W

Symbol for tungsten; watt; tryptophan; tryptophanyl.

Waage
Waage

P., Norwegian chemist, 1833–1900. See Guldberg-W. law.

Waaler
Waaler

Erik, Norwegian biologist, *1903. See Rose-W. test.

Waardenburg
Waardenburg

Petrus Johannes, Dutch ophthalmologist, 1886–1979. See W. syndrome.

Wachendorf
Wachendorf

Eberhard J., German botanist and anatomist, 1702–1758. See W. membrane.

Wachstein
Wachstein

Max, U.S. histologist and pathologist, 1905–1965. See W.-Meissel stain for calcium-magnesium-ATPase.

Wächter
Wächter

Herman J.G., German pathologist, *1878. See Bracht-W. lesion.

Wada
Wada

Juhn A., 20th century Japanese-Canadian neurologist. See W. test.

wadding
wadding (wahd′ing)

1. Carded cotton or wool in sheets, used for surgical dressings. 2. Fibrous material that is part of a shotgun shell, which is often found within the wound if the injury was inflicted at close range.

Waddington
Waddington

Conrad H., British embryologist and geneticist, 1905–1975. See waddingtonian homeostasis.

waddle
waddle (wod′l)

SYN: waddling gait.

wafer
wafer (wa′fer)

A thin sheet of dried flour paste, used to enclose a powder, the w. being moistened and folded over the drug, so that it can be swallowed without taste. [M.E., fr. O.Fr. waufre, fr. Germanic]

Wagner
Wagner

Hans, Swiss ophthalmologist, *1905. See W. disease, W. syndrome.

Wagstaffe
Wagstaffe

William, English surgeon, 1843–1910.

waist
waist (wast)

The portion of the trunk between the ribs and the pelvis. [A.S. waext]

Walcher
Walcher

Gustav A., German obstetrician, 1856–1935. See W. position.

Waldenström
Waldenström

Jan G., Swedish physician, *1906. See W. macroglobulinemia, W. purpura, W. syndrome, W. test.

Waldeyer
Waldeyer, Waldeyer-Hartz

Heinrich W.G. von, German anatomist and pathologist, 1836–1921. See W. fossae, under fossa, W. glands, under gland, W. zonal layer, W. throat ring, W. sheath, W. space, W. tract.

walk
walk

1. To move on foot. 2. The characteristic manner in which one moves on foot. SEE ALSO: gait. [M.E. walken, fr. O.E. wealcen, to roll]

Walker
Walker

Arthur Earl, U.S. neurologist, *1907. See W. tractotomy, Dandy-W. syndrome.

Walker
Walker

J.T. Ainslie, English chemist, 1868–1930. See Rideal-W. coefficient, Rideal-W. method.

Walker
Walker

James, British gynecologist, *1916. See W. chart.

wall
wall (wawl) [TA]

An investing part enclosing a cavity such as the chest or abdomen, or covering a cell or any anatomic unit. A w., as of the chest, abdomen, or any hollow organ. SYN: paries [TA] . [L. vallum]
anterior w. of middle ear SYN: carotid w. of tympanic cavity.
anterior w. of stomach [TA] the part of the gastric w. that faces the peritoneal cavity. SYN: paries anterior gastris [TA] .
anterior w. of tympanic cavity SYN: carotid w. of tympanic cavity.
anterior w. of vagina [TA] somewhat shorter than the posterior w. and at its upper end penetrated by the cervix of the uterus. SYN: paries anterior vaginae [TA] .
axial walls of the pulp chambers the walls parallel with the long axis of a tooth: the mesial, distal, buccal, and lingual walls.
carotid w. of middle ear SYN: carotid w. of tympanic cavity.
carotid w. of tympanic cavity [TA] it contains the carotid canal and the opening of the auditory tube. SYN: paries caroticus cavi tympani [TA] , anterior w. of middle ear, anterior w. of tympanic cavity, carotid w. of middle ear.
cavity w. one of the surfaces bounding a cavity.
cell w. 1. the outer layer or membrane of some animal and plant cells; in the latter, it is mainly cellulose. 2. in bacteria, the rigid structure, usually containing a peptidoglycan layer, that provides osmotic protection and defines bacterial shape and staining properties.
chest w. in respiratory physiology, the total system of structures outside the lungs that move as a part of breathing; it includes the rib cage, diaphragm, abdominal w., and abdominal contents. SYN: thoracic w..
enamel w. in dentistry, the part of the w. of a cavity consisting of enamel.
external w. of cochlear duct SYN: external surface of cochlear duct.
inferior w. of orbit SYN: floor of orbit.
inferior w. of tympanic cavity SYN: jugular w. of middle ear.
jugular w. of middle ear [TA] the floor of the tympanic cavity; a thin plate of bone separating the tympanic cavity from the jugular fossa. SYN: paries jugularis cavi tympani [TA] , floor of tympanic cavity&star, fundus tympani, inferior w. of tympanic cavity.
labyrinthine w. of middle ear SYN: labyrinthine w. of tympanic cavity.
labyrinthine w. of tympanic cavity [TA] a bony layer separating the middle from the internal ear or labyrinth; it contains the fenestra vestibuli and the fenestra cochleae. SYN: paries labyrinthicus cavi tympani [TA] , medial w. of tympanic cavity&star, labyrinthine w. of middle ear, medial w. of middle ear.
lateral w. of middle ear SYN: membranous w. of tympanic cavity.
lateral w. of orbit [TA] a triangular w. of the orbit formed by the zygomatic bone, the greater wing of the sphenoid bone, and a small part of the frontal bone; posteriorly it is bounded by the superior and inferior orbital fissures. SYN: paries lateralis orbitae [TA] .
lateral w. of tympanic cavity membranous w. of tympanic cavity.
mastoid w. of middle ear SYN: mastoid w. of tympanic cavity.
mastoid w. of tympanic cavity [TA] it contains the opening into the mastoid antrum. SYN: paries mastoideus cavi tympani [TA] , posterior w. of tympanic cavity&star, mastoid w. of middle ear, posterior w. of middle ear.
medial w. of middle ear SYN: labyrinthine w. of tympanic cavity.
medial w. of orbit [TA] the thin, rectangular w. of the orbit formed by the orbital plate of the ethmoid, lacrimal, frontal and a small part of the sphenoid bones; the fossa for the lacrimal sac lies at its anterior limit. SYN: paries medialis orbitae [TA] .
medial w. of tympanic cavity labyrinthine w. of tympanic cavity.
membranous w. of middle ear SYN: membranous w. of tympanic cavity.
membranous w. of trachea [TA] the part of the tracheal w. posteriorly that is not reinforced by tracheal cartilages. SYN: paries membranaceus tracheae [TA] .
membranous w. of tympanic cavity [TA] the w. formed mainly by the tympanic membrane. SYN: paries membranaceus cavi tympani [TA] , lateral w. of tympanic cavity&star, lateral w. of middle ear, membranous w. of middle ear.
nail w. [TA] the fold of skin overlapping the lateral and proximal margins of the nail. SYN: vallum unguis [TA] , nail fold.
parietal w. the body w. or the somatopleure from which it is formed.
posterior w. of middle ear SYN: mastoid w. of tympanic cavity.
posterior w. of stomach [TA] that part of the gastric w. that faces the omental bursa. SYN: paries posterior gastris [TA] .
posterior w. of tympanic cavity mastoid w. of tympanic cavity.
posterior w. of vagina [TA] it is longer than the anterior w. and has a low ridge in the midline throughout most of its length. SYN: paries posterior vaginae [TA] .
pulpal w. 1. one of the walls of the pulp cavity; 2. the w. of a cavity preparation adjacent to the pulp space; e.g., mesial pulpal w..
splanchnic w. the w. of one of the viscera or the splanchnopleure from which it is formed.
superior w. of orbit SYN: roof of orbit.
tegmental w. of middle ear SYN: tegmental w. of tympanic cavity.
tegmental w. of tympanic cavity [TA] the superior w., or roof, of the tympanic cavity, formed by the tegmen tympani of the temporal bone. SYN: paries tegmentalis cavi tympani [TA] , tegmental root of tympanic cavity&star, roof of tympanic cavity, tegmental w. of middle ear.
thoracic w. SYN: chest w..
tympanic w. of cochlear duct SYN: tympanic surface of cochlear duct.
vestibular w. of cochlear duct SYN: vestibular surface of cochlear duct.

