Medical Dictionary Definitions A-Z List
Medical Dictionary Definitions A - Z - «K»:
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Keratotomy
Keratotomy: A surgical incision (a cut) made into the cornea.
A radial keratotomy is a surgical procedure designed to flatten the cornea, reduce its optical power, and correct nearsightedness (myopia). The procedure is called a radial keratotomy because the incisions resemble the spokes in a bicycl...
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Keratotomy, radial
Keratotomy, radial: An eye surgery procedure designed to flatten the cornea, reducing its optical power,
to correct nearsightedness (myopia). In the procedure, incisions (cuts) are made in the cornea.
The procedure is said to be radial because the incisions resemble the spokes in a bicycle wheel. ...
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Kernicterus
Kernicterus: A type of brain damage associated with athetoid cerebral palsy (uncontrollable movement of the face, body, arms, and legs) and deafness. Kernicterus is due to marked jaundice in the newborn period. The high blood level of the pigment bilirubin results in its deposition in the brain, whi...
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Kernig sign
Kernig sign: A clinical hallmark of
meningitis, inflammation
of the meninges, the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
The test for Kernig sign is done by having the
person lie supine (flat on the back), flex the thigh so
that it is at a right angle to the trunk, and completely extend th...
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Keshan disease
Keshan disease: Condition caused by deficiency of the
essential mineral selenium. Keshan disease is a potentially fatal form of cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle). It was first observed in Keshan province in China and since has been found elsewhere (including New Zealand and Finland) in ar...
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Ketoacidosis
Ketoacidosis: A feature of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus characterized by a combination of ketosis and acidosis. Ketosis is the accumulation of substances called ketone bodies in the blood. Acidosis is increased acidity of the blood.
Symptoms of ketoacidosis include slow, deep breathing with a fru...
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Ketogenic diet
Ketogenic diet: A diet devised as a treatment for
severe seizure disorders that
do not respond to conventional medication. The ketogenic diet is comprised
almost entirely of fats and protein. All portion must be
precisely weighed and timed. Because this diet can cause
the buildup of ketone bodi...
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Ketone
Ketone: A chemical substances that the body makes when it does not have enough insulin in the blood. When ketones build up in the body for a long time, serious illness or coma can result.
See: Diabetic ketoacidosis; Ketoacidosis....
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Ketone bodies
Ketone bodies: Chemicals that the body makes when there is not enough insulin in the blood and it must break down fat instead of the sugar glucose for energy. The ketone bodies -- acetone, acetoacetate, and beta-hydroxybutyrate -- are toxic acidic chemicals. They build up in the blood and then spill...
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Ketone body
Ketone body: A chemicals that the body makes when there is not enough insulin in the blood and it must break down fat instead of the sugar glucose for energy. The ketone bodies -- acetone, acetoacetate, and beta-hydroxybutyrate -- are toxic acidic chemicals. They build up in the blood and then spill...
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Ketonuria
Ketonuria: A condition in which abnormally high amounts of ketone bodies (a byproduct of the breakdown of cells) are present in the urine.
Ketonuria is a sign seen in diabetes mellitus that is out of control. Diabetics prone to ketonuria need to monitor their urine for signs of ketone buildup that...
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Ketosis-prone diabetes
Ketosis-prone diabetes: See Diabetes, type 1....
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KHM
KHM: Keratoderma hereditarium mutilans. See: Vohwinkel syndrome....
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KID syndrome
KID syndrome: Acronym for the Keratitis-
Ichthyosis-Deafness syndrome, a genetic disorder. See Keratitis-ichthyosis-deafness syndrome....
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Kiddie cam
Kiddie cam: A camcorder (a video camera and video recorder in one unit) that displays a live feed so that parents can monitor their children from a remote location. A kiddie cam may have other uses, as in a day-care center. Also known as a kinder-cam or cradle cam....
