K
K kelvin; lysine; potassium (L. kalium).
KM Km Michaelis constant.
k k kilo-.
κ κ (kappa, the tenth letter of the Greek alphabet) one of the two types of immunoglobulin light chains.
kak- kak- for words beginning thus, see those beginning cac-.
kala-azar [Hindi] kala-azar visceral leishmaniasis.
kaliuresis kaliurèse the excretion of potassium in the urine. Adj.: kaliuretic.
kallidin kallidine lysyl-bradykinin, a decapeptide kinin produced by the action of tissue and glandular kallikreins on LMW kininogen and having physiologic effects similar to those of bradykinin.
kallikrein kallicréine any of several serine proteinases that cleave kininogens to form kinins. plasma k. k. plasmatique a plasma hydrolase that cleaves HMW kininogen to produce bradykinin and also activates blood coagulation factors XII and VII and plasminogen. tissue k. k. tissulaire a hydrolase of tissues and various glandular secretions that cleaves LMW kininogen to form kallidin.
kallikreinogen kallicréinogène prekallikrein.
kampo kampo [Japanese] herbal medicine as practiced in Japan, having its origin in traditional Chinese medicine.
kanamycin kanamycine an aminoglycoside antibiotic derived from Streptomyces kanamyceticus, effective against aerobic gram-negative bacilli and some gram-positive bacteria, including mycobacteria; used as the sulfate salt.
kanpo kanpo kampo.
kaolin kaolin native hydrated aluminum silicate, powdered and freed from gritty particles by elutriation; used as an adsorbent and, often with pectin, an antidiarrheal.
kaolinosis kaolinose pneumoconiosis from inhaling particles of kaolin.
kapha kapha [Sanskrit] in ayurveda, one of the three doshas, condensed from the elements water and earth. It is the principle of stabilizing energy, governs growth in the body and mind, is concerned with structure, stability, lubrication, and fluid balance, and is eliminated from the body through the urine.
karma karma [Sanskrit] in Indian philosophy, the total effect of a person’s actions, both mental and physical, on his or her existence; a person’s present state, including health, is determined by actions from previous existence, and present actions determine their destiny for future existence.
kary(o)- cary(o)- word element [Gr.], nucleus.
karyogamy caryogamie cell conjugation with union of nuclei.
karyogram caryogramme an image of a systematized array of a chromosome complement, with the expanded implication that the chromosomes of a single cell can typify an individual or even a species. See also karyotype.
karyokinesis caryocinèse division of the cell nucleus. Adj.: karyokinetic.
karyolysis caryolyse 1. the swelling of the nucleus of a necrotic cell and fading of the chromatin as it becomes less basophilic. Adj.: karyolytic. 2. dissolution of the cell nucleus; cf. karyorrhexis.
karyomorphism caryomorphisme the shape of a cell nucleus.
karyophage caryophage a protozoan that phagocytizes the nucleus of the cell it infects.
karyopyknosis caryopycnose shrinkage of a cell nucleus, with condensation of the chromatin. Adj.: karyopyknotic.
karyorrhexis caryorrhexie 1. rupture of the cell nucleus with disintegration of the chromatin into formless granules that are extruded from the cell. Adj.: karyorrhectic. 2. fragmentation of a cell nucleus into formless granules; it is followed by dissolution (karyolysis).
karyotype caryotype formally, the symbolic (e.g., numbers, letters) representation of the chromosome set of an individual, tissue, or cell line. In practice, it is often used interchangeably with idiogram and karyogram. Adj.: karyotypic.
kat kat katal.
kata- kata- word element [Gr.], down; against. See also words beginning cata-.
katal katal a unit of measurement proposed to express activities of all catalysts, being that amount of a catalyst that catalyzes a reaction rate of 1 mole of substrate per second. Symbol kat.
kava kava kava kava a preparation of the rhizome of Piper methysticum, (kava plant), having muscle-relaxing, anticonvulsive, anxiolytic, and sedative effects; used for the relief of stress and restlessness, and for sleep induction; also used in homeopathy and folk medicine.
kcal kcal kilocalorie.
kD, kDa kD kilodalton; 1000 daltons.
keloid chéloïde a sharply elevated, irregularly shaped, progressively enlarging scar due to excessive collagen formation in the dermis during connective tissue repair. Adj.: keloidal.
kelvin (K) kelvin the base SI unit of temperature, equal to 1/273.16 of the absolute temperature of the triple point of water.
