| microcirculation | <anatomy> The flow of blood in the entire system of finer vessels (100 microns or less in diameter) of the body (the microvasculature). (18 Nov 1997) |
|---|---|
| lymphatics | Lymphatics are small thin channels similar to blood vessels. They do not carry blood, but collect and carry tissue fluid from the body to ultimately drain back into the blood stream. (12 Dec 1998) |
| endothelium | <pathology> The layer of epithelial cells that lines the cavities of the heart and of the blood and lymph vessels and the serous cavities of the body, originating from the mesoderm. Origin: Gr. Thel = nipple (18 Nov 1997) |
| endothelium camerae anterioris | A single layer of large, squamous cells that covers the posterior surface of the cornea. Synonym: endothelium camerae anterioris. (05 Mar 2000) |
| endothelium, corneal | Single layer of large flattened cells covering the surface of the cornea. (12 Dec 1998) |
| endothelium-derived growth factor synthase | <enzyme> Converts l-arginine to a smooth muscle relaxing factor and stimulates the formation of cyclic-GMP Registry number: EC 1.5.1.- Synonym: edrf synthase (26 Jun 1999) |
| endothelium derived relaxation factor | <biochemistry> This compound is produced from L arginine by the enzyme nitric oxide synthase. Acts as a potent vasorelaxant via elevation of intracellular cGMP in vascular smooth muscle. Synthesis of nitric oxide is not confined to endothelium, isoforms of nitric oxide synthase are also found in brain, neutrophils and platelets. Synonym: endothelium derived relaxation factor. Acronym: NO (29 Dec 1997) |
| endothelium-derived relaxing factor | A labile humoral agent released by the vascular endothelium that mediates the relaxation induced by some vasodilators such as acetylcholine and bradykinin. Edrf also inhibits platelet aggregation, induces disaggregation of aggregated platelets, and inhibits platelet adhesion to the vascular endothelium. These actions are believed to be mediated through stimulation of guanylate cyclase and the consequent elevation of cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate. Edrf is thought to be nitric oxide or a ready source of it. The factor is believed to be unstable and acts only locally in vivo. (12 Dec 1998) |
| endothelium, lymphatic | Unbroken cellular lining (intima) of the lymph vessels (e.g., the high endothelial lymphatic venules). It is more permeable than vascular endothelium, lacking selective absorption and functioning mainly to remove plasma proteins that have filtered through the capillaries into the tissue spaces. (12 Dec 1998) |
| endothelium of anterior chamber | A single layer of large, squamous cells that covers the posterior surface of the cornea. Synonym: endothelium camerae anterioris. (05 Mar 2000) |
| endothelium, vascular | Single pavement layer of cells which line the luminal surface of the entire vascular system and regulate the transport of macromolecules and blood components from interstitium to lumen; this function has been most intensively studied in the blood capillaries. (12 Dec 1998) |
| abstracting and indexing | Shortening or summarizing of documents; assigning of descriptors for referencing documents. (12 Dec 1998) |
| academies and institutes | Organizations representing specialised fields which are accepted as authoritative; may be non-governmental, university or an independent research organization, e.g., national academy of sciences, brookings institution, etc. (12 Dec 1998) |
| accounts payable and receivable | Short-term debt obligations and assets occurring in the regular course of operational transactions. (12 Dec 1998) |
| aged, 80 and over | A person 80 years of age and older. (12 Dec 1998) |