| uterine venous plexus | The plexiform veins that lie along the sides of the uterus in the broad ligament. Synonym: plexus venosus uterinus. (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| uterovaginal plexus | A gangliated autonomic plexus on each side of the cervix of the uterus, derived from the inferior hypogastric plexus. Synonym: plexus uterovaginalis, Frankenhauser's ganglion, Lee's ganglion. (05 Mar 2000) |
| lateral cord of brachial plexus | In the brachial plexus, the bundle of nerve fibres formed by the anterior divisions of the superior and middle trunks which is located lateral to the axillary artery. This cord gives off the lateral pectoral nerve and terminates by dividing into the musculocutaneous nerve and the lateral root of the median nerve. Synonym: fasciculus lateralis plexus brachialis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Leber's plexus | A small venous plexus in the eye between the venous sinuses of the sclera (of Schlemm) and the spaces of the iridocorneal angle (of Fontana). (05 Mar 2000) |
| lingual plexus | An autonomic plexus on the artery of this name, derived from the external carotid plexus. Synonym: plexus lingualis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| lumbar plexus | A nervous plexus, formed by the ventral rami of the first four lumbar nerves; it lies in the substance of the psoas muscle, a lymphatic plexus formed of about twenty lymph nodes and connecting vessels situated along the lower portion of the aorta and the common iliac vessels. Synonym: plexus lumbalis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| lumbosacral plexus | The lumbar and sacral plexuses taken together. The fibres of the lumbosacral plexus originate in the lumbar and upper sacral spinal cord (l1 to s3) and innervate the lower extremities. (12 Dec 1998) |
| lymphatic plexus | A plexus of lymphatic capillaries, usually without valves, that opens into one or more larger lymphatic vessels. Synonym: plexus lymphaticus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| abdominocardiac reflex | Mechanical stimulation (usually distention) of abdominal viscera causing changes (usually a slowing) in the heart rate or the occurrence of extrasystoles. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Abrams' heart reflex | A contraction of the myocardium when the skin of the precordial region is irritated. (05 Mar 2000) |
| accommodation reflex | Increased convexity of the lens, due to contraction of the ciliary muscle and relaxation of the suspensory ligament, to maintain a distinct retinal image. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Achilles reflex | A contraction of the calf muscles when the tendo calcaneus is sharply struck. Synonym: ankle jerk, ankle reflex, tendo Achillis reflex, triceps surae reflex. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acousticopalpebral reflex | A form of the wink reflex in which there is a contraction, sometimes very slight, of the orbicularis palpebrarum muscle when a sudden noise is made close to the ear; it is absent in labyrinthine disease with total deafness. Synonym: acousticopalpebral reflex, auropalpebral reflex, cochleo-orbicular reflex, startle reflex. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acquired reflex | A reflex that is gradually developed by training and association through the frequent repetition of a definite stimulus. See: conditioning. Synonym: acquired reflex, behaviour reflex, trained reflex. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acromial reflex | Contraction of the biceps muscle caused by a tap on the acromion or the coracoid process. (05 Mar 2000) |