| ABC | absolute basophil count; absolute bone conduction; acalculous biliary colic; acid balance control; a... |
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| ABCD | airway, breathing, circulation, differential diagnosis (or defibrillate) [in cardiopulmonary resusci... |
| ABCDE | airway, breathing, circulation, disability, exposure [in trauma patients]; botulism toxin pentavalen... |
| ABCIC | airway, breathing, circulation, intravenous crystalloid |
| ADCC | acute disorder of cerebral circulation; antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity |
| foetal circulation | The blood circulation in the foetus before birth. Before birth, the blood from the heart headed for the lungs in the aptly named pulmonary artery is shunted away from the lungs and returned to the greatest of arteries, the aorta. This arterial shunting occurs through a short vessel called the ductus arteriosus. When the shunt is open, it is said to be patent (pronounced pá tent). The ductus arteriosus usually tourniquets itself off at or shortly after birth. After closure of the ductus, blood is permitted from that time on to course freely to the lungs. Sometimes, however, the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) persists and simply will not close by itself. Surgery is then done to ligate (tie off) the ductus PDA ligation is a closed-heart operation. Historically, it was one of the earliest surgical procedures performed in children with cardiovascular disease. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| lesser circulation | The circulation of blood through the lungs. (12 Dec 1998) |
| liver circulation | The circulation of blood through the vessels of the liver. (12 Dec 1998) |
| lymph circulation | The slow passage of lymph through the lymphatic vessels and glands. (05 Mar 2000) |
| abortion rate | The number of abortions per 1000 terminated pregnancies during a given period of time. (05 Mar 2000) |
| age-specific rate | A rate for a specified age group, in which the numerator and denominator refer to the same age group. (05 Mar 2000) |
| attack rate | A cumulative incidence rate used for particular groups observed for limited periods under special circumstances, such as during an epidemic. (05 Mar 2000) |
| average flow rate | <physiology> The flow rate determined by dividing the total volume passed in a time period divided by the time period, usually quoted in mls per minute. (05 Mar 2000) |
| backup rate | A utility charge for providing occasional electricity service to replace on-site generation. (05 Dec 1998) |
| basal metabolic rate | <biochemistry, biology> The metabolic rate as measured under basal conditions: 12 hours after eating, after a restful sleep, no exercise or activity preceding test, elimination of emotional excitement and occurring in a comfortable temperature. Acronym: BMR (15 Nov 1997) |
| baseline foetal heart rate | <paediatrics> The average heart rate for a particular foetus during the diastolic phase of uterine contractions. (05 Mar 2000) |
| baseline variability of foetal heart rate | The beat-to-beat changes in foetal heart rate as recorded on a graph. (05 Mar 2000) |
| basic reproductive rate, ratio | <epidemiology> See Reproductive Ratio. (05 Dec 1998) |
| birth rate | The birth rate is usually given as the number of live births divided by the average population (or the population at midyear). This is termed the crude birth rate. In 1995, for example, the crude birth rate per 1,000 population was 14 in the United States, 16.9 in Australia, etc. (12 Dec 1998) |
| breathing rate | <chest medicine, clinical sign> Also referred to as the respiratory rate. Measured as the number of breaths taken every minute. Normal resting adult respiratory rates are from 16-20 breaths per minute. The normal 1 year old infant can have a respiratory rate of 30 breaths per minute. Count the breaths taken in 30 seconds observing the rise and fall of the chest and then multiply this number by 2. (27 Sep 1997) |