| rapid eye movements | Symmetrical quick scanning movement's of the eyes occurring many times during sleep in clusters for 5 to 60 minutes; associated with dreaming. (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| rapid film changer | A device that moves film for radiographic studies that require rapid serial X-ray exposures, such as angiography. Synonym: rapid film changer, serial film changer. (05 Mar 2000) |
| rapid plasma reagin | <investigation> The rapid plasma reagin test is similar to the VDRL test for diagnosing syphilis. This blood test is designed to detect an antibody substance in the bloodstream when syphilis infection is present. Early syphilis infections may be RPR negative. See: VDRL (17 Dec 1997) |
| rapid plasma reagin test | A group of serologic test's for syphilis in which unheated serum or plasma is reacted with a standard test antigen containing charcoal particles; positive test's yield a flocculation. A modification, called the RPR (circle) card test, is widely used as a screening test. Synonym: RPR test. (05 Mar 2000) |
| rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis | <nephrology> A relatively uncommon (affecting 1 out of 10,000 people) form of acute glomerulonephritis that results in damage within the glomerulus of the kidney. There is rapid loss of kidney function with the formation of crescents on microscopic analysis (kidney biopsy). This disorder may result in acute glomerulonephritis or nephrotic syndrome, but ultimately results in renal failure and end-stage renal disease. Symptoms include smoky coloured urine (pyuria), decreased urine output, swelling and hypertension. Any conditions which can cause a vasculitis increase the risk of this disorder. Some examples include lupus, Goodpasture's syndrome, Henoch-Schonlein purpura, IgA nephropathy, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody disease, history for malignant tumours and exposure to hydrocarbon solvents. (27 Sep 1997) |
| rapier | A straight sword, with a narrow and finely pointed blade, used only for thrusting. <zoology> Rapier fish, the swordfish. Origin: F. Rapiere, perhaps for raspiere, and ultimately of German origin, akin to E. Rasp, v. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| rapilli | <chemical> Lapilli. Origin: It. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| Rapoport test | A differential ureteral catheterization test used to evaluate suspected renovascular hypertension; urine specimens from each kidney are obtained by bilateral ureteral catheterization, and the tubular rejection fraction ratio is determined by measuring concentrations of sodium and creatinine in the urine from each kidney. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Rapoport, Abraham | <person> Canadian urologist, *1926. See: Rapoport test. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Rapoport, Samuel Mitja | <person> Russian biochemist, *1912. See: Rapoport-Luebering shunt. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Rapoport-Luebering shunt | Part of the glycolytic pathway characteristic of human erythrocytes in which 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate (2,3-P2Gri) is formed as an intermediate between 1,3-P2Gri and 3-phosphoglycerate; 2,3-P2Gri is an important regulator of the affinity of haemoglobin for oxygen. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Rappaport classification | A histologic classification of lymphomas in use before the availability of recent methods for identification of B-and T-type lymphocytes. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Rappaport's acinus | The smallest functional unit of the liver, comprising all of the liver parenchyma supplied by a terminal branch of the portal vein and hepatic artery; typically involves segments of two lobules lying between two terminal hepatic venules. Synonym: Rappaport's acinus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| rapport | 1. A feeling of relationship, especially when characterised by emotional affinity. 2. A conscious feeling of harmonious accord, trust, empathy, and mutual responsiveness between two or more persons (e.g., physician and patient) that fosters the therapeutic process. Origin: Fr. (05 Mar 2000) |
| raptores | <zoology> Same as Accipitres. Synonym: Raptatores. Origin: NL. See Raptor. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |