| ionising radiation | <radiobiology> Radiation sufficiently energetic to dislodge electrons from an atom. Ionising radiation includes x and gamma radiation, electrons (beta radiation), alpha particles (helium nuclei) and heavier charge atomic nuclei. Neutrons ionise indirectly by colliding with atomic nuclei. Alpha and gamma radiation are far more effective at producing ionisation (and therefore more likely to cause tissue or cell damage) than beta radiation or neutrons. (16 Dec 1997) |
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| ionizing radiation | Corpuscular (e.g., neutrons, electrons) or electromagnetic (e.g., gamma) radiation of sufficient energy to ionise the irradiated material. (05 Mar 2000) |
| occipitothalamic radiation | The massive, fanlike fibre system passing from the lateral geniculate body of the thalamus to the visual cortex (striate or calcarine cortex, area 17 of Brodmann); the fibres follow the retrolenticular and sublenticular limbs of the internal capsule into the corona radiata but they curve back along the lateral wall of the temporal and occipital horns of the lateral ventricle to the striate cortex on the medial surface and pole of the occipital lobe. Synonym: radiatio optica, geniculocalcarine radiation, geniculocalcarine tract, Gratiolet's fibres, Gratiolet's radiation, occipitothalamic radiation, Wernicke's radiation. (05 Mar 2000) |
| optic radiation | The massive, fanlike fibre system passing from the lateral geniculate body of the thalamus to the visual cortex (striate or calcarine cortex, area 17 of Brodmann); the fibres follow the retrolenticular and sublenticular limbs of the internal capsule into the corona radiata but they curve back along the lateral wall of the temporal and occipital horns of the lateral ventricle to the striate cortex on the medial surface and pole of the occipital lobe. Synonym: radiatio optica, geniculocalcarine radiation, geniculocalcarine tract, Gratiolet's fibres, Gratiolet's radiation, occipitothalamic radiation, Wernicke's radiation. (05 Mar 2000) |
| electromagnetic radiation | <physics> Radiation (such as radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays) which consists of associated, interacting electric and magnetic field waves which travel at the speed of light. All forms of electromagnetic radiation can be transmitted through vacuum. Electromagnetic waves in plasmas are generally more complex in their behaviour, depending on their frequency. (09 Oct 1997) |
| excitation radiation | <radiobiology> Line radiation (at characteristic frequencies / wavelengths) as a result of the promotion of electrons or other constituent particles of a larger system to excited states, and the subsequent de-excitation of these states by radiative transitions. (09 Oct 1997) |
| external radiation | Radiation therapy that uses a machine located outside the body to aim high-energy rays at the cancer. (16 Dec 1997) |
| ultraviolet radiation | <physics> Invisible light, next to visible light in the electromagnetic spectrum. The most common source of ultraviolet radiation is the sun. Acronym: UV (16 Dec 1997) |
| K-radiation | Usually a very penetrating form of x-radiation excited by cathode rays (high speed electrons) impinging upon a metal anode such as tungsten; the energy of the radiation is a function of the binding energy of the K-shell electrons of the metal anode. (05 Mar 2000) |
| L-radiation | An x-radiation of slight penetrating power excited by cathode rays (high speed electrons) impinging on a metal anode; the energy of the radiation is a function of the binding energy of the L-shell electrons of the metal anode. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acupuncture therapy | Treatment of disease by inserting needles along specific pathways or meridians. The placement varies with the disease being treated. Heat or moxibustion and acupressure may be used in conjunction. (12 Dec 1998) |
| adjuvant therapy | <oncology, pharmacology> Treatment that is added to increase the effectiveness of a primary treatment. In cancer, adjuvant treatment usually refers to chemotherapy, hormonal therapy or radiation therapy after surgery to increase the likelihood of killing all cancer cells. (14 May 1997) |
| alternative therapy | A term given to nonconventional therapy usually given by persons who do not have a medical qualification. (16 Dec 1997) |
| analytic therapy | Short term for psychoanalytic therapy. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Antibody Directed Enzyme Prodrug Therapy | <pharmacology> A method for targeting a drug to a specific tissue, in which the targeting agent and the drug are administered separately. The drug is designed to be inactive (a prodrug) until it is converted by an enzyme, which is the targeting agent. The enzyme is coupled to an antibody that directs it to the tissue of interest. When the enzyme arrives at the tissue, the prodrug is activated only at that site, sparing other tissues from potentially toxic side effects. Acronym: ADEPT (14 Nov 1997) |