typhoid fever An acute illness characterized by fever caused by infection with the bacterium Salmonella typhi. Typhoid fever has an insidious onset, with fever, headache, constipation, malaise, chills, and muscle pain. Diarrhea is uncommon, and vomiting is not usually severe. Confusion, delirium, intestinal perforation, and death may occur in severe cases. The disease is transmitted…
typhoid See typhoid fever.
type II error See beta error.
type 1 GM2-gangliosidosis See Tay-Sachs disease.
type I error See alpha error.
tympany A hollow drum-like sound that is produced when a gas-containing cavity is tapped sharply. Tympany is heard if the chest contains free air (pneumothorax) or the abdomen is distended with gas. Also known as tympanites.
tympanum The cavity of the middle ear, which is separated from the outer ear by the eardrum.
tympanostomy tube See ear tube.
tympanoplasty A surgical operation to correct damage to the middle ear and restore the integrity of the eardrum.
tympanometry A test that measures the function of the middle ear. Tympanometry works by varying the pressure within the ear canal and measuring the movement of the eardrum (tympanic membrane).
tympano- Prefix indicating a relationship to the eardrum (tympanic membrane), as in tympanometry (a test that measures the function of the middle ear).
tympanites See tympany.