| base of brain | The inferior surface of the brain visible when seen from below. Synonym: facies inferior cerebri, basis cerebri, inferior cerebral surface. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| big brain | <molecular biology> Neurogenic gene of Drosophila, believed to encode a product involved in cell cell communication, perhaps via gap junctions. Member of the major intrinsic protein family. (18 Nov 1997) |
| blood-brain barrier | <pharmacology, physiology> A protective barrier formed by the blood vessels and glia of the brain. It prevents some substances in the blood from entering brain tissue. The blood vessels of the brain (and the retina) are much more impermeable to large molecules (like antibodies) than blood vessels elsewhere in the body. This has important implications for the ability of the organism to mount an immune response in these tissues, although the basis for the difference in endothelial permeability is not well understood. (16 Dec 1997) |
| brain | One of the two components of the central nervous system, the brain is the centre of thought and emotion. It is responsible for the coordination and control of bodily activities and the interpretation of information from the senses (sight, hearing, smell, etc.). (22 May 1997) |
| brain abscess | A localised cavity filled with pus secondary to a bacterial infection. (27 Sep 1997) |
| brain abscess in kids | <radiology> Cyanotic congenital heart disease, e.g., tetralogy of Fallot, most important predisposing factor, blood not filtered by pulmonary capillaries (12 Dec 1998) |
| brain aneurysm | A dilated and weakened portion of a cerebral blood vessel that is prone to rupture. A cerebral aneurysm may occur as a birth defect or develop as the result of long-standing poorly controlled hypertension. Symptoms of a ruptured cerebral aneurysm include a sudden, severe thunderclap headache that may be associated with nausea, vomiting and a decreased level of consciousness. (27 Sep 1997) |
| brain-assocated tyrosine kinase | <enzyme> 86% identical to matk protein. Registry number: EC 2.7.1.- Synonym: batk protein (26 Jun 1999) |
| brain cicatrix | A scarring of the brain resulting from injury (reactive gliosis), characterised by proliferation of mesodermal (vascular) and ectodermal (glial) elements. See: isomorphous gliosis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| brain concussion | Transient or prolonged unconsciousness with or without impairment of higher mental functions and/or brainstem functions, due to a violent blow to the head. (12 Dec 1998) |
| brain congestion | Increased volume of the intravascular compartment of the brain; often associated with brain swelling. Synonym: encephalaemia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| brain contusion | A head injury of sufficient force to bruise the brain. The bruising of the brain will often involve the surface of the brain and cause an extravasation of blood without rupture of the pia-arachnoid. Often associated with a concussion. (27 Sep 1997) |
| brain death | Total cessation of brain function for 24 hours as manifested by absence of spontaneous movement, absence of spontaneous respiration, and absence of all brainstem reflexes. (12 Dec 1998) |
| brain-derived growth factor | <growth factor> Small basic protein purified from pig brain, a member of the family of neurotrophic factors that also includes Nerve Growth Factor and neurotrophin 3. In contrast to nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor is predominanantly (though not exclusively) localised in the CNS. It supports the survival of primary sensory neurons originating from the neural crest and ectodermal placodes that are not responsive to NGF. In the brain brain-derived neurotrophic factor has a trophic action on retinal, cholinergic, and dopaminergic neurons, and in the peripheral nervous system it acts on both motor and sensory neurons. Acronym: BDGF (12 Dec 1998) |
| brain-derived neurotrophic factor | <growth factor> Small basic protein purified from pig brain, a member of the family of neurotrophic factors that also includes Nerve Growth Factor and neurotrophin 3. In contrast to nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor is predominanantly (though not exclusively) localised in the CNS. It supports the survival of primary sensory neurons originating from the neural crest and ectodermal placodes that are not responsive to NGF. In the brain brain-derived neurotrophic factor has a trophic action on retinal, cholinergic, and dopaminergic neurons, and in the peripheral nervous system it acts on both motor and sensory neurons. Acronym: BDGF (12 Dec 1998) |