Dictionary

fasting blood sugar See fasting blood glucose.

fasting blood glucose A test to determine how much glucose (sugar) is in a blood sample after an overnight fast. The fasting blood glucose test is commonly used to detect diabetes mellitus. A blood sample is taken in a lab, physician’s office, or hospital. The test is done in the morning, before the person has…

fasciitis, plantar Inflammation of the plantar fascia, the bowstring-like tissue that stretches from the heel bone to the base of the toes. Plantar fasciitis can be due to calcaneal spurs, which typically cause localized tenderness and pain that is made worse by stepping down on the heel. Plantar fasciitis may be related to physical activity…

fasciitis, eosinophilic See eosinophilic fasciitis.

fasciitis Inflammation of the fascia.

fasciculation Involuntary contractions or twitchings of groups of muscle fibers. Fasciculations can occur in normal individuals without an associated disease or condition, or as a result of illness, such as muscle cramps, nerve diseases, and metabolic imbalances.

fascia A flat band of tissue below the skin that covers underlying tissues and separates different layers of tissue. Fascia also encloses muscles.

FAS Fetal alcohol syndrome.

fart See flatulence.

farsightedness An error of refraction in the human eye that causes light rays to focus behind the retina instead of on it. A person who is farsighted has normal vision at a distance but has trouble focusing on nearby objects. Farsightedness can be corrected with refractive lenses—either glasses or contact lenses—and in some cases by…

Farber lipogranulomatosis A very rare, deadly genetic disease that is characterized by the onset, in the first few weeks of life, of swollen, painful joints; nodules under the skin; profound motor and developmental delay; cherry-red spots in the retina; and cardiorespiratory problems. The disease is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait and is due to…

FAP Familial adenomatous polyposis.