| patellar tendon reflex | A sudden contraction of the anterior muscles of the thigh, caused by a smart tap on the patellar tendon while the leg hangs loosely at a right angle with the thigh. Synonym: knee jerk, knee phenomenon, knee reflex, knee-jerk reflex, patellar tendon reflex, quadriceps reflex. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| patellectomy | Excision of the patella. Origin: patella + G. Ektome, excision (05 Mar 2000) |
| patelliform | 1. Having the form of a patella. 2. <zoology> Resembling a limpet of the genus Patella. Origin: Patella + form: cf. F. Pattelliforme. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| patello-adductor reflex | Crossed adduction of the leg on tapping the quadriceps tendon. (05 Mar 2000) |
| patellometer | Instrument for measuring the patellar reflex. Origin: patella + G. Metron, measure (05 Mar 2000) |
| patellula | Origin: NL, dim. Of L. Patella. See Patella. <zoology> A cuplike sucker on the feet of certain insects. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| paten | 1. A plate. 2. The place on which the consecrated bread is placed in the Eucharist, or on which the host is placed during the Mass. It is usually small, and formed as to fit the chalice, or cup, as a cover. Alternative forms: patin, patine. Origin: LL. Patina, patena, fr. L. Patina, patena, a pan; cf. L. Patere to be open, E. Patent, and Gr. A kind of flat dish: cf. F. Patene. Cf. Patina. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| patena | A paten. Origin: LL. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| patency | The state of being freely open or exposed. (05 Mar 2000) |
| patent | 1. 2. Open to public perusal; said of a document conferring some right or privilege; as, letters patent. See Letters patent, under 3d Letter. 3. Appropriated or protected by letters patent; secured by official authority to the exclusive possession, control, and disposal of some person or party; patented; as, a patent right; patent medicines. "Madder . . . In King Charles the First's time, was made a patent commodity." (Mortimer) 4. <botany> Spreading; forming a nearly right angle with the steam or branch; as, a patent leaf. Patent leather, a varnished or lacquered leather, used for boots and shoes, and in carriage and harness work. Patent office, a government bureau for the examination of inventions and the granting of patents. Patent right. The exclusive right to an invention, and the control of its manufacture. The right, granted by the sovereign, of exclusive control of some business of manufacture, or of the sale of certain articles, or of certain offices or prerogatives. Patent rolls, the registers, or records, of patents. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| patent blue V | A sulfonated triphenylmethane dye reduced and decolorised with zinc and acetic acid to produce a stable solution; used to demonstrate haemoglobin peroxidase. Synonym: patent blue V. (05 Mar 2000) |
| patent ductus arteriosus | <cardiology, embryology, paediatrics> A condition where the normal channel between the pulmonary artery and the aorta fails to close at birth. In normal foetal circulation the blood bypasses the pulmonary circuit since oxygen and nutrients are acquired through the placenta. After birth, this channel normally closes in response to ventilation of the lungs. Those who are affected may demonstrate poor growth, shortness of breath and rapid respiratory rate. Diagnosis is by echocardiogram and treatment involves the use of indomethacin to stimulate ductus arteriosus closure. Surgical ligation will be required in those cases unresponsive to medical management. (27 Sep 1997) |
| patent medicine | A medicine, usually originally patented, advertised to the public. (05 Mar 2000) |
| patents | Exclusive legal rights or privileges applied to inventions, plants, etc. (12 Dec 1998) |
| patera | Origin: L, fr. Patere to lie open. 1. A saucerlike vessel of earthenware or metal, used by the Greeks and Romans in libations and sacrificies. 2. A circular ornament, resembling a dish, often worked in relief on friezes, and the like. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |