Medical Dictionary

Teleology: The study of the ultimate purpose of the design of something in nature. For example, "what is the true purpose of the nose?" is a teleological question and, to say that all evolutionary changes occur for a definite purpose is a teleolo...

Teleological - Medical

Teleological: Serving an ultimate purpose in its design. For example, "What is the true purpose of the nose?" That is a teleological question. For another example, to say that all evolutionary changes occur for a definite purpose is a teleologica...

Telemedicine - Medical

Telemedicine: The use of medical information exchanged from one site to another via electronic communications for the health and education of the patient or healthcare provider and for the purpose of improving patient care. Telemedicine includes cons...

Telangiectasia perstans - Medical

Telangiectasia perstans: A form of mastocytosis that usually affects adults, characterized by the presence of multiple hyperpigmented macules with telangiectases (visibly dilated small blood vessels), located primarily on the trunk, but also on the e...

Teething - Medical

Teething: Teething is the emergence of the primary (baby) teeth through a baby or child's gums. Teething usually begins between four and seven months of age. While the lower central bottom teeth (central incisors) are normally the first primary tee...

TEE - Medical

TEE: Transesophageal echocardiography. A diagnostic test which employs ultrasound waves to make images of the heart chambers, valves and surrounding structures and which is done through the esophagus. TEE may be used, for example, in the treatment o...

Technology, recombinant DNA - Medical

Technology, recombinant DNA: A series of procedures used to join together (recombine) DNA segments. A recombinant DNA molecule is constructed (recombined) from segments from 2 or more different DNA molecules. Under certain conditions, a recombinan...

Technology transfer - Medical

Technology transfer: The process of converting scientific findings from research laboratories into useful products by the commercial sector.Last Editorial Review: 3/26/1998 2:29:00 PM...

Technetium tetrofosmin scintimammography - Medical

Technetium tetrofosmin scintimammography: Scintimammography is an imaging technique that uses a radioisotope (a radioactive substance) to help visualize the breast and find cancer. Scintimammography using the radioisotope technetium tetrofosmin (Tc-...

Teaspoon - Medical

Teaspoon: An old-fashioned but convenient household measure. A teaspoon holds about 5 cc of liquid.Last Editorial Review: 4/27/2011 5:27:15 PM...

Tear gland - Medical

Tear gland: The gland that makes tears. An abnormality of the tear glands can impair the production of the tears and lead to dry eyes. Also called a lacrimal gland. Last Editorial Review: 1/19/2004 Tear: A drop of the salty secretion of the lacri...

Tear gas poisoning - Medical

Tear gas poisoning: See: Riot control agent poisoning.Last Editorial Review: 3/14/2004 Riot control agent poisoning: Poisoning by an irritant agent that belongs to a class of agents collectively known as riot control agents or "tear gas." Chloroacet...

Tear film - Medical

Tear film: The liquid layer bathing the cornea and conjunctiva. It creates a perfectly smooth liquid outer layer that polishes the corneal surface, mechanically traps and flushes out foreign bodies and chemicals, contains bacteriostatic substances th...

Tear - Medical

Tear: A drop of the salty secretion of the lacrimal glands which serves to moisten the conjunctiva and cornea.Last Editorial Review: 1/19/2004 Lacrimal: Pertaining to tears, as in lacrimal gland (tear gland). From the Indo-European dakru meaning a t...

Td immunization - Medical

Td immunization: Td is the vaccine given to children over six and adults as a booster for immunity to diphtheria and tetanus.Last Editorial Review: 3/26/1998 2:29:00 PM Medical Author: David Perlstein, MD, ...

Td - Medical

Td: Adult diphtheria and tetanus toxoids. See Td immunization.Last Editorial Review: 4/27/2011 5:27:15 PM Medical Author: David Perlstein, MD, MBA, FAAP Dav...

TC-99 tetrofosmin scintimammography - Medical

TC-99 tetrofosmin scintimammography: Scintimammography is an imaging technique that uses a radioisotope (a radioactive substance) to help visualize the breast and find cancer. Scintimammography using the radioisotope technetium tetrofosmin (Tc-99 te...

TB - Medical

TB: Common abbreviation (spelled out T-B) for tuberculosis. Tuberculosis took its name from the characteristic tubercles (tiny lumps) caused by infection with the bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that is responsible for the disease. Last Edit...

Tattoos & permanent makeup - Medical

Tattoos & permanent makeup: The intradermal application of inks for the purpose of tattooing or permanent makeup (also known as micropigmentation). The pigments in these inks raise concerns about tattoo removal, adverse reactions t...

Tattoo removal - Medical

Tattoo removal: Those who regret getting a tattoo have three choices: hide it, cover it with a better tattoo, or have it removed. The most effective form of tattoo removal is the use of a laser to destroy the ink itself. Multiple treatments m...

Tattoo - Medical

Tattoo: The permanent insertion of ink or other pigments below the skin using a sharp instrument. Humans have done tattooing for cosmetic and ritual purposes since at least the Neolithic era. In the Western world, tattooing has historically served as...

Taste bud - Medical

Taste bud: One of the tiny, barrel-shaped endings of the gustatory nerve located around the base of the papillae (small bumps) on the tongue.Last Editorial Review: 4/27/2011 5:27:15 PM...

Taste - Medical

Taste: Taste belongs to our chemical sensing system, or the chemosenses. The complicated process of tasting begins when molecules released by the substances stimulate special cells in the mouth or throat. These special sensory cells transmit messages...

Tassinari syndrome - Medical

Tassinari syndrome: A form of epilepsy associated with language difficulties. The syndrome surfaces around the age of four with receptive or expressive dysphasia and slowed learning. There may be absence, myoclonic, or focal seizures. The cause of th...

Tartar - Medical

Tartar: Tartar is the hardened product of longstanding plaque accumulating minerals from the saliva and foods. Plaque is the soft accumulation of food debris and bacteria around teeth. These bacteria feed on left over food in the mouth to excrete ...

Tarsus, bony - Medical

Tarsus, bony: See: Bony tarsus.Last Editorial Review: 4/27/2011 5:27:15 PM Bony tarsus: The bony tarsus is made up of 7 bones that are situated between the bones of the lower leg and the metatarsus bones. The talus thus constitutes the proximal (nea...

Tarsus - Medical

Tarsus: Any broad flat surface. The flat of the eyelid is called the tarsus, as is the base of the heel. The bones in the heel are collectively called the bony tarsus. Tarsus comes from the Greek "tarsos" meaning a wicker framework or basket. See als...

Tarsal tunnel syndrome - Medical

Tarsal tunnel syndrome: A type of compression neuropathy (nerve disease due to compression of the nerve) in the ankle and foot. Tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS) is similar to the better-known carpal tunnel syndrome (CTT) caused by compression and irrita...

Tarsal gland - Medical

Tarsal gland: See: Meibomian gland.Last Editorial Review: 4/27/2011 5:27:15 PM Meibomian gland: One of the little glands in the eyelids that make a lubricant called sebum which they discharge through their tiny openings in the edges of the lids....

Tarsal cyst - Medical

Tarsal cyst: Also called a Meibomian cyst or a chalazion. A tarsal cyst is an inflammation of the oil gland of the eyelid.Last Editorial Review: 4/27/2011 5:27:15 PM...