| premature ventricular contractions | Contractions of the lower chambers of the heart, the ventricles, which occur earlier than usual, because of abnormal electrical activity of the ventricles. The premature contraction is followed by a pause, as the heart electrical system resets itself and the contraction following the pause is usually more forceful than normal. These more forceful contractions are frequently perceived as palpitations. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| hunger contractions | Strong contraction's of the stomach associated with hunger pains. (05 Mar 2000) |
| tertiary oesophageal contractions | <radiology> Disordered up-and-down movement of bolus, 5-10% of normal adults in 4-6th decade, location: distal 2/3 of oesophagus aetiology: presbyesophagus, diffuse oesophageal spasm, hyperactive achalasia, neuromuscular disease: diabetes, Parkinsonism, ALS, MS, thyrotoxic myopathy, myotonic dystrophy, obstruction of cardia: neoplasm, distal oesophageal stricture, benign lesion, surgery (repair of HH) findings: spontaneous repetitive nonpropulsive contraction (yo-yo motion), corkscrew appearance, compartmentalization of barium (rosary bead, shish kebab) (12 Dec 1998) |
| fibrillary contractions | <physiology> Contraction's occurring spontaneously in individual muscle fibres; they are seen commonly a few days after damage to the motor nerves supplying the muscle, and this type of activity is distinguished from fasciculation, which is related to activation of motor units. (05 Mar 2000) |