Kepone Képone trademark for a nonbiodegradable polychlorinated ketone, used as an insecticide; workers exposed to it have suffered neurologic symptoms such as tremors and slurred speech.
keratan sulfate sulfate de kératan either of two glycosaminoglycans (I and II), consisting of repeating disaccharide units of N-acetylglucosamine and galactose, but differing slightly in carbohydrate content and localization. It occurs in cartilage, the cornea, and the nucleus pulposus and is also an accumulation product in Morquio syndrome.
keratectasia kératectasie protrusion of a thinned, scarred cornea.
keratectomy kératectomie excision of a portion of the cornea; kerectomy. photorefractive k. k. photoréfractive the correction of ametropia by using an excimer laser to remove a portion of the anterior corneal stroma in order to create a new radius of curvature.
keratic kératique 1. keratinous. 2. corneal.
keratin kératine any of a family of scleroproteins that are the main constituents of epidermis, hair, nails, and horny tissues. The high-sulfur keratin polypeptides of ectodermally derived structures, e.g., hair and nails, are also called hard k’s.
keratinase kératinase a proteolytic enzyme that catalyzes the cleavage of keratin.
keratinization kératinisation conversion into keratin.
keratinocyte kératinocyte the epidermal cell that synthesizes keratin, known in its successive stages in the layers of the skin as basal cell, prickle cell, and granular cell.
keratinosome kératinosome lamellar body.
keratinous kératineux pertaining to or containing keratin.
keratitis kératite inflammation of the cornea. k. bullosa k. bulleuse presence of blebs upon the cornea. dendriform k., dendritic k. k. dendriforme herpetic keratitis which results in a branching ulceration of the cornea. herpetic k. k. herpétique 1. that, commonly with dendritic ulceration (dendriform or dendritic k.), due to infection with herpes simplex virus. 2. that occurring in herpes zoster ophthalmicus. interstitial k. k. interstitielle chronic keratitis with deep deposits in the cornea, which becomes hazy. lattice k. k. dentelée bilateral hereditary corneal dystrophy with formation of interwoven filamentous lesions. microbial k. k. microbienne that resulting from bacterial or fungal infection of the cornea, usually associated with soft contact lens wear. neuroparalytic k. k. neuroparalytique keratitis due to injury to the trifacial nerve that prevents closing of the eyelids, marked by dryness and fissuring of the corneal epithelium. phlyctenular k. k. phlycténulaire see under keratoconjunctivitis. sclerosing k. k. sclérosante keratitis with scleritis. trachomatous k. k. trachomateuse pannus trachomatosus. ulcerative k. k. ulcéreuse keratitis with ulceration of the corneal epithelium, frequently a result of bacterial invasion of the cornea.
kerat(o)- kérato- word element [Gr.], horny tissue; cornea.
keratoacanthoma kératoacanthome a benign, locally destructive, epithelial tumor closely resembling squamous cell carcinoma but usually resolving spontaneously; lesions have craters, each filled with a keratin plug.
keratocele kératocèle hernial protrusion of the Descemet membrane.
keratocentesis kératocentèse puncture of the cornea.
keratoconjunctivitis kératoconjonctivite inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva. epidemic k. k. épidémique a highly infectious form, commonly with regional lymph node involvement, occurring in epidemics; an adenovirus has been repeatedly isolated from affected patients. phlyctenular k. k. phlycténulaire a form marked by formation of a small, gray, circumscribed lesion at the corneal limbus. k. sicca k. sèche a condition marked by hyperemia of the conjunctiva, thickening and drying of the corneal epithelium, itching and burning of the eye and, often, reduced visual acuity. viral k. k. virale epidemic k.
