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


Benzedrex
(ben´zә-dreks) trademark for a propylhexedrine inhaler, used as a vasoconstrictor to decongest the nasal mucosa.

benzene
(ben´zēn) a liquid hydrocarbon, C6H6, obtained mainly as a byproduct of the destructive distillation of coal, used as a solvent. It is irritant, toxic, and carcinogenic. benzene hexachloride(BHC) a chlorinated hydrocarbon; one isomer, gamma benzene hexachloride (lin...

benzene ring
the hexagon representing the arrangement of carbon atoms in a molecule of benzene, different compounds being derived by replacement of the hydrogen atoms by different elements or compounds. Benzene ring.

benzethonium chloride
(ben″zә-tho´ne-әm) a quaternary ammonium compound used as a local antiseptic, pharmaceutical preservative, and detergent and disinfectant.

benzidine
(ben´zĭ-dēn) a compound formed by the action of acids on hydrazobenzene, once widely used in testing for occult blood; its use is now limited because it is toxic and carcinogenic.

benzidine test
(for occult blood in urine or feces)benzidine, acetic acid, and hydrogen peroxide are added to the specimen; hemoglobin catalyzes the oxidation of benzidine by hydrogen peroxide, giving a blue color. This is the most sensitive screening test for occult blood, but it is seldom used because benzidine is a carcinogen, and its use ...

benzoate
(ben´zo-āt) a salt of benzoic acid.

benzocaine
(ben´zo-kān) a local anesthetic, applied topically to the skin and mucous membranes; it is also used to suppress the gag reflex in dental procedures, endoscopy, and intubation.

benzodiazepine
(ben″zo-di-az´ә-pēn) any of a group of drugs having a common molecular structure and similar pharmacological activities, including antianxiety, muscle relaxing, and sedative and hypnotic effects.

benzoic acid
(ben-zo´ik) an antifungal agent used as a pharmaceutical and food preservative and, with salicylic acid, as a topical antifungal agent. The sodium salt, sodium benzoate, is also used as an antifungal agent and may be used as a test for liver function.

benzoin
(ben´zo-in) a balsamic resin from Styrax benzoin and other Styrax species, used primarily as a topical skin protectant and antiseptic. It also acts as an expectorant and thus is sometimes used in steam inhalations in treating respiratory disorders. a highly toxic compound prepared from benzaldehyde and cya...

benzol
(ben´zol) benzene.

benzonatate
(ben-zo´nә-tāt) an antitussive that depresses cough without affecting respiration, by anesthetizing stretch receptors in the respiratory passages, lungs, and pleura. It is administered orally in capsule or tablet form, but should not be chewed or dissolved in the mouth because the local anesthetic action may ...

benzothiadiazide
(ben″zo-thi″ә-di´ә-zīd) thiazide.

benzothiadiazine
(ben″zo-thi″ә-di´ә-zēn) thiazide.

benzoyl
(ben´zo-әl) the acyl radical formed from benzoic acid, C6H5COsbond. benzoyl peroxide a topical antibacterial used in the treatment of acne vulgaris; it also has keratolytic, drying, and skin peeling actions which promote evacuation of comedones.

benzphetamine
(benz-fet´ә-mēn) a sympathomimetic amine used as an oral anorectic in the form of the hydrochloride salt.

benztropine
(benz´tro-pēn) an antidyskinetic used as the mesylate salt in the treatment of parkinsonism and for the control of drug-induced extrapyramidal reactions (except tardive dyskinesia); administered orally, intramuscularly, and intravenously.

benzyl
(ben´zәl) the hydrocarbon radical, C7H7 or C6H5CH2sbond, found in benzyl alcohol and various other compounds. benzyl benzoate one of the active substances in peruvian and tolu balsams, and produced synthetically; applied topically as a scabicide.

benzyl alcohol
a colorless liquid used as a bacteriostatic in solutions for injection and as a topical local anesthetic.

benzylpenicillin
(ben″zәl-pen″ĭ-sil´in) penicillin G.

benzylpenicilloyl polylysine
(ben″zәl-pen″ĭ-sil´o-әl) a skin test antigen prepared from polylysine and a penicillic acid; intradermal reaction elicits a wheal and erythema response in those sensitive to penicillin.

bepridil
(bep´rĭ-dil) a calcium channel blocking agent used orally as the hydrochloride salt in treatment of chronic angina pectoris.

beractant
(bәr-ak´tәnt) a substance obtained from bovine lungs, containing mostly phospholipids; it mimics the action of human pulmonary surfactant and is used in prevention and treatment of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. Administered by endotracheal intubation.

