| 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) |
| muscle, smooth | Unstriated and unstriped muscle, one of the muscles of the internal organs, blood vessels, hair follicles, etc. Contractile elements are elongated, usually spindle-shaped cells with centrally located nuclei. Smooth muscle fibres are bound together into sheets or bundles by reticular fibres and frequently elastic nets are also abundant. (12 Dec 1998) |
| muscle, smooth, vascular | The nonstriated, involuntary muscle tissue of blood vessels. (12 Dec 1998) |
| smooth muscle | <anatomy, pathology, physiology> Muscle tissue in vertebrates made up from long tapering cells that may be anything from 20-500m long. Smooth muscle is generally involuntary and differs from striated muscle in the much higher actin/myosin ratio, the absence of conspicuous sarcomeres and the ability to contract to a much smaller fraction of its resting length. Smooth muscle cells are found particularly in blood vessel walls, surrounding the intestine (particularly the gizzard in birds) and in the uterus. The contractile system and its control resemble those of motile tissue cells (e.g. Fibroblasts, leucocytes) and antibodies against smooth muscle myosin will cross react with myosin from tissue cells, whereas antibodies against skeletal muscle myosin will not. See: dense bodies. (18 Nov 1997) |
| smooth muscle relaxant | An agent, such as an antispasmodic, bronchodilator, or vasodilator, that reduces the tension or tone of smooth (involuntary) muscle. (05 Mar 2000) |
| smooth muscle tissue | <anatomy, pathology, physiology> Muscle tissue in vertebrates made up from long tapering cells that may be anything from 20-500m long. Smooth muscle is generally involuntary and differs from striated muscle in the much higher actin/myosin ratio, the absence of conspicuous sarcomeres and the ability to contract to a much smaller fraction of its resting length. Smooth muscle cells are found particularly in blood vessel walls, surrounding the intestine (particularly the gizzard in birds) and in the uterus. The contractile system and its control resemble those of motile tissue cells (e.g. Fibroblasts, leucocytes) and antibodies against smooth muscle myosin will cross react with myosin from tissue cells, whereas antibodies against skeletal muscle myosin will not. See: dense bodies. (18 Nov 1997) |
| smooth muscle tumour | A tumour composed of smooth muscle tissue, as opposed to leiomyoma, a tumour derived from smooth muscle. (12 Dec 1998) |
| bilaterally small, smooth kidneys | <radiology> Generalised atherosclerosis, nephrosclerosis - benign and malignant, atheroembolic renal disease, chronic glomerulonephritis, papillary necrosis, hereditary diseases, hereditary chronic nephritis (Alport's syndrome), medullary cystic disease, amyloidosis (late), arterial hypotension Cf: other urographic patterns (12 Dec 1998) |
| pursuit, smooth | Eye movements that are slow, continuous, and conjugate and occur when a fixed object is moved slowly. (12 Dec 1998) |
| smooth | 1. Having an even surface, or a surface so even that no roughness or points can be perceived by the touch; not rough; as, smooth glass; smooth porcelain. "The outlines must be smooth, imperceptible to the touch, and even, without eminence or cavities." (Dryden) 2. Evenly spread or arranged; sleek; as, smooth hair. 3. Gently flowing; moving equably; not ruffled or obstructed; as, a smooth stream. 4. Flowing or uttered without check, obstruction, or hesitation; not harsh; voluble; even; fluent. "The only smooth poet of those times." (Milton) "Waller was smooth; but Dryden taught to join The varying verse, the full-resounding line." (Pope) "When sage Minerva rose, From her sweet lips smooth elocution flows." (Gay) 5. Bland; mild; smoothing; fattering. "This smooth discourse and mild behavior oft Conceal a traitor." (Addison) 6. <mechanics> Causing no resistance to a body sliding along its surface; frictionless. Smooth is often used in the formation of selfexplaining compounds; as, smooth-bodied, smooth-browed, smooth-combed, smooth-faced, smooth-finished, smooth-gliding, smooth-grained, smooth-leaved, smooth-sliding, smooth-speaking, smooth-woven, and the like. Synonym: Even, plain, level, flat, polished, glossy, sleek, soft, bland, mild, soothing, voluble, flattering, adulatory, deceptive. Origin: OE. Smothe, smethe, AS. Smethe, smoe<edt/e, where e, oe, come from an older o; cf. LG. Smode, smoe, smodig; of uncertain origin. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| smooth chorion | The portion of the chorion from which the villi disappear in the later stages of pregnancy. Synonym: smooth chorion. (05 Mar 2000) |
| smooth colony | A bacterial colony with a glistening, rounded surface; this type of colony is usually associated with increased virulence with respect to that of rough colony's. (05 Mar 2000) |
| smooth diet | A diet containing little roughage; used primarily in diseases of the colon. (05 Mar 2000) |