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The Commission E Monographs |
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General Glossary
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abortifacient
- a drug or chemical agent that induces abortion
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absorption
- uptake of a substance into the body or a tissue through skin or mucous membrane
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accommodation disturbance
- disturbance in the ability of the eye to focus
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acetylcholinesterase
- nuerotransmitter enzyme that hydrolyzes acetylcholine, affecting functioning of the parasympathetic nervous system
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acetylcholinesterase inhibitor
- agent that counteracts hydrolysis of acetylcholine to acetate and choline
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acid
- a solution having a pH of less than seven
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acinus
- small sac-like dilatation
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acne
- a chronic skin disorder due to inflammation of hair follicles and sebaceous glands (secretion glands in the skin)
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actino-
- in botany, rayed, starlike
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active transport
- movement of particles across cell membranes requiring the expenditure of energy
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acute
- an illness or symptom of sudden onset, which generally has a short duration
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addiction
- habitual dependence on a substance
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Addison's disease
- characterized by the chronic destruction of the adrenal cortex, which leads to an increased loss of sodium and water in the urine, muscle weakness and low blood pressure. The bronze color of the skin is due to the increased production of the skin pigment, melanin.
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additive
- the substance being added to another to obtain the desired product (e.g., food colors and food processing).
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adenoma
- an ordinarily benign growth of epithelial tissue in which the tumor cells form glands or gland-like structures that tend to exhibit glandular function
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adjuvant
- a substance added to a drug that affects the action of the active ingredient in a predictable way
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adnexitis
- inflammation of organ appendages, typically referring to the fallopian tube
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adrenoceptors
- sites on nerve cells or fibers which react to epinephrine or norepinephrine
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adsorbent
- a solid substance which binds other substances to its surface but does not interact chemically with them
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adsorption
- the property of a solid substance to attract and hold other molecules to its surface
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aegyptiacus
- in botany, of Egypt
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aglycone
- non-carbohydrate portion of a glycoside
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agranulocytosis
- condition characterized by a marked decrease in the number of white blood cells called granulocytes
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AIDS
- acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, a syndrome of the immune system caused by the HIV virus which weakens the immune system by destroying T4 helper/inducer lymphocytes
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akathisia
- condition of motor restlessness that can range from a sense of inner disquiet to inability to sleep, seen in toxic reaction to neuroleptic and antipsychotic medication
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albuminuria
- presence of albumin in the urine
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alcoholic solution
- in the case of herb preparations, mixture of water and ethanol used to dissolve an herb or its constituents
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-alis
- in botany, pertaining to, e.g. digitalis, pertaining to a finger
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alkaline
- a solution having a pH greater than seven
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allergic keratitis
- inflammation of the cornea due to allergic response
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allergy
- hypersensitivity caused by exposure to a particular antigen (allergen), resulting in an increased reactivity to that antigen on subsequent exposure, sometimes with harmful immunologic consequences
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alopecia
- loss of hair
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alpinus
- in botany, of high mountains
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alterative
- a term used in botanical medicine referring to a substance that restores health gradually, similar to a tonic
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alveolar
- pertaining to a small hollow space, as in the lung, e.g. pulmonary alveolus
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amantadine (amantadine hydrochloride)
- antiviral agent used to prevent or treat influenza; also used to treat Parkinson's disease
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amarum
- bitter vegetable drug
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ammi
- in botany, from an umbelliferous plant
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analeptic
- central nervous system stimulant
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analgesic
- agent which relieves pain without causing loss of consciousness
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anancastic
- pertaining to any form of repetitious stereotyped behavior that causes anxiety if prevented
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anaphylactic
- intense allergic reaction to a foreign substance
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anaphylactic shock
- life-threatening allergic response characterized by decreased blood pressure and impaired respiration
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ancyclostoma
- parasitic hookworm in the human duodenum
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anemia
- low amounts of red blood cells with clinical symptoms such as shortness of breath, lethargy and heart palpitations
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anemo-
- in botany, pertaining to wind
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anesthesia
- loss of sensation caused by neurological dysfunction or a pharmacological depression of nerve function
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anesthetic
- agent causing loss of sensation by neurological dysfunction or a pharmacological depression of nerve function
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aneurysm