Bérard ligament
(ba-rahr´) the suspensory ligament of the pericardium.

Berardinelli-Seip syndrome
(bә-rahr″dĭ-nel´e sīp´) total lipodystrophy.

Berdon syndrome
(bur´dәn) megacystis-microcolon–intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome.

bereavement
(bә-rēv´mәnt) a deprivation causing grief and desolation, especially the death or loss of a loved one.

Berger disease
(bār-zha´) IgA nephropathy.

Berger operation
interscapulothoracic amputation.

Berger sign
an irregularly shaped or elliptical pupil in the early stages of tabes dorsalis, paralytic dementia, and certain paralyses.

Bergey classification
(bur´ge) a system of classifying bacteria by Gram reaction, metabolism, and morphology.

Bergman sign
in urologic radiography, when there is a neoplasm in the ureter a dilation is seen immediately below it, and a catheter tends to coil in this dilated portion; when there is an obstructing stone, the ureter below it is collapsed rather than dilated.

Bergmann cells
peculiar glial cells in the molecular layer of the cerebellar cortex having dendrites that extend outward through that layer; called also Bergmann glia.

beriberi
(ber″e-ber´e) an endemic form of polyneuritis due to an unbalanced diet, chiefly a lack of thiamine (vitamin B1). It is more common in areas where refined rice is the main staple in the diet; however, improved refining processes, enrichment and fortification of grain and cereal products, and improved dietary habit...

Berke operation
a modification of the Blaskovics operation for ptosis of the upper eyelid, with resection of the levator muscle through a skin incision and excision of excess muscle. a modification of the Motais operation for ptosis of the upper eyelid, with suspension of the ptotic lid from the superior rectus muscle.

berkelium
(Bk) (burk´le-әm) a chemical element, atomic number 97, atomic weight 247.

Berkow formula
(ber´ko) a method for determining the percentage of total body surface affected by a burn. The formula is derived from the rule of nines; that is, certain body areas account for 9 per cent each and the total body area is given a value of 99. The remaining 1 per cent is allocated to the perineum. The age of the patient i...

Berlin disease
(bәr-lin´) Berlin edema commotio retinae.

berlock dermatitis
dermatitis of the neck, face, or chest, caused by exposure to a toilet article containing bergamot oil followed by exposure to sunlight.

Bernard syndrome
(bār-nahr´) Bernard-Horner syndrome (bār-nahr´ hor´nәr) Horner syndrome.

Bernard-Sergent syndrome
(bār-nahr´ sār-zhahn´) addisonian crisis.

Bernard-Soulier syndrome
(BSS) (bār-nahr´ sldbomacl-ya´) an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by giant platelets with membranes lacking glycoprotein Ib, the probable receptor for plasma von Willebrand factor; this keeps the platelets from binding the factor, which is necessary for their adhesion to the suben...

Bernhardt disease
(bern´hahrt) Bernhardt-Roth disease (bern´hahrt rōt´) meralgia paresthetica.

Bernheim syndrome
(bārn´hīm) right heart failure due to left ventricular hypertrophy with bulging of the interventricular septum that causes obstruction to flow from the right atrium to ventricle, altering ventricular filling and capacity.

Bernstein test
(bәrn´stīn) an acid perfusion test useful in differentiating esophageal pain from angina pectoris. The test requires passage of a nasogastric tube and instillation of an acid solution into the esophageal area. A lack of discomfort from the presence of the acid rules out esophagitis.

berry aneurysm
brain aneurysm a small saccular aneurysm of a cerebral artery, usually at the junction of vessels in the circle of Willis; this type often ruptures to cause a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Called also cerebral aneurysm.

