Dictionary

anterior The front, as opposed to posterior. For example, the breastbone is part of the anterior surface of the chest.

zoonosis An infection that is known in nature to infect both humans and lower vertebrate animals.

zona pellucida The strong membrane that forms around an ovum as it develops in the ovary. The membrane remains in place during the egg’s travel through the fallopian tube. To fertilize the egg, a sperm must penetrate the thinning zona pellucida. If fertilization takes place, the zona pellucida disappears, to permit implantation in the uterus.

Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome (ZES): 1. Pathophysiology 2. Causes & Associations 3. Symptoms 4. Diagnosis 5. Treatment 6. Prognosis

Zinsser disease See Brill-Zinsser disease.

zinc sulfate A form of zinc that can be administered in eyedrops. Zinc sulfate is used in some types of eye tests.

zinc oxide A form of zinc that has been used in zinc ointments.

zinc ointment A topical preparation that contains zinc and is applied to protect the skin from irritation or sunburn. Zinc ointment is also often the basis for commercial preparations for preventing diaper rash. It should not be used on skin that is already broken or irritated, however.

zinc excess Too much zinc, which can cause gastrointestinal irritation, interfere with copper absorption to cause copper deficiency and, like too little zinc, cause immune deficiency. See also zinc.

zinc deficiency See deficiency, zinc.

zinc acetate A form of zinc that has been used in zinc supplements.

zinc A mineral that is essential to the body and is a constituent of many enzymes that permit chemical reactions to proceed at normal rates. Zinc is involved in the manufacture of protein (protein synthesis) and in cell division. Zinc is also a constituent of insulin, and it is involved with the sense of smell….