| thalassaemia major | The dire disease also known as beta thalassaemia. The clinical picture of this form of anaemia was first described in 1925 by the paediatrician thomas benton cooley. Other names for the disease are cooley's anaemia and mediterranean anaemia. The term thalassaemia was coined by the nobel prise winning pathologist george whipple and the professor of paediatrics william bradford at u. Of rochester because thalassa in greek means the sea (like the mediterrranean sea) + -aemia means in the blood so thalassaemia means sea in the blood. Thalassaemia is not just one disease. It is a complex contingent of genetic (inherited) disorders all of which involve underproduction of haemoglobin, the indispensable molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen. The globin part of normal adult haemoglobin is made up of 2 alpha and 2 beta polypeptide chains. In beta thalassaemia, there is a mutation (change) in both beta globin chains leading to underproduction (or absence) of beta chains, underproduction of haemoglobin, and profound anaemia. The gene for beta thalassaemia is relatively frequent in people of mediterranean origin (for example, from italy and greece). Children with this disease inherit one gene for it from each parent (and so are said to be homozygous for beta thalassaemia). The parents are carriers (heterozygotes) with just one thalassaemia gene, are said to have thalassaemia minor, and are essentially normal. Their children affected with beta thalassaemia seem entirely normal at birth (because at birth we still have predominantly foetal haemoglobin which does not contain beta chains) but the anaemia emerges in the first few months of life and becomes progressively more severe leading to pallor and easy fatiguability, failure to thrive (grow), bouts of fever (due to infections) and diarrhoea. Treatment based on blood transfusions is helpful but not curative. Gene therapy will, it is hoped, be applicable to this disease. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| trochanter major | A strong process at the proximal and lateral part of the shaft of the femur, overhanging the root of the neck; it gives attachment to the gluteus medius and minimus, piriformis, obturator internus and externus, and gemelli muscles. Synonym: trochanter major. (05 Mar 2000) |
| erythema multiforme major | <syndrome> This is a severe form of allergic reaction that most often results from a medication (for example penicillins). The rash can be generalised and even appear on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Stevens-Johnson syndrome is considered to be a variant of erythema multiforme that results in the formation of bullous (blebs) lesions on the soles of the feet, palms and inside the mouth. Stevens-Johnson syndrome may also occur in association with some viral infections and Mycoplasma infections. (27 Sep 1997) |
| etat major | The staff of an army, including all officers above the rank of colonel, also, all adjutants, inspectors, quartermasters, commissaries, engineers, ordnance officers, paymasters, physicians, signal officers, judge advocates; also, the noncommissioned assistants of the above officers. Origin: F, fr. Etat state + L. Major greater. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| justo major | See: pelvis justo major. (05 Mar 2000) |
| zygomaticus major | <anatomy, muscle> Origin, zygomatic bone anterior to temporozygomatic suture; insertion, muscles at angle of mouth; action, draws upper lip upward and laterally; nerve supply, facial. Synonym: musculus zygomaticus major, greater zygomatic muscle, musculus zygomaticus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| forceps major | Occipital radiation of the corpus callosum; that part of the fibre radiation of the corpus callosum which bends sharply backward into the occipital lobe of the cerebrum. Synonym: forceps major, forceps posterior, occipital part of corpus callosum, pars occipitalis corporis callosi. (05 Mar 2000) |
| fossa scarpae major | A triangular space at the upper part of the thigh, bounded by the sartorius and adductor longus muscles and the inguinal ligament, with a floor formed laterally by the iliopsoas muscle and medially by the pectineus muscle; the branches of the femoral nerve are distributed within the femoral triangle; it is bisected by the femoral vessels, which enter the adductor canal at its apex. Synonym: trigonum femorale, fossa scarpae major, Scarpa's triangle, subinguinal triangle. (05 Mar 2000) |
| fossa supraclavicularis major | The triangle bounded by the clavicle, the omohyoid muscle, and the sternocleidomastoid muscle; it contains the subclavian artery and vein. Synonym: fossa supraclavicularis major, trigonum omoclaviculare, greater supraclavicular fossa, omoclavicular triangle, subclavian triangle. (05 Mar 2000) |
| leishmania major | A parasitic haemoflagellate of the subgenus leishmania leishmania that infects man and animals and causes cutaneous leishmaniasis (leishmaniasis, cutaneous) of the old world. Transmission is by phlebotomus sandflies. (12 Dec 1998) |
| Leishmania tropica major | A parasitic haemoflagellate of the subgenus leishmania leishmania that infects man and animals and causes cutaneous leishmaniasis (leishmaniasis, cutaneous) of the old world. Transmission is by phlebotomus sandflies. (12 Dec 1998) |
| ganglion of nervus intermedius | The sensory ganglion of the facial (7th cranial) nerve. The geniculate ganglion cells send central processes to the brainstem and peripheral processes to the taste buds in the anterior tongue, the soft palate, and the skin of the external auditory meatus and the mastoid process. (12 Dec 1998) |
| nervus | 1. <anatomy> One of the whitish and elastic bundles of fibres, with the accompanying tissues, which transmit nervous impulses between nerve centers and various parts of the animal body. An ordinary nerve is made up of several bundles of nerve fibres, each bundle inclosed in a special sheath (the perineurium) and all bound together in a connective tissue sheath and framework (the epineurium) containing blood vessels and lymphatics. 2. A sinew or a tendon. 3. Physical force or steadiness; muscular power and control; constitutional vigor. "he led me on to mightiest deeds, Above the nerve of mortal arm." (Milton) 4. Steadiness and firmness of mind; self-command in personal danger, or under suffering; unshaken courage and endurance; coolness; pluck; resolution. 5. Audacity; assurance. 6. <botany> One of the principal fibrovascular bundles or ribs of a leaf, especially when these extend straight from the base or the midrib of the leaf. 7. <zoology> One of the nervures, or veins, in the wings of insects. <anatomy> Nerve cell, the operation of stretching a nerve in order to remedy diseases such as tetanus, which are supposed to be influenced by the condition of the nerve or its connections. Origin: OE. Nerfe, F. Nerf, L. Nervus, akin to Gr. Sinew, nerve; cf. String, bowstring; perh. Akin to E. Needle. Cf. Neuralgia. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| nervus abducens | <anatomy> The abducent nerve enervates a muscle which moves the eyeball. Lesions of the sixth cranial nerve result in deviation of the eyeball outward and double vision. Synonym: cranial nerve VI. (27 Sep 1997) |
| nervus accessorius | <anatomy, nerve> The accessory nerve enervates the sternocleidomastoid muscles and the trapezius muscles. Lesions of the eleventh result in drooping of the shoulder and inability to rotate the head away from the affected side. Synonym: cranial nerve XI. (27 Sep 1997) |