| kurtosis | The extent to which a unimodal distribution is peaked. Origin: G., an arching (05 Mar 2000) |
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| Kuru | <disease, virology> Degenerative disease of the central nervous system found in members of the Fore tribe of new Guinea: a spongiform encephalopathy (prion disease) similar to scrapie and thought to be transmitted by cannibalism. (18 Nov 1997) |
| Kurunegala ulcers | pyosis tropica |
| Kurzrok-Ratner test | A test for oestrogens in the urine; the urine is extracted with ethyl acetate and, after purification, the extract is subjected to bioassay as in the Allen-Doisy test. (05 Mar 2000) |
| kusimanse | <zoology> A carnivorous animal (Crossarchus obscurus) of tropical Africa. It its allied to the civets. Synonym: kusimansel, and mangue. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| Kuskokwim syndrome | <syndrome> Congenital joint contractures resembling arthrogryposis, found in Eskimos of the Kuskokwim River delta in Alaska. (05 Mar 2000) |
| kuskus | <botany> See Vetiver. Origin: Per. & Hind. Khaskhas. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| kussier | (Mus) A Turkish instrument of music, with a hollow body covered with skin, over which five strings are stretched. Alternative forms: kussir. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| Kussmaul | Adolph, German physician, 1822-1902. See: Kussmaul respiration, Kussmaul's aphasia, Kussmaul's coma, Kussmaul's disease, Kussmaul's paradoxical pulse, Kussmaul's sign, Kussmaul's symptom, Kussmaul-Kien respiration, Kussmaul's pulse. (05 Mar 2000) |
| kussmaul breathing | Air hunger. (12 Dec 1998) |
| Kussmaul respiration | Deep, rapid respiration characteristic of diabetic or other causes of acidosis. Synonym: Kussmaul-Kien respiration. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Kussmaul's aphasia | Mutism in psychosis; a misnomer; not actually an aphasia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Kussmaul's coma | A severe metabolic derangement that occurs in the absence of insulin. Insulin allows the body to absorb glucose into cells for energy production. In the absence of insulin, the body starts to break down fats for fuel. A metabolic byproduct of fat metabolism is referred to as a ketone. The presence of elevated blood ketones in this setting is known as diabetic ketoacidosis. In extreme, untreated cases, this can lead to coma and death. (27 Sep 1997) |
| Kussmaul's disease | <radiology> Necrotizing vasculitis of medium-sized arteries, usually in male adults, associated with hepatitis B antigen, kidney: most frquently involved organ (85%), multiple small intrarenal aneurysms, aneurysms may disappear (thrombosis) or appear in new locations, arterial narrowing and thrombosis (chronic/healing stage), multiple small cortical infarcts, associated with hypertension and renal failure, chest involvement (70%), cardiomegaly/pericardial effusion (14%), wedge shaped/round peripheral infiltrates simulating PE (14%), interstitial lower lung field pneumonitis, also may involve liver (66%), mesenteric vessels (50%), skeletal muscle (39%), skin (20%) (12 Dec 1998) |
| Kussmaul's paradoxical pulse | An exaggeration of the normal variation in the pulse volume with respiration, becoming weaker with inspiration and stronger with expiration; characteristic of cardiac tamponade, rare in constrictive pericarditis; so called because these changes are independent of changes in the cardiac rate as measured directly or by electrocardiogram. Synonym: pulsus paradoxus, pulsus respiratione intermittens. (05 Mar 2000) |