| ala temporalis | Strong squamous processes extending in a broad superolateral curve from the body of the sphenoid bone. The greater wing presents these suraces (facies): 1) cerebral surface: forms anterior third of the floor of the lateral portions of the middle cranial fossa; 2) temporal surface: forms the deepest portion of the temporal fossa; 3) infratemporal surface, forms the "roof" of the infratemporal fossa; 4) orbital surface: forms posterolateral wall of orbit. The greater wing forms the inferior border of the supraorbital fissure, and is perforated at its root by foramina rotundum ovale, and spinosum and the pterygoid canal. Synonym: ala major ossis sphenoidalis, ala temporalis. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| ala vespertilionis | An obsolete term for broad ligament of the uterus. Origin: L. Bat's wing (05 Mar 2000) |
| ala vomeris | An everted lip on either side of the upper border of the vomer, between which fits the rostrum of the sphenoid bone. Synonym: ala vomeris. (05 Mar 2000) |
| alabama period | <geology> A period in the American eocene, the lowest in the tertiary age except the lignitic. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| alabaster | 1. <chemical> A compact variety or sulphate of lime, or gypsum, of fine texture, and usually white and translucent, but sometimes yellow, red, or gray. It is carved into vases, mantel ornaments, etc. A hard, compact variety of carbonate of lime, somewhat translucent, or of banded shades of colour; stalagmite. The name is used in this sense by Pliny. It is sometimes distinguished as oriental alabaster. 2. A box or vessel for holding odouriferous ointments, etc.; so called from the stone of which it was originally made. Origin: L. Alabaster, Gr, said to be derived fr. Alabastron, the name of a town in Egypt, near which it was common: cf. OF. Alabastre, F. Albatre. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| alabastrum | Origin: NL. <botany> A flower bud. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| alactic oxygen debt | That part of the oxygen debt that is not lactacid oxygen debt; during recovery, stores of ATP and creatine phosphate must be replenished by oxidative metabolism, and a small amount of oxygen is also needed to restore the normal oxyhemoglobin levels throughout the circulating blood. (05 Mar 2000) |
| alae lingulae cerebelli | Small lateral prolongations of the lingula of the vermis of the cerebellum resting on the dorsal surface of the superior cerebellar peduncle. Synonym: alae lingulae cerebelli. (05 Mar 2000) |
| alagille syndrome | <syndrome> Hypoplasia of the hepatic ducts, congenital pulmonary artery stenosis, facial abnormalities, and other congenital malformations, particularly skeletal. It is often presented as jaundice during the neonatal period. It is an autosomal recessive disease generally manifesting during childhood. "arteriohepatic" refers to the pulmonary artery and the intrahepatic bile ducts, not to the hepatic artery. (12 Dec 1998) |
| Alajouanine, Theophile | <person> French neurologist, 1890-1980. See: Foix-Alajouanine myelitis, Foix-Alajouanine syndrome. (05 Mar 2000) |
| alalia | <otolaryngology> Loss of the power of speech due to an impairment of the articulatory apparatus (voice box). (27 Sep 1997) |
| alalic | Relating to alalia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| alamethicin | A polyene pore forming ionophore that forms relatively non-specific anion or cation transporting pores in plasma membranes or artificial lipid membranes. These pores may be potential gradient sensitive. (18 Nov 1997) |
| alamethicin synthetase | <enzyme> ATP-dependent, similar to gramicidin s synthesis Registry number: EC 6.3.2.- (26 Jun 1999) |
| alanine | <amino acid> Alanine is a nonessential amino acid that can be manufactured by the body from other sources as needed. Alanine is one of the simplest of the amino acids and is involved in the energy-producing breakdown of glucose. In conditions of sudden anaerobic energy need, when muscle proteins are broken down for energy, alanine acts as a carrier molecule to take the nitrogen-containing amino group to the liver to be changed to the less toxic urea, thus preventing buildup of toxic products in the muscle cells when extra energy is needed. Because the body easily constructs alanine from other sources, no deficiency state is known. Alanine is found in a wide variety of foods, but is particularly concentrated in meats. (22 May 1997) |