Dictionary

dendrite A short, arm-like protuberance from a nerve cell (neuron). The tips of dendrites transmit and receive chemical messages. See also axon; neuron.

denervation Loss of nerve supply. Causes of denervation include disease, chemical toxicity, physical injury, or intentional surgical interruption of a nerve.

dengue fever An acute mosquito-borne viral illness of sudden onset with headache, fever, prostration, severe joint and muscle pain, swollen glands (lymphadenopathy), and rash. The presence of fever, rash, and headache (the “dengue triad”) is characteristic. Dengue fever is endemic throughout the tropics and subtropics. Also called breakbone fever, dandy fever, and dengue. Victims of…

dengue hemorrhagic fever A syndrome caused by the dengue virus that tends to affect children under age 10 and causes fever, headache, sore throat, cough, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, bleeding, and circulatory collapse (shock). Other symptoms are bleeding with easy bruising, blood spots in the skin, vomiting of blood, blood in the stool, bleeding gums,…

dental braces See braces, dental.

dental impaction The pressing together of teeth. For example, molar teeth (the large teeth in the back of the jaw) can be impacted, cause pain, and require pain medication, antibiotics, and surgical removal.

depression, major Depression with a combination of symptoms that interfere with the ability to work, sleep, eat, and enjoy once-pleasurable activities. These disabling episodes of depression can occur once, twice, or several times in a lifetime. See also depression.

dental pain Pain in or near the mouth that comes from irritation of a nerve to a tooth. The most common cause of toothache is a dental cavity. The second most common is gum disease. Toothache can be caused by a problem that does not originate from a tooth or the jaw.

dentin The hard tissue of the tooth that surrounds the central core of nerves and blood vessels (pulp).

deoxyribonucleic acid See DNA.

depilation See epilation.

Depo-Provera A contraceptive that is injected and lasts 3 months between doses. Depo-Provera is also used to regulate menstrual cycle in women with uneven or painful menses. It contains the hormonal compound medroxyprogesterone acetate.