Glossary
Use this page to find the definitions of medical or scientific terms used on this site. If we've missed any important words, please let us know through the contact us page!
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Jump to: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A:
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Atrophic scarring: sunken, recessed scar due to collagen breakdown
Autosomal dominant: a trait inherited on one of the main 22 chromosomes that only requires one copy from the individual's parents to be expressed; ex: brown eyes
Autosomal recessive: a trait inherited on one of the main 22 chromosomes that requires two copies from the individual's parents to be expressed; ex: blue eyes
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C:
Congenital: present at birth
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D:
De novo: new mutation arising in the individual; not inherited
Dislocation: when a bone comes completely out of place
Dysautonomia: (or autonomic dysfunction, autonomic neuropathy) is a condition in which the autonomic nervous system (ANS) malfunctions. It is an umbrella term for various forms of ANS malfunction
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H:
Heritable: a trait that can be inherited
Hernia: a condition in which part of an organ is displaced and protrudes through the wall of the cavity containing it (often involving the intestine at a weak point in the abdominal wall)
Hypermobility: extra mobility, the ability to bend the joints farther than they should normally go; sometimes called double jointedness
Hypotonia: lack of muscle tone; usually described in infants
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J:
Joint laxity: looseness of joints
K:
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Keloid scarring: raised, thickened, darkened scar
Kyphosis: an abnormal curvature in the spine from front to back
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M:
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Marfanoid habitus: a constellation of symptoms resembling those of Marfan syndrome, including long limbs, with an arm span that exceeds the height of the individual, and a crowded oral maxilla, sometimes with a high arch in the palate, arachnodactyly, and hyperlaxity
Molluscoid pseudotumors: blueish gray, spongy nodules associated with scar tissue over the pressure points and easily damaged tissue like the elbows and knees
Mutation: an abnormal change in the DNA; generally refers to one with ill effects on the protein coded by the mutated gene
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P:
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POTS: Postural Orthostatic Tachycardic Syndrome; one of a group of disorders with orthostatic intolerance (OI) as the primary symptom; heart rate and blood pressure do not adjust normally to changes in position and can cause dizziness, or even fainting upon standing
Premature rupture of the membanes: when the amniotic sac ruptures prior to 37 weeks gestation and labor has not started within one hour
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S:
Scoliosis: abnormal curvature of the spine from left to right
Subluxation: partial dislocation of a joint
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T:
TMJ: Temporal Mandibular Joint (the point at which your jaw connects to the rest of your skull); usually refers to TMJ disorder, which is a painful condition in which the joint is compromised and movement becomes painful or restricted
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