Glossary

Author: Glossary

  • Raptus

    Intense excitement; ectasy.  

  • Ramipril

    Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor; used once daily to treat hypertension. A drug used to treat high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. Ramipril (Altace) is an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, one of a class of drugs that lowers blood pressure by blocking formation of a component that constricts blood vessels. Ramipril works by relaxing…

  • Radial keratotomy

    Surgical procedure that corrects myopia; shallow incisions are made in the cornea, causing it to bulge. A surgical procedure to correct nearsightedness by making small incisions in the clear outer covering (cornea) of the eye in a spokelike (radial) pattern. The incisions penetrate almost all the way through the cornea, which flattens in the center…

  • Racial immunity

    Type of natural immunity shared by members of a race.  

  • Quintipara

    Woman who has given birth to a viable infant after each of five pregnancies. A woman who has had five pregnancies that have continued beyond the 20th week of gestation. A woman who has given birth to five children or is currently in her fifth labor.  

  • Quinacrine

    Anthelmintic and antimalarial used to treat certain worm infestations (e.g., cestodiasis) and malaria. Adverse effects include skin eruptions, nausea, vomiting, jaundice, liver dysfunction, and aplastic anemia.  

  • Quellung reaction

    Swelling of the capsule surrounding a bacterium after it is exposed to specific antibodies or antisera; the reaction forms the basis of some tests to identify microorganisms. A reaction in which antibodies against the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae combine with the bacterial capsule, which becomes swollen and visible to light microscopy. The swelling of capsules of…

  • Quarks

    One of two types of elementary particles (the other is leptons), incapable of independent existence, that combine to form particles such as protons and neutrons. Involved in strong interactions between particles.  

  • Quadripara

    Woman who has given birth to a viable infant after each of four pregnancies. A woman who has been pregnant at least four times and who has given birth to an infant capable of survival after each of four pregnancies. A woman who has had four pregnancies that have continued beyond the 20th week of…

  • Pyrilamine

    Antihistamine used to treat many allergic reactions, including rhinitis and pruritus. Adverse effects include drowsiness, dry mouth, and skin rashes.