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aorta

(Encyclopedia)CE5 Aorta aorta āôrˈtə [key], primary artery of the circulatory system in mammals, delivering oxygenated blood to all other arteries except those of the lungs. The human aorta, c.1 in. (2.54 c...

autoimmune disease

(Encyclopedia)autoimmune disease, any of a number of abnormal conditions caused when the body produces antibodies to its own substances. In rheumatoid arthritis, a group of antibody molecules called collectively RF...

Leixões

(Encyclopedia)Leixões lāˈshoiNsh [key], artificial seaport of Oporto, NW Portugal. Built in the late 19th cent, its chief export is port wine. ...

ACE inhibitor

(Encyclopedia)ACE inhibitor ănˌjēōtĕnˈsĭn [key], drug used to reduce elevated blood pressure (see hypertension), to treat congestive heart failure, and to alleviate strain on hea...

Kawasaki disease

(Encyclopedia)Kawasaki disease or Kawasaki syndrome, acute illness characterized by inflammation of the blood vessels that primarily affects young children; it is more common in boys and children of Asian descent. ...

Ozarks, Lake of the

(Encyclopedia)Ozarks, Lake of the, artificial lake, 93 sq mi (241 sq km), c.130 mi (210 km) long, central Mo., largest reservoir in the state; created by the impounding of the Osage River by Bagnell Dam. Its irregu...

acrylic

(Encyclopedia)acrylic, artificial fiber made from a special group of vinyl compounds, primarily acrylonitrile. Acrylic fibers are thermoplastic (i.e., soften when heated, reharden upon cooling), have low moisture r...

first aid

(Encyclopedia)first aid, immediate and temporary treatment of a victim of sudden illness or injury while awaiting the arrival of medical aid. Proper early measures may be instrumental in saving life and ensuring a ...

thrombolytic drug

(Encyclopedia)thrombolytic drug thrŏmˌbəlĭtˈĭk [key] or clot-dissolving drug, substance, such as streptokinase or tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), that causes the breakdown of blood clots (see thrombosis) ...

space medicine

(Encyclopedia)space medicine, study of the medical and biological effects of space travel on living organisms. The principal aim is to discover how well and for how long humans can withstand the extreme conditions ...