A Practical Physiology - Part 49
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Part 49

Convolutions (Lat. _con_, together, and _volvo_, to roll). The tortuous foldings of the external surface of the brain.

Convulsion (Lat. _convello_, to pull together). A more or less violent agitation of the limbs or body.

Coordination. The manner in which several different organs of the body are brought into such relations with one another that their functions are performed in harmony.

Coracoid (Gr. ???a?, a crow, e?d??, form). Shaped like a crow's beak.

Cornea (Lat. _cornu_, a horn). The transparent horn-like substance which covers a part of the front of the eyeball.

Coronary (Lat. _corona_, a crown). A term applied to vessels and nerves which encircle parts, as the _coronary_ arteries of the heart.

Coronoid (Gr. ??????;, a crow). Like a crow's beak; thus the _coronoid_ process of the ulna.

Cricoid (Gr. ??????, a ring, and e?d??, form). A cartilage of the larynx resembling a seal ring in shape.

Crystalline Lens (Lat. _crystallum_, a crystal). One of the humors of the eye; a double-convex body situated in the front part of the eyeball.

c.u.mulative. A term applied to the violent action from drugs which supervenes after the taking of several doses with little or no effect.

Cuticle (Lat. dim. of _cutis_, the skin). Scarf skin; the epidermis.

Cutis (Gr. s??t??, a skin or hide). The true skin, also called the _dermis_.

Decussation (Lat. _decusso_, _decussatum_, to cross). The _crossing_ or running of one portion athwart another.

Degeneration (Lat. _degenerare_, to grow worse, to deteriorate). A change in the structure of any organ which makes it less fit to perform its duty.

Deglut.i.tion (Lat. _deglutire_, to swallow). The process of swallowing.

Deltoid. Having a triangular shape; resembling the Greek letter ? (_delta_).

Dentine (Lat. _dens_, _dentis_, a tooth). The hard substance which forms the greater part of a tooth; ivory.

Deodorizer. An agent which corrects any foul or unwholesome odor.

Dextrin. A soluble substance obtained from starch.

Diabetes Mellitus (Gr. d??, through, a???, to go, and ???, honey).

Excessive flow of sugar-containing urine.

Diaphragm (Gr. d?af??ss?, to divide by a part.i.tion). A large, thin muscle which separates the cavity of the chest from the abdomen.

Diastole (Gr. d?ast????, to dilate). The _dilatation_ of the heart.

Dietetics. That part of medicine which relates to diet, or food.

Diffusion of Gases. The power of gases to become intimately mingled.

Diploe (Gr. d?p???, to double, to fold). The osseous tissue between the tables of the skull.

Dipsomania (Gr. d??a, thirst, and a??a, madness). An insatiable desire for intoxicants.

Disinfectants. Agents used to destroy the germs or particles of living matter that are believed to be the causes of infection.

Dislocation (Lat. _dislocare_, to put out of place). An injury to a joint in which the bones are displaced or forced out of their sockets.

Dissection (Lat. _dis_, apart, and _seco_, to cut). The cutting up of an animal in order to learn its structure.

Distal (Lat. _dis_, apart, and _sto_, to stand). Away from the center.

Duct (Lat. _duco_, to lead). A narrow tube.

Duodenum (Lat. _duodeni_, twelve). The first division of the small intestines, about twelve fingers' breadth long.

Dyspepsia (Gr. -d??, ill, and p?pte??, to digest). A condition of the alimentary ca.n.a.l in which it digests imperfectly. Indigestion.

Dyspna (Gr. d??, difficult, and p???, to breathe). Difficult breathing.

Efferent (Lat. _effero_, to carry out). _Bearing_ or _carrying outwards_, as from the center to the periphery.

Effluvia (Lat. _effluo_, to flow out). Exhalations or vapors coming from the body, and from decaying animal or vegetable substances.

Element. One of the simplest parts of which anything consists.

Elimination (Lat. _e_, out of, and _limen, liminis_, a threshold).

The act of _expelling_ waste matters. Signifies, literally, "to throw out of doors."

Emetic (Gr. ???, to vomit). A medicine which causes vomiting.

Emulsion (Lat. _emulgere_, to milk). Oil in a finely divided state, suspended in water.

Enamel (Fr. _email_). Dense material covering the crown of a tooth.

Endolymph (Gr. ??d??, within, and Lat. _lympha_, water). The fluid in the membranous labyrinth of the ear.

Endosmosis (Gr. ??d??, within, and ????, to push). The current from without _inwards_ when diffusion of fluids takes place through a membrane.

Epidemic (Gr. ?p?, upon, and d???, the people). An extensively prevalent disease.

Epiglottis (Gr. ?p?, upon, and ???tt??, the entrance to the windpipe). A leaf-shaped piece of cartilage which covers the top of the larynx during the act of swallowing.

Epilepsy (Gr. ?p??????, a seizure). A nervous disease accompanied by fits in which consciousness is lost; the falling sickness.

Ether (Gr. a????, the pure, upper air). A narcotic poison. Used as an anaesthetic in surgical operations.

Eustachian (from an Italian anatomist named Eustachi). The tube which leads from the throat to the middle ear, or tympanum.