| portal-systemic encephalopathy | An encephalopathy associated with cirrhosis of the liver, attributed to the passage of toxic nitrogenous substances from the portal to the systemic circulation; cerebral manifestations may include coma. Synonym: hepatic encephalopathy. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| portasystemic shunt | A shunt between any parts of the portal and systemic venous systems, including portacaval, mesocaval, splenorenal shunt's or spontaneously occurring shunt's. (05 Mar 2000) |
| portasystemic shunt, surgical | Surgical venous shunt between the portal and systemic circulation to effect decompression of the portal circulation. It is performed primarily in the treatment of bleeding oesophageal varices resulting from portal hypertension. Types of shunt include portacaval, splenorenal, mesocaval, splenocaval, left gastric-caval (coronary-caval), portarenal, umbilicorenal, and umbilicocaval. (12 Dec 1998) |
| portasystemic shunt, transjugular intrahepatic | A type of surgical portasystemic shunt to reduce portal hypertension with associated complications of oesophageal varices and ascites. It is performed percutaneously through the jugular vein and involves the creation of an intrahepatic shunt between the hepatic vein and portal vein. The channel is maintained by a metallic stent. The procedure can be performed in patients who have failed sclerotherapy and is an additional option to the surgical techniques of portocaval, mesocaval, and splenorenal shunts. It takes one to three hours to perform. (jama 1995;273(23):1824-30) (12 Dec 1998) |
| portative | 1. Portable. 2. <physics> Capable of holding up or carrying; as, the portative force of a magnet, of atmospheric pressure, or of capillarity. Origin: Cf. F. Portatif Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| porte | The Ottoman court; the government of the Turkish empire, officially called the Sublime Porte, from the gate (port) of the sultan's palace at which justice was administered. Origin: F. Porte a gate, L. Porta. See Port a gate. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| porter | A membrane protein that functions to transport substances into and out of the cell. (09 Oct 1997) |
| Porter's fascia | The layer of fascia investing the infrahyoid muscles and contributing to the formation of the carotid sheath. Synonym: lamina pretrachealis, middle cervical fascia, Porter's fascia, pretracheal layer. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Porter, Curt | <person> U.S. Biochemist, *1914. See: Porter-Silber chromogens, Porter-Silber reaction, Porter-Silber chromogens test. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Porter, Thomas | <person> British scientist, 1860-1933. See: Ferry-Porter law. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Porter, William | <person> Irish surgeon, 1790-1861. See: Porter's fascia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Porter-Silber chromogens test | A test, dependent on the Porter-Silber reaction, that is used as a measure of adrenocortical function and is performed on urine. Low values are seen in Addison's disease and hypopituitarism; high values are seen in Cushing's syndrome and extreme stress. Synonym: 17-OH-corticoids test, Porter-Silber chromogens test. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Porter-Silber reaction | The basis of the 17-hydroxycorticosteroid test; C-21 adrenocorticosteroids, which contain a dihydroxyacetone group at carbons 19, 20, and 21, react with phenylhydrazine. (05 Mar 2000) |
| portfire | A case of strong paper filled with a composition of niter, sulphur, and mealed powder, used principally to ignite the priming in proving guns, and as an incendiary material in shells. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| portfolio | 1. A portable case for holding loose papers, prints, drawings, etc. 2. Hence: The office and functions of a minister of state or member of the cabinet; as, to receive the portfolio of war; to resign the portfolio. Origin: F. Portefeuille; porter to carry + feuille a leaf. See Port to carry, and Folio. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |