Talc


A very soft, soapy-feeling mineral that is a silicate of magnesium, sometimes with small amounts of aluminum silicate.

Talc is used in making dusting powder (talcum powder), in cosmetic preparations, and as a filter aid in pharmacy.

The inhalation of talc can lead to a chronic lung disease called talcosis which is related to silicosis. It occurs in workers exposed to talc mixed with silicates.

Talcum powder often used to contain traces of asbestos (because talc and asbestos form under similar circumstances and are commonly found together in the earth). Since asbestos can cause cancer, it is now removed from talcum powder.

Read Also:

  • Talipes

    Malformation of the foot evident at birth in which the heel is elevated like a horse’s hoof (equino-) and the heel is turned outward (valgus). This is a type of congenital deformity of the foot usually marked by a curled shape or twisted position of the ankle and heel and toes.

  • Talipes equinovarus

    The common (“classic”) form of clubfoot. Talipes is made up of the Latin talus (ankle) + pes (foot). Equino- indicates the heel is elevated (like a horse’s) and -varus indicates it is turned inward. With this type of clubfoot, the foot is turned in sharply and the person seems to be walking on their ankle. […]

  • Talus

    The ankle bone, or the ankle itself. The ankle joint is formed by the talus and the bottom of the tibia and fibula, which rest upon it.

  • Tamoxifen (Nolvadex)

    An antiestrogen (a drug that blocks the effects of estrogen) which competes with estrogen for binding sites in target tissues such as breast. Tamoxifen has been widely publicized. It was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat breast cancer and help prevent it in women at high risk for the disease […]

  • Tampon

    A pack or pad that is used to stop or collect the flow of blood or other fluids. A tampon may be made of cotton, sponge, or another material. Tampons serve in surgery to control bleeding and are used to stop severe nosebleeds. Vaginal tampons collect the flow of menstrual blood.


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