| BL | Barre-Lieou [syndrome]; basal lamina; baseline; Bessey-Lowry [unit]; black light; bladder; bleeding;... |
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| BLS | bare lymphocyte syndrome; basic life support; blind loop syndrome; blood and lymphatic system; blood... |
| BSA | benzenesulfonic acid; Biofeedback Society of America; bismuth-sulfite agar; bis-trimethylsilyl-aceta... |
| BVA | Blind Veterans Association; British Veterinary Association |
| CB | Bachelor of Surgery [Lat. Chirurgiae Baccalaureus]; calcium blocker; carbenicillin; carotid body; ch... |
| 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) |
| Abbe test plate | <equipment> A long, wedge-shaped coverslip about 0.20 mm thick at one end and 0.10 to 0.12 mm at the other end coated chemically with a silver film on which are ruled horizontal lines. at each variation in thickness of 0.01 mm there are vertical lines. By means of oblique illumination and by focusing on different portions of the plate, it is possible to determine the optimum coverslip thickness for any objective and also, for microscopes with drawtubes, the tube length for best objective performance. The approximate freedom from spherical and chromatic aberrations can also be estimated. Small isolated bits of silver near the edges of the lines form good objects for the star test (05 Aug 1998) |
| acetone test | A test for ketonuria; the suspected urine is shaken up with a few drops of sodium nitroprusside, and strong ammonia water is then gently poured over the mixture; if acetone is present, a magenta ring forms at the line of contact; tablets containing sodium nitroprusside and alkali are now more commonly used. (05 Mar 2000) |
| achievement test | A standardised test used to measure acquired learning, e.g., competence in a specific subject area such as reading or arithmetic, in contrast to an intelligence test which is a useful index of potential ability or learning. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acidified serum test | Lysis of the patient's red cells in acidified fresh serum, specific for paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria. Synonym: Ham's test. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acid loading test | <nephrology> This is a test used in the diagnosis of renal tubular acidosis. The patient takes ammonium chloride capsules for 3 days to acidify the blood (lower blood pH). A sample of the urine and the blood is then collected and the results are interpreted. (27 Sep 1997) |
| acid perfusion test | <gastroenterology, investigation> A test used to diagnosis gastrooesophageal reflux disease. This investigation requires that the patient swallow 3 tiny tubes into the stomach. A mixture of hydrochloric acid (like stomach acid) and saline are alternatively injected into the tubes. The patient then reports any symptoms they may have. Some patients may vomit. (13 Nov 1997) |
| acid phosphatase test for semen | A screening test for semen by determining acid phosphatase content; because seminal fluid contains high concentrations of acid phosphatase, while other body fluids and extraneous foreign materials have very low concentrations, high values of acid phosphatase on vaginal aspirate or lavage, or on wash fluid from stains, render positive identification of semen, even if the male is aspermic. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acid reflux test | A test to detect gastroesophageal reflux by monitoring oesophageal pH by an electrode in the distal oesophagus either basally or after acid is instilled into the stomach. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ACTH stimulation test | A test for adrenal cortical function; ACTH administered by continuous intravenous infusion, or intramuscularly, evokes an increase in plasma cortisol in normal persons; in adrenal cortical insufficiency, the expected increase in plasma cortisol is limited or nonexistent. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ACTH suppression test | <investigation> A test that measures the response of the adrenal glands to ACTH. In this case, dexamethasone is given to the patient and then blood cortisol levels are measured. Under normal conditions, cortisol levels should drop in response to dexamethasone. In this test one milligram of dexamethasone is administered in the morning and then the blood is drawn for analysis the following morning. Abnormal test results can indicate Cushing's syndrome. (27 Sep 1997) |