
(pros″o-pag-no´zhә) inability to recognize the faces of other people or one's own features in a mirror, due to damage to the underside of both occipital lobes.

prosopectasia
(pros″o-pәk-ta´zhә) oversize of the face.

prosoplasia
(pros″o-pla´zhә) abnormal differentiation of tissue. development into a higher state of organization or function.

prosopoplegia
(pros″o-po-ple´jә) facial paralysis.

prosoposchisis
(pros″o-pos´kĭ-sis) facial cleft (def. 2).

prosoposternodymus
(pros″o-po-stur″no-di´mәs) conjoined twins joined face to face and sternum to sternum.

prosopothoracopagus
(pros″o-po-thor″ә-cop´ә-gәs) conjoined twins fused from the face to the thorax.

prospective study
one in which the subjects are chosen on the basis of factors that are to be examined for possible effects on some outcome. The subjects are then followed over time to determine the incidence rates of the outcomes being studied as they relate to the original factors in question. Called also cohort study.

prostacyclin
(pros″tә-si´klin) a prostaglandin, PGI2, synthesized by endothelial cells lining the walls of arteries and veins; it is a potent vasodilator and a potent inhibitor of platelet aggregation. When used pharmaceutically it is called epoprostenol.

prostaglandin
(pros″tә-glan´din) any of a group of naturally occurring, chemically related, long-chain hydroxy fatty acids that stimulate contractility of the uterine and other smooth muscle and have the ability to lower blood pressure, regulate acid secretion of the stomach, regulate body temperature and platelet aggregation, ...

prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase
(pros″tә-glan´din en″do-pәr-ok´sīd sin´thās) an enzyme of the oxidoreductase class that has both cyclooxygenase and peroxidase activities, which together catalyze part of the synthesis of prostaglandins and thromboxanes from arachidonic acid.

prostatalgia
(pros″tә-tal´jә) pain in the prostate.

prostate
(pros´tāt) a gland in the male that surrounds the bladder neck and urethra; it consists of a median lobe and two lateral lobes and is made up partly of glandular matter (whose ducts empty into the prostatic portion of the urethra) and partly of muscular fibers that encircle the urethra. It contributes to the seminal flui...

prostate gland
prostate.

prostate-specific antigen
an antigen that is elevated in all patients with prostatic cancer and in some with an inflamed prostate gland.

prostatectomy
(pros″tә-tek´tә-me) surgical removal of the prostate. radical prostatectomy removal of the prostate with its capsule, seminal vesicles, ductus deferens, some pelvic fasciae, and sometimes pelvic lymph nodes; performed via either the retropubic or the perineal ro...

prostatic calculus
a concretion formed in the prostate, chiefly of calcium carbonate and phosphate. Called also prostatolith.

prostatic catheter
elbowed catheter.

prostatic ducts
prostatic ductules minute ducts from the prostate, opening into or near the prostatic sinuses on the posterior wall of the urethra.

prostatic fluid
the liquid secretion of the prostate, which contributes to semen formation.

prostatic sinus
the posterolateral recess between the seminal colliculus and the wall of the urethra, where the prostatic ductules empty into the urethra.

prostatism
(pros´tә-tiz″әm) a symptom complex resulting from compression or obstruction of the urethra, due most commonly to hyperplasia of the prostate; symptoms include diminution in the caliber and force of the urinary stream, hesitancy in initiating urination, inability to terminate urination abruptly (with resulta...

prostatitis
(pros″tә-ti´tis) inflammation of the prostate. adj., prostatit´ic., adj. allergic prostatitis , eosinophilic prostatitis a condition seen in certain allergies, characterized by diffuse infiltration of the prostate by eosinophils, with small foci ...

prostatocystitis
(pros″tә-to-sis-ti´tis) inflammation of the urinary bladder, the bladder neck, and the prostatic part of the urethra.

prostatocystotomy
(pros″tә-to-sis-tot´ә-me) incision of the bladder and prostate.

prostatodynia
(pros″tә-to-din´e-ә) pain in the prostate.

prostatolith
(pros-tat´o-lith) a calculus in the prostate.

prostatolithotomy
(pros″tә-to-lĭ-thot´ә-me) incision of the prostate for removal of a calculus.

prostatomegaly
(pros″tә-to-meg´ә-le) hypertrophy of the prostate.

prostatorrhea
(pros″tә-to-re´ә) a discharge from the prostate.

prostatotomy
(pros″tә-tot´ә-me) surgical incision of the prostate.