Wallenberg
Wallenberg

Adolf, German physician, 1862–1949. See W. syndrome.

Waller
Waller

Augustus V., English physiologist, 1816–1870. See wallerian degeneration, wallerian law.

wallerian wallerian (waw-ler′e-an)

Relating to or described by A.V. Waller.

wall-eye
wall-eye (wawl′i)

1. SYN: exotropia. 2. Absence of color in the iris, or leukoma of the cornea.

Walsh
Walsh

Patrick Craig, U.S. urologist, *1938. See neurovascular bundle of W., W. procedure.

Walthard
Walthard

Max, Swiss gynecologist, 1867–1933. See W. cell rest.

Walther
Walther

August F., German anatomist, 1688–1746. See W. dilator, W. canals, under canal, W. ducts, under duct, W. ganglion, W. plexus.

wandering
wandering (wahn′der-ing)

Moving about; not fixed; abnormally motile. [A.S. wandrian, to wander]

Wang
Wang

Chung Yik, Chinese pathologist, 1889–1931. See W. test.

Wangensteen
Wangensteen

Owen H., U.S. surgeon, 1898–1981. See W. drainage, W. suction, W. tube.

Wangiella
Wangiella (wang-ge-el′a)

A dematiaceous genus of fungi characterized by phialides without collarettes, a black yeastlike colony with yeast forms, and later hyphae; the fungi grow well at 40°C. W. (Exophiala) dermatitidis is an etiologic agent of chromoblastomycosis.

Warburg
Warburg

Otto H., German biochemist and Nobel laureate, 1883–1970. See W. apparatus, W. respiratory enzyme, W. old yellow enzyme, W. theory, W.-Lipmann-Dickens-Horecker shunt, Barcroft-W. apparatus, Barcroft-W. technique.

Ward
Ward

Frederick O., British osteologist, 1818–1877. See W. triangle.

Ward
Ward

Owen C., 20th century pediatrician. See Romano-W. syndrome.

ward
ward (word)

A large room or hall in a hospital containing a number of beds. SEE ALSO: unit. [A.S. weard]

Wardrop
Wardrop

James, British surgeon, 1782–1869. See W. method.

warfarin sodium
warfarin sodium (war′fa-rin)

An anticoagulant with the same actions as dicumarol; also used as a rodenticide; also available as the potassium salt, with the same actions and uses. [Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation + coumarin]

warm-blooded
warm-blooded (warm′blud-ed)

SYN: homeothermic.

Warren
Warren

Dean, U.S. surgeon, 1924–1989. See W. shunt.

wart
wart (wort)

SYN: verruca.
anatomic w. SYN: postmortem w..
asbestos w. SYN: asbestos corn.
common w. SYN: verruca vulgaris.
digitate w. SYN: verruca digitata.
filiform w. SYN: verruca filiformis.
flat w. SYN: verruca plana.
fugitive w. a transitory w.; one that does not persist.
genital w. SYN: condyloma acuminatum.
Henle warts SYN: Hassall-Henle bodies, under body.
infectious w. SYN: verruca vulgaris.
mosaic w. plantar growth of numerous closely aggregated warts forming a mosaic appearance, frequently caused by human papillomavirus type 2.
Peruvian w. SYN: verruga peruana.
pitch w. a precancerous keratotic epidermal tumor, common among workers in pitch and coal tar derivatives. See pitch-worker's cancer.
plane w. SYN: verruca plana.
plantar w. an often painful w. on the sole, usually caused by human papillomavirus type 1. SYN: verruca plantaris.
postmortem w. a tuberculous warty growth (tuberculosis cutis verrucosa) on the hand of one who performs postmortem examinations. SYN: anatomic tubercle, anatomic w..
senile w. SYN: actinic keratosis.
soot w. the precancerous lesion of chimney sweep's cancer.
telangiectatic w. SYN: angiokeratoma.
tuberculous w. SYN: tuberculosis cutis verrucosa.
venereal w. SYN: condyloma acuminatum.
viral w. SYN: verruca vulgaris.

Wartenberg
Wartenberg

Robert, German neurologist, 1887–1956. See W. symptom.

Warthin
Warthin

Aldred S., U.S. pathologist, 1866–1931. See W. tumor, W.-Finkeldey cells, under cell, W.-Starry silver stain.

wartpox
wartpox (wort′poks)

SYN: variola verrucosa.

warty
warty (wort′e)

Relating to or covered with warts.

wash
wash (wosh)

A solution used to clean or bathe a part. For types of washes, see the specific term; e.g., eyewash, mouthwash.

