| external surface of parietal bone | The convex outer surface of the parietal bone. Synonym: facies externa ossis parietalis. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| external traction | A pulling force created by using fixed anchorage (e.g., a headcap or bed frame) outside the oral cavity; principally used in the management of midfacial fractures. (05 Mar 2000) |
| external urethral orifice | The slitlike opening of the urethra in the glans penis, the external orifice of the urethra (in the female) in the vestibule, usually upon a slight elevation, the papilla urethrae. Synonym: ostium urethrae externum, external opening of urethra, meatus urinarius, orificium urethrae externum. (05 Mar 2000) |
| external urethral sphincter | Origin, ramus of pubis; insertion, with fellow in median raphe behind and in front of urethra; action, constricts membranous urethra; nerve supply, pudendal. Synonym: musculus sphincter urethrae, external urethral sphincter, Guthrie's muscle, musculus compressor urethrae, musculus constrictor urethrae, musculus sphincter urethrae membranaceae, sphincter muscle of urethra, Wilson's muscle. (05 Mar 2000) |
| external wall of cochlear duct | The wall that faces the outer side of the cochlea. Synonym: paries externus ductus cochlearis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| abdominocardiac reflex | Mechanical stimulation (usually distention) of abdominal viscera causing changes (usually a slowing) in the heart rate or the occurrence of extrasystoles. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Abrams' heart reflex | A contraction of the myocardium when the skin of the precordial region is irritated. (05 Mar 2000) |
| accommodation reflex | Increased convexity of the lens, due to contraction of the ciliary muscle and relaxation of the suspensory ligament, to maintain a distinct retinal image. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Achilles reflex | A contraction of the calf muscles when the tendo calcaneus is sharply struck. Synonym: ankle jerk, ankle reflex, tendo Achillis reflex, triceps surae reflex. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acousticopalpebral reflex | A form of the wink reflex in which there is a contraction, sometimes very slight, of the orbicularis palpebrarum muscle when a sudden noise is made close to the ear; it is absent in labyrinthine disease with total deafness. Synonym: acousticopalpebral reflex, auropalpebral reflex, cochleo-orbicular reflex, startle reflex. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acquired reflex | A reflex that is gradually developed by training and association through the frequent repetition of a definite stimulus. See: conditioning. Synonym: acquired reflex, behaviour reflex, trained reflex. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acromial reflex | Contraction of the biceps muscle caused by a tap on the acromion or the coracoid process. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acute reflex bone atrophy | Atrophy of bones, commonly of the carpal or tarsal bones, following a slight injury such as a sprain. See: causalgia, reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Synonym: acute reflex bone atrophy, posttraumatic osteoporosis, Sudeck's syndrome. Origin: L. English sweat (05 Mar 2000) |
| adductor reflex | Contraction of the adductors of the thigh caused by tapping the tendon of the adductor magnus muscle while the thigh is abducted. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anal reflex | Contraction of the internal sphincter gripping the finger passed into the rectum. (05 Mar 2000) |