| hepatojugular reflux | An elevation of venous pressure visible in the jugular veins and measurable in the veins of the arm, produced in active or impending congestive heart failure by firm pressure with the flat hand over the abdomen. Often called hepatojugular reflex when pressure is exclusively over the liver. Synonym: abdominojugular reflux. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| pyelotubular reflux | Urinary reflux from renal pelvis and calices into the collecting ducts. This is seen as a blush of the renal pyramid on voiding cystourethrography. Synonym: pyelotubular reflux. (05 Mar 2000) |
| duodenogastric reflux | Reflux of duodenal contents into the stomach. (12 Dec 1998) |
| intrarenal reflux | Urinary reflux from renal pelvis and calices into the collecting ducts. This is seen as a blush of the renal pyramid on voiding cystourethrography. Synonym: pyelotubular reflux. (05 Mar 2000) |
| oesophageal reflux | A condition wherein stomach contents regurgitate or back up (reflux) into the oesophagus (a long cylindrical tube that transports food from the mouth to the stomach). The food in the stomach is partially digested by stomach acid and enzymes. Normally, the partially digested acid content in the stomach is delivered by the stomach muscle into the small intestine for further digestion. In oesophageal reflux, stomach acid content refluxes backwards up into the oesophagus, occasionally reaching the breathing passages, causing inflammation and damage to the oesophagus, as well as to the lung and larynx (the voice box). The process is medically termed gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). 10% of patients with GERD develop a Barrett's oesophagus which can increase the risk of cancer of the oesophagus. (12 Dec 1998) |
| ureterorenal reflux | Backward flow of urine from ureter into renal pelvis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acid loading test | <nephrology> This is a test used in the diagnosis of renal tubular acidosis. The patient takes ammonium chloride capsules for 3 days to acidify the blood (lower blood pH). A sample of the urine and the blood is then collected and the results are interpreted. (27 Sep 1997) |
| acid perfusion test | <gastroenterology, investigation> A test used to diagnosis gastrooesophageal reflux disease. This investigation requires that the patient swallow 3 tiny tubes into the stomach. A mixture of hydrochloric acid (like stomach acid) and saline are alternatively injected into the tubes. The patient then reports any symptoms they may have. Some patients may vomit. (13 Nov 1997) |
| acid phosphatase test for semen | A screening test for semen by determining acid phosphatase content; because seminal fluid contains high concentrations of acid phosphatase, while other body fluids and extraneous foreign materials have very low concentrations, high values of acid phosphatase on vaginal aspirate or lavage, or on wash fluid from stains, render positive identification of semen, even if the male is aspermic. (05 Mar 2000) |
| bile acid tolerance test | A sensitive test of hepatic dysfunction; following oral administration of labelled or unlabelled bile acid, the measured fractional disappearance rate or 10-minute retention is measured. (05 Mar 2000) |
| vanillylmandelic acid test | A test for catecholamine-secreting tumours (pheochromocytoma and neuroblastoma) performed on a 24-hr urine specimen; it is based on the fact that vanillylmandelic acid is the major urinary metabolite of norepinephrine and epinephrine. Synonym: 3-methoxy-4-hydroxymandelic acid test, VMA test. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Palmer acid test for peptic ulcer | In duodenal ulcer, the administration of acid by duodenal tube causes severe pain. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Gerhardt's test for acetoacetic acid | In fresh urine a red colour develops upon addition of FeCl3; no colour develops if the urine has first been boiled; this test has low specificity and sensitivity. Synonym: Gerhardt's reaction. (05 Mar 2000) |
| citric acid urine test | <investigation> A test which measures the amount of citric acid in the urine. This test is used to diagnose renal tubular acidosis and evaluate those with kidney stones. A below normal level of citric acid in the urine can indicate renal tubular acidosis. Urine citric acid levels can be increased in those with have a high carbohydrate diet, are on oestrogen therapy or vitamin D therapy. (27 Sep 1997) |
| homovanillic acid test | A test for homovanillic acid based upon the fact that dopamine is present in sympathetic nervous tissue as precursor of norepinephrine; since norepinephrine has a metabolic pathway which yields homovanillic acid, tumours such as neuroblastomas and ganglioneuromas may cause elevations of urinary dopamine and homovanillic acid. Synonym: HVA test. (05 Mar 2000) |