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

recipient
(re-sip´e-әnt) one who receives, as a blood transfusion, or a tissue or organ graft. universal recipient traditional name for a person thought to be able to receive blood of any “type” (see blood group) without agglutination of the donor cells. This refers to individuals...

reciprocal beat
a heartbeat resulting from an atrial or ventricular complex caused by a return of an impulse to its chamber of origin; called also echo beat.

recirculation
(re-sur″ku-la´shәn) in hemodialysis, circulation of part of the blood from the venous line to the arterial line and back into the patient's body without dialyzing it.

Recklinghausen disease
(rek´ling-hou″zen) Recklinghausen disease of bone type I neurofibromatosis. see osteitis fibrosa cystica.

Recklinghausen tumor
an adenomatoid tumor of the posterior uterine wall or of the wall of a uterine tube.

Recklinghausen-Applebaum disease
(rek´ling-hou-zen ahp´әl-boum) hemochromatosis.

reclotting phenomenon
thixotropy.

recognition
(rek″әg-nĭ´shәn) the act of recognizing (seeing something as familiar). the state of being seen as familiar. the interaction of immunologically competent cells with antigen that begins with the binding of the antigen to specific antigen receptors on B and T lymphocytes ...

recoil
(re´koil) the act or state of pulling back quickly, as towards a resting position upon removal of a strong opposing force. elastic recoil the ability of a stretched elastic object or organ, such as the lung or bladder, to return to its resting position. See also elastance.

recoil wave
dicrotic wave.

recombinant
(re-kom´bĭ-nәnt) the new entity (such as a gene, protein, cell, or individual) that results from genetic recombination. pertaining or relating to such an entity.

recombinant DNA
a composite DNA molecule constructed in vitro by joining a fragment of foreign DNA with a vector DNA molecule capable of replicating in host cells.

Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee
(RAC) a committee composed of scientists and ethicists, set up to review human gene therapy research in order to protect patients from unethical practices, procedures, and research. All research involving human gene therapy must comply with both the Common Federal Rule and the RAC.

recombinant DNA technology
a body of techniques that isolate specific DNA sequences, create recombinant molecules by splicing together segments of DNA from different sources, put the recombinant molecules back in a cell and amplify them, and employ the products in a variety of analytic, therapeutic, and industrial applications. One commonly used te...

recombinant protein
a protein obtained by introducing recombinant DNA into a heterologous host (microorganism or yeast cell) and causing it to produce the gene product.

recombination
(re″kom-bĭ-na´shәn) reunion, in the same or different arrangement, of formerly united elements that have been separated. in genetics, the process that creates new combinations of genes by shuffling the linear order of the DNA, such as occurs naturally by crossing over of homologous chromos...

Recombivax HB
(re-kom´bĭ-vaks″) a trademark for a preparation of hepatitis B vaccine (recombinant).

recompression
(re″kәm-presh´әn) return to normal environmental pressure after exposure to greatly diminished pressure.

reconstruction
(re″kәn-struk´shәn) the reassembling or re-forming of something from constituent parts. surgical restoration of function of a body part, such as with a bypass or plastic surgery. aortic reconstruction restoration of function to a damaged aorta, as by bypass...

recording thermometer
a temperature-sensitive instrument by which the temperature to which it is exposed is continuously recorded.

recovery room
postanesthesia care unit.

recreational drug
a legal or illegal psychoactive substance that is used voluntarily for the satisfaction to be derived from it. It may also be used in the belief that some personal or social value will be achieved.

recreational therapy
programs designed to help persons with illnesses or other disabling conditions increase their functioning and sense of well-being through recreation, games, and group activities.

recrement
(rek´rә-mәnt) saliva, or other secretion, that is reabsorbed into the blood. adj., recrementi´tious., adj.

recrudescence
(re″kroo-des´әns) recurrence of symptoms after temporary abatement; a recrudescence occurs after some days or weeks, a relapse after weeks or months. adj., recrudes´cent., adj.

recrudescent typhus
a recurrence (or recrudescence) of epidemic typhusin milder form, which may be years after the first attack. Called also Brill-Zinsser disease.

recruitment
(re-krldbomact´mәnt) the gradual increase to a maximum in a reflex when a stimulus of unaltered intensity is prolonged. in audiology, an abnormal increase in loudness caused by a very slight increase in sound intensity, as in Meniere disease. follicle recruitment the p...

rectal
(rek´tәl) pertaining to the rectum.

rectal ampulla
the dilated portion of the rectum just proximal to the anal canal.

rectal anesthesia
anesthesia produced by introduction of the anesthetic agent into the rectum.

rectal columns
anal columns.

rectal reflex
the process by which the accumulation of feces in the rectum excites defecation; called also defecation reflex.

rectal thermometer
a clinical thermometer that is inserted in the rectum.

rectectomy
(rek-tek´tә-me) excision of the rectum.

rectification
(rek″tĭ-fĭ-ka´shәn) the act of making straight, pure, or correct. redistillation of a liquid to purify it. the converting of alternating current to direct current.

rectified
(rek″tĭ-fīd) refined; made straight; converted to direct current.

rectified current
one that has undergone rectification (been changed from alternating to direct).

rectified tar oil
the volatile oil from pine tar rectified by steam distillation; in veterinary medicine, administered internally as a stimulant expectorant and externally as an antipruritic, antiseptic, and stimulant for skin diseases. Also used as a disinfectant and deodorizer.

rectify
(rek´tĭ-fi) to refine or make straight. to convert alternating current to direct current.

rectitis
(rek-ti´tis) proctitis; inflammation of the rectum.

rectoabdominal
(rek″to-ab-dom´ĭ-nәl) pertaining to the rectum and abdomen.

rectoanal inhibitory reflex
relaxation of the internal anal sphincter in response to increased pressure in the rectum; it can be tested by inflating a balloon in the lumen. It is absent in cases of congenital megacolon.

rectocele
(rek´to-sēl) hernial protrusion of part of the rectum into the vagina. Rectocele.

rectococcygeus muscle
rectococcygeal muscle: smooth muscle fibers originating on the anterior surface of the second and third coccygeal vertebrae and inserting on the posterior surface of the rectum, innervated by autonomic nerves, and acting to retract and elevate the rectum.

rectocolitis
(rek″to-ko-li´tis) proctocolitis.

rectocutaneous
(rek″to-ku-ta´ne-әs) pertaining to the rectum and the skin.

rectolabial
(rek″to-la´be-әl) relating to the rectum and a labium majus.

rectopexy
(rek´to-pek″se) proctopexy.

rectoplasty
(rek´to-plas″te) proctoplasty.

rectoscope
(rek´to-skōp) proctoscope.

rectosigmoid
(rek″to-sig´moid) the sigmoid colon and rectum considered as a unit.

rectosigmoidectomy
(rek″to-sig″moi-dek´tә-me) excision of the rectosigmoid; called also proctosigmoidectomy.

rectostomy
(rek-tos´tә-me) the operation of forming a permanent opening into the rectum for the relief of stricture of the rectum.

rectourethral
(rek″to-u-re´thrәl) pertaining to or communicating with the rectum and urethra.

rectourethral muscles
anorectoperineal muscles.

rectouterine
(rek″to-u´tәr-in) pertaining to the rectum and uterus.

rectouterine pouch
Douglas cul-de-sac.

rectouterinus muscle
rectouterine muscle: a band of fibers running between the cervix of the uterus and the rectum, in the rectouterine fold.

rectovaginal
(rek″to-vaj´ĭ-nәl) pertaining to the rectum and vagina.

rectovaginal fistula
an abnormal passage between the rectum and the vagina, so that feces leaks into the vagina. This condition was formerly a serious hazard of childbirth but is now rare.

rectovaginal hernia
rectocele.

rectovaginal septum
the membranous partition between the rectum and vagina.

rectovesical
(rek″to-ves´ĭ-kәl) pertaining to or communicating with the rectum and bladder.

rectovesical center
a reflex center in the spinal cord that regulates the rectum and bladder.

rectovesical fistula
an abnormal passage between the rectum and urinary bladder.

rectovesical pouch
the space between the rectum and bladder in the peritoneal cavity of the male.

rectovesical septum
a membranous partition separating the rectum from the prostate and urinary bladder.

