| shock tube | <radiobiology> A gas-filled tube used in plasma physics to quickly ionize a gas. A capacitor bank charged to a high voltage is discharged into the gas at one tube end to ionize and heat the gas, producing a shock wave that may be studied as it travels down the tube. (09 Oct 1997) |
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| sieve tube | The structure within the phloem of higher plants that is responsible for transporting organic material (sucrose, raffinose, amino acids, etc.) from the photosynthetic tissues (e.g. Leaves) to other parts of the plant. Made up of a column of cells (sieve elements) connected by sieve plates. (18 Nov 1997) |
| nasogastric tube | <equipment> A flexible plastic tube that is introduced through the nostril to the nasopharynx and advanced to the stomach. This may be performed for diagnostic purposes (looking for bleeding), decontamination (overdose) or therapeutics (removing gastrointestinal material in the face of an intestinal blockage). (27 Sep 1997) |
| nasotracheal tube | A tracheal tube inserted through the nasal passages. (05 Mar 2000) |
| nephrostomy tube | A tube placed in the renal collecting system for drainage, diagnostic tests, or removal of calculi. May be placed through a percutaneous route or during an open surgical procedure. (05 Mar 2000) |
| neural tube | <embryology> The progenitor of the central nervous system. See: neural plate, neurulation. (18 Nov 1997) |
| neural tube defect | <neurology, paediatrics> Abnormal development during embryonic life of the neural tube producing congenital malformations of the nervous system due to closure failure of the neural tube. The structure gives rise to the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord), and failure to close results in anencephaly (absence of the cranial vault and absence of most or all of the cerebral hemispheres of the brain) and spina bifida or meningomyelocele (open spina with exposure and protusion of the spinal cord). The risk of neuroal tube defects can be decreased by the mother taking folic acid during pregnancy. (04 Jul 1999) |
| stomach tube | A flexible tube passed into the stomach for lavage or feeding. (05 Mar 2000) |
| digestive tube | The passage leading from the mouth to the anus through the pharynx, oesophagus, stomach, and intestine. Synonym: alimentary canal, alimentary tract, digestive tube, tubus digestorius. (05 Mar 2000) |
| dorsal plate of neural tube | The thin layer of the embryonic neural tube connecting the alar plate's dorsally. Synonym: dorsal plate of neural tube. (05 Mar 2000) |
| dorsolateral plate of neural tube | The dorsal division of the lateral walls of the neural tube in the embryo; it gives rise to neurons relaying afferent impulses to higher centres; in the adult such neurons compose the sensory nuclei of the spinal cord and brainstem. Synonym: lamina alaris, alar plate of neural tube, dorsolateral plate of neural tube, lamina dorsalis, wing plate. (05 Mar 2000) |
| drainage tube | A tube introduced into a wound or cavity to facilitate removal of a fluid. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Durham's tube | A jointed tracheotomy tube. (05 Mar 2000) |
| infundibulum of uterine tube | The funnel-like expansion of the abdominal extremity of the uterine (fallopian) tube. Synonym: infundibulum tubae uterinae, infundibulum. (05 Mar 2000) |
| intratracheal tube | A flexible tube inserted nasally, orally, or through a tracheotomy into the trachea to provide an airway, as in tracheal intubation. Synonym: endotracheal tube, intratracheal tube. (05 Mar 2000) |