| intermittent cramp | 1. Hyperexcitability of nerves and muscles due to decrease in concentration of extracellular ionised calcium, which may be associated with such conditions as parathyroid hypofunction, vitamin D deficiency and alkalosis or result from ingestion of alkaline salts, it is characterised by carpopedal spasm, muscular twitching and cramps, laryngospasm with inspiratory stridor, hyperreflexia and choreiform movements. 2. Tetanus. (18 Nov 1997) |
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| intermittent explosive disorder | <psychology> An uncommon disorder that begins in early childhood, characterised by repeated acts of violent, aggressive behaviour in otherwise normal persons that is markedly out of proportion to the event that provokes it. Synonym: dyscontrol, episodic dyscontrol syndrome. (05 Mar 2000) |
| intermittent haemoglobinuria | <nephrology> Recurrent episodic attacks of haemoglobinuria characteristic of paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria or paroxysmal cold haemoglobinuria. (05 Mar 2000) |
| intermittent mandatory ventilation | Mechanical application of positive pressure at a predetermined frequency to the airway to increase tidal volume. (05 Mar 2000) |
| intermittent positive-pressure breathing | Application of positive pressure to the inspiratory phase of spontaneous respiration. See: controlled mechanical ventilation (12 Dec 1998) |
| intermittent positive-pressure ventilation | Application of positive pressure to the inspiratory phase when the patient has an artificial airway in place and is connected to a ventilator. See: controlled mechanical ventilation (12 Dec 1998) |
| intermittent pulse | Irregularity of the heart due to extrasystoles which are too weak to open the semilunar valves; often owing to the long pause following the premature beat, extra long pauses equal to two regular cycles occur from time to time between pulse beats. Synonym: pulsus intercidens. (05 Mar 2000) |
| intermittent sterilization | Exposure to a temperature of 100캜 (flowing steam) for a definite period, usually an hour, on each of several days; at each heating the developed bacteria are destroyed; spores, which are unaffected, germinate during the intervening periods and are subsequently destroyed. Synonym: discontinuous sterilization, intermittent sterilization, tyndallization. (05 Mar 2000) |
| intermittent tetanus | 1. Hyperexcitability of nerves and muscles due to decrease in concentration of extracellular ionised calcium, which may be associated with such conditions as parathyroid hypofunction, vitamin D deficiency and alkalosis or result from ingestion of alkaline salts, it is characterised by carpopedal spasm, muscular twitching and cramps, laryngospasm with inspiratory stridor, hyperreflexia and choreiform movements. 2. Tetanus. (18 Nov 1997) |
| intermittent torticollis | Stiff neck due to spasm of the neck muscles. Synonym: intermittent torticollis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| biliary | <anatomy> Pertaining to the bile, to the bile ducts or to the gallbladder. (13 Oct 1997) |
| biliary atresia | <embryology> A rare condition which is caused by the abnormal development of the bile ducts inside or outside the liver. The obstruction of bile flow from the liver can lead to cirrhosis of the liver if not treated. Symptoms include jaundice in the second to third week of life along with clay-coloured stools. See: newborn jaundice. (27 Sep 1997) |
| biliary calculus | <gastroenterology, surgery> A solid formation in the gallbladder composed of cholesterol and bile salts. (27 Sep 1997) |
| biliary canaliculus | One of the intercellular channels, about 1 um or less in diameter, that occurs between liver cells forming the first portion of the bile system. Synonym: bile capillary. (05 Mar 2000) |
| biliary cirrhosis | <gastroenterology> A rare form of liver disease which results in the irreversible destruction of the liver and bile ducts. The cause is unknown, but is thought to be an autoimmune mechanism. (27 Sep 1997) |