Wasmann
Wasmann

Adolphus, 19th century German anatomist. See W. glands, under gland.

Wassermann
Wassermann

August P. von, German bacteriologist, 1866–1925. See W. antibody, W. reaction, W. test, provocative W. test.

Wassermann-fast
Wassermann-fast

A term used to designate a case in which the Wassermann reaction remains positive despite all treatment.

wasting
wasting (wast′ing)

1. SYN: emaciation. 2. Denoting a disease characterized by emaciation.
salt w. inappropriately large renal excretion of salt despite the apparent need of the body to retain it.

water
water (wah′ter)

1. H₂O;a clear, odorless, tasteless liquid, solidifying at 32°F (0°C, 0°R), and boiling at 212°F (100°C, 80°R), that is present in all animal and vegetable tissues and dissolves more substances than any other liquid. See volume. 2. Euphemism for urine. 3. A pharmacopeial preparation of a clear, saturated aqueous solution (unless otherwise specified) of volatile oils, or other aromatic or volatile substances, prepared by processes involving distillation or solution (agitation followed by filtration). SYN: aromatic w.. [A.S. waeter]
w. of adhesion w. held by molecular attraction in contact with solid surfaces, but not forming an essential part of their constitution.
alkaline w. a w. that contains appreciable amounts of the bicarbonates of calcium, lithium, potassium, or sodium.
aromatic w. SYN: w. (3) .
baryta w. a saturated aqueous solution of barium hydroxide; used as an alkaline reagent.
bitter w. a natural mineral w. containing Epsom salt.
bound w. w. held to colloids and other substances and not removed by simple filtration.
bromine w. a w. containing the bromides of magnesium, potassium, or sodium in therapeutic amounts.
calcic w. a w. containing appreciable quantities of calcium salts in solution.
carbonated w., carbonic w. w. that contains a considerable amount of carbonic acid in solution.
carbon dioxide-free w. purified w. that has been boiled vigorously for 5 min or more.
chalybeate w. a w. that contains salts of iron in appreciable quantities.
chlorine w. a w. that contains the chlorides of sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium in varying amounts.
w. of combustion SYN: w. of metabolism.
w. of constitution w. held by a unit of structure as an essential part of its constitution, though not an ingredient of its molecules. See w. of crystallization.
w. of crystallization w. of constitution that unites with certain salts and is essential to their arrangement in crystalline form; e.g., CuSO₄&chmpnt;5H₂O.
deionized w. w. purified by passing through ion-exchange columns.
distilled w. w. purified by distillation.
earthy w. a w. containing a large amount of mineral matter, chiefly sulfate, in solution.
free w. w. in the body that can be removed by ultrafiltration and in which substances can be dissolved.
gentian aniline w. gentian violet with saturated aniline w., a more effective stain than simple gentian violet.
hard w. w. containing ions, such as Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺, that form insoluble salts with fatty acids so that ordinary soap will not lather in it.
heavy w. D₂O;w. in which the hydrogen atoms are deuterium, or heavy hydrogen (²H), with physical properties that differ noticeably from those of ordinary w.; an elevated presence will cause a decrease in metabolic activity; used as a moderator in nuclear reactors because of its capacity to absorb neutrons. SYN: deuterium oxide.
indifferent w. a mineral w. containing only a small quantity of saline matter.
w. for injection w. purified by distillation for the preparation of products for parenteral use.
intracellular w. SYN: intracellular fluid.
lime w. calcium hydroxide solution; a saturated solution prepared by mixing 3 g of calcium hydroxide in a liter of purified cool w.. Undissolved calcium hydroxide is allowed to precipitate and the solution is dispensed without agitation; lime w. is a common ingredient in lotions and is used internally extensively in veterinary medicine.
w. of metabolism the w. formed in the body by oxidation of the hydrogen of the food, the greatest amount being produced in the metabolism of fat (about 117 g per 100 g of fat). SYN: w. of combustion.
mineral w. w. that contains appreciable amounts of certain salts, which give it therapeutic properties.
potable w. a w. fit for drinking, being free from contamination and not containing a sufficient quantity of saline material to be regarded as a mineral w..
purified w. w. obtained by distillation or deionization.
saline w. a w. that contains neutral salts (chlorides, bromides, iodides, sulfates) in appreciable amounts.
Selters w., Seltzer w. a mineral w. containing carbonates of sodium, calcium, and magnesium, and chloride of sodium. [Nieder Selters, a mineral spring in Prussia]
soft w. w. lacking those ions, such as Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺, that form insoluble salts with fatty acids, so that ordinary soap will lather easily in it.
sulfate w. a w. holding in solution appreciable quantities of the sulfates of calcium, magnesium, or sodium.
sulfur w. a w. containing hydrogen sulfide or the metallic sulfides.
total body w. (TBW) the sum of intracellular w. and extracellular w. (volume); about 60% of body weight.
transcellular w. that fraction of extracellular w. in cerebrospinal, digestive, epithelial, introcular, pleural, sweat, and synovial secretions; about 1.5% of body weight.

waterfall
waterfall (wah′ter-fawl)

A term used to describe flow in vascular beds where lateral pressure tending to collapse vessels greatly exceeds venous pressure. Flow is independent of venous pressure and occurs only when arterial pressure exceeds lateral pressure; likened to flow making a w. from a sluice or spillway over a dam, with arterial pressure being height of water behind the dam, lateral pressure being spillway height, and venous pressure being height of outflow stream below the dam. SYN: sluice.

Waterhouse
Waterhouse

Rupert, British physician, 1873–1958. See W.-Friderichsen syndrome.

Waters
Waters

Charles Alexander, U.S. radiologist, 1885-1961. See W. view radiograph.

Waters
Waters

Edward G., U.S. obstetrician and gynecologist, *1898. See W. operation.

waters
waters (wah′ters)

Colloquialism for amnionic fluid.
bag of w. bag of w..
false w. a leakage of fluid prior to or in beginning labor, before the rupture of the amnion.

watershed
watershed

1. The area of marginal blood flow at the extreme periphery of a vascular bed. 2. Slopes in the abdominal cavity, formed by projections of the lumbar vertebrae and the pelvic brim that determine the direction in which a free effusion will gravitate when the body is in a supine position.

