Author: Glossary

  • Florence nightingale

    A British philanthropist, 1820— 1910, who is considered the founder of nursing as a profession, a formidable statistician, and a pioneering hospital reformer. She was one of many trained nurses to serve in Crimea and dramatically lowered the death rate in the British army by advocating cleanliness and reform of sanitary conditions in hospitals at…

  • Nightguard

    A dental prosthesis worn at night to prevent traumatic grinding of the teeth during sleep. A removable, personalized plastic device designed to be placed between the upper and lower teeth, serving the purpose of preventing their grinding against each other, is commonly known as a “dental night guard.” This appliance offers a customized fit and…

  • Niemann-pick cell

    A foamy, lipid-filled cell present in the spleen and bone marrow in Niemann-Pick disease.  

  • Nicotinism

    Poisoning from excessive use of tobacco or nicotine.  

  • Nicotinic

    To the stimulating effect of acetylcholine on the parasympathetic and sympathetic ganglionic or somatic skeletal muscle receptors.  

  • Nicotine chewing gum

    The oral form of nicotine, used primarily as an aid to stop smoking.  

  • Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate

    A coenzyme that contains adenosine, nicotinamide, and phosphoric acid. When in its oxidized form (NADP1), it serves as an electron carrier in catabolic and anabolic reactions. In its reduced form (NADPH or NADPH-diaphorase), it is important in reducing the ferric iron (Fe+++) to its ferrous (Fe++) form, thus converting methemoglobin (which is unable to transport…

  • Nickel carbonyl

    An industrial chemical used in plating metals. It is toxic when inhaled, causing pulmonary edema.  

  • Enamel niche

    One of two depressions that develop between the dental lamina and the enamel organ.  

  • Niche

    A depression or recess on a smooth surface, especially an erosion in the wall of a hollow organ, detected by radiography.