Medical terms - Letter F (page 14) | MedicalVocabulary.org

Functional magnetic resonance imaging

The use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to learn which regions of the brain are active in a specific function, as in speech. Abbreviated fMRI. See also: Magnetic resonance imagin
Functional scoliosis

A structurally normal spine that appears to have a lateral curve (scoliosis). Nonstructural scoliosis involves a temporary change of spinal curvature. This is caused by an underlying condition such as a difference in…
Fundoplication

A surgical teque that strengthens the barrier to acid reflux when the lower esophageal sphincter does not work normally and there is gastro-esophageal reflux. Fundoplication has been the standard surgical method for…
Fundus

Latin word for the bottom. In medicine, fundus refers to the bottom or base of an organ. For example, the fundus of the eye (the retina), the fundus of the uterus, and so on. The fundus of the stomach is inexplicably…
Fundus, retinal

The interior lining of the eyeball, including the retina (the light-sensitive screen), optic disc (the head of the nerve to the eye), and the macula (the small spot in the retina where vision is keenest). The fundus is…
Fungal

Pertaining to a fungus. For example, a fungal skin infection
Fungal nail infection

>People with diabetes; >People with disease of the small blood vessels (peripheral vascular disease); and >Older women (perhaps because estrogen deficiency increases the risk of infection); and >Women of any age who…
Fungi

Plural of fungus
Fungicidal

Capable of killing fungi
Fungicide

1. An agent capable of killing fungi. 2. Any pesticide used to control, deter, or destroy fungi. See also: Fungistat
Fungiform

Mushroom-shaped. From fungi-, fungus + forma, shape. The fungiform papillae are broad flat structures that house taste buds in the central portion of the dorsum (back) of the tongue. These papillae were thought to…
Fungiform papilla

The fungiform papillae are broad flat structures that house taste buds in the central portion of the dorsum (back) of the tongue. These papillae were thought to resemble a fungus: a little mushroom. Fungiform means…
Fungistat

A chemical that keeps fungi from growing. See also: Fungicide
Fungistatic

Capable of inhibiting the growth of fungi
Fungus

A single-celled or multicellular organism. Fungi can be true pathogens (such as histoplasmosis and coccidioidomycosis) that cause infections in healthy persons or they can be opportunistic pathogens (such as…
Fungus, foot

Athlete's foot causes foot itching, burning, pain, and scaling. It is caused by a fungus and is treated with antifungal medications, many of which are available over-the-counter. Keeping the feet dry by using cotton…
Funnel chest (pectus excavatum)

'Caved-in' chest. Usually an unimportant isolated finding evident at birth. (Funnel chest can occasionally be part of a connective tissue disorder such as Marfan syndrome).
Funny bone

As in 'it tickled my funny bone.' When the elbow is bumped, the ulnar nerve running past the elbow is stimulated and produces a strange (funny) electric sensation
FUO (Fever of Unknown Origin)

Nothing more nor less than a "boil" with a fancy name. A boil is a collection of pus. Antibiotics are often not very helpful in treating abscesses. The main treatments include hot packs and draining ("lancing") the…
Furuncle

Nothing more nor less than a 'boil' with a fancy name. A boil is a collection of pus. Antibiotics are often not very helpful in treating abscesses. The main treatments include hot packs and draining ('lancing') the…
Fusiform

Formed like a spindle, wider in the middle and tapering toward the ends. An aneurysm may be fusiform. The word 'fusiform' comes from the Latin 'fusus' meaning 'spindle.
Fusiform aneurysm

A vascular outpouching shaped like a spindle. A fusiform widening of an artery or vein. An aneurysm is a localized widening (dilatation) of an artery, vein, or the heart. At the area of an aneurysm, there is typically a…
Fusion inhibitor

A class of antiretroviral drugs that work on the outside of the host CD4 cell to prevent HIV from fusing with and infecting it. Fusion inhibitors act by binding to an envelope protein and blocking the structural changes…
Fusion, spinal

See: Spinal fusion
Fusospirillary gingivitis

This is trench mouth, a progressive painful infection with ulceration, swelling and sloughing off of dead tissue from the mouth and throat due to the spread of infection from the gums. Certain germs (including fusiform…
Fusospirillosis

This is trench mouth, a progressive painful infection with ulceration, swelling and sloughing off of dead tissue from the mouth and throat due to the spread of infection from the gums. Certain germs (including fusiform…
Fusospirochetal gingivitis

This is trench mouth, a progressive painful infection with ulceration, swelling and sloughing off of dead tissue from the mouth and throat due to the spread of infection from the gums. Certain germs (including fusiform…
FXTAS

Fragile X tremor/ataxia syndrome