Category: A

  • Arc eye

    Arc eye

    Temporary painful blindness caused by ultraviolet rays, especially in arc welding. Damage to the corneal surface of the eye caused by ultraviolet light from arc welding. A painful condition, it usually heals if the eyes are covered with pads for a day or two. It can be prevented by the proper use of protective goggles.…

  • Arbovirus

    A virus transmitted by blood-sucking insects. Large group of viruses that grow in both mammals and in insects such as mosquitos and ticks. Cause viral encephalitis and yellow fever. One of a group of RNA-containing viruses that are transmitted from animals to man by insects (i.e. arthropods; hence arthropod- borne viruses) and cause diseases resulting…

  • Arbor vitae

    The structure of the cerebellum or of the uterus which looks like a tree. A treelike structural outline seen in the cerebellum which is visible on computerized tomography scans and other imaging studies.  

  • Arborization

    The branching ends of some nerve fibres, of a motor nerve in muscle fibre or of venules, capillaries and arterioles. Ramification; branching, especially terminal branching of nerve fibers and capillaries.  

  • Arachnoid villi

    Plural noun villi in the arachnoid which absorb cerebrospinal fluid.  

  • Arachnoiditis

    An inflammation of the arachnoid membrane that covers the brain and spinal cord (usually involving the lumbar spine). Arachnoiditis may be caused by infection (such as bacterial infections, syphilis, or tubular meningitis) or trauma (such as from surgery, a lumbar puncture, spinal anesthesia, or myelography). This debilitating condition is characterized by intractable pain and neurological…

  • Arachnodactyly

    A congenital condition in which the fingers and toes are long and thin. Congenital condition in which the fingers and/or toes are long, thin, and spiderlike. Abnormally long and slender fingers and toes: usually associated with excessive height and congenital defects of the heart and eyes in Marfan ‘s syndrome. Arachnodactyly, or marfan’s syndrome, is…

  • Arachnidism

    Poisoning by the bite of a spider. Toxins from the less venomous species of spider cause only local pain, redness, and swelling. Toxins from more venomous species, such as the black widow (Lactrodectus mactans), cause muscular pains, convulsions, nausea, and paralysis. Systemic poisoning from a spider bite.  

  • Apyrexial

    No longer having any fever.  

  • Apyrexia

    The absence of fever.