Dictionary

refractory Not yielding, or not yielding readily, to treatment.

Refsum disease A genetic disorder that affects the metabolism of the fatty acid phytanic acid. When phytanic acid accumulates, it causes a number of progressive problems, including inflammation of numerous nerves (polyneuritis), diminishing vision due to retinitis pigmentosa, and wobbliness (ataxia) caused by damage to the cerebellar portion of the brain. Refsum disease is caused…

regenerate To reproduce or renew something that was lost. For example, after an injury, the liver has the capacity to regenerate.

regimen A plan or a regulated course, such as a diet, exercise, or treatment, that is designed to give a good result. A low-salt diet is one type of dietary regimen.

regional enteritis See Crohn’s disease.

regional lymphadenitis See cat scratch fever.

registry A collection of information. A registry is usually organized so that the data in it can be analyzed. For example, analysis of data in a tumor registry maintained at a hospital may show a rise in lung cancer among women.

regress To return or go back, particularly to return to a pattern of behavior or level of skill characteristic of a younger age. For example, if a 3-yearold child begins to regress by losing the ability to control his bowels or speak, that is a cause for medical concern.

regulatory gene A gene that regulates the expression of other genes.

regurgitation A backward flowing. For example, vomiting is a regurgitation of food from the stomach, and the sloshing of blood back into the heart when a heart valve is incompetent is a regurgitation of blood.

rehab An abbreviation for rehabilitation.

rehabilitation The process of helping a person who has suffered an illness or injury restore lost skills and so regain maximum self-sufficiency. For example, rehabilitation work after a stroke may help the patient walk and speak clearly again.