| functional sphincter | A section of a tubular structure that acts as if it has a band of circular muscle to constrict it, although no such specialised structure can be found on morphological examination. Synonym: functional sphincter, radiological sphincter. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| functional splint | The joining of two or more teeth into a rigid unit by means of fixed restorations that cover all or part of the abutment teeth. (05 Mar 2000) |
| functional stricture | A stricture due to localised spasm of muscular fibres in the wall of the canal. Synonym: functional stricture, temporary stricture. (05 Mar 2000) |
| functional terminal innervation ratio | The number of muscle fibres divided by the number of axons that innervate them. (05 Mar 2000) |
| functional visual loss | An apparent loss of visual acuity or visual field with no substantiating physical signs; often due to a natural concern about visual loss combined with suggestibility and a fear of the worst; best treated with reassurance. (05 Mar 2000) |
| functional vocal fatigue | Difficult or abnormal voice production, the enunciation being too high, too loud, or too hard. Synonym: functional vocal fatigue. Origin: phon-+ G. Astheneia, weakness (05 Mar 2000) |