Dictionary

femur The single bone in the thigh, which is the largest bone in the human body. Also known as the thighbone.

fenestration The creation of a new opening. From the Latin for “the making of a window.”

ferritin The major protein concerned with iron storage. The blood ferritin level serves as an indicator of the amount of iron stored in the body, and it can become elevated due to the presence of conditions featuring significant inflammation.

fertile Able to conceive and bear offspring. Also known as fecund.

fertility The ability to conceive and bear children, the ability to become pregnant through normal sexual activity.

fasting blood sugar See fasting blood glucose.

fat 1 Along with proteins and carbohydrates, one of the three nutrients used as energy sources by the body. The energy produced by fats is 9 calories per gram. Proteins and carbohydrates each provide 4 calories per gram. 2 Total fat; the sum of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fats. 3 A slang term for obese…

fat, trans See trans fatty acid.

fatty acid, trans See trans fatty acid.

fatty liver of pregnancy, acute See acute fatty liver of pregnancy.

fauces Throat.

fava bean A broad bean to which many people react adversely. Fava beans look like large, tan lima beans. They are popular in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines, are eaten raw when very young, can be cooked in soups and many other dishes, or may be made into fava brittle candy. Fava beans are the…