| psoas | <anatomy> An internal muscle arising from the lumbar vertebrae and inserted into the femur. In man there are usually two on each side, and the larger one, or great psoas, forms a part of the iliopsoas. Origin: Gr. A muscle of the loin: cf. F. Psoas. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| psoas abscess | Abscess of the psoas muscle resulting usually from disease of the lumbar vertebrae, with the pus descending into the muscle sheath. The infection is most commonly tuberculous or staphylococcal. (12 Dec 1998) |
| psoas major | <anatomy, muscle> Origin, bodies of vertebrae and intervertebral disks from the twelfth thoracic to the fifth lumbar, and transverse processes of the lumbar vertebrae; insertion, forms a common insertion with iliacus muscle into lesser trochanter of femur; action, flexes hip joint; nerve supply, lumbar plexus (ventral rami of first, second and usually third lumbar spinal nerves). Synonym: musculus psoas major, greater psoas muscle. (05 Mar 2000) |
| psoas margin | In abdominal radiography, the appearance of the fat stripe delineating the lateral margin of the psoas muscle shadow; shows a normal retroperitoneum when visible. (05 Mar 2000) |
| psoas minor muscle | <anatomy> An inconstant muscle, absent in about 40%; origin, bodies of twelfth thoracic and first lumbar vertebrae and disk between them; insertion, iliopubic eminence via iliopectineal arch (iliac fascia); action, assists in flexion of lumbar spine; nerve supply, lumbar plexus. Synonym: musculus psoas minor, smaller psoas muscle. (05 Mar 2000) |
| psoas muscles | A powerful flexor of the thigh at the hip joint (psoas major) and a weak flexor of the trunk and lumbar spinal column (psoas minor). Psoas is derived from the greek "psoa", the plural meaning "muscles of the loin". It is a common site of infection manifesting as abscess (psoas abscess). The psoas muscles and their fibres are also used frequently in experiments in muscle physiology. (12 Dec 1998) |
| psomophagia | Psomophagy The practice of swallowing the food without thorough mastication. Origin: G. Psomos, morsel, bit, + phago, to eat (05 Mar 2000) |
| psora | <medicine> A cutaneous disease; especially, the itch. Origin: L, fr. Gr. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| psoralen | <pharmacology> Drug capable of forming photoadducts with nucleic acids if irradiated with ultraviolet light. (06 Oct 1997) |
| psoralen synthase | <enzyme> Nadph-dependent cytochrome p-450 monooxygenase which converts (+) marmesin by initial hydroxylation at c3', followed by release of water, acetone and psoralen Registry number: EC 1.14.13.- Synonym: psoralen 5-monooxygenase (26 Jun 1999) |
| psoralens | <chemical> Substances found in many different plants, especially psoralea corylifolia (legume). They are used for skin diseases, especially vitiligo and as sunscreens. They interact with nucleic acids and are also used as research tools. Psoralens have a coumarin molecule with a furan ring. Pharmacological action: dermatologic agents, photosensitizing agents. (12 Dec 1998) |
| psorelcosis | Ulceration resulting from scabies of the skin. Origin: G. Psora, itch, + helkosis, ulceration (05 Mar 2000) |
| psorenteritis | Inflammatory swelling of the solitary lymphatic follicles of the intestine. Origin: G. Psora, itch (scabies), + enteron, intestine, + -itis, inflammation (05 Mar 2000) |
| Psorergates | A genus of itch mites (family Cheyletidae) parasitic on cattle, sheep, and goats. Psorergates bos is the itch mite of cattle, described in New Mexico; Psorergates ovis is the small itch mite of sheep in the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Origin: G. Psora, itch (05 Mar 2000) |
| psoriasic | Relating to psoriasis. Synonym: psoriasic. (05 Mar 2000) |