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
2-aminoadipate transaminase
an enzyme of the transferase class that catalyzes the oxidative deamination of ?-ketoglutarate to form glutamate. The reaction is a step in the degradation of lysine and hydroxylysine. Called also 2-aminoadipate aminotransferase.
Word of the Day Archive
fructokinase
an enzyme of the transferase class that catalyzes the ATP-dependent phosphorylation of fructose to form fructose 1-phosphate as an initial step in the utilization of fructose. The enzyme is present in the liver, intestine, and kidney cortex. Deficiency of the enzyme, an autosomal recessive trait, causes essential fructosuria. In official nomenclature, called ketohexokinase [EC 2.7.1.3].
argininosuccinate synthase
an enzyme of the ligase class that catalyzes the condensation of citrulline and aspartate to form argininosuccinate. The reaction is a part of the urea cycle in the liver. Written also argininosuccinate synthetase.
artificial larynx
an electromechanical device that enables a laryngectomized person to speak. When it is placed against the region of the laryngectomy a buzzing sound is produced, which is converted into simulated speech by movements of the organs of articulation (lips, tongue, glottis).
17?-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase deficiency
an autosomal recessive disorder of steroidogenesis due to deficiency of the testicular enzyme testosterone 17?-dehydrogenase (NADP+). It is characterized by male pseudohermaphroditism with postpubertal virilization and sometimes gynecomastia. Plasma testosterone is decreased and androstenedione increased.
Brescia-Cimino fistula
an arteriovenous fistula for hemodialysis, located in the elbow region, consisting of a side-to-side anastomosis of the cephalic vein and radial artery. Called also radiocephalic fistula.
bomb calorimeter
an apparatus for measuring the potential energy of food, a weighed amount of the food being placed on a platinum dish inside a hollow steel container (bomb) filled with pure oxygen. The heat produced by its combustion is absorbed by a known quantity of water in which the container is immersed, permitting its measurement.
acute stress disorder
an anxiety disorder characterized by development of anxiety and dissociative and other symptoms within one month following exposure to an extremely traumatic event; symptoms include reexperiencing the event, avoidance of trauma-related stimuli, anxiety or increased arousal, and some or all of the following: a subjective sense of diminished emotional responsiveness, numbing, or detachment, derealization, depersonalization, and amnesia for aspects of the event. If persistent, it may become posttraumatic stress disorder.