telomere The end of a chromosome. The ends of chromosomes are specialized structures that are involved in the replication and stability of DNA molecules. A telomere is a length of DNA that is made up of a repeating sequence of six nucleotide bases (TTAGGG). Small numbers of these terminal TTAGGG sequences are lost from the…
telomerase The enzyme that is concerned with the formation, maintenance, and renovation of telomeres, the ends of chromosomes.
telemetry, cardiac The process of automatic measurement and transmission of data regarding heart rate and rhythm from remote sources. Blood pressure, breathing, level of oxygen in the blood, and body temperature can also be measured. The patient is connected to monitors that record and send the data to a central monitoring area, where trained staff…
telemedicine The use of medical information exchanged from one site to another via electronic communications for the health and education of the patient or healthcare provider and for the purpose of improving patient care. Telemedicine includes consultative, diagnostic, and treatment services.
T-8 cell See T-suppressor cell.
teeth Plural of tooth.
technology, recombinant DNA See recombinant DNA technology.
teaspoon An old-fashioned but convenient household measure that is equal to about 5 cc of liquid.
Td vaccine A vaccine that is given to children over the age of 6 and to adults as a booster for immunity against diphtheria and tetanus.
Td Adult diphtheria and tetanus toxoids. See Td vaccine.
TB Tuberculosis.
Tay-Sachs disease A genetic metabolic disorder caused by deficiency of the enzyme hexosaminidase A (hex-A) that results in failure to process GM2 ganglioside, a lipid (fat) that then accumulates in the brain and other tissues. Abbreviated TSD. The classic form of TSD begins in infancy. The child usually develops normally for the first few months,…