Glossary

Author: Glossary

  • Aliasing

    A jagged distortion in a digitally generated visual image, such as an image produced during image reconstruction in magnetic resonance imaging or Doppler ultrasonography. An example of aliasing is the wrap-around artifact seen on magnetic resonance images when a portion of the body extends beyond the imaged field of view.  

  • Algometer

    An instrument for measuring the degree of sensitivity to pain.  

  • Algolagnia

    Sexual satisfaction derived by experiencing pain or by inflicting pain on others.  

  • Algiomotor

    Causing painful contraction of muscles, particularly pain during peristalsis.  

  • Alginate slime

    A polysaccharide film that coats the bacterial surface of colonies of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.. It prevents phagocytic cells from ingesting the bacteria.  

  • Algicide

    A substance that kills algae.  

  • Blue green algae

    Cyanobacteria; photosynthetic organisms in the kingdom Monera. Blooms may impart a disagreeable taste to freshwater and may cause the death of fish.  

  • Optic alexia

    Inability to understand what is written or printed.  

  • Musical alexia

    Inability to read music. It may be sensory, optic, or visual, but not motor.  

  • Motor alexia

    Inability to read aloud while remaining able to understand what is written or printed.