- localized enlargement of an artery
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angina
- severe, restricting pain, usually referring to the pectoris
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angina pectoris
- severe chest pain
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angioedema
- recurring attacks of transient, subcutaneous edema, often due to an allergic reaction
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angioneuropathy
- any neuropathy affecting primarily blood vessels as angiospasm, angioparalysis, or vasomotor paralysis
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angioneurosis
- vasomotor (causing dilation or constriction of the blood vessels) nervous disease for which there is no detectable damage to nerve tissue
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angusti-
- in botany, narrow
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anhydrous
- water deficient
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aniso-
- in botany, uneven, unequal
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anorectic
- agent that decreases appetite
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anterior
- in the front or forward part of the organ or toward the head of the body
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anthelmintic
- agent that expels or destroys intestinal worms
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antiandrogenic
- substance capable of preventing full expression of the biological effects of androgenic hormones on responsive tissues, either by producing an antagonistic effect, as in the case of estrogen, or by competing for receptor sites on the cell surface
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antiarrhythmic
- combating an irregular heart beat
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antibacterial
- destroying or inhibiting the growth of bacteria
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antibody
- immunoglobulin molecule evoked as a response to an antigen which then interacts with the antigen
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anti-chemotactic
- preventing the movement of cells or organisms in response to chemicals
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anticholinergic
- antagonistic to the cholinergic nerve fibers
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anticoagulant
- preventing clotting
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antiedamatous
- preventing swelling
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antiemetic
- preventing vomiting
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anti-exudative
- preventing oozing
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antifungal
- destroying or combating fungi
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antigonadotropic
- agent preventing growth or function of the testes or ovary
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antihistamine
- drugs, used to treat allergy symptoms, which block the action of histamine
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antiinflammatory
- reducing inflammation by acting on body mechanisms, without directly acting on the cause of inflammation, e.g., glucocorticoids, aspirin
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antimicrobial
- tending to destroy microbes, hinder their multiplication or growth
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antimuscarinic
- inhibiting the toxic effect of muscarine or muscarine-like substances
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antimycotic
- fungicidal
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antiparasitic
- destructive to parasites
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antiphlogistic
- preventing inflammation
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antiseptic
- inhibiting growth of infectious organisms
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antisialagogue
- counteracts formation of saliva
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antispasmodic
- preventing spasms
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antithyrotropic
- inhibiting thyroid hormones
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antitussive
- cough suppressant
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anuria
- inability to urinate
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-anus
- in botany, belonging to, e.g., virginianus, of Virginia
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anxiety
- apprehension of danger, or dread, accompanied by nervous restlessness, tension, increased heart rate, and shortness of breath unrelated to a clearly identifiable stimulus
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aortic stenosis
- narrowing of the aortic valve of the heart
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aphrodisiac
- substance increasing or arousing sexual desire
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aplasia
- absence of tissue or defective organ development
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aplastic anemia
- anemia caused by failure of red blood cells to regenerate
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apnea
- cessation of breathing
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apoplexy
- sudden neurologic impairment due to a cerebrovascular disorder, e.g., cerebral stroke
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aqueous extract
- water extract
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argyro-
- in botany, silvery
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-arium
- in botany, place where something is done, e.g., herbarium, collection of dried plants
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armoracia
- in botany, designation for horseradish
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aroma corrigent
- substance that reduces, neutralizes or enhances an odor
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aromatic bitter
- bitter used as a flavoring due to its volatile oils
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arrhythmia
- any deviation from the normal rhythm of the heart
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arrythmogenic
- causing a change in the normal rhythm of the heart
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arteriosclerosis
- arterial hardening
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arthralgia
- joint pain
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arthritis
- joint inflammation
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arthrosis
- joint disease
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arthrosis deformans
- noninfectious degeneration of a joint characterized by pain, cracking, and loss of bone
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ascarid
- large, heavy-bodied roundworms parasitic in the human intestine
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-ascens
- in botany, process of becoming, e.g., violascens, becoming violet
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ascites
- accumulation of serous fluid in the abdominal cavity
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aspiration
- inhalation, or removal of fluids or gases from a cavity using suction
