| somatic sensory cortex | Somatosensory cortex, the region of the cerebral cortex receiving the somatic sensory radiation from the ventrobasal nucleus of the thalamus; it represents the primary cortical processing mechanism for sensory information originating at the body surfaces (touch) and in deeper tissues such as muscle, tendons, and joint capsules (position sense); it corresponds approximately to Brodmann's areas 1, 2, 3 on the postcentral gyrus. Synonym: somesthetic area. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| somatic swallow | A swallowing pattern with muscular contractions which appear to be under control of the person at a subconscious level; distinguished from visceral swallow. Visceral swallow, the immature swallowing pattern of an infant or a person with tongue thrust, resembling peristaltic wavelike muscular contractions observed in the gut; adult or mature swallowing is more volitional and therefore somatic. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anaesthetics, general | Agents that induce various degrees of analgesia; depression of consciousness, circulation, and respiration; relaxation of skeletal muscle; reduction of reflex activity; and amnesia. There are two types of general anaesthetics, inhalation and intravenous. With either type, the arterial concentration of drug required to induce anaesthesia varies with the condition of the patient, the desired depth of anaesthesia, and the concomitant use of other drugs. (12 Dec 1998) |
| arthritic general pseudoparalysis | A disease, occurring in arthritic subjects, having symptoms resembling those of general paresis, the lesions of which consist of diffuse changes of a degenerative and noninflammatory character due to intracranial atheroma. (05 Mar 2000) |
| major general | An officer of the army holding a rank next above that of brigadier general and next below that of lieutenant general, and who usually commands a division or a corps. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| general | 1. Relating to a genus or kind; pertaining to a whole class or order; as, a general law of animal or vegetable economy. 2. Comprehending many species or individuals; not special or particular; including all particulars; as, a general inference or conclusion. 3. Not restrained or limited to a precise import; not specific; vague; indefinite; lax in signification; as, a loose and general expression. 4. Common to many, or the greatest number; widely spread; prevalent; extensive, though not universal; as, a general opinion; a general custom. "This general applause and cheerful sout Argue your wisdom and your love to Richard." (Shak) 5. Having a relation to all; common to the whole; as, Adam, our general sire. 6. As a whole; in gross; for the most part. "His general behavior vain, ridiculous." (Shak) 7. Usual; common, on most occasions; as, his general habit or method. The word general, annexed to a name of office, usually denotes chief or superior; as, attorney-general; adjutant general; commissary general; quartermaster general; vicar-general, etc. General agent, a warrant, now illegal, to apprehend suspected persons, without naming individuals. Synonym: General, Common, Universal. Common denotes primarily that in which many share; and hence, that which is often met with. General is stronger, denoting that which pertains to a majority of the individuals which compose a genus, or whole. Universal, that which pertains to all without exception. To be able to read and write is so common an attainment in the United States, that we may pronounce it general, though by no means universal. 1. The whole; the total; that which comprehends or relates to all, or the chief part; opposed to particular. "In particulars our knowledge begins, and so spreads itself by degrees to generals." (Locke) 2. One of the chief military officers of a government or country; the commander of an army, of a body of men not less than a brigade. In European armies, the highest military rank next below field marshal. In the United States the office of General of the Army has been created by temporary laws, and has been held only by Generals U. S. Grant, W. T. Sherman, and P. H. Sheridan. Popularly, the title General is given to various general officers, as General, Lieutenant general, Major general, Brigadier general, Commissary general, etc. See Brigadier general, Lieutenant general, Major general, in the Vocabulary. 3. The roll of the drum which calls the troops together; as, to beat the general. 4. The chief of an order of monks, or of all the houses or congregations under the same rule. 5. The public; the people; the vulgar. In general, in the main; for the most part. Origin: F. General, fr. L. Generalis. See Genus. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| general acid-base catalysis | A catalytic reaction that involves the tranfer of a proton to or from anon-water molecule. (09 Oct 1997) |
| general adaptation syndrome | <syndrome> The sum of all non-specific systemic reactions of the body to long-continued exposure to systemic stress. (12 Dec 1998) |
| general anaesthesia | A form of anaesthesia that results in putting the patient to sleep. Total body anaesthesia. Origin: Gr. Aisthesis = sensation (27 Sep 1997) |
| general anaesthetic | A compound that produces loss of sensation associated with loss of consciousness. (05 Mar 2000) |
| general anatomy | The study of gross and microscopic structures as well as of the composition of the body, its tissues and fluids. (05 Mar 2000) |
| general bloodletting | Removing blood by arteriotomy or phlebotomy. (05 Mar 2000) |
| general duty nurse | Nurse who accepts assignment to any unit of a hospital other than an intensive care unit. (05 Mar 2000) |
| general fertility rate | A refined measure of fertility in a population; the numerator is the number of live births in a year, the denominator is the number of females of child-bearing age, usually defined as ages 15-44 (but increasingly recognised as extending to age 49). (05 Mar 2000) |
| general hospital | Any large civilian hospital that is equipped to care for medical, surgical, maternity, and psychiatric cases, and usually has a resident medical staff. (05 Mar 2000) |