keratoconus kératocône conical protrusion of the central part of the cornea.
keratocyst kératokyste an odontogenic cyst lined with a layer of keratinized squamous epithelium and commonly associated with a primordial cyst.
keratoderma kératodermie 1. hypertrophy of the stratum corneum of the skin. 2. a horny skin or covering. k. climactericum k. palmoplantaire climatérique an acquired form of palmoplantar keratoderma seen in perimenopausal women. diffuse palmoplantar k. k. palmoplantaire diffuse any of several hereditary types of palmoplantar keratoderma having well-demarcated, usually symmetrical areas of scaling on the palms and soles; most types also have epidermolysis. k. palmare et plantare, palmoplantar k. k. palmaire et plantaire thickening of the skin of the palms and soles, sometimes with painful fissuring, often associated with other anomalies; most types are hereditary, but there are also acquired forms, e.g. with drug reactions, malignant conditions, etc. punctate k., k. punctatum k. ponctuée an autosomal dominant form of palmoplantar keratoderma in which lesions are in multiple points on the palms and soles.
keratogenous kératogène giving rise to a growth of horny material.
keratoglobus kératoglobe a bilateral anomaly in which the cornea is enlarged and globular in shape.
keratohelcosis kératohelcose ulceration of the cornea.
keratohyalin kératohyaline 1. a substance in the granules in the stratum granulosum of the epidermis, which may be involved in keratinization. 2. a substance found in granules in Hassall corpuscles of the thymus.
keratohyaline kératohyalin 1. both horny and hyaline. 2. pertaining to keratohyalin or to the keratohyalin granules or the stratum granulosum of the epidermis. 3. kératohyaline keratohyalin.
keratoiritis kérato-iritis inflammation of the cornea and iris.
keratoleptynsis kératoleptynsis removal of the anterior portion of the cornea and replacement with bulbar conjunctiva.
keratoleukoma kératoleucome a white opacity of the cornea.
keratolysis kératolyse softening and separation of the stratum corneum of the epidermis. pitted k., k. plantare sulcatum k. ponctuée a tropical disease marked by thickening and deep fissuring of the skin of the soles, occurring during the rainy season.
keratolytic kératolytique pertaining to, characterized by, or producing keratolysis, or an agent that so acts.
keratoma kératome pl. keratomas, keratomata a callus or callosity.
keratomalacia kératomalacie softening and necrosis of the cornea associated with vitamin A deficiency.
keratome kératotome a knife for incising the cornea.
keratometry kératométrie measurement of corneal curves. Adj.: keratometric.
keratomileusis kératomileusis keratoplasty in which a slice of the patient’s cornea is removed, shaped to the desired curvature, and then sutured back on the remaining cornea to correct optical error. laser-assisted in- situ k. (LASIK) kératomileusis in situ assisté par laser keratoplasty in which the excimer laser and microkeratome are combined for vision correction; the microkeratome is used to shave a thin slice and create a hinged flap in the cornea, the exposed cornea is reshaped by the laser, and the flap is replaced, without sutures, to heal back into position.
keratomycosis kératomycose fungal infection of the cornea.
keratonyxis kératonyxis keratocentesis.
keratopathy kératopathie noninflammatory disease of the cornea. band k. kérathopathie en bande a condition characterized by an abnormal gray circumcorneal band.
keratophakia kératophakie keratoplasty in which a slice of donor’s cornea is shaped to a desired curvature and inserted between layers of the recipient’s cornea to change its curvature.
keratoplasty kératoplastie plastic surgery of the cornea; corneal transplantation. optic k. k. optique transplantation of corneal material to replace scar tissue which interferes with vision. refractive k. k. réfractive removal of a section of cornea from a patient or donor, which is shaped to the desired curvature and inserted either between (keratophakia) layers of or on (keratomileusis) the patient’s cornea to change its curvature and correct optical errors. tectonic k. k. tectonique transplantation of corneal material to replace tissue which has been lost.