Waterston
Waterston

David J., British thoracic and pediatric surgeon, *1910. See W. operation, W. shunt.

Watson
Watson

Cecil J., U.S. physician, 1901–1983. See W.-Schwartz test.

Watson
Watson

James Dewey, U.S. geneticist and Nobel laureate, *1928. See W.-Crick helix.

watt
watt (W) (waht)

The SI unit of electrical power; the power available when the current is 1 ampere and the electromotive force is 1 volt; equal to 1 joule (10⁷ ergs) per second or 1 voltampere. [James W., Scot. engineer, 1736–1819]

wave
wave (wav)

1. A movement of particles in an elastic body, whether solid or fluid, whereby an advancing series of alternate elevations and depressions, or rarefactions and condensations, is produced. 2. The elevation of the pulse, felt by the finger, or represented in the curved line of the sphygmograph. 3. The complete cycle of changes in the level of a source of energy that is repetitively varying with respect to time; in the electrocardiogram and the electroencephalogram, the w. is essentially a voltage-time graph. SEE ALSO: rhythm. [A.S. wafian, to fluctuate]
A w. 1. the initial negative deflection in the electroretinogram, presumably reflecting retinal photoreceptor activity; 2. an atrial deflection in an electrogram recorded from within the atrium of the heart; 3. the first positive deflection of the atrial and venous pulses due to atrial systole.
acid w. SYN: acid tide.
alkaline w. SYN: alkaline tide.
alpha w. SYN: alpha rhythm.
arterial w. a w. in the jugular phlebogram due to transmission of carotid artery pulsation.
B w. the initial positive deflection in the electroretinogram, possibly arising from the inner nuclear layer of the retina.
beta w. SYN: beta rhythm.
brain w. colloquialism for electroencephalogram.
C w. 1. a monophasic positive deflection in the electroretinogram arising in the pigment epithelium of the retina. 2. w. in the venous and atrial pulses occurring during isovolumic ventricular contraction in which the closed atrioventricular valves (mitral and tricuspid) are abruptly displaced into the atria with creation of a pressure transient.
cannon w. an exaggerated A w. in the jugular pulse caused by right atrial contraction occurring after ventricular contraction has closed the tricuspid valve, as in ventricular premature beats and in complete A-V block.
D w. a positive or negative deflection in the electroretinogram occurring when a light stimulus is removed (off-response).
delta w. a premature upstroke of the QRS complex due to an atrial ventricular bypass tract as in WPW syndrome.
dicrotic w. the second rise in the tracing of a dicrotic pulse. SYN: recoil w..
electrocardiographic w. a deflection of special shape and extent in the electrocardiogram representing the electric activity of a portion of the heart muscle.
epsilon w. late R w. (in lead V₁) of delayed right ventricular activation in arrhythmogenic RV dysplasia.
excitation w. a w. of altered electrical conditions that is propagated along a muscle fiber preparatory to its contraction.
F waves the waves of atrial flutter usually best seen in ECG leads 2, 3, and AVF. (A small f indicates atrial fibrillation).
f w., ff waves atrial fibrillation w.. SYN: fibrillary waves, fibrillatory waves, flutter-fibrillation waves.
fibrillary waves SYN: f w..
fibrillatory waves SYN: f w..
flat top waves activity in the electroencephalogram having a pattern suggesting a flat top; these waves are often found in temporal lobe discharges.
fluid w. a sign of free fluid in the abdominal cavity; percussion on one side of the abdomen transmits a w. that is felt on the opposite side.
flutter-fibrillation waves SYN: f w..
microelectric waves SYN: microwaves.
mucosal w. the movement of the mucous membrane of the vocal cord during phonation.
overflow w. the descending w. of the sphygmogram from the apex to the first anacrotic break.
P w. the first complex of the electrocardiogram, during sinus and atrial rhythms, representing depolarization of the atria; if the P w. is retrograde or ectopic in axis or form, it is labeled P′.
percussion w. the main positive w. of an arterial pulse tracing.
postextrasystolic T w. the modified T w. of the beat immediately following an extrasystole.
pulse w. the progressive expansion of the arteries occurring with each contraction of the left ventricle of the heart.
Q w. the initial deflection of the QRS complex when such deflection is negative (downward).
R w. the first positive (upward) deflection of the QRS complex in the electrocardiogram; successive upward deflections within the same QRS complex are labeled R′, R′′, etc.
random waves waves in the electroencephalogram which occur paroxysmally and asynchronously.
recoil w. SYN: dicrotic w..
retrograde P w. the P w. pattern in the electrocardiogram representing retrograde depolarization of the atria, the impulse spreading from the AV junction or the lower atrium upward.
S w. a negative (downward) deflection of the QRS complex following an R w; successive downward deflections within the same QRS complex are labeled S′, S′′, etc.
sonic waves audible sound waves, as distinguished from ultrasonic waves.
supersonic waves sound waves of higher frequency than the level of audibility.
T w. the next deflection in the electrocardiogram following the QRS complex; represents ventricular repolarization.
theta w. SYN: theta rhythm.
tidal w. the w. between the percussion w. and the dicrotic w. in the downward limb of the arterial pulse tracing.
Traube-Hering waves SYN: Traube-Hering curves, under curve.
U w. a positive w. following an upright T w. of the electrocardiogram. It is negative following an inverted T w..
ultrasonic waves the periodic configuration of energy produced by sound having a frequency greater than 30,000 Hz.
V w. a large pressure w. visible in recordings from either atrium or its incoming veins, normally produced by venous return but apparently becoming very large when blood regurgitates through the AV valve beyond the chamber from which the recording is made. This regurgitant w. is not a true V w., which is a passive (filling) w..
x w. the negative w. in the atrial and venous pulse curves produced when ventricular ejection moves the floors of the atria toward the ventricular apices.
y w. the negative w. in the atrial and venous pulse curves reflecting rapid filling of the ventricles just after the atrioventricular valves open.

waveform
waveform

The form of a pulse; e.g., an arterial pressure or displacement wave; or of the pacemaker pulse as demonstrated on the oscilloscope under a specified load.
pressure w. a graphic representation of intravascular or intracardiac pressure related to phases of the cardiac cycle, displayed on an oscilloscope monitor or paper copy.

wavelength
wavelength (Λ) (wav′length)

The distance from one point on a wave (frequently shaped like a sine curve) to the next point in the same phase; i.e., from peak to peak or from trough to trough.

