| familial splenic anaemia | <disease> A chronic congenital disease of lipid metabolism caused by a deficiency of the beta-glucocerebrosidase enzyme. The defect is most common in Ashkenazi Jews. Clinical features are hepatosplenomegaly (enlargement of liver and spleen) and in severe early onset forms of the disease, with neurological dysfunction. Inheritance: autosomal recessive. (27 Sep 1997) |
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| familial tremor | <neurology> A neurologic disorder that runs in families and manifests as tremor which typically increases with purposeful movements. Stimulant use can increase tremor. (27 Sep 1997) |
| familial white folded dysplasia | An autosomal dominant condition of the oral cavity characterised by soft, white or opalescent, thickened and corrugated folds of mucous membrane; other mucosal sites are occasionally involved simultaneously. Synonym: familial white folded dysplasia, oral epithelial nevus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| lipoprotein lipase deficiency, familial | A rare familial condition characterised by massive chylomicronaemia and decreased levels of other lipoproteins. It is due to deficiency of lipoprotein lipase, an alkaline triglyceride hydrolase which catalyses an important step in the extrahepatic removal of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins from the blood. (12 Dec 1998) |
| air-conditioner lung | An extrinsic allergic alveolitis caused by forced air contaminated by thermophilic actinomycetes and other organisms. (05 Mar 2000) |
| airless lung | <radiology> Tumour, foreign body, mucous plug (12 Dec 1998) |
| anterior border of lung | The thin anteromedial or sternal edge of the lung which overlaps the pericardial sac anteriorly and forms the boundary between the mediastinal and costal surfaces. Synonym: margo anterior pulmonis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| apex of lung | The rounded, upper extremity of each lung that extends into the cupula of the pleura. Synonym: apex pulmonis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| apical interstitial lung disease | <radiology> A radiological diagnosis where fibrosis is seen in the apices (upper sections) of the lungs. Likely causes include: cystic fibrosis, ankylosing spondylitis, sarcoidosis, silicosis, eosinophlic granuloma, TB and fungus, particularly aspergillus infection. (25 Jun 1999) |
| asbestos lung disease | <radiology> Pleural plaques, earliest finding, may be only evidence, parietal pleura, 15-20 yrs after exposure, calcified after ca. 30 yrs, asbestosis, interstitial lung disease, perihilar regions to lung bases, shaggy heart, no cavitation or progressive massive fibrosis as in silicosis, crocidolite (blue) form most carcinogenic, associated with: malignant pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma, GI-tract malignancy (12 Dec 1998) |
| azygos lobe of lung | A small accessory lobe sometimes found on the apex of the right lung; separated from the rest of the upper lobe by a deep groove lodging the azygos vein. Synonym: lobus azygos. (05 Mar 2000) |
| base of lung | The lower concave part of the lung that rests upon the convexity of the diaphragm. Synonym: basis pulmonis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| basilar interstitial lung disease | <radiology> B bronchiectasis, A asbestosis, D drugs / DIP, L lymphangitic metastasis / LAM, A aspiration, S sarcoidosis, S scleroderma (12 Dec 1998) |
| biopsy, open lung | <investigation, procedure, surgery> A procedure which involves the removal of a small specimen of lung tissue for microscopic analysis via a surgical incision in the chest wall. This test can be used to identify a variety of lung cancers, lung infections and lung diseases. (21 Mar 1998) |
| bird-breeder's lung | <chest medicine> Extrinsic allergic alveolitis caused by an allergic reaction to components of the bird or bird droppings. (19 Jan 1998) |