keratorhexis kératorrhexis rupture of the cornea.
keratorrhexis kératorrhexis keratorhexis.
keratoscopy kératoscopie inspection of the cornea.
keratosis kératose pl. keratoses any horny growth, such as a wart or callosity. Adj.: keratotic. actinic k. kératose actinique a sharply outlined verrucous or keratotic growth that may develop into a cutaneous horn or become malignant; it usually occurs in the middle-aged or elderly and is due to excessive exposure to the sun. k. follicularis k. folliculaire a hereditary form marked by areas of crusting, itching, warty or papular growths that may fuse to form plaques. inverted follicular k. k. folliculaire inversée a benign usually solitary epithelial tumor originating in a hair follicle and occurring as a flesh-colored nodule or papule. palmoplantar k. k. palmoplantaire see under keratoderma. k. pharyngea k. pharyngée that characterized by horny projections from the tonsils and the orifices of the lymph follicles in the pharyngeal walls. k. pilaris k. pilaire hyperkeratosis limited to the hair follicles. k. punctata, punctate k. keratosis punctata, kératose ponctuée see under keratoderma. seborrheic k. k. séborrhéique a benign tumor of epidermal origin, marked by soft friable plaques with slight to intense pigmentation, most often on the face, trunk, or limbs. solar k. k. solaire actinic k.
keratosulfate kératosulfate keratan sulfate.
keratotomy kératotomie incision of the cornea. radial k. kératotomie radiaire a series of incisions made in the cornea from its outer edge toward its center in spokelike fashion; done to flatten the cornea and thus to correct myopia.
keratotorus kératotorus a vaultlike protrusion of the cornea.
kerion kérion a boggy, exudative tumefaction covered with pustules; associated with tinea infections.
kernicterus kernictère [Ger.] a condition with severe neural symptoms, associated with high levels of bilirubin in the blood.
ketamine kétamine a rapid-acting general anesthetic, used as the hydrochloride salt.
ket(o)- cét(o)- word element, ketone group.
keto acid acide-cétone a carboxylic acid containing a carbonyl group.
ketoacidosis cétoacidose acidosis accompanied by the accumulation of ketone bodies in the body tissues and fluids. diabetic k. c. diabétique see under acidosis.
ketoaciduria cétoacidurie the presence of keto acids in the urine. branched-chain k. cétoacidurie à chaîne ramifiée maple syrup urine disease.
ketoaminoacidemia cétoaminoacidémie maple syrup urine disease
β-ketobutyric acid acide β-cétobutyrique acetoacetic acid.
ketogenesis cétogenèse the production of ketone bodies. Adj.: ketogenetic, ketogenic.
ketoconazole kétoconazole a derivative of imidazole used as an antifungal agent.
α-ketoglutarate α-cétoglutarate a salt or anion of α-ketoglutaric acid.
α-ketoglutaric acid α-cétoglutarate a metabolic intermediate involved in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, in amino acid metabolism, and in transamination reactions as an amino group acceptor.
ketolysis cétolyse the splitting up of ketone bodies. Adj.: ketolytic.
ketone cétone any of a class of organic compounds containing the carbonyl group, C
O, whose carbon atom is joined to two other carbon atoms, i.e., with the carbonyl group occurring within the carbon chain.
ketonemia cétonémie excessive ketone bodies in the blood.
ketonuria cétonurie an excess of ketone bodies in the urine.
ketoprofen kétoprofène a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug used in the treatment of various rheumatic and nonrheumatic inflammatory disorders, pain, dysmenorrhea, and vascular headaches.
ketorolac ketotolac a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug available as the tromethamine salt; used systemically for short-term management of pain; also applied topically to the conjunctiva in the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis and of ocular inflammation following cataract surgery.
ketose cétose a subgroup of the monosaccharides, being those having a nonterminal carbonyl (keto) group.
