| functional refractory period | The minimum interval possible between successive responses to stimulation of a tissue. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| functional residual air | The volume of air remaining in the lungs at the end of a normal, quiet expiration. It is the sum of the residual volume and the expiratory reserve volume. Common abbreviation is frc. (12 Dec 1998) |
| functional residual capacity | The volume of air remaining in the lungs at the end of a normal, quiet expiration. It is the sum of the residual volume and the expiratory reserve volume. Common abbreviation is frc. (12 Dec 1998) |
| functional spasm | Professional neurosis, a disorder of a group of muscles used chiefly in one's occupation, marked by the occurrence of spasm, paresis, or incoordination on attempt to repeat the habitual movements; e.g., writer's cramp; probably a focal dystonia. Synonym: craft palsy, functional spasm. (05 Mar 2000) |
| functional sphincter | A section of a tubular structure that acts as if it has a band of circular muscle to constrict it, although no such specialised structure can be found on morphological examination. Synonym: functional sphincter, radiological sphincter. (05 Mar 2000) |
| functional splint | The joining of two or more teeth into a rigid unit by means of fixed restorations that cover all or part of the abutment teeth. (05 Mar 2000) |
| functional stricture | A stricture due to localised spasm of muscular fibres in the wall of the canal. Synonym: functional stricture, temporary stricture. (05 Mar 2000) |
| functional terminal innervation ratio | The number of muscle fibres divided by the number of axons that innervate them. (05 Mar 2000) |
| functional visual loss | An apparent loss of visual acuity or visual field with no substantiating physical signs; often due to a natural concern about visual loss combined with suggestibility and a fear of the worst; best treated with reassurance. (05 Mar 2000) |
| functional vocal fatigue | Difficult or abnormal voice production, the enunciation being too high, too loud, or too hard. Synonym: functional vocal fatigue. Origin: phon-+ G. Astheneia, weakness (05 Mar 2000) |
| functionalism | A branch of psychology concerned with the function of mental processes in man and animals, especially the role of the mind, intellect, emotions, and behaviour in an individual's adaptation to the environment. Compare: structuralism. (05 Mar 2000) |