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

digital pulp
a cushion of soft tissue on the palmar or plantar surface of the distal phalanx of a finger or toe.

digital radiography
a technique for producing radiographic images in which information about the quantity of x-rays absorbed is manipulated by a computer to produce the best possible image.

digital ray
a digit of the hand or foot and corresponding metacarpal or metatarsal bone, regarded as a continuous unit. in the embryo, a thickening of the future hand or foot region outlining the pattern of a future digit.

digital reflex
Hoffmann sign (def. 2).

digital subtraction imaging
a technique in radiography in which electronic subtraction allows the visualization of individual images; see also digital subtraction angiography.

Digitalis
(dij″ĭ-tal´is) a genus of herbs. D. lana´ta yields digoxin and lanatoside and D. purpu´rea, the purple foxglove, has leaves that are a source of digitalis.

digitalis
(dij″ĭ-tal´is) dried leaf of Digitalis purpurea; a cardiac glycoside. All drugs prepared from this digitalis leaf are members of the same group and principles of administration are the same, although they vary according to speed of action and potency. Digitalis in its many forms is one of the most frequently ...

digitalization
(dij″ĭ-tәl-ĭ-za´shәn) the administration of digitalis in a dosage schedule designed to produce and then maintain optimal therapeutic concentrations of its cardiotonic glycosides.

digitate
(dij´ĭ-tāt) having digit-like branches.

digitation
(dij″ĭ-ta´shәn) a fingerlike process. surgical creation of a functioning digit by making a cleft between two adjacent metacarpal bones, after amputation of some or all of the fingers.

digitiform
(dij´ĭ-tĭ-form) fingerlike.

digitoxin
(dij″ĭ-tok´sin) a cardiotonic glycoside obtained from Digitalis purpurea and other species of the same genus; used in the treatment of congestive heart failure. It has a slowly developing action and slow elimination. Parenteral solutions should be diluted when given intravenously.

diglossia
(di-glos´e-ә) bifid tongue.

diglyceride
(di-glis´әr-īd) a glyceride containing two fatty acid molecules in ester linkage.

dignathus
(dig-na´thәs) a malformed fetus with two lower jaws.

digoxin
(dĭ-jok´sin) a cardiotonic glycoside obtained from the leaves of Digitalis lanata; used in the treatment of congestive heart failure. It has a relatively rapid action and rapid elimination.

dihydrocodeine
(di-hi″dro-ko´dēn) a synthetic opioid analgesic and antitussive.

dihydroergotamine
(di-hi″dro-әr-got´ә-mēn) hydrogenated ergotamine, an alpha-adrenergic blocking agent and vasoconstrictor used as ergotamine mesylate in treatment of migraine; administered intramuscularly, subcutaneously, intravenously, or intranasally.

dihydroindolone
(di-hi″dro-in´do-lōn) any of a class of structurally related antipsychotic agents; the prototype is molindone.

dihydrotachysterol
(di-hi″dro-tak-is´tә-rol) an analogue of ergosterol, used as a calcium regulator in the management of hypocalcemia in conditions such as rickets, osteodystrophy, hypoparathyroidism, hypocalcemic tetany, and complications of renal dialysis; administered orally.

dihydrotestosterone
(DHT) (di-hi″dro-tes-tos´tә-rōn) an androgenic hormone formed in peripheral tissue from testosterone; thought to be the androgen responsible for development of the male primary sex characters during embryogenesis and of male secondary sex characters at puberty, and for adult male sexual...

dihydroxyaluminum
(di″hi-drok″se-ә-loo´mĭ-nәm) an aluminum compound having two hydroxyl groups in a molecule; available as dihydroxyaluminum aminoacetate and dihydroxyaluminum sodium carbonate, which are used as antacids.

dihydroxycholecalciferol
(di″hi-drok″se-ko″lә-kal-sif´ә-rol) a group of active metabolites of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3), numbered according to the carbon atom(s) on which a hydroxyl group is substituted. 1,25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol (calcitriol) is the most active derivative; it increases intestinal absorption of cal...

diktyoma
(dik″te-o´mә) a medulloepithelioma of the ciliary epithelium resembling embryonic retinal tissue in structure.

dilaceration
(di-las″әr-a´shәn) a tearing apart, as of a cataract. In dentistry, an abnormal angulation or curve in the root or crown of a formed tooth.

