| Carus' curve | An imaginary curved line obtained from a mathematical formula, supposed to indicate the outlet of the pelvic canal. Synonym: Carus' circle. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| maximal expiratory flow-volume curve | <chest medicine> Curves depicting maximal expiratory flow in liters/second at each point of lung inflation (expressed in liters or percentage of forced vital capacity) during a forced vital capacity determination. Common abbreviation is mefv. (12 Dec 1998) |
| passive length-tension curve | The relationship between passive tension and preload (rest length) for a muscle at rest. (05 Mar 2000) |
| von Spee's curve | The anatomic curvature of the mandibular occlusal plane beginning at the tip of the lower cuspid and following the buccal cusps of the posterior teeth, continuing to the terminal molar. Synonym: von Spee's curve. (05 Mar 2000) |
| reverse curve | In dentistry, a curve of occlusion which is convex upward. Synonym: anti-Monson curve. (05 Mar 2000) |
| characteristic curve | Sensitometric curve of radiographic film, a plot of the film density versus the logarithm of the relative exposure. Synonym: H and D curve, Hunter and Driffield curve. (05 Mar 2000) |
| growth curve | A graphic representation of the change in size of an individual or a population over a period of time. (05 Mar 2000) |
| roc curve | A graphic means for assessing the ability of a screening test to discriminate between healthy and diseased persons; may also be used in other studies, e.g., distinguishing stimuli responses as to a faint stimuli or nonstimuli. (12 Dec 1998) |
| Monson curve | The curve of occlusion in which each cusp and incisal edge touches or conforms to a segment of the surface of a sphere 8 inches in diameter with its centre in the region of the glabella. (05 Mar 2000) |
| compensating curve | The anteroposterior and lateral curvature in the alignment of the occluding surfaces and incisal edges of artificial teeth; used to develop balanced occlusion. (05 Mar 2000) |
| whole-body titration curve | A graphic representation of the in vivo changes in hydrogen ion, PaCO2, and bicarbonate which occur in arterial blood in response to primary acid-base disturbances. (05 Mar 2000) |
| concentration-effect curve | <pharmacology> This is a graph produced to show the relationship between the exposure concentration of a drug or other foreign chemical and the magnitude of the graded effect that it produces. (05 Jan 1998) |
| concentration-response curve | <pharmacology> This is a graph produced to show the relation between the exposure concentration of a drug (or other chemical) and the degree of response it produces, as measured by the percentage of the exposed population showing a defined, often quantal, effect. (05 Jan 1998) |
| Pleasure curve | A curve of occlusion which when viewed in sagittal section conforms to a line that is convex upward except for the last molars. (05 Mar 2000) |
| muscle curve | <investigation, physiology> A test which measures muscle response to nerve stimulation. Used to evaluate muscle weakness and to determine if the weakness is related to the muscles themselves or a problem with the nerves that supply the muscles. Abnormal results may be seen in myasthenia gravis, polymyositis, carpal tunnel syndrome, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, alcoholic neuropathy, cervical spondylosis, dermatomyositis, familial periodic paralysis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, Lambert-Eaton syndrome, Friedreich's ataxia, mononeuritis multiplex, peripheral neuropathy, sciatic nerve disease and a variety of peripheral nerve disorders. (27 Sep 1997) |