Medical terms - Letter F (page 10) | MedicalVocabulary.org

Floppy valve syndrome

See: Mitral valve prolapse
Flora

The population of microbes inhabiting the outside or inside surfaces of people (or other animals). Also, the population of plants including flowers, usually in a particular area. The word 'flora' is the name of the…
Florence R. Sabin

See: Sabin, Florence R.
Flores man

See: Homo floresiensis
Flow cytometry

Analysis of biological material by detection of the light-absorbing or fluorescing properties of cells or subcellular fractions such as chromosomes passing in a narrow stream through a laser beam. Flow cytometry can be…
Flow karyotyping

Use of flow cytometry to analyze and/or separate chromosomes on the basis of their DNA content
FLT-3 inhibitor

A gene-targeted therapy for a common subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) known as FLT-positive AML in which there is a FLT3 receptor mutation. The FLT-3 inhibitor is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that interferes with…
Flu

Short for influenza. The flu is caused by viruses that infect the respiratory tract which are divided into three types, designated A, B, and C. Most people who get the flu recover completely in 1 to 2 weeks, but some…
Flu shot

The flu (influenza) vaccine is recommended annually (each year) for persons at high risk for serious complications from influenza virus infection. This includes: > >Everyone age 65 or more; >People with chronic diseases…
Flu vaccine

Flu vaccine: The flu vaccination (influenza) is recommended for persons at high risk for serious complications from influenza virus infection. This includes: > >Everyone age 65 or more; >People with chronic diseases of…
Flu vaccine, nasal-spray

See: Nasal flu vaccine
Flu, Asian

See: Asian flu
Flu, avian

See: Avian influenza
Flu, bird

See: Avian influenza
Flu, Hong Kong

See: Hong Kong flu
Flu, Spanish

See: Spanish flu
Flu, stomach

So-called 'stomach flu' actually has nothing to do with the influenza (flu) virus. This term is sometimes used to describe gastrointestinal illnesses caused by other microorganisms
Fluctuating rib

One of the last two ribs. A rib is said to be 'fluctuating' if it does not attach to the sternum (the breast bone) or to another rib. There are usually 12 pairs of ribs in all. Each pair of ribs is attached to the…
Fluid, cerebrospinal (CSF)

A watery fluid, continuously produced and absorbed, which flows in the ventricles (cavities) within the brain and around the surface of the brain and spinal cord. The CSF is produced by the choroid plexus, a series of…
FluMist

FluMist™. See: Nasal flu vaccine
Fluorescein angiography

A test to examine blood vessels in the retina, choroid, and iris of the eye. A special dye is injected into a vein in the arm and pictures are taken as the dye passes through the blood vessels in the eye. The dye is…
Fluorescent in situ hybridization

An important molecular cytogenetic method for identifying chromosomes and parts of chromosomes, deciphering chromosome rearrangements, and locating genes on chromosomes. 'Fluorescent' means emitting light that comes…
Fluorescent microscope

A microscope equipped to examine material that fluoresces under ultraviolet light. Fluorescence microscopy is based on the principle that fluorescent materials emit visible light when they are irradiated with…
Fluorescent treponemal antibody absorbed test

A blood serum screening test for syphilis designed to demonstrate the presence or absence of specific antibodies directed against the organism (Treponema pallidum) responsible for syphilis. The fluorescent treponemal…
Fluoridation

1. In general, treatment with fluoride.2. Specifically, the addition of fluoride to a water supply to help prevent dental caries.For more information, see: Water fluoridation
Fluoridation, water

See: Water fluoridation
Fluoride

A compound of fluorine with another element or radical. Fluoride compounds are present in drinking water and some foods. Fluoride ions replace hydroxyl ions in hydroxyapatite in teeth, forming fluorapatite, which leads…
Fluorobody

A hybrid molecule that combines the affinity and specificity of an antibody with the visibility of a green fluorescent protein (GFP). The GSP provides the antibody with a built-in detection system. The creation of the…
Fluoroscopy

An x-ray procedure that makes it possible to see internal organs in motion. Fluoroscopy uses x-ray to produce real-time video images. After the x-rays pass through the patient, instead of using film, they are captured…
Fluorosis

A much-used anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called antimetabolites. Full name: 5-fluorouracil. Abbreviation: 5-FU. 5-FU is a pyrimidine antagonist. 5-FU is similar in structure to the pyrimidine base…
Fluorouracil

A much-used anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called antimetabolites. Full name: 5-fluorouracil. Abbreviation: 5-FU. 5-FU is a pyrimidine antagonist. 5-FU is similar in structure to the pyrimidine base…
Flush

(1) A redness of the skin, typically over the cheeks or neck. A flush is usually temporary and brought on by excitement, exercise, fever, or embarrassment. Flushing is an involuntary (uncontrollable) response of the…
Flutter

Flutter is a rapid vibration or pulsation. The difference between flutter and fibrillation is that flutter is well organized while fibrillation is not. For example, atrial flutter consists of well-organized but…
Flutter, atrial

Well-organized but overly rapid contractions of the atrium of the heart (usually at a rate of 250-350 contractions per minute). Flutter refers to a rapid vibration or pulsation. The difference between flutter and…
Flying with diabetes

A concern for patients with diabetes is flying with medications and supplies. Letters from doctors are not recommended since security has concerns that these may be easily forged. The currently recommended way to fly…
Flying, fear of

An irrational fear of flying is called aerophobia. Aerophobia also refers to irrational fear of fresh air or drafts of air. From the Greek 'aero-', air or gas + 'phobos', fear. A virtual reality program that simulates…
FMDV

Foot-and-mouth disease virus. See: Foot-and-mouth disease
FMF (familial Mediterranean fever)

An inherited disorder featuring short recurring crises of severe abdominal pain and bouts of fever. Other symptoms include arthritis, chest pain from inflammation of the lung cavity, and skin rashes. Between attacks…
FMO3

Abbreviation for the enzyme, flavin-containing monooxygenase-3. See Fish-odor syndrome
FMR1

The gene responsible for the production of a protein called FMRP. Lack of FMRP results in the fragile X syndrome. (FMRP is an acronym composed of the first letters of Familial Mental Retardation Protein).
FMRI

Functional magnetic resonance imaging
FMRP

As stated in the entry for FMR1, FMRP is an acronym composed of the first letters of Familial Mental Retardation Protein.
FOBT

Fecal occult blood test
Focal

Pertaining to a focus which in medicine may refer to:1. The point at which rays converge as, for example, in the focal point.2. A localized area of disease. A focal cancer is limited to one specific area
Focal dystonia due to blepharospasm

The involuntary forcible closure of the eyelid due to spasms. The first symptoms may be uncontrollable blinking. Only one eye may be affected initially, but eventually both eyes are usually involved. The spasms may…
Focal dystonia due to torticollis

Spasm of the muscles in the neck that control the position of the head, causing the head to twist and turn to one side. In addition, the head may be pulled forward or backward. Torticollis is the most common form of…
Focal gigantism

1. The excessive growth of a specific body part such as a hand or foot, as with increased blood supply to that part. 2. The excessive growth of a combination of particular body parts, as is characteristic of a…
Focal motor seizure

A simple partial seizure with localized motor activity. There may be spasm or clonus (jerking) of one muscle or a muscle group and this may remain localized or it may subsequently spread to adjacent muscles as a…
Focal sclerosis

See: Multiple sclerosis
Focal seizure

See: Partial seizure