| dystonia, focal, due to blepharospasm | The second most common focal dystonia, the involuntary, forcible closure of the eyelids. The first symptoms may be uncontrollable blinking. Only one eye may be affected initially, but eventually both eyes are usually involved. The spasms may leave the eyelids completely closed causing functional blindness even though the eyes and vision are normal. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| dystonia, focal, due to torticollis | Spasmodic torticollis, or torticollis, is the most common of the focal dystonias. In torticollis, the muscles in the neck that control the position of the head are affected, causing the head to twist and turn to one side. In addition, the head may be pulled forward or backward. (12 Dec 1998) |
| oral focal mucinosis | An area of myxomatous connective tissue; the mucosal counterpart of cutaneous focal mucinosis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| equivalent focal length | <microscopy> The focal length of the simple lens that has the same power as the compound lens. The stated focal lengths of microscope objectives are the equivalent focal length since their front and back focal lengths are very different. (05 Aug 1998) |
| focal | Limited to one specific area. (16 Dec 1997) |
| focal adhesion | <cell biology> Areas of close apposition and thus presumably anchorage points, of the plasma membrane of a fibroblast (for example) to the substratum over which it is moving. Usually 1m x 0.2 m with the long axis parallel to the direction of movement, always associated with a cytoplasmic microfilament bundle that is attached via several proteins to the plasma membrane at an area of high protein concentration (this is noticeably electron dense in electron micrographs). Focal adhesions tend to be characteristic of slow moving cells. (18 Nov 1997) |
| focal amyloidosis | A localised form of amyloidosis in which amyloid occurs as masses or nodules beneath the skin or mucous membranes, e.g., in the larynx. Synonym: amyloid tumour, focal amyloidosis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| focal and segmental hyalinosis | <nephrology> A kidney disorder that results in fibrosis and scarring in the kidney glomerulus. The cause is unknown but some cases can result from reflux nephropathy. The clinical manifestation of this kidney disorder is nephrotic syndrome. Symptoms include weight gain, swelling, hypertension and foamy urine. High blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels are also seen with this disorder. Treatment has included the use of corticosteroids and immunosuppressives. Antihypertensive agents and diuretics may also be necessary. Over one-half will develop chronic renal failure within 10 years of diagnosis. (27 Sep 1997) |
| focal appendicitis | Acute appendicitis involving only part of the appendix, sometimes at the site of, or distal to, an obstruction of the lumen. (05 Mar 2000) |
| focal condensing osteitis | A reaction of bone to a mild bacterial infection, often the result of a carious tooth, in persons with a high degree of tissue resistance; results in a localised radio-opacity. Synonym: focal condensing osteitis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| focal depth | Depth of focus, the greatest distance through which an object point can be moved while maintaining a clear image. Synonym: penetration. (05 Mar 2000) |
| focal dermal hypoplasia | A genetic skin disease characterised by hypoplasia of the dermis, herniations of fat, and hand anomalies. It is found exclusively in females and transmitted as an x-linked dominant trait. (12 Dec 1998) |
| focal distance | The distance from the centre of a lens to its focus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| focal embolic glomerulonephritis | Glomerulonephritis associated with subacute bacterial endocarditis, frequently producing microscopic haematuria without azotemia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| focal epilepsy | Epilepsy of various aetiologies characterised by focal seizures or secondarily generalised tonic-clonic seizures. Ictal symptoms are often related to the brain region where the seizure begins focally. Synonym: cortical epilepsy, local epilepsy, partial epilepsy. (05 Mar 2000) |