| centrifugal | 1. Denoting the direction of the force pulling an object outward (away) from an axis of rotation. 2. Sometimes, by analogy, extended to describe any movement away from a centre. Compare: eccentric. Origin: L. Centrum, centre, + fugio, to flee (05 Mar 2000) |
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| centrifugal casting | Casting molten metal into a mold by spinning the metal from a crucible at the end of a revolving arm. (05 Mar 2000) |
| centrifugal current | The direction of current flow in a nerve when the cathode is placed peripheral to the anode, in contrast to ascending current. Synonym: centrifugal current. (05 Mar 2000) |
| centrifugal fast analyzer | An automatic spectrophotometer that uses centrifugal force to mix samples and reagents, and propels the reactants at high speed about a detector that makes multiple absorbance readings. (05 Mar 2000) |
| centrifugal force | <physics> The apparent force which seems to pull an object outward when the object is spun around in a circle. In reality, it is the centripetal force which keeps the object rotating around in the circle when the object's inertia makes the object inclined to move in a straight tangential line away from the circle. The centrifugal force does not really exist and, in a strictly physical sense, the term is a misnomer. However, the term is useful to biologists and chemists who are using centrifuges. (13 Nov 1997) |
| centrifugal nerve | <anatomy, nerve> A nerve which transmits impulses from the brain and spinal cord to a muscle or organ. (27 Sep 1997) |
| air pump | 1. <physics> A kind of pump for exhausting air from a vessel or closed space; also, a pump to condense air of force in into a closed space. 2. <engineering> A pump used to exhaust from a condenser the condensed steam, the water used for condensing, and any commingled air. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| breast pump | A suction instrument for withdrawing milk from the breast. (05 Mar 2000) |
| calcium pump | A transport protein responsible for moving calcium out of the cytoplasm. See: calcium ATPase. (18 Nov 1997) |
| calf pump | Muscular activity of calf that promotes venous flow towards the heart. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Carrel-Lindbergh pump | A perfusion device designed for use in culture of whole organs. (05 Mar 2000) |
| constant infusion pump | An electrically driven device for delivery from a reservoir of a constant, often very small, volume of solution over a prolonged period of time. (05 Mar 2000) |
| saliva pump | saliva ejector |
| proton pump | Integral membrane proteins that transport protons across a membrane against a concentration gradient. This transport is driven by hydrolysis of ATP by hydrogen-transporting ATP synthase. (12 Dec 1998) |
| proton pump inhibitor | <pharmacology> A group of anti-ulcer medications which work by binding to H+/K+ ATPase, an enzyme which is found on the secretory surface of parietal cells. It thereby inhibits the final transport of hydrogen ions (via exchange with potasium) into the gastric lumen. Examples of proton pump inhibitors include omeprazole and lansoprazole. (27 Sep 1997) |