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abetalipoproteinemia
a rare inherited disorder of fat metabolism; characterized by severe deficiency of beta-lipoproteins and abnormal red blood cells (acanthocytes) and abnormally low cholesterol levels
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abruptio placentae
a disorder of pregnancy in which the placenta prematurely separates from the wall of the uterus
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acetaminophen
an analgesic for mild pain but not for inflammation; also used as an antipyretic; (Datril, Tylenol, Panadol, Phenaphen, Tempra, and Anacin III are trademarks of brands of acetaminophen tablets)
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acetylsalicylic acid
the acetylated derivative of salicylic acid; used as an analgesic anti-inflammatory drug (trade names Bayer, Empirin, and St. Joseph) usually taken in tablet form; used as an antipyretic; slows clotting of the blood by poisoning platelets
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achondroplasia
an inherited skeletal disorder beginning before birth; cartilage is converted to bone resulting in dwarfism
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acrocyanosis
cyanosis of the extremities; can occur when a spasm of the blood vessels is caused by exposure to cold or by strong emotion
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acromegaly
enlargement of bones of hands and feet and face; often accompanied by headache and muscle pain and emotional disturbances; caused by overproduction of growth hormone by the anterior pituitary gland (due to a tumor)
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actinomycosis
disease of cattle that can be transmitted to humans; results from infection with actinomycetes; characterized by hard swellings that exude pus through long sinuses
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acute lymphocytic leukemia
acute leukemia characterized by proliferation of immature lymphoblast-like cells in bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen, and blood; most common in children
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acute myeloid leukemia
acute leukemia characterized by proliferation of granular leukocytes; most common in adolescents and young adults
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acyclovir
an oral antiviral drug (trade name Zovirax) used to treat genital herpes; does not cure the disease but relieves the symptoms
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adenocarcinoma
malignant tumor originating in glandular epithelium
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adenoma
a benign epithelial tumor of glandular origin
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adenosine
(biochemistry) a nucleoside that is a structural component of nucleic acids; it is present in all living cells in a combined form as a constituent of DNA and RNA and ADP and ATP and AMP
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adrenaline
a catecholamine secreted by the adrenal medulla in response to stress (trade name Adrenalin); stimulates autonomic nerve action
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aerophagia
swallowing air (usually followed by belching and discomfort and flatulence)
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agammaglobulinemia
a rare immunological disorder characterized by the virtual absence of gamma globulin in the blood and consequent susceptibility to infection
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agnosia
inability to recognize objects by use of the senses
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agoraphobia
a morbid fear of open spaces (as fear of being caught alone in some public place)
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agraphia
a loss of the ability to write or to express thoughts in writing because of a brain lesion
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albuterol
a bronchodilator (trade names Ventolin or Proventil) used for asthma and emphysema and other lung conditions; available in oral or inhalant forms; side effects are tachycardia and shakiness
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aldosterone
a corticosteroid hormone that is secreted by the cortex of the adrenal gland; regulates salt (sodium and potassium) and water balance
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alexia
inability to perceive written words
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alkalosis
abnormally high alkalinity (low hydrogen-ion concentration) of the blood and other body tissues
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alkylating agent
an antineoplastic drug used to treat some forms of cancer
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allopurinol
a drug (trade name Zyloprim) used to treat gout and other conditions in which there is an excessive buildup of uric acid
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alopecia
loss of hair (especially on the head) or loss of wool or feathers; in humans it can result from heredity or hormonal imbalance or certain diseases or drugs and treatments (chemotherapy for cancer)
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alpha fetoprotein
an abnormally large amount of this fetoprotein in the fetus can signal an abnormality of the neural tube (as spina bifida or anencephaly)
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alpha-tocopheral
a potent form of vitamin E obtained from germ oils or by synthesis
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Amundsen
Norwegian explorer who was the first to traverse the Northwest Passage and in 1911 the first to reach the South Pole (1872-1928)
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amblyopia
visual impairment without apparent organic pathology
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amebiasis
infection by a disease-causing ameba
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amenorrhea
absence or suppression of normal menstrual flow
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amitriptyline
a tricyclic antidepressant drug (trade name Elavil) with serious side effects; interacts with many other medications
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amniocentesis
(pregnancy) extraction by centesis of amniotic fluid from a pregnant woman (after the 15th week of pregnancy) to aid in the diagnosis of fetal abnormalities
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amniotic fluid
the serous fluid in which the embryo is suspended inside the amnion
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amyloidosis
a disorder characterized by deposit of amyloid in organs or tissues; often secondary to chronic rheumatoid arthritis or tuberculosis or multiple myeloma
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amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
thickening of tissue in the motor tracts of the lateral columns and anterior horns of the spinal cord; results in progressive muscle atrophy that starts in the limbs
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anaerobic
not aerobic
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anaphylaxis
hypersensitivity reaction to the ingestion or injection of a substance (a protein or drug) resulting from prior contact with a substance
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anencephaly
a defect in brain development resulting in small or missing brain hemispheres
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anesthesia
loss of bodily sensation with or without loss of consciousness
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aneurysm
a cardiovascular disease characterized by a saclike widening of an artery resulting from weakening of the artery wall
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angina
a heart condition marked by paroxysms of chest pain due to reduced oxygen to the heart
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angioedema
recurrent large circumscribed areas of subcutaneous edema; onset is sudden and it disappears within 24 hours; seen mainly in young women, often as an allergic reaction to food or drugs