Dilantin
(di-lan´tin) trademark for preparations of phenytoin, an anticonvulsant used in the treatment of epilepsy.

Dilantin gingivitis
generalized hyperplasia of the gingiva, which may also rarely involve other areas of the oral mucosa, resulting in overgrowth of the fibrous tissue from the interaction of plaque accumulation with the anticonvulsive agent Dilantin (phenytoin).

dilatation
(dil″ә-ta´shәn) the condition, as of an orifice or tubular structure, of being dilated or stretched beyond normal dimensions by medications or instrumentation. the act of dilating or stretching. dilatation and curettage(D & C) ex...

dilate
(di´lāt) to stretch an opening or hollow structure beyond its normal dimensions.

dilated cardiomyopathy
a syndrome of ventricular dilatation, systolic contractile dysfunction, and often congestive heart failure; the course is usually progressive with a poor prognosis. It may be inherited or acquired. Inherited forms have been associated with numerous autosomal dominant mutations, most encoding proteins involved in muscle st...

dilating pains
labor pains during the first stage of labor.

dilation
(di-la´shәn) the act of dilating or stretching; it may be either a normal physiological process done by muscles or a therapeutic process done by dilators. dilatation. an increase in the diameter of a circular structure, such as the pupil.

dilator
(di-la´tәr) (di´-la-tәr) a structure (muscle) that dilates, or an instrument used to dilate.

dilator muscle
a muscle that opens, widens, or stretches something.

dilator pupillae muscle
a name used for fibers extending radially from the sphincter of the pupil to the ciliary margin; innervation, sympathetic nerve; action, dilates, or enlarges, iris.

Dilaudid
(di-law´did) trademark for preparations of hydromorphone, a opioid analgesic.

diltiazem
(dil-ti´ә-zәm) a calcium channel blocking agent that acts as a vasodilator; used as the hydrochloride salt in treatment of angina pectoris, hypertension, and supraventricular tachycardia

diluent
(dil´u-әnt) diluting or rendering less potent or irritant. an agent that so acts.

dilute
(di-lldbomact´) to make something less concentrated, such as by adding fluid to a mixture or solution.

dilution
(di-loo´shәn) reduction of concentration of an active substance by admixture of a neutral agent. a substance that has undergone such a process. serial dilution a set of dilutions in a mathematical sequence. In microbiological technique, serial dilutions are used to obt...

dilution anemia
hydremia.

dimenhydrinate
(di″mәn-hi´drĭ-nāt) an antihistamine used as an antinauseant, antiemetic, and antivertigo agent, especially in prevention and treatment of motion sickness, but also in other conditions in which nausea or vertigo may be a feature, administered orally, rectally, or by intramuscular or intravenous inj...

dimensionless
(dĭ-men´shәn-lәs) denoting a numerical constant or variable that has no units of measurement.

dimer
(di´mәr) a compound formed by combination of two identical simpler molecules. a capsomer having two structural subunits. D dimer a fragment of fibrin that is formed as a result of fibrin degradation. A positive test for its presence in the blood is suggestive of condit...

dimercaprol
(di″mәr-kap´rol) a colorless, liquid chelating agent used in the treatment of heavy metal poisoning; it forms a relatively stable compound with arsenic, mercury, gold, and certain other metals, thus protecting the vital enzyme systems of the cells against the effects of the metals. It is sometimes diluted wi...

Dimetane
(di´mә-tān) trademark for preparations containing brompheniramine, an antihistamine.

dimethicone
(di-meth´ĭ-kōn) a silicone oil used as a skin protectant; available as an ointment, spray, and cream. See also simethicone.

dimethyl sulfoxide
(DMSO) (di-meth´әl sul-fok´sīd) a powerful solvent that can dissolve many organic and inorganic compounds, can penetrate plant and animal tissues, and preserves living cells during freezing. a preparation instilled into the bladder for symptomatic relief of interstitial cy...

dimethylglyoxime test
(for nickel) the object or substance being tested is placed in a solution of the chemical dimethylglyoxime; if nickel is present, the solution will turn brown.