wavenumber
wavenumber (σ) (wav′num-ber)

The number of waves per centimeter (cm⁻¹), used to simplify the large and unwieldy numbers heretofore used to designate frequency.

waveshape
waveshape (wav′shap)

SYN: wave form.

wax
wax (waks)

1. A thick, tenacious substance, plastic at room temperature, secreted by bees for building the cells of their honeycomb. SYN: beeswax, cera. 2. Any substance with physical properties similar to those of beeswax, of animal, vegetable, or mineral origin (oils, lipids, or fats that are solids at room temperature). 3. Esters of high molecular weight fatty acids with monohydric or dihydric alcohols (aliphatic or cyclic), that are solid at room temperature. Often accompanied by free fatty acids. [A.S. weax]
animal w. beeswax, spermaceti, and any w. derived from the animal kingdom.
baseplate w. a hard pink w. used in dentistry for making occlusion rims.
bleached w. SYN: white w..
bone w. a mixture of antiseptic agents, oil, and w. used to stop bleeding by plugging bone cavities or haversian canals. SYN: Horsley bone w..
boxing w. w. used for boxing impressions. SEE ALSO: boxing.
Brazil w. SYN: carnauba w..
carnauba w. a w. obtained from the Brazilian w. palm, Copernica cerifera; used in pharmaceuticals to coat medicaments in sustained release preparations and surfaces of tablets; used in waxes for wood and metal. SYN: Brazil w., palm w..
casting w. any soft solid w. used in dentistry for patterns of all types and for many other purposes; most are basically paraffin but are modified by addition of gum dammar, carnauba w., or other ingredients, to meet various requirements. SYN: inlay w..
Chinese w. 1. a vegetable w.; 2. a w. secreted by a scale insect, Coccus ceriferus or C. pela, and deposited in the twigs of a species of ash tree; used in China to make candles and also medicinally.
ear w. SYN: cerumen.
earth w. SYN: ceresin.
emulsifying w. a washable ointment base consisting of a mixture of cetostearyl alcohol, sodium lauryl sulfate, and water.
grave w. SYN: adipocere.
Horsley bone w. SYN: bone w..
inlay w. SYN: casting w..
Japan w. a vegetable w. derived from Rhus succedanea and Toxicodendron verniciferum.
mineral w. 1. SYN: paraffin w.. 2. SYN: ceresin. 3. a mineral substance whose physical properties are similar to w..
montan w. a mineral w. extracted from lignite. [L. montanus, of a mountain, fr. mons, mountain]
palm w. SYN: carnauba w..
paraffin w. a w. derived from petroleum. SYN: mineral w. (1) .
vegetable w. palm w. or any w. derived from plants such as the bayberry.
white w. yellow w. bleached by being rolled very thin and exposed to the light and air, or bleached by chemical oxidants; same uses as yellow w.. SYN: bleached w., white beeswax.
wool w. SYN: adeps lanae.
yellow w. a yellowish, solid, brittle substance prepared from the honeycomb of the bee, Apis mellifera; the chief constituent is myricin (myricyl palmitate); others are cerotic acid (cerin), melissic acid, heptacosane, and hentriacontane; used in the preparation of ointments, cerates, plasters, and suppositories.

waxing
waxing, waxing-up (wak′sing)

The contouring of a pattern in wax, generally applied to the shaping in wax of the contours of a trial denture or a crown prior to casting in metal.

Wb
Wb

Symbol for weber.

WBC
WBC

Abbreviation for white blood cell.

weakness
weakness (wek′nes)

1. Lack of strength or potency. 2. Inability to perform normally.
directional w. a right or left decrement of nystagmus, calculated from the responses to the binaural, bithermal caloric test.

wean
wean (wen)

To implement weaning. [A.S. wenian]

weaning
weaning (wen′ing)

1. Permanent deprivation of breast milk and commencement of nourishment with other food. 2. Gradual withdrawal of a patient from dependency on a life support system or other form of therapy.

weanling
weanling (wen′ling)

A young animal that has become adjusted to food other than its mother's milk.

wear
wear (war)

Wasting or deterioration caused by friction.
occlusal w. attritional loss of substance on opposing occlusal units or surfaces. SEE ALSO: abrasion (3) .

web
web (web)

A tissue or membrane bridging a space. SEE ALSO: tela. [A.S.]
esophageal w. a cribriform or w. formation in the esophagus caused by an irregular atrophy.
w. of fingers/toes one of the folds of skin, or rudimentary w., between the fingers and toes. SYN: interdigital folds, plica interdigitalis.
laryngeal w. congenital anomaly consisting of mucous membrane–covered connective tissue between the vocal cords located ventrally and extending dorsally for varying distances; it causes airway obstruction and hoarse cry in the newborn.
terminal w. a network of actin filaments in the apical end of columnar epithelial cells that anchor in the zonula adherens.

webbing
webbing (web′ing)

Congenital condition apparent when adjacent structures are joined by a broad band of tissue not normally present to such a degree.

Weber
Weber

Rainer, 20th century U.S. pathologist. See W. stain.

Weber
Weber

Ernst Heinrich, German physiologist and anatomist, 1795–1878. See W. glands, under gland, W. law, W. paradox, W. test for hearing, Fechner-W. law, W.-Fechner law.

Weber
Weber

Frederick Parkes, English physician, 1863–1962. See W.-Christian disease, W.-Cockayne syndrome, Rendu-Osler-W. syndrome, Sturge-Kalischer-W. syndrome, Sturge-W. disease, Sturge-W. syndrome, Klippel-Trenaunay-W. syndrome.

Weber
Weber

Moritz Ignaz, German anatomist, 1795–1875. See W. organ.

Weber
Weber

Sir Hermann, English physician, 1823–1918. See W. sign, W. syndrome.

Weber
Weber

Wilhelm E., German physicist, 1804–1891. See W. point, W. triangle.

weber
weber (Wb) (web′er)

SI unit of magnetic flux, equal to volt-seconds (V&chmpnt;s). [Wilhelm E. W., 1804–1891]

WEBINO
WEBINO

Acronym for wall-eyed bilateral internuclear ophthalmoplegia.

Webster
Webster

John, English chemist, 1878–1927. See W. test.

Webster
Webster

John C., U.S. gynecologist, 1863–1950.

