| walnut | <botany> The fruit or nut of any tree of the genus Juglans; also, the tree, and its timber. The seven or eight known species are all natives of the north temperate zone. In some parts of America, especially in new England, the name walnut is given to several species of hickory (Carya), and their fruit. Ash-leaved walnut, a tree (Juglans fraxinifolia), native in Transcaucasia. Black walnut, a North American tree (J. Nigra) valuable for its purplish brown wood, which is extensively used in cabinetwork and for gunstocks. The nuts are thick-shelled, and nearly globular. English, or European, walnut, a tree (J. Regia), native of Asia from the Caucasus to Japan, valuable for its timber and for its excellent nuts, which are also called Madeira nuts. Walnut brown, a deep warm brown colour, like that of the heartwood of the black walnut. Walnut oil, oil extracted from walnut meats. It is used in cooking, making soap, etc. White walnut, a North American tree (J. Cinerea), bearing long, oval, thick-shelled, oily nuts, commonly called butternuts. See Butternut. Origin: OE. Walnot, AS. Wealh-hnutu a Welsh or foreign nut, a walnut; wealh foreign, strange, n, a Welshman, Celt (akin to OHG. Walh, properly, a Celt, from the name of a Celtic tribe, in L. Volcae) + hnutu a nut; akin to D. Walnoot, G. Walnuss, Icel. Valhnot, Sw. Valnot, Dan valnod. See Nut, and cf. Welsh. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| acute brain syndrome | <syndrome> A condition of severe confusion or rapid change in brain function. This often occurs as the result of a mental illness or physical illness. Symptoms include lethargy, agitation, confusion, disorientation and delirium. (27 Sep 1997) |
| acute organic brain syndrome | <syndrome> A constellation of behavioural or psychological signs and symptoms including problems with attention, concentration, memory, confusion, anxiety, and depression caused by transient or permanent dysfunction of the brain. Synonym: acute organic brain syndrome, OBS, organic mental syndrome. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anterior part of anterior commissure of brain | The anterior part of the anterior or rostral commissure of the brain. Synonym: pars anterior commissurae rostralis, pars anterior commissurae anterioris cerebri. (05 Mar 2000) |
| arachnoid of brain | That portion of the arachnoid which lies within the cranial cavity and surrounds the brain and the cranial portion of the subarachnoid space. In several sites it is relatively widely-separated from the pia mater, creating the cranial subarachnoid cisterns. Synonym: arachnoid mater cranialis, arachnoid mater encephali, cerebral part of arachnoid. (05 Mar 2000) |
| base of brain | The inferior surface of the brain visible when seen from below. Synonym: facies inferior cerebri, basis cerebri, inferior cerebral surface. (05 Mar 2000) |
| big brain | <molecular biology> Neurogenic gene of Drosophila, believed to encode a product involved in cell cell communication, perhaps via gap junctions. Member of the major intrinsic protein family. (18 Nov 1997) |
| blood-brain barrier | <pharmacology, physiology> A protective barrier formed by the blood vessels and glia of the brain. It prevents some substances in the blood from entering brain tissue. The blood vessels of the brain (and the retina) are much more impermeable to large molecules (like antibodies) than blood vessels elsewhere in the body. This has important implications for the ability of the organism to mount an immune response in these tissues, although the basis for the difference in endothelial permeability is not well understood. (16 Dec 1997) |
| brain | One of the two components of the central nervous system, the brain is the centre of thought and emotion. It is responsible for the coordination and control of bodily activities and the interpretation of information from the senses (sight, hearing, smell, etc.). (22 May 1997) |
| brain abscess | A localised cavity filled with pus secondary to a bacterial infection. (27 Sep 1997) |
| brain abscess in kids | <radiology> Cyanotic congenital heart disease, e.g., tetralogy of Fallot, most important predisposing factor, blood not filtered by pulmonary capillaries (12 Dec 1998) |
| brain aneurysm | A dilated and weakened portion of a cerebral blood vessel that is prone to rupture. A cerebral aneurysm may occur as a birth defect or develop as the result of long-standing poorly controlled hypertension. Symptoms of a ruptured cerebral aneurysm include a sudden, severe thunderclap headache that may be associated with nausea, vomiting and a decreased level of consciousness. (27 Sep 1997) |
| brain-assocated tyrosine kinase | <enzyme> 86% identical to matk protein. Registry number: EC 2.7.1.- Synonym: batk protein (26 Jun 1999) |
| brain cicatrix | A scarring of the brain resulting from injury (reactive gliosis), characterised by proliferation of mesodermal (vascular) and ectodermal (glial) elements. See: isomorphous gliosis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| brain concussion | Transient or prolonged unconsciousness with or without impairment of higher mental functions and/or brainstem functions, due to a violent blow to the head. (12 Dec 1998) |