Medical Terminology
Glossary
facilitated diffusion - diffusion in which a substance not soluble by itself in lipids is transported across a selectively permeable membrane by combining with a transporter (carrier) molecule
facilitation - process in which a nerve cell membrane is partially depolarized by a subliminal stimulus so that a subsequent subliminal stimulus can depolarize the membrane further to reach the threshold of nerve impulse initiation
facultative reabsorption - absorption of water from distal convoluted tubules and collecting tubules of nephrons in response to antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
falciform ligament - a sheet of parietal peritoneum between the two principal lobes of the liver; the ligamentum teres, or remnant of the umbilical vein, lies within its folds
falx cerebelli - a small triangular process of the dura mater attached to the occipital bone in the posterior cranial fossa and projecting inward between the cerebellar hemispheres
fascia - fibrous membrane covering, supporting, & separating muscles
fascicle - a small bundle or cluster, especially of nerve or muscle fibers (cells); also called a fasciculus (plural, fasciculi)
fasciculation - involuntary brief twitch of a muscle, visible under the skin and not associated with the movement of the affected muscle
fauces - the opening from the mouth into the pharynx
febrile - feverish; pertaining to a fever
feces - material discharged from the rectum and made up of bacteria, excretions, and food residue; also called stool
fenestration - surgical opening made into the labyrinth of the ear for some conditions of deafness
fertilization - penetration of a secondary oocyte by a spermatozoon and subsequent union of the nuclei of the cells
fetus - latter stages of the developing young of an animal; in humans, the developing organism in utero from the beginning of the third month to birth
fibrillation - involuntary brief twitch of a muscle; visible under the skin & not associated with movement of the affected muscle
fibrin - an insoluble protein that is essential to blood clotting; formed from fibrinogen by the action of thrombin
fibrinogen - a high-molecular-weight protein in the blood plasma that, by action of thrombin, is converted to fibrin
fibrinolysis - dissolution of a blood clot by action of a proteolytic enzyme that converts insoluble fibrin into a soluble substance
fibroblast - large, flat cell that forms collagenous and elastic fibers and intercellular substance of loose connnective tissue
fibrocyte - a mature fibroblast that no longer produces fibers or intercellular substance in connective tissue
fibromyalgia - groups of common nonarticular rheumatic disorders characterized by pain, tenderness, and stiffness of muscles, tendons, and surrounding tissues; examples include lumbago and charleyhorse
fibroplasia - period of scar tissue formation
fibrosis - abnormal formation of fibrous tissue
fibrous joint - a joint that allows little or no movement, such as a suture and a syndesmosis
filiform papilla - one of the conical projections that are distributed in parallel rows over the anterior two-thirds of the tongue and contain no taste buds
filtrate - fluid produced when blood is filtered by the endothelial-capsular membrane of the nephron; any material that has passed through a filter
filtration - passage of liquid through a filter or a membrane that acts like a filter
filum terminale - nonnervous fibrous tissue of the spinal cord; it extends inferiorly from the conus medullaris to the coccyx
fimbriae - fingerlike structures, especially the lateral ends of the uterine (Fallopian) tubes
fissure - a groove, fold, or slit that may be normal or abnormal
fistula - abnormal passage between two organs or between an organ cavity and the outside
flaccid - relaxed, flabby, or soft; lacking muscle tone
flagellum - hairlike, motile process on the extremity of a bacterium or protozoan; plural, flagella
flatus - air (gas) in the stomach or intestines, commonly used to denote the passage of gas rectally
flexion - folding movement in which there is a decrease in the angle between two bones
fluoroscope - an instrument for visual observation of the body by means of X-ray
follicle - a small secretory sac or cavity
fontanel - a membrane-covered spot where bone formation is not yet complete, especially between the cranial bones of an infant's skull
foramen - a passage or opening; a communication between two cavities of an organ or a hole in a bone for passage of vessels or nerves
foramen ovale - opening in the fetal heart in the septum between the right and left atria; hole in the greater wing of the sphenoid bone that transmits the mandibular branch of the trigeminal (V) nerve
fornix - an arch or fold; a tract in the brain made up of association fibers, connecting the hippocampus with the mamillary bodies; a recess around the cervix of the uterus where it protrudes into the vagina
fossa - a shallow depression or a furrow
fracture - any break in a bone
frenulum - small fold of mucous membrane that connects two parts and limits movement
fulminate - to occur suddenly with great intensity
fundus - that part of a hollow organ farthest from the opening or exit
fungiform papilla - a mushroomlike elevation on the upper surface of the tongue, appearing as a red dot; papillae contain taste buds
furuncle - a boil; a painful nodule caused by bacterial infection and inflammation of a hair follicle or sebaceous (oil) gland
