Dictionary

anat. Abbreviation for anatomy.

anastomosis The connection of normally separate parts. An anastomosis may be naturally occurring or it may be created during embryonic development, surgery, or trauma, or by pathological means. An anastomosis may, for example, connect two blood vessels, or it may connect the healthy sections of the colon or rectum after a cancerous or otherwise diseased…

anaphylaxis An allergic reaction. In severe cases, anaphylaxis can include potentially deadly anaphylactic shock. See also allergic reaction; anaphylactic shock.

anaphylactoid purpura A form of blood vessel inflammation that affects small capillaries in the skin and the kidneys. It results in skin rash associated with joint inflammation (arthritis) and cramping pain in the abdomen. Anaphylactoid purpura frequently follows a bacterial or viral infection of the throat or breathing passages, and it is an unusual reaction…

anaphylactic shock A widespread and extremely serious allergic reaction that can result in death. Symptoms include dizziness, loss of consciousness, labored breathing, swelling of the tongue and breathing tubes, blueness of the skin, low blood pressure, and heart failure. Immediate emergency treatment is required, for example, administration of epinephrine in the case of bee or…

analysis In psychology, a term for conversationbased therapeutic processes used to gain understanding of complex emotional or behavioral issues.

analgesic A drug that relieves pain.

analgesia The inability to feel pain.

anal itching Irritation of the skin at the exit of the rectum, accompanied by the desire to scratch. The intensity of anal itching is increased by moisture, pressure, and abrasion caused by clothing and sitting. It may be caused by irritating chemicals in food (as in spices, hot sauces, and peppers); irritation due to frequent…

anal fissure A tear in the anal canal, one of the most common causes of red blood in the stool.

anaerobic Not requiring oxygen. Anaerobic bacteria, for example, do not require oxygen to grow.

ANA Antinuclear antibody , detected when a blood sample is microscopically evaluated using special cellular stain methods. ANAs indicate autoimmunity, or, an overactive misdirected immune system that can be asssociated with inflammation of various tissues of the body. The ANA test reveals different patterns, depending on how the cell nucleus is stained in the laboratory:…