| double thymidine block | <cell culture, procedure> A lab technique used to synchronise the cell cycles of all the cells in a culture. This is done by adding excessive amounts of thymidine (a deoxynucleoside) to the culture so that DNA replication is blocked. Eventually, all of the cells will reach the same point in the cell cycle and stop. (09 Oct 1997) |
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| double track sign | In paediatric radiology, a less common sign of congenital pyloric stenosis, when barium is caught between mucosal folds in the hypertrophied pylorus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| double vision | <ophthalmology, symptom> The perception of two images of a single object. Synonym: ambiopia, double vision, binocular polyopia. (18 Nov 1997) |
| double-voided specimen | This refers to a urine specimen which is collected after first emptying the bladder and then waiting until another specimen can be collected. These double-voided urine specimens are more accurate for purposes of glucose testing (urinalysis). If you test a urine specimen that has been held in the bladder for an extended period of time, it will not accurately reflect the glucose content in the bloodstream. A freshly, double voided specimen is preferred. (27 Sep 1997) |
| Traube's double tone | A double sound heard on auscultation over the femoral vessels in cases of aortic and tricuspid insufficiency. (05 Mar 2000) |
| abdominal aortic aneurysm | <surgery> A distended and weakened area in the wall of the abdominal aorta, more common in those who suffer from atherosclerosis. Symptoms include sudden, severe abdominal pain with radiation to the back. (27 Sep 1997) |
| abdominal aortic coarctation | <radiology> 2% of all coarctations, (most common site is thoracic: just distal to origin of L SCA), may be isolated congenital anomaly, associated with: thoracic aortic coarctation, idiopathic hypercalcaemia syndrome, rubella syndrome (ToRCHS), Takayasu arteritis, neurofibromatosis, radiation therapy, fibromuscular disease (12 Dec 1998) |
| abdominal aortic plexus | <anatomy, neurology> An autonomic plexus surrounding the abdominal aorta, directly continuous with the thoracic aortic plexus above and continued inferior to the bifurcation of the aorta as the superior hypogastric plexus. Synonym: plexus aorticus abdominalis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acute aortic dissection | <cardiology> A condition in which a weakened portion of the thoracic aorta begins to tear along the longitudinal axis of the vessel. Symptoms include sudden, severe chest pain that may radiate to the back accompanied by nausea, sweating and difficulty breathing. A common risk factor for this event is atherosclerotic vascular disease and-or hypertension. Advanced cases of syphilis (syphilitic aortitis) can also result in acute thoracic dissection as a complication of infection with Treponema pallidum. (27 Sep 1997) |
| aortic | Relating to the aorta or the aortic orifice of the left ventricle of the heart. Synonym: aortal. (05 Mar 2000) |
| aortic aneurysm | Dangeous ballooning of the aorta (the main artery leaving the heart) which is caused by disease in the artery's wall. (09 Oct 1997) |
| aortic aneurysm, abdominal | An aneurysm in that part of the aorta continuing from the thoracic region and giving rise to the inferior phrenic, lumbar, median sacral, mesenteric, renal, and ovarian or testicular arteries. (12 Dec 1998) |
| aortic aneurysm, thoracic | An aneurysm in the proximal portion of the descending aorta proceeding from the arch of the aorta and giving rise to the bronchial, oesophageal, pericardiac, and mediastinal branches. (12 Dec 1998) |
| aortic area | The region of the chest wall over the second right costal cartilage, where sounds produced at the aortic orifice are often best heard. (05 Mar 2000) |
| aortic atresia | Congenital absence of the normal valvular orifice into the aorta. (05 Mar 2000) |