| ISI | International Sensitivity Index of reagent/instrument combination |
|---|---|
| CLCS | colchicine sensitivity |
| C&S | calvarium and scalp; conjunctiva and sclera; culture and sensitivity |
| DS | dead air space; dead space; deep sedative; deep sleep; defined substrate; dehydroepiandrosterone sul... |
| DTS | dense tubular system; diphtheria toxin sensitivity; donor transfusion, specific |
| optic radiation | The massive, fanlike fibre system passing from the lateral geniculate body of the thalamus to the visual cortex (striate or calcarine cortex, area 17 of Brodmann); the fibres follow the retrolenticular and sublenticular limbs of the internal capsule into the corona radiata but they curve back along the lateral wall of the temporal and occipital horns of the lateral ventricle to the striate cortex on the medial surface and pole of the occipital lobe. Synonym: radiatio optica, geniculocalcarine radiation, geniculocalcarine tract, Gratiolet's fibres, Gratiolet's radiation, occipitothalamic radiation, Wernicke's radiation. (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| electromagnetic radiation | <physics> Radiation (such as radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays) which consists of associated, interacting electric and magnetic field waves which travel at the speed of light. All forms of electromagnetic radiation can be transmitted through vacuum. Electromagnetic waves in plasmas are generally more complex in their behaviour, depending on their frequency. (09 Oct 1997) |
| excitation radiation | <radiobiology> Line radiation (at characteristic frequencies / wavelengths) as a result of the promotion of electrons or other constituent particles of a larger system to excited states, and the subsequent de-excitation of these states by radiative transitions. (09 Oct 1997) |
| external radiation | Radiation therapy that uses a machine located outside the body to aim high-energy rays at the cancer. (16 Dec 1997) |
| external radiation therapy | Radiation therapy using a machine located outside the body to aim high-energy rays at a tumour. (12 Dec 1998) |
| ultraviolet radiation | <physics> Invisible light, next to visible light in the electromagnetic spectrum. The most common source of ultraviolet radiation is the sun. Acronym: UV (16 Dec 1997) |
| K-radiation | Usually a very penetrating form of x-radiation excited by cathode rays (high speed electrons) impinging upon a metal anode such as tungsten; the energy of the radiation is a function of the binding energy of the K-shell electrons of the metal anode. (05 Mar 2000) |
| L-radiation | An x-radiation of slight penetrating power excited by cathode rays (high speed electrons) impinging on a metal anode; the energy of the radiation is a function of the binding energy of the L-shell electrons of the metal anode. (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) |