| FF | degree of fineness of abrasive particles; fat-free; father factor; fecal frequency; fertility factor... |
|---|---|
| ICF | immunodeficiency-centromeric instability-facial anomalies [syndrome]; indirect centrifugal flotation... |
| IFV | interstitial fluid volume; intracellular fluid volume |
| IVF | interventricular foramen; intervertebral foramen; intravascular fluid; intravenous fluid; in vitro f... |
| JP drain | The original suction drain. The drain itself is inside the body. It is made of Teflon and has multip... |
| fluid bilayer model | Generally accepted model for membranes in cells. In its original form, the model held that proteins floated in a sea of phospholipids arranged as a bilayer with a central hydrophobic domain. Although it is now recognised that some proteins are restrained by interactions with cytoskeletal elements and that the phospholipid annulus around a protein may contain only specific types of lipid, the model is still considered broadly correct. (18 Nov 1997) |
|---|---|
| fluid mosaic model | A model used to conceptualise cell membranes, in it, the membranesare described as a structually and functionally asymmetric lipidbilayer studded with embedded proteins that aid in cross-membrane transport. (09 Oct 1997) |
| fluid retention | An abnormal accumulation of fluid in cells, tissues or body cavities that results in swelling. (16 Dec 1997) |
| fluid retinopexy | A procedure to repair a detached retina by holding it in place with a fluid that is heavier than vitreous fluid. (05 Mar 2000) |
| fluid shifts | Translocation of body fluids. Shifts from the lower body to the upper part of the body occur under conditions of actual and simulated weightlessness and have the effect of reducing the total body water content and producing a temporary hypovolaemic state. Shifts are also seen following haemodialysis and are caused by electrolyte imbalances. (12 Dec 1998) |
| fluid therapy | Therapy whose basic objective is to restore the volume and composition of the body fluids to normal with respect to water-electrolyte balance. Fluids may be administered intravenously, orally, by intermittent gavage, or by hypodermoclysis. (12 Dec 1998) |
| fluid wave | A sign of free fluid in the abdominal cavity; percussion on one side of the abdomen transmits a wave that is felt on the opposite side. (05 Mar 2000) |
| follicular fluid | <physiology> A fluid consisting of sex steroid hormones, plasma proteins, mucopolysaccharides, and electrolytes that is present in the vesicular ovarian follicle (graafian follicle) surrounding the ovum. (12 Dec 1998) |
| abdominal fistula | A tract leading from one of the abdominal viscera to the external surface. (05 Mar 2000) |
| amphibolic fistula | A complete anal fistula opening both externally and internally. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anal fistula | A fistula opening at or near the anus; usually, but not always, opening into the rectum above the internal sphincter. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anorectal fistula | <surgery> An abnormal tube-like passage connecting the anal canal and the rectum. May result from injuries, abscesses or inflammatory processes (for example cancer, Crohn's disease). (27 Sep 1997) |
| arterio-arterial fistula | Abnormal communication between two arteries. It may result from injury or occur as a congenital abnormality. (12 Dec 1998) |
| arteriovenous fistula | <surgery> The surgical joining of an artery and a vein under the skin for the purpose of haemodialysis. Larger arteriovenous shunts can place strain on the heart since arterial blood is diverted back to the venous circulation before it has a chance to deliver nutrients and oxygen to the body tissues. (27 Sep 1997) |
| A-V fistula | <surgery> The surgical joining of an artery and a vein under the skin for the purpose of haemodialysis. Larger arteriovenous shunts can place strain on the heart since arterial blood is diverted back to the venous circulation before it has a chance to deliver nutrients and oxygen to the body tissues. (27 Sep 1997) |