Category: P

A supposed ability of some individuals to alter the state of an object by the power of the mind alone, without any physical intervention. Explosive or impulsive maniacal action caused by defective inhibition. Literally meaning “mind movement,” sometimes known as telekinesis, the direct action of mind on matter. As a result of mental concentration directed…

A temporary and constantly changing extension of the body of an ameba or an ameboid cell. Pseudopodia engulf bacteria and other particles as food and are responsible for the movements of the cell. A temporary protruding process of a protozoan or ameboid cell, such as a leukocyte, into which the cell flows, for locomotion and…

A condition that resembles retrobulbar neuritis but is not due to inflammation. The most usual cause is blockage of blood vessels in the optic nerve (ischemic optic neuropathy). Reddening and blurring of the optic disk, which resembles optic neuritis.  

A disorder of communication within a family in which a superficial pretense of closeness and reciprocal understanding belies a lack of real feeling. It has been alleged, but not proved, to be a factor in the backgrounds of schizophrenics.  

Apparent absence of the testes. This is quite common in young boys, who retract their testes into the groin due to involuntary or reflex contraction of the cremasteric muscle of the suspensory cord. The condition is only important in that it needs to be distinguished from true failure of descent of the testes into the…

An enzyme found in the blood and other tissues that, like cholinesterase, breaks down acetylcholine, but much more slowly. Not being localized at nerve endings, it plays little part in the normal breakdown of acetylcholine in synapses and at neuromuscular junctions. A nonspecific cholinesterase that hydrolyzes non choline esters as well as acetylcholine, It is…

The misleading appearance of clumping during an antiserum antigen test as a result of incorrect temperature or acidity of the solutions used. The clumping together of red blood cells as in the formation of rouleaux, but differing from true agglutination in that the cells can be dispersed by shaking.  

A deficiency of articulation of speech, such as stammering.  

The short period in the cardiac cycle between the end of systole and the closure of the ‘aortic valve marking the start of diastole. The first of four phases of ventricular diastole characterized by a drop in intraventricular pressure. This occurs immediately after the second heart sound. The initial phase of the ventricular diastole in…

A tranquilizer and sedative drug used to relieve anxiety, agitation, restlessness, and excitment, to induce sleep, and to prevent nausea and vomiting. It is administered by mouth or injection; common side-effects are dry mouth and abdominal pains.