dimethyltryptamine
(DMT) (di-meth″әl-trip´tә-mēn) a hallucinogenic substance derived from the plant Prestonia amazonica.

dimorphic anemia
anemia with erythrocytes of two different sizes, such as with combined deficiencies of vitamin B12 and iron or after a blood transfusion.

dimorphism
(di-mor´fiz-әm) the quality of existing in two distinct forms. adj., dimor´phic, dimor´phous., adj. sexual dimorphism physical or behavioral differences associated with sex. having some properties of both sexes, as in the early embryo and in some hermaphrod...

dimple
(dim´pәl) a slight depression, as in the flesh of the cheek, chin, or sacral region. postanal dimple a dermal pit near the tip of the coccyx, indicative of the site of attachment of the embryonic neural tube to the skin.

dinitro-o
-cresol(DNOC) (di-ni″tro-kre´sol) a highly toxic pesticide that affects the central nervous system and energy-producing processes. The metabolic rate is increased and a fatal increase in body temperature may occur.

dinitrotoluene
(di-ni″tro-tol´u-ēn) any of three related, highly toxic, possibly carcinogenic chemicals used in the manufacture of dyes and explosives.

dinner pad
a pad placed over the stomach before a plaster jacket is applied; the pad is then removed to leave space under the jacket to take care of expansion of the stomach after eating.

dinoflagellate
(di″no-flaj´ә-lāt) of or pertaining to the order Dinoflagellida. any individual of the order Dinoflagellida.

Dinoflagellida
(di″no-flә-jel´ĭ-dә) an order of minute, plantlike, chiefly marine protozoa. They may be present in sea water in vast numbers, causing a discoloration known as red tide or red water, which may result in the death of various marine animals and fish by exhaustion of their oxygen supply. Some s...

dinoprost
(di´no-prost) name given to prostaglandin F2αwhen used as a pharmaceutical; used as an oxytocic for induction of abortion, to evacuate the uterus in the management of missed abortion, and in the treatment of hydatidiform mole. Available as the tromethamine salt.

dinoprostone
(di″no-pros´tōn) name given to prostaglandin E2 when used pharmaceutically; used as an oxytocic for induction of abortion or of labor, to evacuate the uterus in the management of missed abortion, to aid ripening of the cervix prior to the induction of labor, and in the treatment of hydatidiform mole; administered i...

dioctyl calcium sulfosuccinate
(di-ok´tәl) docusate calcium.

dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate
(di-ok´tәl) docusate sodium.

diopter
(di-op´tәr) a unit of refractive power of lenses: the reciprocal of the focal length in meters is the refractive power in diopters. Symbol D.

dioptometry
(di″op-tom´ә-tre) the measurement of ocular accommodation and refraction.

dioptric
(di-op´trik) pertaining to refraction or to transmitted and refracted light; refracting.

dioptric media
refracting media.

dioptric system
a system of lenses or of different media for refracting light.

dioptrics
(di-op´triks) the science of refracted light.

dioxide
(di-ok´sīd) an oxide with two oxygen atoms, such as carbon dioxide (CO2).

dioxin
(di-ok´sin) a highly toxic and teratogenic chlorinated hydrocarbon that is a trace contaminant in the herbicides2,4,5-T and agent orange.

dioxybenzone
(di-ok″se-ben´zōn) a topical sunscreen.

dipeptide
(di-pep´tīd) a peptide that contains two amino acids.

diperodon
(di-per´o-don) a local anesthetic used as the hydrochloride salt; applied to the skin for abrasions, irritations, and pruritus and intrarectally for relief of pain from hemorrhoids.

