Author: Glossary

Any genetic predisposition to cancer that is found in several generations of a kindred. Some recognized cancer syndromes that recur in families include the multiple endocrine neoplasias, retinoblastoma, familial polyposis of the colon, and Fanconi’s anemia, among others.  

A fold of the dura mater that lies in the longitudinal fissure and separates the two cerebral hemispheres.  

A fold of the dura mater that forms a vertical partition between the hemispheres of the cerebellum.  

The act of writing or stating what is not true.  

The ratio of patients who are disease-free but test positive for an illness, as a result of error, to all patients who do not have the disease.  

A result in a test or procedure that falsely indicates that a condition is present when in fact it is not. It may result from faulty laboratory technique or from the presence of another disease or condition that mimics the one sought.  

The ratio of subjects affected by an illness whose test results wrongly suggest they are disease-free to all those subjects who have the disease. The false-negative ratio of a test is useful in determining the test’s reliability (i.e., the higher the ratio, the less reliable the test).  

An instrument used to identify the fear of falling in the elderly as a factor in their decreased function and independence. Subjects state their fear of falling increases when they are unable to perform ten common activities of daily living.  

Imaging the interior of the fallopian tube (the endosalpinx) with a flexible fiberoptic endoscope. The procedure is used in the diagnosis and treatment of tubal infertility.