Wechsler
Wechsler

David, U.S. psychologist, *1896. See W. intelligence scales, under scale, W.-Bellevue scale.

weddellite
weddellite (hwed′del-ite)

A dihydrate of calcium oxalate; found in renal calculi. Cf.:whewellite. [for Weddell Sea, after James Weddell, Eng. navigator (1787–1834), + -ite]

Wedensky
Wedensky, Vvedenskii

Nikolai I., Russian neurophysiologist, 1852–1922. See W. effect, W. facilitation, W. inhibition.

wedge
wedge (wej)

A solid body having the shape of an acute-angled triangular prism. [A.S. weeg]
dental w. a double inclined plane used for separating the teeth, maintaining the separation once obtained, or holding a matrix in place.

WEE
WEE

Abbreviation for western equine encephalomyelitis.

Weeks
Weeks

John E., U.S. ophthalmologist, 1853–1949. See W. bacillus, Koch-W. bacillus.

Weeksella
Weeksella (wek-sel′a)

A genus of nonoxidative, aerobic Gram-negative rods.
W. zoohelcum a bacterium producing infections in bites or scratches by dogs or cats.

Wegener
Wegener

Friedrich, German pathologist, 1907–1990. See W. granulomatosis.

Wegner
Wegner

Friedrich R.G., German pathologist, 1843–1917. See W. disease, W. line.

Weibel
Weibel

Ewald R., Swiss physician, *1929. See W.-Palade bodies, under body.

Weichselbaum
Weichselbaum

Anton, Austrian pathologist, 1845–1920. See W. coccus.

Weidel
Weidel

Hugo, Austrian chemist, 1849–1899. See W. reaction.

Weigert
Weigert

Carl, German pathologist, 1845–1904. See W. law, W. iodine solution. See entries under stain.

weight
weight (wat)

The product of the force of gravity, defined internationally as 9.80665 m/s², times the mass of the body. [A.S. gewiht]
apothecaries w. an obsolescent system of weights based upon the w. of a grain of wheat. Has been used for centuries in weighing medicines and precious metals (Troy measure). Some drugs which have been available for long periods are still often designated as grains ( e.g., 5 grains of aspirin, 1/2 grain of codeine, 1/100 grain nitroglycerin). This w. system has been largely superseded by the metric system (based on grams). One grain is the equivalent of 64.8 milligrams. One scruple contains 20 grains; one dram contains 60 grains; one apothecary ounce contains 8 drams (480 grains); one apothecary pound contains 12 ounces (5760 grains).
atomic w. (at. wt., AW) the mass in grams of 1 mol (6.02 × 10²³ atoms) of an atomic species; the mass of an atom of a chemical element in relation to the mass of an atom of carbon-12 (¹²C), which is set equal to 12.000, thus a ratio and therefore dimensionless (although the actual mass, numerically the same, is sometimes expressed in daltons); not necessarily the w. of any individual atom of an element, since most elements are made up of several isotopes of different masses; e.g., the atomic w. of chlorine is 35.4527, because it is composed of ³⁵Cl and ³⁷Cl in proportions that give an average of 35.4527. SEE ALSO: molecular w..
birth w. in humans, the first w. of an infant obtained within less than the first 60 completed minutes after birth; a full-size infant is one weighing 2500 g or more; a low birth w. is less than 2500 g.; very low birth w. is less than 1500 g.; and extremely low is less than 1000 g.
combining w. SYN: gram equivalent.
dry w. the w. of material remaining after removing the water ( E.G., after heating above 100°C).
equivalent w. SYN: gram equivalent.
gram-atomic w. atomic w. expressed in grams. Cf.:mole.
gram-molecular w. molecular w. expressed in grams. Cf.:mole.
molecular w. (mol wt, MW) the sum of the atomic weights of all the atoms constituting a molecule; the mass of a molecule relative to the mass of a standard atom, now ¹²C (taken as 12.000). Relative molecular mass (M_r) is the mass relative to the dalton and has no units. SEE ALSO: atomic w.. SYN: molecular mass, molecular w. ratio, relative molecular mass.

weightlessness
weightlessness (wat′les-nes)

The psychophysiologic effect of zero gravity, as experienced by someone falling freely in a vacuum ( e.g., astronauts in a stable orbit). A temporary state of simulated w. can be achieved during powered flight within the earth's atmosphere by traversing an inverted parabolic curve where gravitational pull and centrifugal force cancel each other out.

Weil
Weil

Adolf, German physician, 1848–1916. See W. disease.

Weil
Weil

Edmund, Austrian physician, 1880–1922. See W.-Felix reaction, W.-Felix test.

Weil
Weil

Ludwig A., German dentist, 1849–1895. See W. basal layer, W. basal zone.

Weill
Weill

Georges J., French ophthalmologist, 1866–1952. See W.-Marchesani syndrome.

Weill
Weill

Jean A., French physician, *1903. See Leri-W. disease, Leri-W. syndrome.

Weinberg
Weinberg

Wilhelm, German physician, 1862–1937. See Hardy-W. equilibrium, Hardy-W. law.

Weinberg
Weinberg

Michel, French pathologist, 1868–1940. See W. reaction.

Weingrow reflex
Weingrow reflex

See under reflex.

Weir Mitchell
Weir Mitchell

Silas, U.S. neurologist, poet, and novelist, 1829–1914. See Mitchell treatment, Gerhardt-Mitchell disease, W. treatment.

Weisbach
Weisbach

Albin, Austrian anthropologist, 1837–1914. See W. angle.

Weismann
Weismann

August Friedrich Leopold, German biologist, 1834–1914. See weismannism.

weismannism
weismannism (vis′man-izm)

Theory of the noninheritance of acquired characteristics.

Weiss
Weiss

Nathan, Austrian physician, 1851–1883. See W. sign.

Weiss
Weiss

Soma, U.S. physician, 1898–1942. See Charcot-W.-Baker syndrome, Mallory-W. lesion, Mallory-W. syndrome, Mallory-W. tear.

Weitbrecht
Weitbrecht

Josias, German-Russian anatomist in St. Petersburg, 1702–1747. See W. cartilage, W. cord, W. fibers, under fiber, W. foramen, W. ligament, apparatus ligamentosus weitbrechti.

Welander
Welander

Lisa, Swedish neurologist, *1909. See Kugelberg-W. disease, Wohlfart-Kugelberg-W. disease.

Welch
Welch

William H., U.S. pathologist, 1850–1934. See W. bacillus.

