| morphine | <drug> An opioid alkaloid, isolated from opium, with a complex ring structure. It is a powerful analgesic with important medical uses, but is highly addictive. Functions by occupying the receptor sites for the natural neurotransmitter peptides, endorphins and enkephalins, but is stable to the peptidases that inactivate these compounds. Pharmacologic action: Narcotic analgesia, increases venous capacitance and reduces systemic vascular resistance. Uses: Analgesic for ischemic chest pain, hemodynamic changes lead to reduced pulmonary congestion, reduced myocardial oxygen demand. Dose: 1-3 mg slow IV increments until desired effect. Potential complications: Respiratory depression, hypotension, especially in hypovolemic patients. (17 Mar 2000) |
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| morphine 6-dehydrogenase | <enzyme> Catalyses the dehydrogenation of morphine in position 6 to morphinone; also acts on codeine, normorphine and ethylmorphine Registry number: EC 1.1.1.218 Synonym: naloxone reductase (26 Jun 1999) |
| morphine dependence | Strong dependence, both physiological and emotional, upon morphine. (12 Dec 1998) |
| morphine derivatives | Analogs or derivatives of morphine. (12 Dec 1998) |
| morphine hydrochloride | White acicular or cubical crystals of bitter taste, soluble in about 25 parts of water. (05 Mar 2000) |
| morphine injector's septicaemia | Blood stream infection in an individual who injects him or herself with narcotics, usually intravenously, due to bacterial contamination of equipment used. Seen more often with heroin and narcotics other than morphine. (05 Mar 2000) |
| morphine sulfate | Morphine used for formulation of tablets as well as solutions for parenteral, epidural, or intrathecal injection to relieve pain. (05 Mar 2000) |
| morphinism | <medicine> A morbid condition produced by the excessive or prolonged use of morphine. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| morphinomimetic | Marked by simulation of (body processes induced by) morphine. (18 Nov 1997) |
| morphinone reductase | <enzyme> Converts morphinone to hydromorphone (dihydromorphinone); contains fmn; requires NADH Registry number: EC 1.3.1.- Synonym: morb gene product (26 Jun 1999) |
| morpho | 1. <entomology> Any one of numerous species of large, handsome, tropical American butterflies, of the genus Morpho. They are noted for the very brilliant metallic luster and bright colours (often blue) of the upper surface of the wings. The lower surface is usually brown or gray, with eyelike spots. Origin: NL, fr. Gr, an epithet of Venus. 2. <prefix> Meaning form, shape, structure. Origin: G. Morphe Source: Websters Dictionary (21 Jun 2000) |
| morphogen | <embryology> Diffusible substance that carries information relating, for example: to position in the embryo and thus determines the differentiation that cells perceiving this information will undergo. (18 Nov 1997) |
| morphogenesis | <cell biology> The process of shape formation: the processes that are responsible for producing the complex shapes of adults from the simple ball of cells that derives from division of the fertilized egg. (18 Nov 1997) |
| morphogenetic | Relating to morphogenesis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| morphogenetic movement | <embryology> Movements of cells or of groups of cells in the course of development. Thus the invagination of cells in gastrulation is one of the most dramatic of morphogenetic movements, another much studied example is the migration of neural crest cells. (21 Jun 2000) |