| function | The special, normal or proper physiologic activity of an organ or part. Origin: L. Functio, from fungi = to do (18 Nov 1997) |
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| 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) |
| absent state | The saemiconscious state associated with an epileptic attack. Synonym: absent state. (05 Mar 2000) |
| activated state | <chemistry, radiobiology> An atom or nucleus which possesses more energy than its ground state energy. (16 Dec 1997) |
| acute confusional state | <psychiatry> A condition of severe confusion or rapid change in brain function. This often occurs as the result of a mental illness or physical illness. Symptoms include lethargy, agitation, confusion, disorientation and delirium. (27 Sep 1997) |
| anxiety tension state | A milder form of an anxiety disorder. See: anxiety disorders. (05 Mar 2000) |
| apallic state | Diffuse, bilateral cerebral cortical degeneration caused by head injury, anoxia, or encephalitis, a state of persistent unresponsiveness, such as akinetic mutism, caused by brain damage. See: vegetative. Synonym: apallic syndrome, apallic. (05 Mar 2000) |
| carrier state | A condition in which a human who is not himself sick harbors an infective organism which may cause disease in those to whom it is transmitted. (12 Dec 1998) |
| refractory state | Subnormal excitability immediately following a response to previous excitation; the state is divided into absolute and relative phases. (05 Mar 2000) |
| central excitatory state | The building up of excitatory influences produced by individual impulses finally causes firing of the next neuron. (05 Mar 2000) |
| perfect state | In fungi, that portion of the life cycle in which spores are formed after nuclear fusion. (05 Mar 2000) |