| phasic | 1. <cell biology> The adjustment of an organism to its environment or the process by which it enhances such fitness. 2. <ophthalmology> The normal ability of the eye to adjust itself to variations in the intensity of light, the adjustment to such variations. 3. <neurology, physiology> The decline in the frequency of firing of a neuron, particularly of a receptor, under conditions of constant stimulation. 4. <dentistry> (a) the proper fitting of a denture, (b) the degree of proximity and interlocking of restorative material to a tooth preparation, (c) the exact adjustment of bands to teeth. 5. <microbiology> The adjustment of bacterial physiology to a new environment. Origin: L. Adaptare = to fit (18 Nov 1997) |
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| phasic reflex | A coordinated complex response such as the scratch reflex in the spinal animal. (05 Mar 2000) |
| phasic sinus arrhythmia | Sinus arrhythmia in which the irregularity is related to the phases of respiration, the rate being faster in inspiration and slower in expiration. (05 Mar 2000) |