| ecosystem function | The collective intraspecific and interspecific interactions of the biota, such as primary and secondary production and mutualistic relationships. The interactions between organisms and the physical environment, such as nutrient cycling, soil development, water budgeting, and flammability. (09 Oct 1997) |
|---|---|
| function | The special, normal or proper physiologic activity of an organ or part. Origin: L. Functio, from fungi = to do (18 Nov 1997) |
| function corrector | A removable orthodontic appliance utilizing oral and facial muscle forces to move teeth and possibly change the relationship of the dental arches. (05 Mar 2000) |
| line spread function | A measure of the ability of a system to form sharp images; in radiology, determined by measuring the spatial density distribution on film of the X-ray image of a narrow slit in a dense metal, such as uranium; from this can be calculated the modulation transfer function. (05 Mar 2000) |
| liver function test | <investigation> A test that measures the blood serum level of several enzymes produced by the liver. An elevated liver function test is a sign of possible liver damage. Examples include: prothrombin time, PTT, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase, alkaline phosphatase and serum albumin. (14 Oct 1997) |
| lymphocyte function associated antigen | A member of the integrin family that is expressed on all leukocytes and binds to ICAM-1 and ICAM-2 on a variety of cells. (05 Mar 2000) |
| lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 | A heterodimer molecule widely expressed on cells of haematopoietic origin. Cd11a antigen comprises the alpha chain and the CD18 antigen (antigens, CD18) the beta chain. Lfa-1 is a major receptor of T-cells, B-cells, and granulocytes. It mediates the leukocyte adhesion reactions underlying cytolytic conjugate formation, helper T-cell interactions, and antibody-dependent killing by natural killer cells and granulocytes. Intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (icam-1) has been defined as a ligand for lfa-1. (12 Dec 1998) |
| acute kidney failure | <nephrology> A sudden decline in renal function may be triggered by a number of acute disease processes. Examples include sepsis (infection), shock, trauma, kidney stones, kidney infection, drug toxicity (aspirin or lithium), poisons or toxins (drug abuse) or after injection with an iodinated contrast dye (adverse effect). Chronic renal failure represents a slow decline in kidney function over time. Chronic renal failure may be caused by a number of disorders which include long-standing hypertension, diabetes, congestive heart failure, lupus or sickle cell anaemia. Both forms of renal failure result in a life-threatening metabolic derangement. (27 Sep 1997) |
| acute kidney transplant rejection | <radiology> Findings on ultrasound: globular enlargment of the kidney, swelling and hypoechogenicity of the medullary pyramids, indistinct cortico-medullary junction, foci in the renal cortex (12 Dec 1998) |
| african green monkey kidney cell | <cell culture> Cells taken from the kidneys of the African green monkey Cercopithecus aethiops sabaeus and used to grow certain viruses like poliovirus. (05 Feb 1998) |
| amyloid kidney | A kidney in which amyloidosis has occurred, usually in association with some chronic illness such as multiple myeloma, tuberculosis, osteomyelitis, or other chronic suppurative inflammation; such kidney's are moderately enlarged and grossly manifest a waxy appearance, with amyloid deposited beneath the endothelium in the glomerular loops and in the arterioles, apparently beginning as foci of thickening of the basement membranes. Synonym: waxy kidney. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anterior inferior segmental artery of kidney | Origin, anterior branch of renal. See: segmental arteries of kidney. Synonym: arteria segmenti anterioris inferioris renis, artery of anterior {inferior segment of kidney}. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anterior superior segmental artery of kidney | Origin, anterior branch of renal. See: segmental arteries of kidney. Synonym: arteria segmenti anterioris superioris renis, artery of anterior {superior segment of kidney}. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anterior surface of kidney | The anterior surface of the kidney. Synonym: facies anterior renis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anti-kidney serum nephritis | Experimental glomerulonephritis produced by injection of antiserum to kidney. (05 Mar 2000) |