| ointment | An ointment has an oil base whereas a cream is water-soluble. (the word ointment comes from the latin ungere meaning anoint with oil). (12 Dec 1998) |
|---|---|
| ointment base | The vehicle into which active ingredients may be incorporated. Petrolatum (which may be stiffened with wax) is the most widely used greasy ointment base and is suitable for the incorporation of oleaginous materials. Lin-containing bases will absorb water (and dissolved materials) and form water-in-oil type emulsions. Water soluble (washable) bases are often derived from polymers of ethylene glycol (PEGS); these will absorb water and ingredients dissolved in the water. Ointment bases are usually pharmacologically inert but may entrap water and serve to keep the skin from dying or to provide an emollient protective film. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ointment bases | Various mixtures of fats, waxes, animal and plant oils and solid and liquid hydrocarbons; vehicles for medicinal substances intended for external application; there are four classes: hydrocarbon base, absorption base, water-removable base and water-soluble base; several are also emollients. (12 Dec 1998) |
| eye ointment | A special ointment for application to the eye that must be free from particles and must be nonirritating to the eye. Synonym: eye ointment, oculentum. (05 Mar 2000) |
| meningeal branch of ophthalmic nerve | <anatomy, nerve> See: tentorial nerve. (05 Mar 2000) |
| superior ophthalmic vein | <anatomy, vein> Begins anteriorly from the nasofrontal vein, passes along the upper part of the medial wall of the orbit, passes through the superior orbital fissure, to empty into the cavernous sinus. Synonym: vena ophthalmica superior. (05 Mar 2000) |
| inferior ophthalmic vein | <anatomy, vein> Arises from the inferior palpebral and lacrimal veins and divides into two terminal branches, one of which runs to the pterygoid plexus while the other joins the superior ophthalmic vein or empties into the cavernous sinus. Synonym: vena ophthalmica inferior. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ophthalmic | <anatomy> Pertaining to the eye. (18 Nov 1997) |
| ophthalmic acid | A tripeptide occurring in lens, similar to glutathione but differing in the replacement of cysteine by alpha-amino-n-butyric acid (i.e., in the replacement of -SH by -CH3); a potent inhibitor of glyoxalase. Compare: norophthalmic acid. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ophthalmic artery | <anatomy, artery> Artery originating from the internal carotid artery and distributing to the eye, orbit and adjacent facial structures. (12 Dec 1998) |
| ophthalmic assistants | Persons academically trained to care for patients with eye diseases or structural defects of the eye, under the supervision of an ophthalmologist. (12 Dec 1998) |
| ophthalmic hyperthyroidism | Same as Basedow's disease. Origin: So called after Dr. Graves, of Dublin. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| ophthalmic nerve | <anatomy, nerve> A sensory branch of the trigeminal (5th cranial) nerve. The ophthalmic nerve carries general afferents from the superficial division of the face including the eyeball, conjunctiva, upper eyelid, upper nose, nasal mucosa, and scalp. (12 Dec 1998) |
| ophthalmic plexus | An autonomic plexus, entering the orbit in company with the ophthalmic artery, derived from the internal carotid plexus. Synonym: plexus ophthalmicus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ophthalmic solutions | Sterile solutions, essentially free from foreign particles and suitably compounded and dispensed, for instillation into the eye. It does not include solutions for cleaning eyeglasses or contact lens solutions. (12 Dec 1998) |