Medical terms - Letter A (page 29) | MedicalVocabulary.org

Asymptomatic

Without symptoms. For example, an asymptomatic infection is an infection with no symptoms
Asymptomatic infection

An infection without symptoms. Also known as inapparent or subclinical infection
Asystole

A dire form of cardiac arrest in which the heart stops beating -- there is no systole -- and there is no electrical activity in the heart. The heart is at a total standstill. In the past the asystolic heart usually…
AT (in DNA)

AT stands for adenine and thymine, a base pair in DNA. The other base pair in DNA is GC (guanine and cytosine)
Ataxia

Wobbliness. Incoordination and unsteadiness due to the brain's failure to regulate the body's posture and regulate the strength and direction of limb movements. Ataxia is usually a consequence of disease in the brain…
Ataxia telangiectasia mutated

See: ATM
Ataxia, cerebellar

See: Ataxia
Ataxia-telangiectasia

A progressive neurodegenerative genetic disease characterized by cerebellar ataxia (incoordination and lack of balance), ocular telangiectasia ('red eyes' due to widening of small blood vessels in the conjunctiva)…
ATCC (American Type Culture Collection)

>Algae & Protozoa >Bacteria & Bacteriophages >Cultured Cell Lines & Hybridomas >Fungi & Yeasts >Recombinant DNA Materials >Viruses & Virus Antisera >Plant Tissue Cultures >Culture Derived Products…
Atelectasis

Failure of full expansion of the lung at birth or a collapse thereafter of the lung. The word comes from the Greek 'a-' (without) + 'telos' (complete) + 'rectasis' (expansion) = without complete expansion.
Atelectasis, primary

See: Primary atelectasis
Atelectasis, secondary

See: Secondary atelectasis
Atenolol

4 cel ODYvAlign=top bgColor=#cccccc colSpan=2> vAlign=top width='100%' bgColor=#ffffff>Our Atenolol Main Article provides a comprehensive look at the who, what, when and how of Atenolol Atenolol: A medication that…
ATG

Antithymocyte globulin
Athelia

Absence of the nipple. Athelia is a rare condition but it is common in certain conditions. Athelia tends to occurs on one side (unilaterally) in children with the Poland sequence and on both sides (bilaterally) in…
Atherectomy

A procedure for opening up an artery by removing the plaque (atheroma) produced by the build-up of cholesterol and other fatty substances in the inner lining of the artery from atherosclerosis ('hardening of the…
Atherogenesis

The process of forming atheromas, plaques in the inner lining (the intima) of arteries
Atheroma

A fatty deposit in the intima (inner lining) of an artery, resulting from atherosclerosis. Also called an atherosclerotic plaque, arterial plaque or, simply, a plaque
Atherosclerosis

A process of progressive thickening and hardening of the walls of medium-sized and large arteries as a result of fat deposits on their inner lining. Risk factors for atherosclerosis include high levels of 'bad'…
Atherosclerotic

Pertaining to atherosclerosis, the process of progressive thickening and hardening of the walls of arteries from fat deposits on their inner lining. Atherosclerotic heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US
Atherosclerotic aneurysm

The most common type of aneurysm, affecting the abdominal portion of the aorta and other large arteries, particularly with age.
Athetosis

Involuntary writhing movements particularly of the arms and hands.
Athleats feet

See: Athlete's foot
Athlete foot

See: Athlete's foot
Athlete's feet

See: Athlete's foot
Athlete's foot

Athlete's foot: A skin infection caused by a fungus called Trichophyton which can thrive and infect the upper layer of the skin when the feet (or other areas of the body) remain moist, warm, and irritated. The fungus…
Athymic

Lacking a thymus gland
Athymic mouse

A laboratory mouse lacking a thymus gland. Athymic mice have no T cells and useful in research because they do not reject tumor or other cells transplanted from mice, humans or other species. See: Nude mouse
Atkins diet