ketosis cétose accumulation of excessive amounts of ketone bodies in body tissues and fluids, occurring when fatty acids are incompletely metabolized. Adj.: ketotic.
ketosteroid cétostéroïde a steroid having ketone groups on functional carbon atoms. The 17-ketosteroids, found in normal urine and in excess in certain tumors and in congenital adrenal hyperplasia, have a ketone group on the 17th carbon atom and include certain androgenic and adrenocortical hormones.
ketotifen kétotifène a noncompetitive H1-receptor antagonist and mast cell stabilizer; used topically as the fumarate salt as an antipruritic in the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis.
keV keV kiloelectron volt; 1000 electron volts.
keynote info-clé in homeopathy, the characteristic property of a drug that indicates its use in treating a similar symptom of disease.
kg kg kilogram.
kHz kHz kilohertz; 1000 hertz.
ki ki [Japanese] Japanese qi.
kidney rein either of the two organs in the lumbar region that filter the blood, excreting the end-products of body metabolism in the form of urine, and regulating the concentrations of hydrogen, sodium, potassium, phosphate, and other ions in the extracellular fluid. abdominal k.r. abdominal an ectopic kidney just above the iliac crest. amyloid k. r. amyloïde one with renal amyloidosis. cake k. r. en galette a solid, irregularly lobed organ of bizarre shape, formed by fusion of the two renal anlagen. cicatricial k. r. cicatriciel a shriveled, irregular, and scarred kidney due to suppurative pyelonephritis. fatty k. dégénérescence graisseuse rénale one with fatty degeneration. flea-bitten k. r. moucheté one with scattered petechiae on its surface. floating k. r. flottant nephroptosis. fused k. r. sigmoïde a single anomalous organ developed as a result of fusion of the renal anlagen. head k. r. primitif pronephros. horseshoe k. r. en fer à cheval an anomaly in which the right and left kidneys are linked at one end by tissue. hypermobile k. r. mobile nephroptosis. lumbar k. r. lombaire an ectopic kidney found opposite the sacral promontory in the iliac fossa, anterior to the iliac vessels. lump k. r. en galette cake k. medullary sponge k. r. médullaire en éponge a usually asymptomatic, congenital condition in which small cystic dilatations of the collecting tubules of the renal medulla give the kidney a spongy feeling and appearance. middle k. rein moyen mesonephros. pelvic k. rein pelvien an ectopic kidney found opposite the sacrum and below the aortic bifurcation. polycystic k’s reins polykystiques see polycystic kidney disease, under disease. primordial k. rein primitif pronephros. sigmoid k. rein sigmoïde an anomaly in which the two kidneys are fused in the form of a capital Greek letter sigma. sponge k. rein en éponge medullary sponge k. thoracic k. rein intrathoracique an ectopic kidney that protrudes above the diaphragm into the posterior mediastinum. waxy k. amyloïdose rénale amyloid k.
kilo- kilo- word element [Gr.], one thousand (103), used in naming units of measurement. Symbol k.
kilocalorie kilocalorie a unit of heat equal to 1000 calories. Abbreviated kcal.
kilogram kilogramme the basic SI unit of mass, being 1000 grams, or one cubic decimeter of water; equivalent to 2.205 pounds avoirdupois.
kinanesthesia kinanesthésie akinesthesia.
kinase kinase 1. a subclass of the transferases, comprising the enzymes that catalyze the transfer of a high-energy group from a donor (usually ATP) to an acceptor. 2. a suffix used in the names of some enzymes that convert an inactive or precursor form.
kine- kiné- word element [Gr.], movement. See also words beginning cine-.
kineplasty cinéplastie use of the stump of an amputated limb to produce motion of the prosthesis.
kinescope cinéscope an instrument for ascertaining ocular refraction.
kinesia cinétose motion sickness.
kinesiatrics cinésithérapie kinesitherapy.
kinesics kinésique the study of body movement as a part of the process of communication.
kinesigenic kinégénique caused by movement.
kinesimeter kinésimètre an instrument for quantitative measurement of movements.
