| spontaneous osteolysis | <radiology> Several syndromes of vanishing bones: (Cf: rapid demineralization), idiopathic hereditary osteolysis, autosomal dominant, manifest in early childhood, carpals and tarsals involved first, autosomal-recessive carpal and tarsal osteolysis, idiopathic osteolysis with nephropathy, carpals, tarsals, adjacent tubular bones involved, azotaemia may lead to death in early adulthood, massive osteolysis of Gorham, angiomatous destruction (12 Dec 1998) |
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| spontaneous phagocytosis | Phagocytosis occurring when a culture of bacteria is brought in contact with washed leukocytes in an indifferent medium, such as a physiologic salt solution. (05 Mar 2000) |
| spontaneous pneumothorax | A sudden collapse of the lung that occurs as the result of a tear in the lung tissue. May be seen after strenuous activity, coughing or straining. Thin males are at greatest risk for this disorder. (27 Sep 1997) |
| spontaneous process | <chemistry> A process that occurs without outside intervention. Spontaneity is independent of rate. To be spontaneous a process must increase the entropy of the universe. (09 Jan 1998) |
| spontaneous recovery | The return of the conditioned response, after apparent extinction, in the presence of the conditioned stimulus without the unconditioned stimulus also being present. See: classical conditioning. (05 Mar 2000) |
| spontaneous transformation | Transformation of a cultured cell that occurs without the deliberate addition of a transforming agent. Cells from some species, especially rodents, are particularly prone to such spontaneous transformation. (18 Nov 1997) |
| spontaneous version | Turning of the foetus effected by the unaided contraction of the uterine muscle. (05 Mar 2000) |