Category: A

A syringe on a dental unit that delivers compressed air, water, or both through a fine nozzle to clear or dry an area or to evacuate debris from an operative field.  

Nonspecific blood tests for syphilis. Two general types are available: (1) Procedures that identify the presence of a nontreponemal antibody against a lipoidal agent that is generated in response to infection with Treponema pallidum (i.e., a reagin). These tests include the Wassermann, the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory, and the rapid plasma reagin tests. (2) An…

Synovitis in which an undue amount of fluid remains in the cavity and the membrane itself is edematous. Prolonged inflammation causes thickening of the membrane and articular structures by plastic exudation and the formation of fibrous tissue, which increases joint dysfunction and exacerbates symptoms. The joint is weak but not esp. painful, except on pressure…

An adhesion of the iris to the lens throughout its entire pupillary margin.  

The synapse between the axon of one neuron and the cell body of another.  

The synapse between an axon of one neuron and the dendrites of another.  

A symptom that raises the concern that a patient may have a severe illness and requires careful evaluation. For example, in patients with digestive illnesses, findings such as anemia, anorexia, bleeding, dehydration, fever, weight loss, or a family history of cancer or inflammatory bowel disease are considered alarm symptoms.  

A symptom occurring incidentally during the course of a disease but having no relationship to the disease.  

A minor symptom, or a non-pathognomonic one.  

Voluntary or involuntary swallowing of air. It occurs involuntarily in infants as a result of improper feeding. Adults may swallow air during eating or drinking.