Category: F

Temperature expressed on a scale in which the melting point of ice is assigned a temperature of 32° and the boiling point of water a temperature of 212°. For most medical purposes the Celsius (centigrade) scale has replaced the Fahrenheit scale. The formula for converting from Fahrenheit (F) to Celsius (C) is: C = 5/9…

Produced artificially, either deliberately or by accident, and therefore not to be taken into account when the results of an experiment are considered or a diagnosis is being made.  

A pathologist who works in the area of forensic medicine. A forensic pathologist usually acts as a case coordinator for the medical and scientific assessment of a death. The pathologist studies the medical condition and history of the deceased, correlates all information, and reports the findings to law enforcement officials. A forensic pathologist may be…

A laboratory technique used to freeze a fresh sample of tissue removed during surgery. The tissue sample from a biopsy is frozen; then, it is sliced thin and examined under a microscope. Frozen section is used primarily for preliminary diagnosis of disease and during cancer surgery to determine whether enough tissue has been removed to…

A drug used to treat hypertension and heart failure. Fosinopril (Monopril) is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. It lowers blood pressure by preventing certain enzymes from narrowing blood vessels.  

A lack of folic acid is one of the most common vitamin deficiencies and can result in serious problems such as anemia, elevated homocysteine levels, and, in pregnant women, fetal birth defects. Adults require at least 400 micrograms of folic acid daily, which usually is found in foods as folate.  

A drug used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder. Fluvoxamine maleate (Luvox) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that is thought to improve behavior associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder in children, adolescents, and adults.  

A drug used to lower cholesterol and other fats in the blood. Fluvastatin sodium (Lescol) helps to prevent heart attacks and strokes by lowering blood cholesterol levels.  

A corticosteroid used to treat asthma attacks and certain skin disorders. Fluticasone is available as an inhalant for the treatment of asthma (Flovent); as a nasal spray to treat symptoms of rhinitis, such as runny nose and postnasal drip (Flonase); and as a skin cream or ointment to treat skin disorders (Cutivate). An aerosol corticosteroid…

A drug used to treat prostate cancer. Flutamide (Eulexin) is an antiandrogen drug that works by inhibiting the uptake of the male hormone androgen. Because prostate cancers are sensitive to androgens, flutamide interferes in the growth of these tumors. An antiandrogen drug used in the treatment of cancer of the prostate gland, sometimes in conjunction…