| bone lengthening | Increase in the longest dimension of a bone to correct anatomical deficiencies, congenital, traumatic, or as a result of disease. The lengthening is not restricted to long bones. The usual surgical methods are internal fixation and distraction. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| crown lengthening | Technique combining controlled eruptive tooth movement and incision of the supracrestal gingival attachment to allow for proper restoration of a destroyed or damaged crown of a tooth. Controlled eruption of the tooth is obtained using orthodontic appliances. During this eruptive phase, repeated incisions are made at the junctional epithelium of the sulcus and the supracrestal connective tissue to prevent coronal displacement of the gingiva and of the attachment apparatus. (12 Dec 1998) |
| lengthening reaction | In the decerebrate animal, the rather sudden relaxation with lengthening of the extensor muscles when a limb is passively flexed; associated with clasp-knife spasticity. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anodal closure contraction | An obsolete term for the momentary contraction of a muscle under the influence of the positive pole when the electrical circuit is established. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anodal opening contraction | An obsolete term for the momentary contraction of a muscle under the influence of the positive pole when the circuit is broken. (05 Mar 2000) |
| atrial premature contraction | <cardiology> An premature heartbeat of atrial origin. Generally nonserious and typically exacerbated by stimulant use (for example alcohol, decongestants, caffeine, nicotine). (27 Sep 1997) |
| automatic contraction | In contrast to forced beat, an ectopic beat that arises de novo and is not precipitated by the preceding beat; thus escaped and parasystolic beat's are automatic. Synonym: automatic contraction. (05 Mar 2000) |
| braxton hicks contraction | Rhythmic uterine muscle activity which occurs during the course of a pregnancy which causes no pain for the patient. (27 Sep 1997) |
| paradoxical contraction | A tonic contraction of the anterior tibial muscles when a sudden passive dorsal flexion of the foot is made. (05 Mar 2000) |
| carpopedal contraction | <clinical sign> Spasms of the hands or feet that may be seen in association with hypocalcaemia or hyperventilation. (08 Jan 1998) |
| reflex detrusor contraction | Normal coordinated function of the bladder with sustained contractions of the bladder matched by simultaneous relaxation of the sphincteric outlet mechanisms to empty the bladder. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cathodal closure contraction | An obsolete term for the momentary contraction of a muscle under the influence of the negative pole when an electrical circuit is established. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cathodal opening contraction | An obsolete term for the momentary contraction of a muscle under the influence of the negative pole when the circuit is broken. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Gowers' contraction | Contraction of the calf muscles when the anterior surface of the leg is struck. Synonym: Gowers' contraction. (05 Mar 2000) |
| closing contraction | Contraction produced at the time of closing of the circuit when using direct current to stimulate the muscle. (05 Mar 2000) |