| complement-fixing antibody | Antibody that combines with and sensitises antigen leading to the activation of complement, which may result in cell lysis. Synonym: CF antibody, sensitizing substance. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| fixing | 1. <orthopaedics> The act or operation of holding, suturing or fastening in a fixed position. The condition of being held in a fixed position. 2. <psychiatry> A term with two related but distinct meanings: 1. Arrest of development at a particular stage, which like regression (return to an earlier stage), if temporary is a normal reaction to setbacks and difficulties but if protracted or frequent is a cause of developmental failures and emotional problems. 3. <psychology> A close and suffocating attachment to another person, especially a childhood figure, such as one's mother or father. Both meanings are derived from psychoanalytic theory and refer to fixation of libidinal energy either in a specific erogenous zone, hence fixation at the oral, anal or phallic stage or in a specific object, hence mother or father fixation. 4. <technique> The use of a fixative to preserve histological or cytological specimens. 5. <chemistry> The process whereby a substance is removed from the gaseous or solution phase and localised, as in carbon dioxide fixation or nitrogen fixation. 6. <ophthalmology> The direction of the gaze so that the visual image of the object falls on the fovea centralis. 7. <chemistry> In film processing, the chemical removal of all undeveloped salts of the film emulsion, leaving only the developed silver to form a permanent image. 8. <zoology> A general term for determination of type, whether by designation, or indication. Origin: L. Fixatio (09 Jan 1998) |
| fixing eye | The eye, in cases of strabismus, that is directed toward the object of regard. (05 Mar 2000) |
| germinal centre of Flemming | The lightly staining centre in a lymphatic nodule in which the predominant cells are large lymphocytes and macrophages. Synonym: reaction centre. (05 Mar 2000) |
| intermediate body of Flemming | <cell biology> Dense structure formed during cytokinesis at the cleavage furrow. It consists of remnants of spindle fibres and other amorphous material and disappears before cell division is completed. (18 Nov 1997) |
| Flemming's fixative | A mixture of chromic acid, osmic acid, and acetic acid that makes an excellent cytoplasmic and chromosomal fixative, especially when acetic acid is omitted; disadvantages are that it penetrates poorly, requires lengthy washing, and deterioriates rapidly. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Flemming's triple stain | <technique> A stain comprised of safranin, methyl violet, and orange G. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Flemming, Walther | <person> German anatomist, 1843-1905. See: intermediate body of Flemming, germinal centre of Flemming, Flemming's fixative, Flemming's triple stain. (05 Mar 2000) |
| allantoic fluid | The fluid within the allantoic cavity. (05 Mar 2000) |
| amniotic fluid | <anatomy, obstetrics> The fluid that surrounds the developing foetus within the amniotic sac. This environment cushions the baby from injury and plays an important role in foetal development. (05 Feb 1998) |
| amniotic fluid embolism | Obstruction and constriction of pulmonary blood vessels by amniotic fluid entering the maternal circulation, causing obstetric shock. See: amniotic fluid syndrome. (05 Mar 2000) |
| amniotic fluid syndrome | <syndrome> Pulmonary embolic phenomena thought to be due to infusion of amniotic fluid containing epithelial squames into maternal blood vessels; shock ensues and sudden death may occur. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ascitic fluid | The serous fluid which accumulates in the peritoneal cavity in ascites. (12 Dec 1998) |
| blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier | A barrier located at the tight junctions which surround and connect the cuboidal epithelial cells on the surface of the choroid plexus; capillaries and connective tissue stroma of the choroid do not represent a barrier to protein tracers or dyes. (05 Mar 2000) |
| body fluid compartments | The two phases between which water and other body fluids are distributed: extracellular and intracellular. (12 Dec 1998) |