| vortex | Origin: L. Vortex, vertex, -icis, fr. Vortere, vertere, to turn. See Vertex. 1. A mass of fluid, especially of a liquid, having a whirling or circular motion tending to form a cavity or vacuum in the center of the circle, and to draw in towards the center bodies subject to its action; the form assumed by a fluid in such motion; a whirlpool; an eddy. 2. A supposed collection of particles of very subtile matter, endowed with a rapid rotary motion around an axis which was also the axis of a sun or a planet. Descartes attempted to account for the formation of the universe, and the movements of the bodies composing it, by a theory of vortices. 3. <zoology> Any one of numerous species of small Turbellaria belonging to Vortex and allied genera. <chemistry> Vortex atom, a hypothetical ring-shaped mass of elementary matter in continuous vortical motion. It is conveniently regarded in certain mathematical speculations as the typical form and structure of the chemical atom. Vortex wheel, a kind of turbine. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| vortex coccygeus | A spiral arrangement of coarse hairs sometimes present over the region of the coccyx. Synonym: coccygeal whorl. (05 Mar 2000) |
| vortex cordis | A spiral arrangement of muscular fibres at the apex of the heart. Synonym: vortex cordis, whorl. (05 Mar 2000) |
| vortex lentis | One of the stellar figures on the surface of the lens of the eye. Synonym: vortex. (05 Mar 2000) |
| vortex of heart | A spiral arrangement of muscular fibres at the apex of the heart. Synonym: vortex cordis, whorl. (05 Mar 2000) |
| vortex veins | Several veins (usually four) from the vascular tunic formed of veins accompanying the posterior ciliary arteries and the ciliary body; then drain into the superior or inferior ophthalmic vein. Synonym: venae vorticosae, venae choroideae oculi, choroid veins of eye, Stensen's veins, vasa vorticosa, vorticose veins. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Fleischer's vortex | Congenital whorl-like opacities in the cornea. Synonym: Fleischer's vortex. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ampulla | Origin: L. 1. A narrow-necked vessel having two handles and bellying out like a jug. 2. A cruet for the wine and water at Mass. The vase in which the holy oil for chrism, unction, or coronation is kept. 3. <biology> Any membranous bag shaped like a leathern bottle, as the dilated end of a vessel or duct; especially the dilations of the semicircular canals of the ear. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| ampulla canaliculi lacrimalis | A slight dilation at the angle of the lacrimal canaliculus immediately beyond the lacrimal punctum. Synonym: ampulla canaliculi lacrimalis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ampulla chyli | A dilated sac at the lower end of the thoracic duct into which the intestinal trunk and two lumbar lymphatic trunks open; it occurs inconstantly and when present is located posterior to the aorta on the anterior aspect of the bodies of the first and second lumbar vertebrae. Synonym: ampulla chyli, chyle cistern, chylocyst, Pecquet's cistern, Pecquet's reservoir, receptaculum chyli, receptaculum pecqueti. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ampulla ductus deferentis | The dilation of the ductus deferens where it approaches its contralateral partner just before it is joined by the duct of the seminal vesicle. Synonym: ampulla ductus deferentis, Henle's ampulla. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ampulla ductus lacrimalis | Incorrect term for ampulla of lacrimal canaliculus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ampulla duodeni | The dilated portion of the superior part of the duodenum. Synonym: ampulla duodeni. See: duodenal cap. Synonym: hepatopancreatic ampulla. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ampulla hepatopancreatica | The dilation within the major duodenal papilla that normally receives both the common bile duct and the main pancreatic duct. Synonym: ampulla hepatopancreatica, duodenal ampulla, Vater's ampulla. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ampulla lactifera | A circumscribed spindle-shaped dilation of the lactiferous duct just before it enters the nipple. In nursing mothers this dilatation stores a droplet of milk which is expressed by compression as the infant begins to suckle; this is thought to encourage continual suckling while the let-down reflex ensues. Synonym: sinus lactiferi, ampulla lactifera, ampulla of milk duct, lactiferous ampulla. (05 Mar 2000) |