| external matrix | The substance occupying the space between the inner and outer membrane of any organelle (e.g., mitochondria) with a double membrane. (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| extracellular matrix | Any material produced by cells and secreted into the surrounding medium, but usually applied to the noncellular portion of animal tissues. The ecm of connective tissue is particularly extensive and the properties of the ecm determine the properties of the tissue. In broad terms there are three major components: fibrous elements particularly collagen, elastin or reticulin), link proteins (e.g. Fibronectin, laminin) and space filling molecules (usually glycosaminoglycans). The matrix may be mineralised to resist compression (as in bone) or dominated by tension resisting fibres (as in tendon). The basal lamina of epithelial cells is another commonly encountered ecm. Although ecm is produced by cells, it has recently become clear that the ecm can influence the behaviour of cells quite markedly, an important factor to consider when growing cells in vitro: removing cells from their normal environment can have far reaching effects. (18 Nov 1997) |
| extracellular matrix proteins | Macromolecular organic compounds that contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and usually, sulfur. These macromolecules (proteins) form an intricate meshwork in which cells are embedded to construct tissues. Variations in the relative types of macromolecules and their organization determine the type of extracellular matrix, each adapted to the functional requirements of the tissue. The two main classes of macromolecules that form the extracellular matrix are: glycosaminoglycans, usually linked to proteins (proteoglycans), and fibrous proteins (e.g., collagen, elastin, fibronectins and laminin). (12 Dec 1998) |
| bone within a bone | <radiology> STOP heavy metal, S: sickle cell disease, T: Thorotrast, O: osteopetrosis, P: Paget's disease, heavy metals, hypervitaminosis D (12 Dec 1998) |
| acute reflex bone atrophy | Atrophy of bones, commonly of the carpal or tarsal bones, following a slight injury such as a sprain. See: causalgia, reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Synonym: acute reflex bone atrophy, posttraumatic osteoporosis, Sudeck's syndrome. Origin: L. English sweat (05 Mar 2000) |
| air-bone gap | The difference between the threshold for hearing acuity by bone conduction and by air conduction. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Albrecht's bone | A small bone between the basioccipital and basisphenoid. (05 Mar 2000) |
| allogeneic bone marrow transplant | <haematology, procedure> A bone marrow transplant using marrow collected from a matched healthy donor, usually a brother or sister. The risks associated with the transplant increase with age and 50 years of age is generally regarded as the upper limit. (13 Nov 1997) |
| alveolar bone | That portion of bone in either the maxilla or the mandible which surrounds and supports the teeth. (12 Dec 1998) |
| alveolar bone loss | The resorption of bone in the supporting structures of the maxilla or mandible as a result of periodontal disease. (12 Dec 1998) |
| alveolar supporting bone | alveolar process |
| amyloidosis: bone manifestations | <radiology> Joint pain without radiographic findings, osteoporosis, especially in axial skeleton, lytic lesions that destroy cortex and invade soft tissue, wrist, scaphoid and lunate lesions that may extend into the carpal tunnel, inducing the classic complaints of carpal tunnel syndrome amyloid arthropathy Differential diagnosis: pigmented villonodular synovitis, synovial chondromatosis, rheumatoid arthritis, TB (12 Dec 1998) |
| aneurysmal bone cyst | <radiology> ABC, 10 - 30 yrs, 75% before skeletal maturity, sites: long bones; also, flat bones Findings: metaphyseal if unfused, metaepiphyseal after fusion, lytic, expansile, thin, continuous rim, thin internal bony strands (12 Dec 1998) |
| ankle bone | 1. <anatomy> The astragalus. 2. <surgery> A variety of clubfoot (Talipes calcaneus). See the Note under Talipes. 1. A slope; the inclination of the face of a work. 2. <geology> A sloping heap of fragments of rock lying at the foot of a precipice. Origin: L, the ankle, the ankle bone. (26 Nov 1998) |
| anterior condyloid canal of occipital bone | The canal through which the hypoglossal nerve emerges from the skull. Synonym: canalis hypoglossalis, anterior condyloid canal of occipital bone, anterior condyloid foramen. (05 Mar 2000) |