Word Of The Day

Dorland's Word of the Day is a great way to broaden your knowledge of medical terminology. With a new and interesting term brought to you from the 32nd edition of Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary each day, it's an easy and fun way to increase your medical vocabulary!

You can view a new word on this website each day.

Today's Word

flagellin

a protein (mol. wt. approximately 40,000) occurring in the flagella of bacteria, which is composed of subunits arranged in several-stranded helix formation somewhat resembling myosin in structure, and sometimes containing ?-N-methyl lysine. Its composition varies with the species; thus flagellin antibodies are species-specific.

Word of the Day Archive

bioprosthetic valve

a prosthetic heart valve composed of biological tissue, sterilized and mounted on a plastic or metallic supporting structure; it is inaudible and does not require anticoagulation; a common type is the porcine valve. Called also tissue valve.

Haemophilus b conjugate vaccine

a preparation of Haemophilus influenzae type b capsular polysaccharide covalently bound to diphtheria toxoid or to a specific diphtheria protein, meningococcal protein, or tetanus protein; it stimulates both B and T lymphocyte responses and is much more immunogenic than the polysaccharide vaccine. Administered intramuscularly as a routine immunizing agent in children between the ages of 2 months and 5 years.

terpin hydrate and codeine elixir

a preparation containing, in 100 mL, between 1.53 and 1.87 g of terpin hydrate and between 180 and 220 mg of codeine, prepared by dissolving 2 g codeine in a sufficient quantity of terpin hydrate elixir to make 1000 mL; used as an expectorant and antitussive.

pseudotoxin

a poisonous extract from belladonna leaves.

rhodotoxin

a poisonous compound from the flowers and leaves of various shrubs and trees, such as Rhododendron; it is also found in honey from Rhododendron flowers.

Keen point

a point for puncture of the lateral ventricles; 3 cm above and 3 cm behind the external auditory meatus.

Schultze placenta

a placenta that is delivered with the gestation sac inside out, the amnion providing a smooth, glistening surface.