| bronchial hyperreactivity | Tendency of the smooth muscle of the tracheobronchial tree to contract more intensely in response to a given stimulus than it does in the response seen in normal individuals. This condition is present in virtually all symptomatic patients with asthma. The most prominent manifestation of this smooth muscle contraction is a decrease in airway caliber that can be readily measured in the pulmonary function laboratory. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| bronchial pneumonia | <chest medicine> A name given to an inflammation of the lungs which usually begins in the terminal bronchioles. These become clogged with a mucopurulent exudate forming consolidated patches in adjacent lobules. The disease is frequently secondary in character, following infections of the upper respiratory tract, specific infectious fevers and debilitating diseases. In infants and debilitated persons of any age it may occur as a primary affection. Synonym: bronchial pneumonia, bronchoalveolitis, bronchopneumonitis, lobular pneumonia. (11 Jan 1998) |
| bronchial polyp | A polyp growing from the bronchial mucosa. (05 Mar 2000) |
| bronchial respiration | A tubular blowing sound caused by the passage of air through a bronchus in an area of consolidated lung tissue. (05 Mar 2000) |
| bronchial spasm | Spasmodic contraction of the smooth muscle of the bronchi. (12 Dec 1998) |
| bronchial tubes | <anatomy> The bronchial tubes which arise from the branching of the trachea, especially. The subdivision of the bronchi. Origin: L, pl. Cf. Bronchus. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| bronchial veins | Many veins running in front of and behind the bronchi and uniting into two main trunks which empty on the right side into the azygos vein, on the left into the accessory hemiazygos or the left superior intercostal vein. Synonym: venae bronchiales. (05 Mar 2000) |
| bronchial voice | A modification of the voice sounds, by which they are intensified and heightened in pitch; observed in auscultation of the chest in certain cases of intro-thoracic disease. Origin: Gr. Windpipe + sound. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| trans-bronchial biopsy | <chest medicine, procedure> A biopsy that is performed through the wall of the bronchus (using the bronchoscope). This involves obtaining a small piece of lung tissue for microscopic analysis. This is a useful alternative to an open surgical biopsy, where an incision must be made. (17 Mar 1998) |
| Abbe test plate | <equipment> A long, wedge-shaped coverslip about 0.20 mm thick at one end and 0.10 to 0.12 mm at the other end coated chemically with a silver film on which are ruled horizontal lines. at each variation in thickness of 0.01 mm there are vertical lines. By means of oblique illumination and by focusing on different portions of the plate, it is possible to determine the optimum coverslip thickness for any objective and also, for microscopes with drawtubes, the tube length for best objective performance. The approximate freedom from spherical and chromatic aberrations can also be estimated. Small isolated bits of silver near the edges of the lines form good objects for the star test (05 Aug 1998) |
| acetone test | A test for ketonuria; the suspected urine is shaken up with a few drops of sodium nitroprusside, and strong ammonia water is then gently poured over the mixture; if acetone is present, a magenta ring forms at the line of contact; tablets containing sodium nitroprusside and alkali are now more commonly used. (05 Mar 2000) |
| achievement test | A standardised test used to measure acquired learning, e.g., competence in a specific subject area such as reading or arithmetic, in contrast to an intelligence test which is a useful index of potential ability or learning. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acidified serum test | Lysis of the patient's red cells in acidified fresh serum, specific for paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria. Synonym: Ham's test. (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) |