| reflux | A backward or return flow. Origin: L. Fluxus = flow (18 Nov 1997) |
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| reflux conjunctivitis | An obsolete term for a secondary conjunctivitis due to canaliculitis or dacryocystitis. Synonym: reflux conjunctivitis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| reflux disease, gastroesophageal | The stomach contents regurgitate and back up (reflux) into the oesophagus the food in the stomach is partially digested by stomach acid and enzymes. Normally, the partially digested acid content in the stomach is delivered by the stomach muscle down into the small intestine for further digestion. With oesophageal reflux, stomach acid content refluxes back up into the oesophagus, occasionally reaching the breathing passages, causing inflammation and damage to the oesophagus, as well as to the lung and larynx (the voice box). 10% of patients with gerd develop barrett's oesophagus, a risk fractor in cancer of the oesophagus. (12 Dec 1998) |
| reflux laryngitis | Inflammation of the voice box (larynx) caused by stomach acid backing up into the oesophagus. Reflux laryngitis can cause chronic hoarseness and be associated with other symptoms of inflammation of the oesophagus, such as heartburn. Many treatment options are available. (12 Dec 1998) |
| reflux nephropathy | <nephrology> A condition where the chronic backup of urine into a kidney results in kidney damage. Urine is forced out of the bladder and back toward kidney. This condition occurs most commonly in children who have congenital abnormalities of the urinary tract. Symptoms include back pain, flank, pain, abdominal pain, urinary frequency or urgency and blood in the urine. Other symptoms include nausea, fever and chills, most often indicating a kidney infection has occurred. Diagnosis is frequently confirmed by voiding cystourethrogram. Surgery is often required to correct the reflux of urine. Origin: Gr. Pathos = disease (27 Sep 1997) |
| reflux oesophagitis | <gastroenterology> A disorder where a backwash of gastric juices (acid) into the oesophagus lead to inflammation and pain. Symptoms include heartburn, indigestion, increased belching and upper abdominal pain. Complications include oesophageal stricture. Treatment includes antacids, H2 antagonists and proton pump inhibitors. (27 Sep 1997) |
| reflux otitis media | Otitis media caused by passage of nasopharyngeal secretions through the eustachian tube. (05 Mar 2000) |
| reflux, oesophageal | A condition wherein stomach contents regurgitate or back up (reflux) into the oesophagus (a long cylindrical tube that transports food from the mouth to the stomach). The food in the stomach is partially digested by stomach acid and enzymes. Normally, the partially digested acid content in the stomach is delivered by the stomach muscle into the small intestine for further digestion. In oesophageal reflux, stomach acid content refluxes backwards up into the oesophagus, occasionally reaching the breathing passages, causing inflammation and damage to the oesophagus, as well as to the lung and larynx (the voice box). The overall process is medically termed gastroesophageal reflux disease (gerd). 10% of patients with gerd develop a barrett's oesophagus which can increase the risk of cancer of the oesophagus. (12 Dec 1998) |
| reforestize | To convert again into a forest; to plant again with trees. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| reformat | In computed tomography, when data from a series of contiguous transverse scan images are recombined to produce images in a different plane, such as sagittal or coronal. (05 Mar 2000) |
| reformation | 1. The act of reforming, or the state of being reformed; change from worse to better; correction or amendment of life, manners, or of anything vicious or corrupt; as, the reformation of manners; reformation of the age; reformation of abuses. "Satire lashes vice into reformation." (Dryden) 2. Specifically, the important religious movement commenced by Luther early in the sixteenth century, which resulted in the formation of the various Protestant churches. Synonym: Reform, amendment, correction, rectification. Reformation, Reform. Reformation is a more thorough and comprehensive change than reform. It is applied to subjects that are more important, and results in changes which are more lasting. A reformation involves, and is followed by, many particular reforms. "The pagan converts mention this great reformation of those who had been the greatest sinners, with that sudden and surprising change which the Christian religion made in the lives of the most profligate." . "A variety of schemes, founded in visionary and impracticable ideas of reform, were suddenly produced." . Origin: F. Reformation, L. Reformatio. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| refossion | The act of digging up again. Origin: L. Refodere, refossum, to dig up again. See Fosse. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| refract | 1. To change the direction of a ray of light. 2. To detect an error of refraction and to correct it by means of lenses. Origin: L. Refringo, pp. -fractus, to break up (05 Mar 2000) |
| refractable | Subject to refraction. Synonym: refrangible. (05 Mar 2000) |
| refracted | 1. <botany> Bent backward angularly, as if half-broken; as, a refracted stem or leaf. 2. Turned from a direct course by refraction; as, refracted rays of light. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |