Abruption
Abruption: A sudden breaking off or away. Abruption of the placenta (abruptio placentae) is the premature separation of the placenta from the wall of the uterus, a potentially very serious situation for the mother and baby.
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- Abscess, peritonsillar
Abscess, peritonsillar: An abscess behind the tonsils that pushes one of the tonsils toward the uvula (the prominent soft tissue dangling from the back of the palate in the back of the mouth). A peritonsillar abscess is generally very painful and associated with difficulty opening the mouth. If a peritonsillar abscess is untreated, the infection […]
- Abscess
Abscess: A local accumulation of pus anywhere in the body. The following are some examples of abscesses: A skin abscess is better known as a common boil; A peritonsillar abscess is a persistent collection of pus behind the tonsils; and A perianal abscess is a pool of pus that forms next to the anus, often […]
- Absence of the breast
Absence of the breast: A rare condition wherein the normal growth of the breast or nipple never takes place and they are congenitally absent. Absence of the breast, also called amastia, is frequently not an isolated problem. Unilateral amastia (amastia just on one side) is often associated with absence of the pectoral muscles (the muscles […]
- Abscess, perianal
Abscess, perianal: An abscess next to the anus that causes tenderness, swelling, and pain on defecation.
- Absence seizure
Absence seizure: A seizure that takes the form of a staring spell. The person suddenly seems to be “absent.” An absence seizure involves a brief loss of awareness, which can be accompanied by blinking or mouth twitching. Absence seizures have a very characteristic appearance on an electroencephalogram (EEG). Also called a petit mal seizure.