kinesin kinésine any of a family ATP-splitting cytoplasmic proteins that bind vesicles and particles and transport them along microtubules; they are also important in spindle formation in mitosis.
kinesi(o)- kinési(o)- word element [Gr.], movement.
kinesiology cinésiologie 1. the sum of what is known regarding human motion; the study of motion of the human body. 2. a system of diagnosis based on the theory that muscle dysfunction is secondary to subclinical structural, chemical, or mental dysfunction in other parts of the body; using manual muscle testing to help identify the primary dysfunction and treating by attempting to correct the underlying state.
kinesioneurosis cinésionévrose a functional nervous disorder marked by motor disturbances.
kinesis cinésie [Gr.] 1. movement. 2. stimulusinduced motion responsive only to the intensity of the stimulus, not the direction; cf. taxis.
-kinesis -kinèse word termination, movement or activation.
kinesitherapy kinésithérapie the treatment of disease by movements or exercise.
kinesthesia cinesthésie 1. the awareness of position, weight, tension and movement. 2. movement sense. Adj.: kinesthetic.
kinesthesis kinesthésie kinesthesia.
kinetic cinétique pertaining to or producing motion.
kinetics cinétique the scientific study of the turnover, or rate of change, of a specific factor in the body, commonly expressed as units of amount per unit time. chemical k. c. chimique the study of the rates and mechanisms of chemical reactions.
kinetocardiogram kinétocardiogramme the graphic record obtained by kinetocardiography.
kinetocardiography kinétocardiographie the graphic recording of slow vibrations of the anterior chest wall in the region of the heart, the vibrations representing the absolute motion at a given point on the chest.
kinetochore kinétochore a structure embedded in the surface of the centromere to which the spindle fibers are attached.
kinetogenic kinétogénique causing or producing movement.
kinetoplast kinétoplaste a structure associated with the basal body in many protozoa, primarily the Mastigophora; it is rich in DNA and, like the basal body, it replicates independently.
kinetosis cinétose pl. kinetoses any disorder due to unaccustomed motions; see motion sickness.
kingdom règne in the classification of living organisms, the highest of the categories; there are usually considered to be five: Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae (the plants), and Animalia (the animals).
kinin kinine any of a group of vasoactive straight-chain polypeptides formed by kallikrein- catalyzed cleavage of kininogens; causing vasodilation and also altering vascular permeability.
kininase II kininase II see peptidyl-dipeptidase A.
kininogen kininogène either of two plasma α2-globulins that are kinin precursors, HMW (high-molecular-weight) k., precursor to bradykinin, and LMW (low-molecular- weight) k., precursor to kallidin.
kinocilium kinocil pl. kinocilia a motile, protoplasmic filament on the free surface of a cell.
kinship parenté the state or fact of descent from a common ancestor.
Klebsiella Klebsiella a widespread genus of gram-negative, anaerobic bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae, frequently causing nosocomial urinary and pulmonary infections and wound infections. K. granulomatis K. granulomatis a species that causes granuloma inguinale. Called also Donovan body. K. mobilis K. mobilis a species that causes nosocomial pneumonia in debilitated patients. K. oxytoca K. oxytoca a species that is similar to K. pneumoniae and causes nosocomial infections. K. pneumoniae K. pneumoniae an encapsulated species that includes several subspecies and causes infections of the urinary and respiratory tracts. See Klebsiella pneumonia, under pneumonia.
kleeblattschädel crâne en trèfle [Ger.] cloverleaf skull; a congenital anomaly in which there is intrauterine synostosis of multiple or all cranial sutures.
kleptomania cleptomanie compulsive stealing of objects unnecessary for personal use or monetary value.
Kluyvera Kluyvera a genus of gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae; it is an occasional opportunistic pathogen, causing respiratory and urinary infections.
knee genou 1. genu; the area around the articulation of the femur and tibia. 2. structure géniculée any structure resembling this part of the leg. housemaid’s k. hygroma prérotulien inflammation of the bursa of the patella, with fluid accumulating within it. knock k. g. cagneux knock-knee. trick k. g. instable a popular term for a knee joint susceptible to locking in position, most often due to longitudinal splitting of the medial meniscus.
knock-knee genou cagneux genu valgum; a deformity of the thigh or leg, or both, in which the knees are abnormally close together and the space between the ankles is increased.
knot nœud 1. an intertwining of the ends or parts of one or more threads, sutures, or strips of cloth. 2. in anatomy, a knoblike swelling or protuberance. primitive k. n. primitif see under node. surgeon’s k., surgical k. n. de chirurgien a knot in which the thread is passed twice through the first loop.
knuckle jointure du doigt the dorsal aspect of any phalangeal joint, or any similarly bent structure.
koil(o)- koïl(o)- word element [Gr.], hollowed; concave.
koilocyte koïlocyte a concave or hollow cell.
koilocytosis koïlocytose the presence of abnormal koilocytes that are vacuolated with clear cytoplasm or perinuclear halos and nuclear pyknosis. Adj. : koilocytotic.
koilonychia koïlonychie dystrophy of the fingernails in which they are thinned and concave, with raised edges.
koilorrhachic koïlorrhachique having a vertebral column in which the lumbar curvature is anteriorly concave.
koilosternia koïlosternie pectus excavatum.
kolp- kolp- for words beginning thus, see those beginning colp-.
Kr Kr krypton.
krait bongare any member of the genus Bungarus, extremely venomous crotalid snakes found from India across Southeast and East Asia.
kraurosis kraurose a dried, shriveled condition. k. vulvae k. vulvaire lichen sclerosus of the female external genitalia, characterized by atrophy, leukoplakic patches on the mucosa, and intense itching.
krypt(o)- krypt(o)- for words beginning thus, see those beginning crypt(o)-.
krypton (Kr) krypton chemical element (see Table of Elements), at. no. 36. k. 81m k. 81m an unstable radioactive isotope of krypton having a half-life of 13 seconds and emitting gamma rays (0.19 MeV); used in pulmonary ventilation studies.
kundalini kundalini 1. in Hindu tradition, psychospiritual energy that lies dormant in the lowest chakra. 2. see under yoga.
kuru kuru an infectious form of prion disease with a long incubation period found only in New Guinea and thought to be associated with ritual cannibalism.
kV kV kilovolt; 1000 volts.
kVp kVp kilovolts peak.
kwashiorkor kwashiorkor a form of proteinenergy malnutrition produced by severe protein deficiency; caloric intake is usually also deficient. Symptoms include retarded growth, changes in skin and hair pigment, edema, immune deficiency, and pathologic changes in the liver. marasmic k. k. marasmique a condition in which there is a deficiency of both calories and protein, with severe tissue wasting, loss of subcutaneous fat, and usually dehydration.
kymatism myokymie myokymia.
kynurenic acid a. kynurénique a bicyclic aromatic compound formed from kynurenine in a pathway of tryptophan catabolism and excreted in the urine in several disorders of tryptophan catabolism.
kynurenine kynurénine an aromatic amino acid, first isolated from dog urine; it is an intermediate in the catabolism of tryptophan.
kyphos courbure cyphotique the hump in the spine in kyphosis.
kyphoscoliosis cyphoscoliose backward and lateral curvature of the spinal column.
kyphosis cyphose abnormally increased convexity in the curvature of the thoracic spine as viewed from the side. Adj.: kyphotic. k. dorsalis juvenilis, juvenile k., Scheuermann k. c. dorsale juvénile osteochondrosis of the vertebrae.
kyrtorrhachic lordotique having a vertebral column in which the lumbar curvature is convex anteriorly.
kyt(o)- kyt(o)- for words beginning thus, see those beginning cyt(o)-.
Kytococcus Kytococcus a genus of gram-positive coccoid bacteria, including K. sedentarius, a species that produces keratin-degrading enzymes and is a cause of pitted keratolysis.
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