Dictionary

asthenia Weakness. Lack of strength.

AST Aspartate aminotransferase.

Association of American Medical Colleges A nonprofit association of accredited medical schools in the US and Canada that is responsible for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), an entrance examination for medical schools.

association, VACTERL See VACTERL association.

association 1 In the study of birth defects (dysmorphology), the nonrandom occurrence in two or more individuals of a pattern of multiple anomalies not known to be a malformation syndrome (such as Down syndrome), a malformation sequence of events, or a field defect, in which all the defects are concentrated in one particular area of…

assistive technology An assistive device or, more commonly, some kind of electronic or computerized device that helps a disabled person to function more easily in the world. Examples of assistive technology include devices that allow people to control a computer with the mouth, keyboards that can “speak” for mute individuals, and closed-captioning systems that help…

assistive device A device that is designed, made, or adapted to help a person perform a particular task. For example, canes, crutches, walkers, wheelchairs, and shower chairs are all assistive devices. See also assistive technology.

assisted suicide Deliberate hastening of death performed by a terminally ill patient, with assistance from a physician, a family member, or another individual. See also active euthanasia.

assisted living A type of long-term care facility for elderly or disabled people who are able to get around on their own but who may need help with some activities of daily living or simply prefer the convenience of having their meals in a central cafeteria and having nursing staff on call.

assay 1 An analysis done to determine the presence and amount of a substance. An assay may be done, for example, to determine the level of thyroid hormones in the blood. 2 An analysis done to determine the biologic or pharmacologic potency of a drug. For example, an assay may be done of a vaccine…

aspirin Once the Bayer trademark for acetylsalicylic acid, now the common name for this antiinflammatory pain reliever.

aspiration pneumonia Inflammation of the lungs due to aspiration.