| Fenn effect | The increased liberation of heat in a stimulated muscle when it is allowed to do mechanical work; the amount of heat liberated is increased in proportion to the distance the muscle is allowed to shorten and in proportion to the tension it must develop (e.g., the weight it lifts) during shortening; thus increased chemical energy is consumed both to liberate increased heat and to do increased mechanical work. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| zygotic effect gene | <genetics> A gene whose phenotype is dependent on the genotype of the zygote, rather than the genotype of the mother. See: maternal effect gene. (18 Nov 1997) |
| late effect | Side effects of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy which only become apparent with long-term monitoring of the patient over a period of years. These are of particular concern in patients below the age of puberty. (18 Nov 1997) |
| founder effect | The establishment of a new population by a few original founders (in an extreme case, by a single fertilized female) which carry only a small fraction of the total genetic variation of the parental population [Ernst Mayr, 1963]. The result is that a given allele, gene, chromosome, or part of a chromosome found in members of the population can be traced back to one ancestral individual. (09 Oct 1997) |
| abscess, skin | Medical term for a common boil. (12 Dec 1998) |
| allergy skin test | Test done on the skin to identify the allergy substance (allergen) triggering the allergic reaction. A small amount of the suspected allergy substance is placed on the skin. The skin is then gently scratched through the small drop with a special sterile needle. If the skin reddens and, more importantly, swells, then allergy to that substance is probable. (12 Dec 1998) |
| alligator skin | <dermatology> A group of cutaneous disorders characterised by increased or aberrant keratinisation, resulting in noninflammatory scaling of the skin. Many different metaphors have been used to describe the appearance and texture of the skin in the various types and stages of ichthyosis, for example alligator, collodion, crocodile, fish and porcupine skin. most ichthyoses are genetically determined, while some may be acquired and develop in association with various systemic diseases or be a prominent feature in certain genetic syndromes. The term is commonly used alone to refer to i. Vulgaris. (18 Nov 1997) |
| appendages of skin | The hairs, nails, and sweat, sebaceous, and mammary glands. (05 Mar 2000) |
| aspergillus antigen skin test | <investigation> An antigen, prepared from aspergillus, is injected into the skin. In 48 to 72 hours the site is read as positive or negative. A positive skin test (inflammation at the test site) indicates prior exposure to aspergillus and therefore a risk for developing aspergillosis. (27 Sep 1997) |
| bronzed skin | The dark skin in Addison's disease. (05 Mar 2000) |
| calipers, skin | Calipers are instruments used to measure the diameter of an object. (The word calipers is a corruption of caliber ). The skin fold thickness in several parts of the body can be measured with calipers, a metal or plastic tool similar to a compass. This is done in medicine and physical anthropology. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cancer, skin | Cancer of the outer surface of the body. The most common cancer in the U.S. There are many types of skin cancer. Ultraviolet light from sunlight is the main cause of skin cancer. Unexplained changes in the appearance of the skin, lasting longer than 2 weeks, should be evaluated by a doctor. The cure rate for skin cancer could be 100% if all skin cancers were brought to a doctor's attention before they had a chance to spread. (12 Dec 1998) |
| carcinoma, skin appendage | A malignant tumour of the skin appendages, which include the hair, nails, sebaceous glands, sweat glands, and the mammary glands. (12 Dec 1998) |
| galvanic skin reaction | A change in electrical resistance of the skin, occurring in emotion and in certain other conditions. (12 Dec 1998) |
| galvanic skin reflex | A change in electrical resistance of the skin, occurring in emotion and in certain other conditions. (12 Dec 1998) |