Apophenia
Apophenia: In psychology, the perception of connections and meaningfulness in unrelated things. Apophenia can be a normal phenomenon or an abnormal one, as in paranoid schizophrenia when the patient sees ominous patterns where there are none.
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- Apophysitis calcaneus
Apophysitis calcaneus: Also called Sever’s condition, this disorder is due to inflammation of the growth plate of the calcaneus, the bone at the back of the heel. The inflammation is at the point where the Achilles tendon attaches. It occurs mainly in older children and adolescents, especially active boys. It can be very painful. It […]
- Apoplexy
Apoplexy: A venerable term for a stroke, a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), often associated with loss of consciousness and paralysis of various parts of the body. The word “apoplexy” comes from the Greek “apoplexia” meaning a seizure, in the sense of being struck down. In Greek “plexe” is “a stroke.” The ancients believed that someone suffering […]
- Apoptosis
Apoptosis: A form of cell death in which a programmed sequence of events leads to the elimination of cells without releasing harmful substances into the surrounding area. Apoptosis plays a crucial role in developing and maintaining the health of the body by eliminating old cells, unnecessary cells, and unhealthy cells. The human body replaces perhaps […]
- Appendectomy
Removal by surgery of the appendix, the small worm-like appendage of the colon (the large bowel). An appendectomy is performed because of probable appendicitis, inflammation of the wall of the appendix generally associated with infection. Appendicitis usually is suspected because of the medical history and physical examination. The pain of developing appendicitis is at first […]
- Appendiceal
Appendiceal: Relating to the appendix. As, for example, an appendiceal abscess. Perforation of the appendix can lead to a periappendiceal abscess or diffuse peritonitis (infection of the entire lining of the abdomen and the pelvis).