| hibernoma | <tumour> A rare type of benign neoplasm in human beings, consisting of brown fat that resembles the fat in certain hibernating animals; individual tumour cells contain multiple lipid droplets. See: brown fat. Origin: L. Hibernus, pertaining to winter, + G. -oma, tumour (05 Mar 2000) |
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| hibiscus | <botany> A genus of plants (herbs, shrubs, or trees), some species of which have large, showy flowers. Some species are cultivated in India for their fibre, which is used as a substitute for hemp. See Althea, Hollyhock, and Manoe. Origin: L, marsh mallow; cf. Gr. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| hiccough | <physiology> A modified respiratory movement; a spasmodic inspiration, consisting of a sudden contraction of the diaphragm, accompanied with closure of the glottis, so that further entrance of air is prevented, while the impulse of the column of air entering and striking upon the closed glottis produces a sound, or hiccough. Alternative forms: hickup or hiccup. Origin: OE. Hickup, hicket, hickock; prob. Of imitative origin; cf. D. & Dan. Hik, Sw. Hicka, Armor. Hak, hik, W. Ig, F. Hoquet. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| hiccup | A diaphragmatic spasm causing a sudden inhalation which is interrupted by a spasmodic closure of the glottis, producing a noise. (05 Mar 2000) |
| hiccups | Spasmodic contractions of the diaphragm that are involuntary and often rhythmic. Usually just a minor nuisance, prolonged hiccups can become a major problem. (12 Dec 1998) |
| hickman catheter | central venous catheter |
| hickman line | <equipment> A narrow plastic tube which is inserted, under anaesthetic, into a major blood vessel in the chest. It is used for patients undergoing intensive therapy and provides a route for taking blood samples and administering drugs without repeated needle puncture of a vein. (13 Nov 1997) |
| hickory | <botany> An American tree of the genus Carya, of which there are several species. The shagbark is the C. Alba, and has a very rough bark; it affords the hickory nut of the markets. The pignut, or brown hickory, is the C. Glabra. The swamp hickory is C. Amara, having a nut whose shell is very thin and the kernel bitter. Hickory shad. <zoology> The mattowacca, or fall herring. The gizzard shad. Origin: North American Indian pawcohiccora (Capt. J. Smith) a kind of milk or oily liquor pressed from pounded hickory nuts. "Pohickory" is named in a list of Virginia trees, in 1653, and this was finally shortened to "hickory.". Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| Hicks, John Braxton | <person> See: Braxton Hicks. (05 Mar 2000) |
| hickway | The lesser spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopus minor) of Europe. Origin: OE, also hyghwhele, highawe. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| HIDA | <abbreviation> Dimethyl iminodiacetic acid. (05 Mar 2000) |
| hidden | From Hide. Concealed; put out of view; secret; not known; mysterious. Hidden fifths or octaves, consecutive fifths or octaves, not sounded, but suggested or implied in the parallel motion of two parts towards a fifth or an octave. Synonym: Hidden, Secret, Covert. Hidden may denote either known to on one; as, a hidden disease; or intentionally concealed; as, a hidden purpose of revenge. Secret denotes that the thing is known only to the party or parties concerned; as, a secret conspiracy. Covert literally denotes what is not open or avowed; as, a covert plan; but is often applied to what we mean shall be understood, without openly expressing it; as, a covert allusion. Secret is opposed to known, and hidden to revealed. "Bring to light the hidden things of darkness." (1 Cor. Iv. 5) "My heart, which by a secret harmony Still moves with thine, joined in connection sweet." (Milton) "By what best way, Whether of open war, or covert guile, We now debate." (Milton) Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| hidden nail skin | 1. The thin, condensed, eleidin-rich layer of epidermis which procedes and initially covers the nail plate in the embryo. It normally degenerates by the eighth month except at the nail base where it remains as the cuticle of the nail. 2. The corneal layer of epidermis overlapping and in direct contact with the nail root proximally or the sides of the nail plate laterally, forming the undersurface of the nail wall or nail folds of nail. Synonym: hidden nail skin, perionychium. 3. The thin skin adherent to the nail at its proximal portion. Synonym: epionychium. Origin: G. Epi, upon, + onyx (onych-), nail (05 Mar 2000) |
| hidden part | <anatomy> An obsolete term, pars tecta duodeni, the part of duodenum covered by the root of the transverse mesocolon, the coalescence of the ascending mesocolon, and the root of the mesentery, pars tecta pancreatis, hidden portion of the pancreas; part of the pancreas covered by the root of the transverse mesocolon, the coalescence of the ascending mesocolon, and the root of the mesentery, pars tecta renalis, hidden portion of the kidney; part of the kidney covered by the root of the transverse mesocolon, pars tecta ureteralis, hidden portion of the ureter; part of the right ureter covered (crossed) by the root of the mesentery, and of the left ureter covered (crossed) by the root of the sigmoid mesocolon. Synonym: hidden part. (05 Mar 2000) |
| hiddenite | <chemical> An emerald-green variety of spodumene found in North Carolina; lithia emerald, used as a gem. Origin: After W. E. Hidden. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |