Author: Glossary
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Blood patch
A clot of a patient’s blood placed over the dura to repair a cerebrospinal fluid leak that may be caused by a lumbar puncture, especially one performed with a large-bore needle. It is used to treat post- lumbar puncture headache.
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Past-pointing
The inability to place a finger or some other part of the body accurately on a selected point; seen especially in cerebellar disorders.
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Pastia’s lines
A characteristic physical finding in patients with scarlet fever, in which red or pink petechial lines appear in skin creases (e.g., in the skin in front of the elbow or the hip joint). Scarlet fever is marked by the presence of crimson streaks within the skin creases, particularly noticeable in the armpit and groin regions.…
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Pasteurellosis
A disease caused by infection with bacteria of the genus Pasteurella. Pasteurellosis is a bacterial infection instigated by Pasteurella multocida. This condition is characterized by inflammation in the vicinity of the wound, and in severe cases, bacteria may disseminate through the bloodstream, leading to infection in various tissues and organs. A disease resulting from bacteria…
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Passivism
Passive behavior or character.
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Heat of passion
In forensic medicine, a state of mind that might influence one’s propensity to commit violent or aggressive acts.
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Pascal
A unit of pressure equal to the force of one newton acting uniformly over 1 m2.
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Parvovirus
A group of viruses similar to adeno-associated viruses. They are pathogenic in animals and humans.
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Parvocellular
Having a small cell body. It is said esp. of cells found in the lateral geniculate nucleus of the thalamus.
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Paruresis
A social phobia characterized by an inhibition to urinate in the presence of others. It is also known as “shy kidney” or “shy bladder” syndrome.