| 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) |
| aortic septal defect | A small congenital opening between the aorta and pulmonary artery about 1 cm above the semilunar valves, e.g., aorticopulmonary window. Synonym: aorticopulmonary window. (05 Mar 2000) |
| aortopulmonary septal defect | A congenital anomaly in which there is abnormal communication between the ascending aorta and pulmonary artery just above the semilunar valves. (12 Dec 1998) |
| atrial septal defect | <cardiology> An inherited condition where there is nonclosure of the foramen ovale at birth, resulting in congenital heart disease. Usually asymptomatic until the third or fourth decades of life. Symptoms include exertional shortness of breath, fatigue and palpitations. Acronym: ASD (12 Jan 1998) |
| atrial ventricular canal defect | A defect caused by deficient or absent septal tissue immediately above and below the normal level of the atrioventricular valves, including the region normally occupied by the A-V septum in hearts with two ventricles. The A-V valves are abnormal to a varying degree. (05 Mar 2000) |
| birth defect | Defect present at birth; sometimes referred to as congenital defect. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ventricular septal defect | <cardiology, embryology> A congenital heart defect where an abnormal opening exists in the ventricular septum. Blood flows from the higher pressure left ventricle (through the defect) into the right ventricle. (12 Jan 1998) |
| Gerbode defect | <cardiology, embryology> A defect in the interventricular portion of the membranous septum, associated with a communication between the right ventricle and the right atrium through an abnormality in the tricuspid valve. (05 Mar 2000) |
| mass defect | <chemistry, radiobiology> Of a nucleus, the difference between the sum of the masses of the constituent nucleons and the mass of the nucleus. (16 Dec 1997) |
| partial endocardial cushion defect | <radiology> Incomplete endocardial cushion defect components: ostium primum atrial septal defect, cleft in anterior mitral valve findings: right AV valve is usually normal, with or without mitral insufficiency, communication between LA_RA or LV-RA, occasionally LV-RV Cf: complete endocardial cushion defect (12 Dec 1998) |