Medical Dictionary Definitions A-Z List
Medical Dictionary Definitions A - Z - «P»:
-
Pimecrolimus
Pimecrolimus: A chemical used to treat atopic dermatitis (eczema). Pimecrolimus prevents the activation of T cells by blocking the effects of chemicals called cytokines that stimulate T-cells. Pimecrolimus also reduces the ability of mast cells to release chemicals that promote inflammation. Brand n...
-
Pimple
Pimple: A small papule or pustule. Pimples are sebaceous glands (oil glands) that are infected with bacteria, become inflamed, and fill with pus. Pimples are due to overactivity of the sebaceous glands located at the base of the hair follicles, especially on the face, back, chest, and shoulders. The...
-
Pimples
Pimples: Small papules or pustules. See: Pimple....
-
Pimply
Pimply: Having pimples. Papuliferous and papilliferous are fancy words for what is simply pimply....
-
Pin1
Pin1: An enzyme that permits brain cells to function normally. Pin1 may also protect against Alzheimer's disease. The enzyme is clearly involved in regulating mitosis (cell division). The Pin1 level in the brains of Alzheimer patients is greatly reduced as compared to age-matched normal brains. The ...
-
Pinched nerve
Pinched nerve: See: Nerve compression....
-
Pineal gland
Pineal gland: A small gland located deep within in
the brain. It is believed to secrete melatonin, and may therefore be
part of the body's sleep-regulation apparatus....
-
Pineal region tumor
Pineal region tumor: A brain tumor on or near the
pineal gland. There are at least 17 types of pineal gland tumors,
most of which are not cancerous but can nonetheless cause extreme
distress. They account for about 1 percent of brain tumors in adults,
but up to 8 percent of such tumors in childr...
-
Pinealoma
Pinealoma: An uncommon slow-growing tumor of the pineal gland. Symptoms include hydrocephalus, paralysis of upward gaze, gait disturbances, and precocious puberty. Also known as a pinealocytoma or pineocytoma....
-
Pinel system
Pinel system: The policy of treating the mentally ill in hospitals and other
institutions humanely and without the use of forcible restraints of any type.
Named for the great French psychiatrist, Philippe Pinel (1745-1826), who was named director of the BicĂȘtre Hospital in 1793 and shortly thereaf...
-
Pineoblastoma
Pineoblastoma: A fast-growing brain tumor in the pineal gland that originates in germ cells. Also known as a pineal teratoma....
-
Pineocytoma
Pineocytoma: An uncommon slow-growing tumor of the pineal gland. Symptoms include hydrocephalus,
paralysis of upward gaze, gait disturbances, and precocious puberty.
Also known as a pinealocytoma or pinealoma....
-
Pinguecula
Pinguecula: A yellow spot on the white of the eye,
usually toward the inside (nose side) of the eye, associated with aging. It looks fatty
(in Latin the word pinguiculus means fattish), and is due to an accumulation of connective
tissue....
-
Pinguicula
Pinguicula: Alternate spelling of pinguecula.
Irrespective of spelling, the accent is on the second syllable which is pronounced gwek....
-
PINK1
PINK1: Abbreviation for PTEN-induced kinase 1. (Kinases are key regulators of cell function that catalyze the addition of a negatively charged phosphate group to a protein. This process of protein phosphorylation, in turn, regulates protein function in both normal and disease states.)
The PINK1 gen...