Welcker
Welcker

Hermann, German anthropologist and anatomist, 1822–1898. See W. angle.

wellness wellness (wel′nes)

A philosophy of life and personal hygiene that views health as not merely the absence of illness but the fullest realization of one's physical and mental potential, as achieved through positive attitudes, fitness training, a diet low in fat and high in fiber, and the avoidance of unhealthful practices (smoking, drug and alcohol abuse, overeating).W. programs are widely offered by employers, health insurance programs, and social service agencies. Formal programs typically include preventive measures (e.g., immunizations against pneumococcal pneumonia and influenza in the elderly) and surveillance for common diseases (e.g., hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and breast and colon cancer). Such programs tend to attract persons already attuned to healthful attitudes and practices. Little clinical evidence exists to support their usefulness or justify their expense.

Wells
Wells

G.C., 20th century British dermatologist. See W. syndrome.

Wells
Wells

Michael Vernon, 20th century English physician. See Muckle-W. syndrome.

welt
welt (welt)

SYN: wheal. [O.E. waelt]

wen
wen (wen)

Old term for pilar cyst. [A.S.]

Wenckebach
Wenckebach

Karel F., Dutch internist, 1864–1940. See W. block, W. period, W. phenomenon.

Wenzel
Wenzel

Joseph, German anatomist and physiologist, 1768–1808. See W. ventricle.

Wepfer
Wepfer

Johann J., 1620–1695. See W. glands, under gland.

Werdnig
Werdnig

Guido, Austrian neurologist, 1862–1919. See W.-Hoffmann disease, W.-Hoffmann muscular atrophy.

WERLHOF
WERLHOF

Paul G., German physician, 1699–1767. See Werlhof disease.

Wermer
Wermer

Paul L., U.S. internist, 1898–1975. See W. syndrome.

Wernekinck
Wernekinck, Werneking

Friedrich C.G., German anatomist and physician, 1798–1835. See W. commissure, W. decussation.

Werner
Werner

F.F., early 20th century German chemist. See W. test.

Werner
Werner

Otto, German physician, *1879. See W. syndrome.

Wernicke
Wernicke

Karl, German neurologist, 1848–1905. See W. aphasia, W. area, W. center, W. disease, W. encephalopathy, W. field, W. radiation, W. reaction, W. region, W. sign, W. syndrome, W. zone, W.-Korsakoff encephalopathy, W.-Korsakoff syndrome.

Wertheim
Wertheim

Ernst, Austrian gynecologist, 1864–1920. See W. operation.

Werther
Werther

J., 20th century German physician. See W. disease.

West
West

Charles, English physician, 1816–1898. See W. syndrome.

West
West

John B., Australian-U.S. pulmonary physiologist, *1928.

Westberg
Westberg

Friedrich, 19th century German physician. See W. space.

Westergren
Westergren

Alf, Swedish physician, *1891. See W. method.

Western blot
Western blot, Western blotting

SYN: W. analysis.

Westphal
Westphal

Karl F.O., German neurologist, 1833–1890. See W. pupillary reflex, W.-Piltz phenomenon, Edinger-W. nucleus.

Wetzel
Wetzel

Norman C., U.S. pediatrician, *1897. See W. grid.

Wever
Wever

Ernest Glen, U.S. psychologist, *1902. See W.-Bray phenomenon.

Weyers
Weyers

Helmut, 20th century German pediatrician. See W.-Thier syndrome.

WF
WF

Abbreviation for Working Formulation for Clinical Usage.

Wharton
Wharton

Thomas, English anatomist and physician, 1614–1673. See W. duct, W. jelly.

wheal
wheal (hwel)

A circumscribed, evanescent papule or irregular plaque of edema of the skin, appearing as an urticarial lesion, slightly reddened, often changing in size and shape and extending to adjacent areas, and usually accompanied by intense itching; produced by intradermal injection or test, or by exposure to allergenic substances in susceptible persons; also encountered in dermatitis herpetiformis (Darier sign). SYN: hives (2) , welt. [A.S. hwele]

wheat germ oil
wheat germ oil (hwet jerm)

An oil obtained by expression from the germ of the wheat seed, Triticum aestivum (family Gramineae); one of the richest sources of natural vitamin E; used as a nutritional supplement.

Wheatstone
Wheatstone

Charles, English physicist, 1802–1875. See W. bridge.

wheel
wheel (hwel)

A circular frame or disk designed to revolve around an axis.
Burlew w. SYN: Burlew disk.

Wheeler
Wheeler

Henry Lord, U.S. chemist, 1867–1914. See W.-Johnson test.

Wheeler
Wheeler

John M., U.S. ophthalmologist, 1879–1938. See W. method.

wheeze
wheeze (hwez)

1. To breathe with difficulty and noisily. 2. A whistling, squeaking, musical, or puffing sound made on exhalation by air passing through the fauces, glottis, or narrowed tracheobronchial airways. [A.S. hwesan]
asthmatoid w. a puffing or musical sound heard on exhalation in front of the patient's open mouth in a case of foreign body in the trachea or a bronchus.

whewellite
whewellite (hwa′wel-it)

A monohydrate of calcium oxalate; found in renal calculi. Cf.:weddellite. [William Whewell, Eng. philosopher (1794–1866), + -ite]

whey
whey (hwa)

The watery part of milk remaining after the separation of the casein. SYN: serum lactis. [A.S. hwaeg]
alum w. w. produced by curdling milk by means of powdered alum.
w. protein w. protein.

whiplash
whiplash (hwip′lash)

See w. injury.

Whipple
Whipple

Allen O., U.S. surgeon, 1881–1963. See W. operation.

Whipple
Whipple

George H., U.S. pathologist and Nobel laureate, 1878–1976. See W. disease.

whipworm
whipworm (hwip′werm)

See Trichuris trichiura.

whisky
whisky, whiskey (hwis′ke)

An alcoholic liquid obtained by the distillation of the fermented mash of wholly or partly malted cereal grains, containing 47 to 53% by volume of C₂H₅OH, at 15.56°C; it must have been stored in charred wood containers for not less than 2 years. The various grains used in the manufacture of w. are barley, maize, rye, and wheat. [Gael, usquebaugh, water of life]

whisper
whisper (hwis′per)

To speak without phonation, as with an open posterior part of the glottis. [A.S. hwisprian]

whistle
whistle (hwis′l)

1. A sound made by forcing air through a narrow opening. 2. An instrument for producing a w.. [A.S. hwistle]
Galton w. a cylindrical w., attached to a compressible bulb, with a screw attachment that changes the frequency; used to test the hearing.

