| parent | parenteral |
|---|---|
| PAS | para aminosalicylate; Parent Attitude Scale; patient administration system; patient appointments and... |
| PC | avoirdupois weight [Lat. pondus civile]; packed cells; paper chromatography; paracortex; parent cell... |
| PMT | parent management training; phenol O-methyltransferase; photomultiplier tube; Porteus maze test; pre... |
| PQ | paraquat; parent questionnaire; permeability quotient; physician's questionnaire; plastoquinone; pro... |
| critical gradient | <botany> The maximum stable inclination of an unsupported slope under the most adverse conditions that it will likely experience, as determined by current engineering technology. (09 Oct 1997) |
|---|---|
| critical habitat | <ecology> Specific areas within the geographic area occupied by a species at the time it is listed in accordance with the Endangered Species act. Specific areas outside the geographical area occupied by a species at the time it is listed if there is a determination that such areas are essential for conservation of the species. (09 Oct 1997) |
| critical illness | A disease or state in which death is possible or imminent. (12 Dec 1998) |
| critical illness polyneuropathy | A diffuse axon loss sensorimotor polyneuropathy seen in severely ill patients, usually in the intensive care unit; most patients have been on multiple drugs, and cannot be weaned from ventilatory support; electrodiagnostic studies show evidence of an axon loss polyneuropathy, predominantly motor; of unknown aetiology. (05 Mar 2000) |
| critical mass | <chemistry, radiobiology> The minimum amount of mass of a combination of radioactive substances needed for the substances to generate and lose an exactly balanced number of neutrons to make a chain reaction which will keep going by itself. (09 Oct 1997) |
| critical micelle concentration | The concentration at which an amphipathic molecule (e.g., a phospholipid) will form a micelle. (05 Mar 2000) |
| critical organ | The organ or physiologic system that for a given source of radiation would first reach its legally defined maximum permissible radiation exposure as the dose of radiopharmaceutical is increased; e.g., the kidney is the critical organ when 197Hg-chlormerodrin is given. (05 Mar 2000) |
| critical pathway | Schedules of medical and nursing procedures, including diagnostic tests, medications, and consultations designed to effect an efficient, coordinated program of treatment. (12 Dec 1998) |
| critical period | <psychology> A specific stage in animal and human development during which certain types of behaviour normally are shaped and molded for life. (12 Dec 1998) |
| critical pH | The pH range, about 5.5, at which saliva ceases to be saturated with respect to calcium and phosphate, and below which tooth mineral will dissolve. (05 Mar 2000) |
| critical point | A point at which two phases become identical; thus, at a given critical temperature and critical pressure, the liquid and gaseous state of a particular substance can no longer be differentiated. (05 Mar 2000) |
| critical point drying | <procedure> A method for preparing specimens for the scanning electron microscope that avoids the problems of shrinkage caused by normal drying procedures. Water in the specimen is replaced by an intermediate fluid, for example liquid carbon dioxide, avoiding setting up a liquid/gas interface and then the second fluid is allowed to vaporise by raising the temperature above the critical point, the temperature at which the liquid state no longer occurs. (18 Nov 1997) |
| critical pressure | The minimum pressure required to liquefy a gas at the critical temperature. (05 Mar 2000) |
| critical rate | A heart rate at which aberration or incomplete block will occur; a result of shortening of cycle length so that it barely includes the refractory period. (05 Mar 2000) |
| critical temperature | The temperature of a gas above which it is no longer possible by use of any pressure, however great, to convert it into a liquid. (05 Mar 2000) |