rectovesicalis muscle
rectovesical muscle: a band of fibers in the male, connecting the longitudinal musculature of the rectum with the external muscular coat of the bladder.

rectovestibular
(rek″to-vәs-tib´u-lәr) pertaining to or communicating with the rectum and the vestibule of the vagina.

rectovulvar
(rek″to-vul´vәr) pertaining to or communicating with the rectum and vulva.

rectum
(rek´tәm) the last part of the large intestine; it begins at the level of the third sacral vertebra as a continuation of the sigmoid colon and ends at the anal canal. The feces, the solid waste products of digestion, are formed in the large intestine and are gradually pushed down into the rectum by the muscular action o...

rectus
(rek´tәs) Latin word meaning straight; a term used in anatomy.

rectus abdominis muscle
origin, pubic crest and symphysis; insertion, xiphoid process, cartilages of fifth, sixth, and seventh ribs; innervation, branches of lower thoracic nerves; action, flexes lumbar vertebrae, supports abdomen.

rectus capitis anterior muscle
origin, lateral mass of atlas; insertion, basilar part of occipital bone; innervation, first and second cervical nerves; action, flexes, supports head.

rectus capitis lateralis muscle
origin, upper surface of transverse process of atlas; insertion, jugular process of occipital bone; innervation, first and second cervical nerves; action, flexes, supports head.

rectus femoris muscle
origin, anterior inferior iliac spine, rim of acetabulum; insertion, base of patella, tuberosity of tibia; innervation, femoral nerve; action, extends knee, flexes thigh at hip.

recumbent
(re-kum´bәnt) lying down.

recuperation
(re-koo″pәr-a´shәn) recovery of health and strength.

recurrence
(re-kur´әns) the return of symptoms after a remission.

recurrent
(re-kur´әnt) returning after a remission; reappearing.

recurrent aphthous stomatitis
a recurrent disease of unknown etiology, characterized by one or more small round or oval ulcer(s) on the oral mucosa, covered by a grayish fibrinous exudate and surrounded by a bright red halo. The lesions usually persist for 7 to 14 days and then heal without scarring. Called also aphthae, aphthous stomatitis, and canke...

recurrent bandage
one used on a distal stump, such as that of a finger, toe, or limb, turned lengthwise to cover the end of the stump and secured in place by circular turns.

recurrent brief depressive disorder
short repeated episodes of depressive symptoms severe enough to qualify as major depressive episodes but of lesser duration, recurring at least once a month and not associated with the menstrual cycle.

recurrent caries
dental caries underneath the margin of an existing tooth restoration.

recurrent fever
a paroxysmal fever that recurs, such as in malaria, meningococcemia, rat-bite fever, and tularemia. relapsing fever.

recurrent interosseous artery
origin, posterior interosseous or common interosseous artery; branches, none; distribution, back of elbow joint.

recurrent laryngeal nerve
recurrent nerve origin, vagus nerve: branches, inferior laryngeal nerve and tracheal, esophageal, pharyngeal, and inferior cardiac branches; distribution, tracheal mucosa, esophagus, inferior constrictor muscle of pharynx, cardiac plexus; modality, parasympathetic, visceral afferent, and motor.

recurvation
(re″kәr-va´shәn) a backward bending or curvature.

red
(red) the color produced by the longest waves of the visible spectrum, approximately 630 to 750 nm. a dye or stain with this color. scarlet red an azo dye used as a biological stain for fats.

red atrophy
atrophy with congestion, such as in the liver with right-sided heart failure.

red blindness
popular name for protanopia.

red blood cell count
red cell count erythrocyte count.

red blood cell indices
red cell indices erythrocyte indices.

red blood cells
official terminology for packed red blood cells.

red cell
red blood cell erythrocyte.

red cell volume
the total volume of erythrocytes (red cells) in the body; see also blood volume.

red corpuscle
red blood corpuscle erythrocyte.

red degeneration
degeneration of a uterine leiomyoma during pregnancy, marked by the formation of soft red areas due to necrosis and edema.

red induration
red, congested lung tissue seen in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

red man syndrome
sudden flushing of the skin, usually of the head and upper body, often with itching, following administration of medication; it is most common with vancomycin and has been observed with certain other drugs. It is thought to be related to release of histamine and mast cells.