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asthenia
- diminishing strength and energy
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astringent
- agent causing contraction, especially after topical application
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ataxia
- failed muscular coordination, irregular muscular action
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ataxic
- relating to or suffering from ataxia
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atelectasis
- incomplete lung expansion or lung collapse and airlessness
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atherosclerosis
- common form of arteriosclerosis with deposits of yellow plaques containing cholesterol, lipids, and lipophages within the intima and inner media of arteries
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-aticus
- in botany, place of growth, e.g., aquaticus, growing in water
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atony
- in botany, lack of muscle tone of the supportive musculature of the bladder sphincter, resulting in incontinence
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atopic
- genetically predisposed toward developing immediate hypersensitivity reactions to common environmental allergens
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atopic allergy
- genetically determined state of hypersensitivity to environmental allergens
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atropine-like effect
- anticholinergic effect, resulting in tachycardia, mydriasis, constipation, retention of urine, limited perspiration attributable to the blockade of acetylcholine at muscarinic type cholinergic receptors in the nervous system
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-atus
- in botany, likeness of possession, rostratus, having a beak
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Auerbach's myenteric plexus
- network of nerves in the muscular layer of the wall of the digestive tract
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autoimmune disease
- immune response directed against tissues within one's own body
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autumnalis
- in botany, of the fall season
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axon
- an extended process of a neuron that conducts impulses traveling away from the cell body
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bacteriostatic
- preventing multiplication of bacteria
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balneological treatment
- treatment by immersing part of the body in a bath
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balneotherapy
- healing bath
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barbadensis
- in botany, from Barbados, e.g., Aloe barbadensis
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bathmotropic
- a response to stimulants which influences nervous and muscular irritability; negatively bathmotropiclessening nervous or muscular irritability; positively bathmotropicincreasing nervous or muscular irritability
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biliary dyskinesia
- inability to secrete bile
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biliary excretion (of drug)
- removal of the drug metabolites fomed in the body through bile, usually important for compounds with higher molecular weights (greater than 500)
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bilirubinuria
- presence of bilirubin (yellow-red pigment of bile) in urine
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-bilis
- in botany, ability or capacity, sensibilis, capable of sensitivity
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binding to plasma protein
- attachment of a compound, usually pharmaceutically active, to proteins in the blood, an important consideration when two or more drugs are simultaneously administered and displace each other
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bitter
- a bitter-tasting infusion or tonic that affects digestion or appetite by stimulating the increasing output of saliva and gastric juices; gentian and hops are among the plants used for this purpose
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bitter principle
- alkaloid
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bitter principles
- constituents possessing a bitter taste
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bitterness value
- inverse of the dilution at which a compound imparts a perceptible, bitter taste (e.g., a bitterness value of 50,000 means a part of the compound in 50,000 parts of water still tastes bitter)
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bladder and kidney congestion
- accumulation of fluid in the tissues resulting from congestive heart failure
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blennorrhea
- excess discharge from mucous surfaces, such as the urethra or vagina; term used in the past for gonorrhea
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blood purification
- the process by which an agent or organ enhances the body's normal function of removing impurities from the blood stream
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blood viscosity
- fluid flexibility of the blood
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borealis
- in botany, northern
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brachialgia
- arm pain
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brachy-
- in botany, short
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bradycardia
- slow heart rate
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brevi-
- in botany, short
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brightening agent
- filler
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bronchitis
- inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bronchial tubes, frequently accompanied by cough, hypersecretion of mucus, and expectoration of sputum
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broncholytic
- agent that reduces viscosity of bronchial secretions
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bronchospasmolytic
- reducing spasms of the bronchial tubes
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bronchospasm
- sudden involuntary contraction of the smooth muscles surrounding the bronchial tubes
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bruise
- injury producing a hematoma or diffuse extravasation of blood without breaking the skin
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buccal
- pertaining to, located near, the cheek
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bud
- immature vegetative or floral shoot, often covered by scales
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-bundus
- in botany, fullness, abundance, floribundus, full of flowers
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bunion
- localized swelling at the first metatarsophalangeal joint (between the instep and the toes) due to an inflamed bursa (fluid-filled sac)
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bursitis
- inflammation of bursa or fluid-filled sacs which normally function to reduce friction
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