| LUF syndrome | Lutenized Unruptured Follicle syndrome |
|---|---|
| FRF | Fertility Research Foundation; follicle-stimulating hormone-releasing factor |
| FRH | follicle-stimulating hormone-releasing hormone |
| FRP | follicle-stimulating hormone releasing protein; functional refractory period |
| FSH | fascioscapulohumeral; focal and segmental hyalinosis; follicle-stimulating hormone |
| ovarian follicle | <biology, gynaecology> In mammals the group of cells around the primary oocyte proliferate and form a surrounding noncellular layer. A space opens up in the follicle cells and the whole structure is then the ovarian Graafian) follicle. (05 Jan 1998) |
|---|---|
| follicle | 1. <anatomy> Generally a small sac or vesicle. 2. <botany> A kind of fruit formed from a single carpel, that splits to release its seeds. 3. <dermatology> A hair follicle, an invagination of the epidermis into the dermis surrounding the hair root. 4. <gynaecology, physiology> An ovarian follicle, an oocyte surrounded by one or more layers of granulosa cells. As the ovarian follicle develops a cavity forms and it is then termed a Graafian follicle. (12 Nov 1997) |
| follicle cell | <gynaecology, pathology> A layer of cells within an ovarian follicle which surrounds the oocyte (proto-ovum) and provides certain nutrients to it. (09 Oct 1997) |
| follicle-stimulating hormone | <hormone> An acidic glycoprotein secreted by the anterior pituitary gland. In women, follicle-stimulating hormone stimulates the development of ovarian follicles (eggs) and stimulates the release of oestrogens. In men, follicle-stimulating hormone stimulates the production of sperm. Abnormal follicle-stimulating hormone levels may be seen in the following conditions: hypopituitarism, Klinefelter syndrome, polycystic ovary disease, Turner's syndrome and ovarian failure. Synonym: follitropin. Acronym: FSH (12 Sep 2002) |
| follicle-stimulating hormone-releasing factor | A decapeptide of hypothalamic origin capable of accelerating pituitary secretion of follitropin. Synonym: follicle-stimulating hormone-releasing factor, follicle-stimulating hormone-releasing hormone. Origin: follicle-stimulating hormone + L. Libero, to free, + -in (05 Mar 2000) |
| follicle-stimulating hormone-releasing hormone | A decapeptide of hypothalamic origin capable of accelerating pituitary secretion of follitropin. Synonym: follicle-stimulating hormone-releasing factor, follicle-stimulating hormone-releasing hormone. Origin: follicle-stimulating hormone + L. Libero, to free, + -in (05 Mar 2000) |
| luteinised unruptured follicle syndrome | <syndrome> The failure of a follicle to release the egg even though a corpus luteum has formed. (09 Oct 1997) |
| luteinizing hormone/follicle-stimulating hormone-releasing factor | gonadotrophin-releasing hormone |
| lymph follicle | Lymphatic follicle, one of the spherical masses of lymphoid cells, frequently having a more lightly staining centre. See: solitary lymphatic follicles, Peyer's patches. Synonym: folliculus lymphaticus, lymph nodule, nodulus lymphaticus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| accelerated phase of leukaemia | Refers to chronic myelogenous leukaemia that is progressing. The number of immature, abnormal white blood cells in the bone marrow and blood is higher than in the chronic phase, but not as high as in the blast phase. (12 Dec 1998) |
| acceleration phase | <cell biology, cell culture> A period of increasing growth before the log phase in a culture of microbes. After the culture is started on a medium, at first there is no growth (the lag phase) and then the microbes start to gradually grow (acceleration phase) until they reach a constant maximum rate of growth (log phase). (15 Jan 1998) |
| acute-phase protein | <haematology> These plasma proteins (in addition to fibrinogen) increase 25% or more in response to inflammation and injury are under direct control of interleukin-6 (IL-6) (hepatocyte-stimulating factor). Other proteins which increase are ceruloplasmin, C3 and C4 which increase 50% or more; alpha-1 acid glycoprotein, alpha-1 antitrypsin, haptoglobin and fibrinogen (the major determinant of viscosity 1 ) which increase two- to fourfold; C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A which increase several hundred-fold. Despite long-held clinical opinion to the contrary, available data indicate that neither ESR nor measurement of specific acute-phase reactants are useful in excluding underlying infection or inflammation regardless of the pretest probability. These proteins are secreted into the blood in increased or decreased quantities by hepatocytes in response to trauma, inflammation, or disease. They can serve as inhibitors or mediators of the inflammatory processes. Certain acute-phase proteins have been used to diagnose and follow the course of diseases or as tumour markers. See also: amyloid, c-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, viscosity. (25 Jun 1999) |
| acute-phase reaction | <immunology, rheumatology> Refers to the changes in synthesis of certain proteins within the serum during an inflammatory response, which provides rapid protection for the host against microorganisms via non-specific defense mechanisms. It consists of fever, an increase in inflammatory humoral factors, and an increased synthesis by hepatocytes of a number of proteins or glycoproteins usually found in the plasma; the reaction is mediated by endogenous pyrogens, the hypothalamus, adrenal hormones, and other factors. (12 Jul 2000) |
| anal phase | In psychoanalytic personality theory, the stage of psychosexual development, occurring when a child is between 1 and 3 years, during which activities, interests, and concerns are centreed around the anal zone. (05 Mar 2000) |
| aqueous phase | The water portion of a system consisting of two liquid phase's, one mainly water, the other a liquid immiscible with water (e.g., benzene, ether). (05 Mar 2000) |