| Barnes' curve | A curve corresponding in general with Carus' curve, being the segment of a circle whose centre is the promontory of the sacrum. (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| biphasic growth curve | <cell culture, microbiology> A particular type of growth curve seen in cultured microorganisms in which they have two exponential growth stages separated by a plateau phase. This double-hump curve is produced when the microbes are cultured using two carbon sources, one of which must be used up before the second can be used. (19 Jan 1998) |
| buccal curve | The line of the dental arch from the canine, or cuspid tooth to the third molar. (05 Mar 2000) |
| gaussian curve | Continuous frequency distribution of infinite range. Its properties are as follows: 1) continuous, symmetrical distribution with both tails extending to infinity; 2) arithmetic mean, mode, and median identical; and 3) shape completely determined by the mean and standard deviation. (12 Dec 1998) |
| receiver operating characteristic curve | A plot of true positive versus false positive results, usually in a trial of a diagnostic test. A graphical means of assessing the ability of a screening test to discriminate between healthy and diseased persons. Synonym: ROC curve. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Carus' curve | An imaginary curved line obtained from a mathematical formula, supposed to indicate the outlet of the pelvic canal. Synonym: Carus' circle. (05 Mar 2000) |
| maximal expiratory flow-volume curve | <chest medicine> Curves depicting maximal expiratory flow in liters/second at each point of lung inflation (expressed in liters or percentage of forced vital capacity) during a forced vital capacity determination. Common abbreviation is mefv. (12 Dec 1998) |
| passive length-tension curve | The relationship between passive tension and preload (rest length) for a muscle at rest. (05 Mar 2000) |
| von Spee's curve | The anatomic curvature of the mandibular occlusal plane beginning at the tip of the lower cuspid and following the buccal cusps of the posterior teeth, continuing to the terminal molar. Synonym: von Spee's curve. (05 Mar 2000) |
| reverse curve | In dentistry, a curve of occlusion which is convex upward. Synonym: anti-Monson curve. (05 Mar 2000) |
| characteristic curve | Sensitometric curve of radiographic film, a plot of the film density versus the logarithm of the relative exposure. Synonym: H and D curve, Hunter and Driffield curve. (05 Mar 2000) |
| growth curve | A graphic representation of the change in size of an individual or a population over a period of time. (05 Mar 2000) |
| roc curve | A graphic means for assessing the ability of a screening test to discriminate between healthy and diseased persons; may also be used in other studies, e.g., distinguishing stimuli responses as to a faint stimuli or nonstimuli. (12 Dec 1998) |
| Monson curve | The curve of occlusion in which each cusp and incisal edge touches or conforms to a segment of the surface of a sphere 8 inches in diameter with its centre in the region of the glabella. (05 Mar 2000) |
| compensating curve | The anteroposterior and lateral curvature in the alignment of the occluding surfaces and incisal edges of artificial teeth; used to develop balanced occlusion. (05 Mar 2000) |