Dipetalonema
(di-pet″ә-lo-ne´mә) a genus of nematode parasites of the superfamily Filarioidea. D. per´stans and D. streptocer´ca are species primarily parasitic in humans, with other primates serving as reservoir hosts.

diphallus
(di-fal´әs) a developmental anomaly characterized by partial or complete duplication of the penis; called also double penis.

diphasic
(di-fa´zik) having two phases.

diphemanil
(di-fe´mә-nil) an anticholinergic and antimuscarinic with effects similar to those of atropine; used in the form of the methylsulfate salt to inhibit gastric mobility and secretion, relieve pylorospasm, control sweating, and relieve pruritus. Toxic symptoms are rare and include dry mouth, mydriasis, and fever. The...

diphenhydramine
(di″fen-hi´drә-mēn) an antihistamine with anticholinergic effects; the hydrochloride salt is used for relief of allergic symptoms, for treatment of anaphylaxis, parkinsonism, and motion sickness or other causes of nausea, vomiting, or vertigo, and as an antitussive; administered orally, intramuscularly, or in...

diphenoxylate
(di″fә-nok´sә-lāt) an agent derived from meperidine, used as the hydrochloride salt for its antiperistaltic action in management of diarrhea.

diphenyl
(di-fen´әl) a colorless toxic compound used as a fungistat in containers for shipping citrus fruits; called also biphenyl.

diphenylaminechlorarsine
(DM) (di-fen´әl-ә-mēn″klor-ahr´sēn) phenarsazine chloride.

diphenylbutylpiperidine
(di-fen″әl-bu″tәl-pi-per´ĭ-dēn) any of a class of structurally related, heterocyclic antipsychotic agents that includes pimozides.

diphenylhydantoin
(di-fen″әl-hi-dan´to-in) phenytoin.

diphonia
(di-fo´ne-ә) the production of two different voice tones in speaking.

diphosphonate
(di-fos´fә-nāt) any of a group of related phosphorus-containing compounds that are structurally similar to pyrophosphate but have enhanced stability to enzymatic and chemical hydrolysis and have affinity for sites of osteoid mineralization. They are used as sodium salts to inhibit bone resorption as well as c...

diphtheria
(dif-thēr´e-ә) an acute, highly contagious disease, usually of childhood, caused by infection with the bacillus Corynebacterium diphtheriae. It generally affects the membranes of the throat and is calledpharyngeal or respiratory diphtheria. Less frequently it affects the membranes of the nose (nasal diphtheria) or ...

diphtheria test
see Schick test.

diphtheria toxin
a protein exotoxin produced by Corynebacterium diphtheriae that is primarily responsible for the pathogenesis of diphtheria and related infections; it is an enzyme that activates transferase II of the mammalian protein synthesizing system.

diphtheria toxin for Schick test
a sterile solution of the diluted, standardized toxic products of Corynebacterium diphtheriae; used as a dermal reactivity indicator in the Schick test of immunity to diphtheria.

diphtheritic membrane
the peculiar false membrane characteristic of diphtheria, formed by coagulation necrosis.

diphtheritic paralysis
a partial paralysis that often follows diphtheria, chiefly affecting the soft palate and throat muscles. Called also postdiphtheritic paralysis.

diphtheritic ulcer
one whose surface is partly or entirely covered by a gray membrane, as in cutaneous diphtheria.

diphtheroid
(dif´thә-roid) resembling diphtheria. a bacterium resembling Corynebacterium diphtheriae but not causing diphtheria. pseudodiphtheria.

diphthongia
(dif-thon´je-ә) the production of double vocal sounds.

diphyllobothriasis
(di-fil″o-both-ri´ә-sis) infection with Diphyllobothrium.

Diphyllobothrium
(di-fil″o-both´re-әm) a genus of large tapeworms. D. la´tum is the broad or fish tapeworm, an intestinal parasite of humans, dogs, cats, and other fish-eating mammals.

diphyodont
(di-fi´o-dont″) having two dentitions, a primary and a permanent one.

dipivefrin
(di-piv´ә-frin) an ester converted in the eye to epinephrine, lowering intraocular pressure by decreasing the production and increasing the outflow of aqueous humor; the hydrochloride salt is applied topically to the conjunctiva in treatment of open-angle or secondary glaucoma.

diplacusis
(dip″lә-koo´sis) the perception of a single auditory stimulus differently in one ear from in the other, so that two different sounds are heard. binaural diplacusis different perception by the two ears of a single auditory stimulus. disharmonic diplacusis ...

diplegia
(di-ple´je-ә) paralysis of like parts on either side of the body. adj., diple´gic., adj. spastic diplegia spastic paraplegia.