| tumor | 1. <oncology> An abnormal mass of tissue that results from excessive cell division that is uncontrolled and progressive, also called a neoplasm. Tumours perform no useful body function. They may be either benign (not cancerous) or malignant. 2. Swelling, one of the cardinal signs of inflammations, morbid enlargement. Origin: L. Tumere = to swell (12 May 1997) |
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| tumor marker | <investigation, oncology> A substance in the body that usually indicates the presence of cancer. These markers are usually specific to certain types of cancer and are usually found in the blood or other tissue samples. Examples are alphafetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). They may be indicators of tumour stage and grade as well as useful for monitoring responses to treatment and predicting recurrence. Many chemical groups are represented including hormones, antigens, amino and nucleic acids, enzymes, polyamines, and specific cell membrane proteins and lipids. (18 Jul 2002) |
| tumor necrosis factor | <cytokine> Originally described as a tumour inhibiting factor in the blood of animals exposed to bacterial lipopolysaccharide or Bacille Calmette-Guerin. Preferentially kills tumour cells in vivo and in vitro, causes necrosis of certain transplanted tumours in mice and inhibits experimental metastases. Human Tumour Necrosis factor alpha is a protein of 157 amino acids and has a wide range of pro inflammatory actions. Usually considered a cytokine. Synonym: cachectin. Acronym: TNF (13 Nov 1997) |
| cranial fossa, posterior | The posterior subdivision of the floor of the cranial cavity, lodging the cerebellum, pons, and medulla oblongata. It is formed by portions of the sphenoid, temporal, parietal, and occipital bones. (12 Dec 1998) |
| posterior cranial fossa | The internal base of the skull posterior to the crest of the petrous part of the temporal bones and the dorsum sellae and anterior to the grooves for the transverse sinuses, where the cerebellum, pons, and medulla oblongata rest. Synonym: fossa cranii posterior. (05 Mar 2000) |
| posterior fossa tumours | <radiology> Midline, medulloblastoma (hyperdense, enhances), astrocytoma (hypodense, enhances), 4th ventricle, ependymoma (most common, slow-growing, expands ventricle), medulloblastoma (usually obliterates ventricular cavity), choroid plexus papilloma (more common in lateral ventricles) (12 Dec 1998) |
| fossa cranii posterior | The internal base of the skull posterior to the crest of the petrous part of the temporal bones and the dorsum sellae and anterior to the grooves for the transverse sinuses, where the cerebellum, pons, and medulla oblongata rest. Synonym: fossa cranii posterior. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acetabular fossa | A depressed area in the floor of the acetabulum superior to the acetabular notch. Synonym: fossa acetabuli. (05 Mar 2000) |
| amygdaloid fossa | The depression between the palatoglossal and palatopharyngeal arches occupied by the palatine tonsil. Synonym: fossa tonsillaris, amygdaloid fossa, sinus tonsillaris. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anconal fossa | A hollow on the dorsum of the distal end of the humerus, just above the trochlea, in which the olecranon process of the ulna rests when the elbow is extended. Synonym: fossa olecrani, anconal fossa. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anterior cranial fossa | The portion of the internal base of the skull, anterior to the sphenoidal ridges and limbus, in which the frontal lobes of the brain rest. Synonym: fossa cranii anterior, anterior cranial base. (05 Mar 2000) |
| articular fossa of temporal bone | A deep hollow in the squamous portion of the temporal bone at the root of the zygoma, in which rests the condyle of the mandible. Synonym: cavitas glenoidalis, fossa mandibularis, articular fossa of temporal bone, glenoid cavity, glenoid fossa, glenoid surface. (05 Mar 2000) |
| axillary fossa | <anatomy> The underarm area. (16 Dec 1997) |
| Bichat's fossa | Sphenomaxillary fossa, a small pyramidal space, housing the pterygopalatine ganglion, between the pterygoid process, the maxilla, and the palatine bone. Synonym: fossa pterygopalatina, Bichat's fossa, pterygomaxillary fossa, sphenomaxillary fossa. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Biesiadecki's fossa | A peritoneal recess between the psoas muscle and the crest of the ilium. Synonym: Biesiadecki's fossa, fossa iliacosubfascialis. (05 Mar 2000) |