Medical Dictionary Definitions A-Z List
Medical Dictionary Definitions A - Z - «A»:
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Abstemious
Abstemious: Marked by restraint, especially in the consumption of food or alcohol.
From the Latin prefix "abs-," meaning "from" or "away," and the Latin noun "temetum," meaning "intoxicating drink."...
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Abstinence
Abstinence: The voluntary self-denial of food, drink, or sex. Today, abstinence most commonly refers to denial of one's sexual activity....
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Abstinence, periodic
Abstinence, periodic: Also known as fertility awareness, natural family planning, and the rhythm method, this approach entails not having sexual intercourse on the days of a woman's menstrual cycle when she could become pregnant or using a barrier method (such as a condom, the diaphragm or a cervica...
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Abuse, child
Abuse, child: Child abuse is a very complex and dangerous
set of problems that include child neglect and the physical,
emotional, and sexual abuse of children.
Child neglect is the most frequently reported form of child
abuse and the most lethal. This form of abuse is defined as the
failure to p...
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Abuse, elder
Abuse, elder: See: Elder abuse....
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Abuse, emotional child
Abuse, emotional child: Emotional child abuse is the third
most frequently reported form of child abuse (after child neglect and
physical child abuse), accounting 17% of all cases of child abuse.
It is likely that emotional child abuse is greatly underreported,
since it can be difficult to detec...
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Abuse, physical child
Abuse, physical child: Next to child neglect, physical
abuse is the second most frequently reported form of child abuse,
accounting for 25% of all cases of child abuse.
Physical child abuse is physical injury inflicted upon the child
with cruel and/or malicious intent. Physical abuse can be the...
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Abuse, pregnancy
Abuse, pregnancy: Abuse of an expectant mother. This abuse is most often perpetrated by the woman's spouse, partner, or relative. Spurts of temper can progress to shouting and name calling. Then pushing and shoving. The use of physical violence can start a pattern. It is estimated that 1 in 12 pregn...
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Abuse, psychological child
Abuse, psychological child: Also known as emotional child
abuse, this is the third most frequently reported form of child abuse
(after child neglect and physical child abuse), accounting 17% of all
cases of child abuse.
It is likely that emotional child abuse is greatly underreported,
since it ...
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Abuse, sexual child
Abuse, sexual child: Child abuse comprises four basic types of mistreatment: child neglect, physical abuse of a child, emotional abuse of a child, and sexual abuse of a child.
Sexual abuse is the least frequently reported form of child abuse (6% of all cases). Experts believe that sexual abuse may...
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Abuse, steroid
Abuse, steroid: Use of substances containing
anabolic steroids to increase muscle mass. Such steroids
can have many side effects when misused, including
psychiatric problems, liver tumors, reduction in the size
of the male genitals and sterility, and heart damage.
...
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Abuse, substance
Abuse, substance: See: Substance abuse....
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Abuse, verbal child
Abuse, verbal child: Also known as emotional child abuse,
this is the third most frequently reported form of child abuse (after
child neglect and physical child abuse), accounting 17% of all cases
of child abuse.
It is likely that emotional child abuse is greatly underreported,
since it can be ...
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Abused inhalant
Abused inhalant: A breathable chemical vapor that is abused. All abused inhalants produce psychoactive (mind-altering) effects. Abused inhalants fall into the following categories:
Solvents
Industrial or household solvents or solvent-containing products, including paint thinners or removers, de...
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AC joint
AC joint: Acromioclavicular joint located between the acromion (a projection of the scapula that forms the point of the shoulder) and the clavicle (the collar bone). This is a gliding type of joint.
The ligaments that serve to support and strengthen this joint are called the capsular; superior and i...
