Dictionary

acute myocardial infarction A heart attack that occurs when the heart muscle is suddenly deprived of circulating blood. Abbreviated AMI. See also heart attack.

acute nonlymphocytic leukemia See leukemia, acute myeloid.

acute otitis media Painful inflammation of the middle ear, typically with fluid in the middle ear, behind a bulging eardrum or a perforated eardrum, often with drainage of pus. The customary treatment is antibiotics for 7 to 10 days. After antibiotic treatment, some children are left with fluid in the middle ear, which can cause…

acute respiratory distress syndrome Respiratory failure of sudden onset due to fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), following an abrupt increase in the permeability of the normal barrier between the capillaries in the lungs and the air sacs. The muscles used in breathing are forced to work harder, causing labored and inefficient breathing. An abnormally…

acute thrombocytopenic purpura Sudden onset of low blood platelet levels, with bleeding into the skin and elsewhere. Abbreviated ATP. ATP can have many causes; for example, it can be a potentially serious complication during the acute phase of measles infection.

acute-phase protein A protein whose plasma concentrations increase during certain inflammatory disorders. Perhaps the best-known acute-phase protein is C-reactive protein (CRP).

acyclovir A potent antiviral drug or medication (brand name: Zovirax) that works against several human herpes viruses, Epstein-Barr virus, herpes zoster, varicella (chickenpox), cytomegalovirus, and other viruses. It is part of the AIDS drug AZT. See also AZT.

ad- Prefix indicating toward or in the direction of. For example, adduction is the movement of a limb toward the midline of the body, and adrenal literally means “toward the kidney.”

ad lib Abbreviation of the Latin phrase ad libitum, meaning “as much as one desires” or “at your discretion.” See also Appendix A, “Prescription Abbreviations.”

ADA 1 American Dental Association, a professional organization for dentists. Its Council on Dental Education and Commission on Dental Accreditation are responsible for accrediting schools of dentistry and allied professions. 2 American Diabetes Association, a nonprofit health organization that sponsors diabetes research, provides information about diabetes and diabetes prevention to patients and others, and advocates…

Adam’s apple The familiar feature on the front of the neck that is the forward protrusion of the thyroid cartilage, the largest cartilage of the larynx. It tends to enlarge at adolescence, particularly in males. It is usually said to take its name from the extrabiblical story that a piece of the forbidden fruit stuck…

ADD 1 Attention deficit disorder. 2 Adenosine deaminase deficiency.