| nipper | 1. One who, or that which, nips. 2. A fore tooth of a horse. The nippers are four in number. 3. A satirist. 4. A pickpocket; a young or petty thief. 5. <zoology> The cunner. A European crab (Polybius Henslowii). Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| nipple | 1. <anatomy> The protuberance through which milk is drawn from the breast or mamma; the mammilla; a teat; a pap. 2. The orifice at which any animal liquid, as the oil from an oil bag, is discharged. 3. Any small projection or article in which there is an orifice for discharging a fluid, or for other purposes; as, the nipple of a nursing bottle; the nipple of a percussion lock, or that part on which the cap is put and through which the fire passes to the charge. 4. <mechanics> A pipe fitting, consisting of a short piece of pipe, usually provided with a screw thread at each end, for connecting two other fittings. Solder nipple, a short pipe, usually of brass, one end of which is tapered and adapted for attachment to the end of a lead pipe by soldering. Origin: Formerly neble, a dim. Of neb. See Neb, Nib. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| nipple line | A vertical line passing through the nipple on either side. Synonym: linea mamillaris, nipple line. (05 Mar 2000) |
| nipple shield | A cap or dome placed over the nipple to protect it during nursing. (05 Mar 2000) |
| nipple, supernumerary | An extra nipple. (12 Dec 1998) |
| nipples | The conic organs which usually give outlet to milk from the mammary glands. (12 Dec 1998) |
| nipplewort | <botany> A yellow-flowered composite herb (Lampsana communis), formerly used as an external application to the nipples of women. Synonym: dock-cress. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| nippostrongylus | A genus of intestinal nematode parasites belonging to the superfamily heligmosomatoidea, which commonly occurs in rats but has been experimentally transmitted to other rodents and rabbits. Infection is usually through the skin. (12 Dec 1998) |
| niridazole | <chemical> An antischistosomal also used in the treatment of intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis and in dracunculiasis, administered orally. Pharmacological action: amebicides, schistosomicides. Chemical name: 2-Imidazolidinone, 1-(5-nitro-2-thiazolyl)- (12 Dec 1998) |
| nirvana principle | In psychoanalysis, the principle that expresses the tendency toward the death instinct. (05 Mar 2000) |
| nisin | <chemical> A 34-amino acid polypeptide antibiotic produced by streptococcus lactis. It has been used as a food preservative in canned fruits and vegetables, and cheese. Pharmacological action: antibiotics, peptide, food preservatives. Chemical name: Nisin (12 Dec 1998) |
| nisoldipine | <chemical> 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4 (2-nitrophenyl)-3,5-pyridinedicarboxylic acid methyl 2-methylpropyl ester. Nisoldipine is a dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonist that acts as a potent arterial vasodilator and antihypertensive agent. It is also effective in patients with cardiac failure and angina. Pharmacological action: antihypertensive agents, calcium channel blockers, vasodilator agents. Chemical name: 3,5-Pyridinedicarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-(2-nitrophenyl)-, methyl 2-methylpropyl ester (12 Dec 1998) |
| Nissen | Rudolf, Swiss surgeon, *1896. See: Nissen's operation. (05 Mar 2000) |
| nissen fundoplication | <procedure, surgery> A special surgical procedure known as Nissen fundoplication is useful in those patients who fail medical management for the treatment of reflux oesophagitis. By manipulating the lower oesophagus and stomach, a zone of increased pressure is created in the lower oesophagus. The increase in intraluminal pressure will discourage the reflux of stomach acid back into the oesophagus (which can lead to oesophageal inflammation). There are several variations of this procedure, but some surgeons are now offering this operation laparoscopically. (29 Dec 1997) |
| Nissen's operation | Mobilization of the lower end of the oesophagus and plication of the fundus of the stomach around it (fundic wrapping) in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux that may be associated with various disorders, such as hiatal hernia. (12 Dec 1998) |