| benign paroxysmal peritonitis | familial paroxysmal polyserositis |
|---|---|
| benign paroxysmal postural vertigo | A recurrent, brief form of postural vertigo occurring in clusters; believed to result from displaced remnants of utricular otoconia. Synonym: cupulolithiasis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| benign positional vertigo | Brief attacks of paroxysmal vertigo and nystagmus that occur solely with certain head movements or positions, e.g., with neck extension; due to labyrinthine dysfunction. Synonym: positional vertigo of Barany, postural vertigo. (05 Mar 2000) |
| benign prostatic hyperplasia | <urology> A benign enlargement of the prostate gland begins normally after age 50 years probably secondary to the effects of male hormones. If significant enlargement occurs, it may pinch off te urethra making urination difficult or impossible. See: urinary retention. Origin: Gr. Plassein = to form (06 Aug 1998) |
| benign prostatic hypertrophy | <urology> A benign enlargement of the prostate gland begins normally after age 50 years probably secondary to the effects of male hormones. If significant enlargement occurs, it may pinch off te urethra making urination difficult or impossible. See: urinary retention. (06 Aug 1998) |
| benign pseudohypertrophic muscular dystrophy | <neurology> An X-linked inherited disorder characterised by slowly progressive muscle weakness of the legs and pelvis. Other symptoms and findings include increased difficulty walking, intellectual retardation, fatigue and pseudohypertrophy of the calf muscles. (06 Aug 1998) |
| benign stupor | A stuporous syndrome from which recovery is the rule, as opposed to malignant stupor. Synonym: depressive stupor. (05 Mar 2000) |
| benign tertian malaria | <disease, microbiology> A type of malaria caused by the protozoan Plasmodium vivax, it isthe most common form of the disease, is rarely fatal but is the most difficult to cure, and is characterised by fevers that typically occur every other day. (11 Nov 1997) |
| benign tetanus | A disorder marked by intermittent tonic muscular contractions of the extremities, especially the hands and feet (carpopedal spasm), accompanied by paresthesias and, when severe, by crowing respirations due to laryngospasm and seizures; results from hypocalcaemia, caused by various disorders, including gastrointestinal abnormalities. Synonym: intermittent cramp. (05 Mar 2000) |
| benign tumour | <oncology> A nonmalignant clone of neoplastic cells that does not invade locally or spread to other parts of the body (metastasise), having lost growth control but not positional control. Usually surrounded by a fibrous capsule of compressed tissue. (29 Sep 1997) |
| benin | A republic in western africa, south of niger and between togo and nigeria. Its capital is porto-novo. It was formerly called dahomey. In the 17th century it was a kingdom in the southern area of africa. Coastal footholds were established by the french who deposed the ruler by 1892. It was made a french colony in 1894 and gained independence in 1960. Benin comes from the name of the indigenous inhabitants, the bini, now more closely linked with southern nigeria (benin city, a town there). Bini may be related to the arabic bani, sons. (12 Dec 1998) |
| benitier | A holy-water stoup. Origin: F, fr. Benir to bless. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| benne | <botany> The name of two plants (Sesamum orientale and S. Indicum), originally Asiatic; also called oil plant. From their seeds an oil is expressed, called benne oil, used mostly for making soap. In the southern United States the seeds are used in candy. Origin: Malay bijen. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| benne oil | <chemical> The refined fixed oil obtained from the seed of one or more cultivated varieties of sesamum indicum. It is used as a solvent and oleaginous vehicle for drugs and has been used internally as a laxative and externally as a skin softener. It is used also in the manufacture of margarine, soap, and cosmetics. Chemical name: Fats and Glyceridic oils, sesame (12 Dec 1998) |
| bennet | <botany> The common yellow-flowered avens of Europe (Geum urbanum); herb bennet. The name is sometimes given to other plants, as the hemlock, valerian, etc. Origin: F. Benoite, fr. L. Benedicta, fem. Of benedictus. (06 Aug 1998) |