Bertin ligament
(bār-tă´) Bigelow ligament iliofemoral ligament.

Bertolotti syndrome
(bār-to-lot´ē) sacralization of the fifth lumbar vertebra together with sciatica and scoliosis.

berylliosis
(bә-ril″e-o´sis) beryllium poisoning, usually involving the lungs and less often the skin, subcutaneous tissues, lymph nodes, liver, and other structures. The fumes, oxide, salts, and finely divided dust of beryllium all may cause a tissue reaction when inhaled or implanted in the skin. Acute beryllios...

beryllium
(Be) (bә-ril´e-әm) a chemical element, atomic number 4, atomic weight 9.012. Ingestion of excessive amounts can cause berylliosis.

beryllium poisoning
berylliosis.

Besnier-Boeck disease
(ba-nya´ bek´) sarcoidosis.

Best disease
(best) Best macular degeneration a congenital, autosomal dominant form of macular degeneration characterized by an orange cystlike lesion; this form does not progress to blindness.

bestiality
(bes-te-al´ĭ-te) zoophilia (def. 2).

besylate
(bes´ә-lāt) USAN contraction for benzenesulfonate.

beta cell
a type of basophilic islet cell in the pancreas that secretes insulin; beta cells make up most of the bulk of the islets of Langerhans and contain granules that are soluble in alcohol. basophil (def. 3).

beta fibers
touch and temperature fibers of the A type having conduction velocities of 30 to 70 meters per second and ranging from 8 to 13 micrometers in diameter.

beta globulins
β-globulins globulins in plasma which, in neutral or alkaline solutions, have an electrophoretic mobility between those of the alpha and gamma globulins. See globulin.

beta granules
granules in the beta cells of the islets of langerhans; they secrete insulin. granules found in the basophils of the adenohypophysis.

beta lipoprotein
β-lipoprotein a lipoprotein belonging to a group having certain similar physical characteristics; the group essentially consists of the low-density lipoproteins and usually also the intermediate density lipoproteins.

beta rays
β-rays electrons ejected from radioactive substances with velocities as high as 98 per cent of the velocity of light; they have more penetrating power than alpha rays but less than gamma rays. See also beta particles.

beta receptors
β-receptors beta-adrenergic receptors.

beta rhythm
a rhythm in the electroencephalogram consisting of beta waves (waves smaller than alpha waves).

beta waves
brain waves having a frequency of 18 to 30 per second, typical during periods of intense central nervous system activity; they occur primarily in the parietal and frontal regions.

beta-adrenergic blocking agent
an agent that induces adrenergic blockade at either β1- or β2-adrenergic receptors or at both.

beta-adrenergic receptors
β-adrenergic receptors adrenergic receptors that are stimulated by epinephrine and blocked by agents such as propranolol. They are subdivided into two basic types: β1-receptors are found in the myocardium and cause lipolysis and cardiac stimulation, and β2-receptors are found in smooth and skeletal muscle and liver and ...

beta-hydroxybutyric acid
(ba″tә-hi-drok″se-bu-tēr´ik) one of the ketone bodies, occurring in abnormal amounts in diabetic ketoacidosis and in starvation due to fatty acid oxidation.

beta-thalassemia
β-thalassemia that caused by diminished synthesis of beta chains of hemoglobin. The homozygous form is called t. major and the heterozygous form is called t. minor.

betacarotene
(ba″tә-kar´ә-tēn) beta-carotene.

betacism
(ba´tә-siz-әm) a speech disorder consisting of excessive use of the b sound.

Betadine
(ba´tә-dīn) trademark for preparations of povidone-iodine, a topical antiinfective.

Betaherpesvirinae
(ba″tә-hur″pēz-vir-i´ne) the cytomegaloviruses, a subfamily of viruses of the family Herpesviridae; genera that cause human disease are Cytomegalovirus and Roseolovirus.

betahistine
(ba″tә-his´tēn) a histamine analogue used as the hydrochloride salt as a vasodilator to reduce the frequency of attacks of vertigo in Meniere disease, especially in patients having a high frequency of such attacks; administered orally.

betaine
(be´tә-ēn) the carboxylic acid derived by oxidation of choline; it acts as a transmethylating metabolic intermediate and is used in the treatment of homocystinuria. The hydrochloride salt is used as a gastric acidifier.

betamethasone
(ba″tә-meth´ә-sōn) a synthetic glucocorticoid, the most active of the steroid antiinflammatory agents; used topically as the benzoate, dipropionate, or valerate salts as an antiinflammatory, topically or rectally as the sodium phosphate salt as an antiinflammatory, and systemically as the base or ...

betaxolol
(ba-tak´sә-lol) a cardioselective beta-adrenergic blocking agent, used in the form of the hydrochloride salt; administered orally in treatment of hypertension and topically to the conjunctiva in treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

bethanechol
(bә-than´ә-kol) a cholinergic agonist and prokinetic agent used in the form of the chloride salt as a smooth muscle relaxant in treatment of urinary retention.

Bethea sign
the examiner stands beside the patient and places fingertips on upper surfaces of corresponding ribs high in the patient's armpits; if the patient has less respiratory movement of ribs on one side, this indicates impairment of chest expansion.

Bethesda System
a classification of cervical and vaginal cytology that provides a standardized nomenclature for cytopathologic diagnosis of diseases of the cervix and vagina. it encompasses three elements: comment on the adequacy of the specimen, a general categorization of the specimen, and a descriptive diagnosis.

betula oil
methyl salicylate.

Betz cells
large pyramidal ganglion cells forming a layer of the cerebral cortex.

bevacizumab
(bev″ә-siz´u-mab) a monoclonal antibody that interferes with the blood supply of tumors by inhibiting the formation of new blood vessels, used in combination with other chemotherapy agents for the treatment of metastaticcolorectal cancer.

Bevan incision
one along the outer border of the rectus muscle, for operations in the upper abdominal quadrants.

bevel
(bev´әl) a slanting edge. the slanted portion of a needle tip that facilitates nontraumatic entry into a vein.

bexarotene
(bek-sar´ә-tēn) a retinoid that modulates transcription and expression of genes involved in cellular differentiation and proliferation; used as an antineoplastic in the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, administered orally. It is also used topically in the treatment of cutaneous lesions of T-cell lymphomas an...

bezoar
(be´zor) a mass formed in the stomach by compaction of ingested material that does not pass into the intestine.

Bezold abscess
one deep in the neck resulting from a complication of acute mastoiditis.

Bezold reflex
Bezold-Jarisch reflex a cardiovascular reflex occurring upon stimulation of chemoreceptors, primarily in the left ventricle, by certain antihypertensive alkaloids and similar substances; afferent vagal fibers carry the impulses to the medulla oblongata, after which impulses carried back by efferent vagal fibers cause refle...

Bezold sign
an inflammatory swelling below the apex of the mastoid process; evidence of mastoiditis.

BHC
benzene hexachloride.

BHCDA
Bureau of Health Care Delivery and Assistance, an agency of the Health Resources and Services Administration.

bhilawanol oil
the oil extracted from the seed of an Indian tree, traditionally used for marking laundry; it contains urushiols and causes urushiol dermatitis.

BHP
blood hydrostatic pressure; the pressure exerted by the blood cells and plasma in the capillaries.

BHPR
Bureau of Health Professions, an agency of the Health Resources and Services Administration.

BHRD
Bureau of Health Resources Development, an agency of the Health Resources and Services Administration.

Bi
bismuth.

Bial test
(for pentoses in urine) the specimen is heated with a solution of orcinol, hydrochloric acid, and ferric chloride; pentoses are converted to furfural, which reacts with orcinol to form a green product.

biarticular
(bi″ahr-tik´u-lәr) diarthric.

biarticulate
(bi″ahr-tik´u-lāt) pertaining to or having two joints.