prostatovesiculectomy
(pros″tә-to-vә-sik″u-lek´tә-me) excision of the prostate and seminal vesicles.

prostatovesiculitis
(pros″tә-to-vә-sik″u-li´tis) inflammation of the prostate and seminal vesicles.

prosthesis
(pros-the´sis) pl. prosthe´ses an artificial substitute for a missing part, such as an eye, limb, or tooth, used for functional or cosmetic reasons, or both.

prosthetic
(pros-thet´ik) serving as a substitute. pertaining to a prosthesis or to prosthetics. see prosthetic group.

prosthetic cardiac valve
prosthetic heart valve a substitute for a cardiac valve, composed of either artificial material or tissue. Called also artificial heart valve and heart valve prosthesis.

prosthetic group
a nonprotein component of an enzyme that is involved in the mechanism of the reaction; it may be organic (for example, flavin mononucleotide), inorganic (for example, iron), or a combination (for example, heme).

prosthetic valve endocarditis
infectious endocarditis as a complication of implantation of a prosthetic heart valve; the vegetations usually occur along the line of suture.

prosthetics
(pros-thet´iks) the field of knowledge relating to prostheses, including their design and use.

prosthetist
(pros´thә-tist) a person skilled in prosthetics and practicing its application.

prosthodontics
(pros″tho-don´tiks) the branch of dentistry concerned with construction of artificial appliances designed to restore and maintain oral function by replacing missing teeth and sometimes other oral structures or parts of the face.

prosthodontist
(pros″tho-don´tist) a specialist in prosthodontics.

Prostigmine test
neostigmine test.

prostration
(pros-tra´shәn) extreme exhaustion or lack of energy or power. heat prostration heat exhaustion.

protactinium
(Pa) (pro″tak-tin´e-әm) a chemical element, atomic number 91, atomic weight 231.

protamine
(pro´tә-mēn) any of a class of simple proteins, soluble in water, not coagulated by heat, and precipitated from aqueous solution by addition of alcohol. Protamines neutralize heparin, and protamine sulfate is used as an antidote in heparin overdosage, administered intravenously.

protamine zinc insulin suspension
a long-acting insulin with time of onset about 7 hours after injection and duration of action of 36 hours, consisting of bovine or porcine insulin reacted with zinc chloride and protamine to form a protein complex from which insulin is slowly released. It is unpredictable and is no longer used in the United States.

protanomaly
(pro″tә-nom´ә-le) a type of anomalous trichromatic vision in which the first, red-sensitive cones have decreased sensitivity.

protanopia
(pro″tә-no´pe-ә) color vision deficiency in which a person cannot distinguish red from green; popularly called “red blindness.” adj., protanop´ic., adj.

protean
(pro´te-әn) changing form or assuming different shapes.

protease
(pro´te-ās) endopeptidase.

protease inhibitor
a substance that blocks activity of endopeptidase (protease), such as in a virus. HIV protease inhibitor.

protectant
(pro-tek´tәnt) protective.

protectin
(pro-tek´tin) a membrane-bound protein, CD59 (see CD antigen), which protects normal bystander cells from lysis after complement activation in nearby bacteria or immune complexes. Called also membrane inhibitor of reactive lysis.

protection test
neutralization test.

protective
(pro-tek´tiv) providing defense against harmful influences. an agent that does this; called also screen.

protective antibody
one responsible for immunity to an infectious agent, observed in passive immunity.

protective therapy
prophylaxis.

protein
(pro´tēn) any large organic compound made from one or more polypeptides (chains of amino acids joined by peptide linkages between the amino group of one and the carboxylic acid group of the next). The primary structure of a polypeptide chain is the sequence of amino acids and is determined by the sequence of bases ...

protein A
staphylococcal protein A.

protein C
a vitamin K–dependent plasma protein that, when activated by thrombin, inhibits the coagulation cascade at the levels of factor V and factor VIII by enzymatic cleavage of the activated forms of these clotting factors; it also enhances fibrinolysis. Deficiency of protein C results in recurrent venous thrombosis. The activated fo...

protein C inhibitor
the primary inhibitor of activated anticoagulant protein C; it is a type of protease inhibitor that also inhibits other proteins involved in coagulation, such as thrombin, kallikrein, and factors X and XI, as well as urokinase. Called also plasminogen activator inhibitor 3.

protein catabolic rate
(PCR) a calculation derived by multiplying 6.25 times the amount of nitrogen in grams excreted in the urine over a given time period; this represents the amount of protein catabolized by the body in excess of protein synthesis. In a healthy steady state of nitrogen balance it approximates the amount of protein in the di...

