Medical Dictionary Definitions A-Z List
Medical Dictionary Definitions A - Z - «T»:
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Thymine (T)
Thymine (T): One member of the base pair A-T
(adenine-thymine) in DNA. ...
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Thymoglobulin
Thymoglobulin: A brand name for antithymocyte globulin....
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Thymosin
Thymosin: One of several polypeptide hormones secreted by the thymus that control the maturation of T cells. They are derived from a polypeptide called prothymosin-alpha (PTMA) or alpha thymosin....
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Thymus
Thymus: A lymphoid organ situated in the center of the upper chest just behind the sternum (breastbone). It is in the thymus that lymphocytes mature, multiply, and become T cells. (That is why they are called T cells. The T is for thymus.)
The thymus develops in embryonic life as an outgrowth of a...
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Thymus and parathyroids, hypoplasia of
Thymus and parathyroids, hypoplasia of: See: DiGeorge syndrome....
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Thymus gland
Thymus gland: See: Thymus....
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Thyrocalcitonin
Thyrocalcitonin: A hormone, also called calcitonin, produced by the thyroid gland that lowers the levels of calcium and phosphate in the blood and promotes the formation of bone. Bone is in a constant state of remodeling whereby old bone is removed by cells called osteoclast and new bone is laid dow...
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Thyroglobulin
Thyroglobulin: A protein found in the
thyroid gland. Some thyroglobulin can be found in the
blood, and this amount may be measured after thyroid
surgery to determine whether thyroid cancer has recurred.
Thyroglobulin derived from pig thyroid glands is sometimes
given to treat thyroid dysfuncti...
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Thyroglossal cyst
Thyroglossal cyst: A fluid-filled sac present at birth in the midline of the neck. A thyroglossal cyst is a congenital malformation (a birth defect). It results from incomplete closure of a segment of the thyroglossal duct, a tube-like structure that normally closes as the embryo develops. Also call...
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Thyroglossal duct cyst
Thyroglossal duct cyst: Synonymous with a thyroglossal or thyrolingual cyst. See: Thyroglossal cyst....
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Thyroid
Thyroid: 1. The thyroid gland. Also, pertaining to the thyroid gland.
2. A preparation of the thyroid gland used to treat hypothyroidism.
3. Shaped like a shield. (The thyroid gland was so-named by Thomas Wharton in 1656 because it was shaped like an ancient Greek shield.)
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Thyroid binding globulin
Thyroid binding globulin: A
blood protein
that binds with the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4).
...
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Thyroid cancer
Thyroid cancer: Cancer of the gland in front of the neck that normally produces thyroid hormone which is important to the normal regulation of the metabolism of the body. There are 4 major types of thyroid cancer -- papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic. The most common symptom of thyroi...
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Thyroid cartilage
Thyroid cartilage: The largest of the cartilages of the larynx (the voice box).
The thyroid cartilage is formed of two approximately quadrilateral plates (called laminae) that are joined anteriorly (in the front) at an angle of from 90° to 120° to create a prominence in the neck.
This bump i...
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Thyroid gland
Thyroid gland: A gland that makes and stores hormones that help regulate the heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and the rate at which food is converted into energy. Thyroid hormones are essential for the function of every cell in the body. They help regulate growth and the rate of chemica...
