Dictionary

fetoprotein, alpha- See alpha-fetoprotein.

fetoscope A device used to obtain information about a fetus within the uterus. There are two types of fetoscopes: A fiberoptic scope for looking directly at the fetus within the uterus and a stethoscope designed for listening to the fetal heart beat.

fetoscopy Examination of a fetus within the uterus by using a fetoscope.

fetus An unborn offspring, from the embryo stage (the end of the eighth week after conception, when the major structures have formed) until birth.

fever Technically, any body temperature above the normal oral measurement of 37°C (98.6°F) or the normal rectal temperature of 99°F. However, fever is not considered medically significant until the temperature is above 38°C (100.4°F). Fever is part of the body’s own disease-fighting arsenal: Rising body temperatures are apparently capable of killing many disease-producing organisms. For…

fever, breakbone See dengue fever.

fever, cat scratch See cat scratch fever.

fever, dengue See dengue fever.

fever, Ebola virus See Ebola virus.

feet As a measure of length, the plural of foot.

Felty syndrome An uncommon complication of long-standing rheumatoid arthritis defined by the presence of an enlarged spleen (splenomegaly) and an abnormally low white blood cell count. Patients may have an increased susceptibility to infection. The cause of Felty syndrome is not known. Treatment of Felty syndrome is not always required beyond treatment for the underlying…

female An individual of the sex that bears young or that produces ova or eggs, or a person who has a particular physical appearance, chromosome constitution, or gender identification. See also female chromosome complement.