protein channel
ion cataract.

protein contact dermatitis
allergic contact dermatitis caused by proteins in food products, usually seen in professional food handlers.

protein fever
heightened temperature produced by the injection of protein material into the body.

protein kinase
an enzyme of the transferase class that catalyzes the phosphorylation of serine, threonine, or tyrosine groups in enzymes and other proteins, using ATP as a phosphate donor. Specific protein kinases, usually named for their substrates, regulate by phosphorylation enzymes that catalyze key reactions in processes such as glycogen...

protein S
a vitamin K–dependent plasma protein that inhibits blood clotting by serving as a cofactor for activated protein C. Not to be confused with S protein.

protein test
see specific tests, including biuret, Gies biuret test, Grigg test, Reichl test, Schulte test, sulfur test, and triketohydrindene hydrate test.

protein truncation test
a method for detection of one or more translation termination mutations in a gene that cause a truncated, usually inactive, protein to be synthesized; the appropriate genomic DNA or mRNA is isolated, amplified by polymerase chain reaction, and used as a template for in vitro transcription and translation. The size of the result...

protein-bound iodine
protein bound to iodine in the blood serum, measured to test functioning of the thyroid gland; see also protein-bound iodine test.

protein-bound iodine test
a laboratory test done to determine thyroid function by measuring the amount of iodine contained in compounds bound to plasma proteins. It has been largely replaced by radioimmunoassay for the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).

protein-sparing diet
one consisting only of liquid protein or liquid mixtures of proteins, vitamins, and minerals, containing no more than 600 calories; it is designed to maintain a favorable nitrogen balance. Such diets have been used in weight loss programs, but are used only rarely now, usually only in inpatient settings.

proteinaceous
(pro″tēn-a´shәs) pertaining to or of the nature of protein.

proteinase
(pro´tēn-ās) endopeptidase.

proteinemia
(pro″tēn-e´me-ә) excess of protein in the blood. Bence Jones proteinemia the presence of Bence Jones protein in serum.

proteinosis
(pro″tēn-o´sis) the accumulation of excess protein in the tissues. alveolar proteinosis pulmonary alveolar proteinosis. lipid proteinosis a hereditary defect of lipid metabolism marked by yellowish deposits of hyaline lipid carbohydrate mixture o...

proteinuria
(pro″te-nu´re-ә) an excess of serum proteins in the urine, such as in renal disease, after strenuous exercise, or in dehydration.

proteoglycan
(pro″te-o-gli´kan) any of a group of glycoproteins found primarily in connective tissue and formed of subunits of glycosaminoglycans (long polysaccharide chains containing amino sugars) linked to a protein core like bristles on a bottle brush. Hydrated proteoglycans form the highly viscous fluid of mucus and...

proteolipid
(pro″te-o-lip´id) a combination of a peptide or protein with a lipid, having the solubility characteristics of lipids.

proteolipid protein
(PLP) a hydrophobic protein that is the major constituent of myelin in the central nervous system. Defective synthesis of PLP results in Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease. Called also lipophilin.

proteolysis
(pro″te-ol´ĭ-sis) the splitting of proteins by hydrolysis of the peptide bonds, with formation of smaller polypeptides.

proteolytic
(pro″te-o-lit´ik) pertaining to, characterized by, or promoting proteolysis. a proteolytic enzyme.

proteolytic enzyme
one that catalyzes the hydrolysis of proteins and various split products of proteins, the final product being small peptides and amino acids.

proteome
(pro´te-ōm) the complete set of proteins produced from the information encoded in a genome.

proteometabolism
(pro″te-o-mә-tab´ә-liz-әm) the metabolism of protein.

proteopeptic
(pro″te-o-pep´tik) digesting protein.

Proteus
(pro´te-әs) a genus of gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, motile, rod-shaped bacteria. Organisms are found in fecal material, especially in patients treated with oral antibiotics. P. mira´bilis is a leading cause of urinary tract infections. P. morga´nii is found in the intestines and is associated with summe...

Proteus
pneumonia a rare type of bacterial pneumonia caused by infection with species of Proteus, usually P. mirabilis or P. vulgaris; it usually affects debilitated or immunocompromised patients and is characterized by consolidation with abscesses in the upper lobes.

Proteus syndrome
(pro´te-әs) a rare congenital disorder with highly variable manifestations, including partial gigantism of the hands and feet with hypertrophy of the palms and soles, epidermal nevi, hemihypertrophy, subcutaneous tumors, macrocephaly and other skull abnormalities, and abdominal or pelvic lipomatosis. The etiology ...