A high-protein, high-fat, low-carbohydrate weight-loss diet popularized by Dr. Robert C. Atkins that allows for unrestricted amounts of meat, cheese and eggs while severely restricting carbohydrates, including sugar…
ATL

The disease variously called adult T-cell leukemia, adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma and adult T-cell lymphoma. For more information, see: Adult T-cell leukemia
Atlantoaxial

Pertaining to the first and second cervical vertebrae which meet at a joint called the atlantoaxial joint. The uppermost cervical vertebra (the atlas) rotates about the odontoid process of the second cervical vertebra…
Atlas

The atlas is the first cervical (neck) vertebra (symbol: C1). It supports the head. The atlas bone is named for the Greek god Atlas who was condemned to support the earth and its heavens on his shoulders. (Because the…
Atlas and axis joint

The joint between the atlas and axis bones. The atlas is the first cervical (neck) vertebra which is just under the head; it is named for Atlas, the Greek god who supported the world on his shoulders. The axis is the…
Atloaxoid joint

The joint between the atlas and axis bones. The atlas is the first cervical (neck) vertebra which is just under the head; it is named for Atlas, the Greek god who supported the world on his shoulders. The axis is the…
ATM

Symbol for the ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) gene. The protein made by the ATM gene functions to control the rate at which cells grow. The ATM protein does this by sending signals and modifying proteins in the…
ATN

Acute tubular necrosis
Atom

The smallest part of any material that cannot be broken up by chemical means. Each atom has a center (the nucleus) which contains protons and neutrons. Electrons orbit around the nucleus. The atom is primarily empty…
Atonia, REM sleep

Sleep : A frightening form of paralysis that occurs when a person suddenly finds himself or herself unable to move for a few minutes, most often upon falling asleep or waking up. Commonly called sleep paralysis, the…
Atonic

Without normal muscle tone or strength. An atonic seizure is one in which the person suddenly loses muscle tone and strength and cannot sit or stand upright and, unless supported, falls down
Atonic seizure

A seizure in which the person suddenly loses muscle tone and strength and, unless supported, falls down. Also called drop attack or drop seizure. Atonic means a lack of muscle tone and strength
Atopic

Prone to allergies or characterized by allergy
Atopic dermatitis

Ding=0 width='100%' border=0> ODYvAlign=top bgColor=#cccccc colSpan=2> vAlign=top width='100%' bgColor=#ffffff>Our Atopic dermatitis Main Article provides a comprehensive look at the who, what, when and how of Atopic…
Atopy

The genetic tendency to develop the classic allergic diseases -- atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis (hay fever), and asthma. Atopy involves the capacity to produce IgE in response to common environmental proteins such…
Atorvastatin

L ODYvAlign=top bgColor=#cccccc colSpan=2> vAlign=top width='100%' bgColor=#ffffff>Our Atorvastatin Main Article provides a comprehensive look at the who, what, when and how of Atorvastatin Atorvastatin: A medication…
ATP

1. Adenosine triphosphate. 2. Acute thrombocytopenic purpura
Atresia

Absence of a normal opening or failure of a structure to be tubular. Atresia can affect many structures in the body, including: > >Anal atresia -- congenital absence of a hole at the bottom end of the intestine. Also…
Atresia, anal

Congenital absence of an opening at the bottom end of the intestinal tract. Also called imperforate anus. Occurs in about 1 in 5,000 births. It is corrected by surgery. Atresia refers to the absence of a normal opening.
Atresia, aortic

Congenital absence of the normal valvular opening from the left ventricle of the heart into the aorta. 'Atresia' here refers to the absence of a normal opening.
Atresia, biliary

Congenital absence or closure of the major bile ducts, the ducts that drain bile from the liver. Biliary atresia results in a progressive inflammatory process which may lead to cirrhosis of the liver. The infant looks…
Atria

The plural of atrium. The atria are the two smaller chambers of the heart. Each atrium consists of an open space with recessed walls. The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the body through the vena cava and…