| free field | A field (three-dimensional space) in a homogeneous, isotropic medium free from boundaries; in practice, a field in which boundary effects are negligible. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| free flap | Island flap in which the donor vessels are severed proximally, the flap is transported as a free object to the recipient area, and the flap is revascularised by anastomosing its supplying vessels to vessels there. (05 Mar 2000) |
| free-floating anxiety | In psychoanalysis, a pervasive unrealistic expectation unattached to a clearly formulated concept or object of fear; observed particularly in anxiety neurosis and may be seen in some cases of latent schizophrenia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| free gingiva | That portion of the gingiva that surrounds the tooth and is not directly attached to the tooth surface; the outer wall of the gingival sulcus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| free graft | A graft transplanted without its normal attachments, or a pedicle, from one site to another. (05 Mar 2000) |
| free-hand knife | A manually operated knife or blade usually used to take split-thickness skin grafts; e.g., Blair-Brown knife, Humby knife, Theirsh knife. (05 Mar 2000) |
| free-hearted | Open; frank; unreserved; liberal; generous; as, free-hearted mirth. Free"-heartedly, Free"-heartedness. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| free induction decay | In magnetic resonance imaging, the decay curve that is detected by the radiofrequency coil after the application of an excitation pulse, without additional pulses (free). (05 Mar 2000) |
| free macrophage | An actively motile macrophage typically found in sites of inflammation. (05 Mar 2000) |
| free mandibular movements | Any mandibular movement's made without tooth interference, any uninhibited movement's of the mandible. (05 Mar 2000) |
| free margin | Unattached edge of a sturcture, often opposite the attached edge. See: free border of nail, free border of ovary. Synonym: margo liber, free margin. (05 Mar 2000) |
| free margin of eyelids | The unattached inferior edge of the upper lid and superior edge of the lower lid, where the anterior (cutaneous) surface of the eyelid meets the posterior (conjunctival) surface of the eyelid. The free margins of the eyelids bound the rima palpebrarum, and each free margin has an anterior and posterior border. See: borders of eyelids. (05 Mar 2000) |
| free-milling | Yielding free gold or silver; said of certain ores which can be reduced by crushing and amalgamation, without roasting or other chemical treatment. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| free nerve endings | A form of peripheral ending of sensory nerve fibres in which the terminal filaments end freely in the tissue. Synonym: terminationes nervorum liberae. (05 Mar 2000) |
| free radical | A chemically active atom or molecular fragment containing a chemical charge due to an excess or deficient number of electrons. Radicals seek to receive or release electrons in order to achieve a more stable configuration, a process that can damage the large molecules within cells. See: Oxidation. (09 Oct 1997) |