| arch of thoracic duct | See: thoracic duct. (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| arterial duct | Before birth, the blood headed from the heart (via the pulmonary artery) for the lungs is shunted away from the lungs and returned to the greatest of arteries (the aorta). The shunt is through a short vessel called the ductus arteriosus. When the shunt is open, it is said to be patent (pronounced pa'tent). The patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) usually closes at or shortly after birth and blood is permtted from that moment on to course freely to the lungs. If the ductus stays open (patent), flow reverses and blood from the aorta is shunted into the pulmonary artery and recirculated through the lungs. The PDA may close later spontaneously (on its own) or need to be ligated (tied off) surgically. (12 Dec 1998) |
| Bartholin's duct | The duct that drains the anterior portion of the sublingual gland; it opens at the sublingual papilla. Synonym: ductus sublingualis major, Bartholin's duct. (05 Mar 2000) |
| basilar crest of cochlear duct | An inward projection of the spiral ligament of the cochlea to which is attached the basilar membrane forming the floor of the cochlear duct. Synonym: crista basilaris ductus cochlearis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Bernard's duct | The excretory duct of the head of the pancreas, one branch of which joins the pancreatic duct, the other opening independently into the duodenum at the lesser duodenal papilla. Synonym: ductus pancreaticus accessorius, Bernard's canal, Bernard's duct, ductus dorsopancreaticus, Santorini's canal, Santorini's duct. (05 Mar 2000) |
| bile duct | <anatomy> A duct that carries bile from the liver and gallbladder to the duodenum (first part of the small intestine). (27 Sep 1997) |
| bile duct obstruction, extrahepatic | Impairment of bile flow through the hepatic, cystic, or common bile ducts or vater's ampulla. This is sometimes called surgical jaundice. (12 Dec 1998) |
| bile duct pressure | <radiology> Normal: 15-20 cm H2O (12 Dec 1998) |
| bile duct stricture | <surgery> An abnormal narrowing of the common bile duct. A potential cause for biliary obstruction. Risk factors are prior surgery, pancreatitis, trauma and gallstones. Symptoms include jaundice, fever, chills and abdominal pain. Endoscopic surgery has been successful in removing strictures of the bile duct. (27 Sep 1997) |
| biliary duct | <anatomy> A duct that carries bile from the liver and gallbladder to the duodenum (first part of the small intestine). (27 Sep 1997) |
| Blasius' duct | The duct of the parotid gland opening from the cheek into the vestibule of the mouth opposite the neck of the superior second molar tooth. Synonym: ductus parotideus, Blasius' duct, Stensen's duct, Steno's duct. (05 Mar 2000) |
| blocked tear duct | A blocked nasolacrimal duct which normally carries tears from the eyes to the nose. Commonly seen in infants, but usually resolves spontaneously by age 2-3. In adults blockage can occur from chronic sinusitis or trauma. A gentle massage of the lacrimal gland 2-3 times a day for several months may reopen the tear duct. (27 Sep 1997) |
| blunt duct adenosis | Adenosis of the breast in which the ducts are enlarged but not increased in number. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Botallo's duct | Before birth, the blood headed from the heart (via the pulmonary artery) for the lungs is shunted away from the lungs and returned to the greatest of arteries (the aorta). The shunt is through a short vessel called the ductus arteriosus. When the shunt is open, it is said to be patent (pronounced pa'tent). The patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) usually closes at or shortly after birth and blood is permtted from that moment on to course freely to the lungs. If the ductus stays open (patent), flow reverses and blood from the aorta is shunted into the pulmonary artery and recirculated through the lungs. The PDA may close later spontaneously (on its own) or need to be ligated (tied off) surgically. (12 Dec 1998) |
| bucconeural duct | The slender tubular part of the hypophysial diverticulum; the stalk of Rathke's pocket. Synonym: bucconeural duct, hypophysial duct. (05 Mar 2000) |