Dictionary

ambidextrous Able to use both the right and left hands with equal dexterity. Neither right- nor lefthanded.

amblyopia, nocturnal Night blindness, also known as day sight. See nyctanopia.

ambulance A vehicle equipped with medications and devices intended to stabilize patients while speeding them to a hospital. In its original sense, an ambulance was a mobile field hospital.

ambulatory Able to walk about, not bedridden or immobile.

ambulatory care Medical care provided on an outpatient basis, including diagnosis, observation, treatment, and rehabilitation services.

ameba A single-celled, protozoan organism that constantly changes shape. Amebae can infect the bowels, causing diarrhea. They can also infect the liver, causing abscesses to form.

amebiasis The state of being infected with amebae, especially with the ameba Entamoeba histolytica.

amebic colitis Amebic dysentery with ulcers in the colon from infection with the ameba Entamoeba histolytica. This single-celled parasite is transmitted to humans via contaminated water and food.

amebic dysentery Inflammation of the intestine due to infection with the ameba Entamoeba histolytica. Amebic dysentery can be accompanied by amebic infection of the liver and other organs.

amelanotic Without melanin. A skin lesion that is amelanotic lacks the pigment melanin and, therefore, is essentially colorless.

amelanotic melanoma See melanoma, amelanotic.

amelioration Improvement in a patient’s condition, or the activity of making an effort to correct, or at least make more acceptable, conditions that are difficult to endure related to patient’s conditions.