Whitaker
Whitaker

Robert, Br. surgeon, *1939. See W. test.

White
White

Paul Dudley, U.S. cardiologist, 1886–1973. See Lee-W. method, Wolff-Parkinson-W. syndrome.

white
white (hwit)

The color resulting from commingling of all the rays of the spectrum; the color of chalk or of snow. SYN: albicans (1) . [A.S. hwit]
w. of eye the visible portion of the sclera.

Whitehead
Whitehead

Walter, English surgeon, 1840–1913. See W. deformity, W. operation.

whitehead
whitehead (hwit′hed)

1. SYN: milium. 2. SYN: closed comedo.

whitepox
whitepox (hwit′poks)

SYN: alastrim.

whites
whites (hwits)

Colloquialism for leukorrhea or blennorrhea.

whiting
whiting (hwit′ing)

Chalk (CaCO₃) used for polishing metals or plastic appliances.

whitlockite
whitlockite (hwit′lok-it)

SYN: tribasic calcium phosphate. [Herbert P. Whitlock, Am. mineralogist (*1868), + -ite]

whitlow
whitlow (hwit′lo)

Purulent infection through a perionychial fold causing an abscess of the bulbous distal end of a finger. SYN: felon. [M.E. whitflawe]
herpetic w. painful herpes simplex virus infection of a finger from direct inoculation of the unprotected perionychial fold, often accompanied by lymphangitis and regional adenopathy, lasting up to several weeks; most common in physicians, dentists, and nurses as a result of exposure to the virus in a patient's mouth.
thecal w. suppurative lesion of distal phalanx; may involve tendon sheath and bone.

Whitman
Whitman

Royal, U.S. surgeon, 1857–1946. See W. frame.

Whitmore
Whitmore

Alfred, English surgeon, 1876–1946. See W. disease.

Whitnall
Whitnall

Samuel E., English anatomist, 1876–1952. See W. tubercle.

WHO
WHO

Abbreviation for World Health Organization.

whoop
whoop (hoop)

The loud sonorous inspiration in pertussis with which the paroxysm of coughing terminates, due to spasm of the larynx (glottis).
systolic w. SYN: systolic honk.

whorl
whorl (hwerl)

1. A turn of the spiral cochlea of the ear. 2. SYN: vortex of heart. 3. A turn of a concha nasalis. 4. SYN: verticil. 5. An area of hair growing in a radial manner suggesting whirling or twisting. SYN: vortex (2) . See hair whorls. 6. One of the distinguishing patterns comprising the Galton system of classification of fingerprints. SYN: digital w..
coccygeal w. SYN: vortex coccygeus.
digital w. SYN: w. (6) .
hair whorls [TA] a spiral arrangement of the hairs, as at the crown of the head. SYN: vortices pilorum [TA] .

whorled
whorled (hwerld)

Marked by or arranged in whorls. SEE ALSO: vorticose, turbinate, convoluted, verticillate.

Wickham
Wickham

Louis-Frédéric, French dermatologist, 1860–1913. See W. striae, under stria.

Widal
Widal

Georges F.I., French physician, 1862–1929. See W. reaction, W. syndrome, Gruber-W. reaction, Hayem-W. syndrome.

wideband
wideband (wid-band)

A broad array of sound frequencies as opposed to a narrow array of frequencies.

widow's peak
widow's peak

A sharp point of hair growth in the midline of the anterior scalp margin, usually resulting from recession of hair of the temple areas, or occurring as a congenital configuration of scalp hair.

width
width (width, with)

Wideness; the distance from one side of an object or area to the other.
orbital w. the distance between the dacryon and the farthest point on the anterior edge of the outer border of the orbit (Broca), or between the latter point and the junction of the frontolacrimal suture and the posterior edge of the lacrimal groove.
window w. the range of CT numbers (in Hounsfield units) included in the gray scale video display of the CT image, ranging from 1 to 2000 or 3000, depending on the type of machine. Also, the range of electromagnetic energies passed by an electronic screening module of an imaging device, as by a scintillation camera. SEE ALSO: window level.

Wiedemann
Wiedemann

Hans Rudolf, German pediatrician, *1915. See Beckwith-W. syndrome.

Wiener
Wiener

H. See tract of Münzer and W..

Wigand
Wigand

Justus Heinrich, German obstetrician and gynecologist, 1769–1817. See W. maneuver.

Wilde
Wilde

Sir William R.W., Irish oculist and otologist, 1815–1876. See W. cords, under cord, W. triangle.

Wilder
Wilder

Helenor C., 20th century U.S. scientist. See W. stain for reticulum.

Wilder
Wilder

Joseph F., U.S. neuropsychiatrist, 1895–1976.

Wilder
Wilder

William H., U.S. ophthalmologst, 1860–1935. See W. sign.

Wildermuth
Wildermuth

Hermann A., German psychiatrist, 1852–1907. See W. ear.

Wildervanck
Wildervanck

L.S., 20th century Dutch geneticist. See W. syndrome.

wildfire
wildfire (wild′fir)

SYN: fogo selvagem.

Wilhelmy
Wilhelmy

Ludwig F., German scientist, 1812–1864. See W. balance.

Wilkie
Wilkie

David P.D., Scottish surgeon, 1882–1938. See W. artery, W. disease.

Wilkinson
Wilkinson

Daryl Sheldon, 20th century English dermatologist. See Sneddon-W. disease.

Willebrand
Willebrand

E.A. von. See von W..

Willett
Willett

J. Abernethy, English obstetrician, &dag;1932. See W. forceps.

Willi
Willi

Heinrich, 20th century Swiss pediatrician. See Prader-W. syndrome.

Williams
Williams

Anna W., U.S. bacteriologist, 1863–1955. See W. stain, Park-W. fixative.

Williams
Williams

J.C.P., 20th century New Zealand cardiologist. See W. syndrome.

Williamson
Williamson

Carl S., U.S. surgeon, 1896–1952. See Mann-W. operation, Mann-W. ulcer.

Willis
Willis

Thomas, English physician, 1621–1675. See W. centrum nervosum, W. cords, under cord, W. pancreas, W. paracusis, W. pouch, circle of W., accessorius willisii, chordae willisii, under chorda.

Williston
Williston

Samuel Wendell, U.S. paleontologist, 1852–1918. See W. law.

willow
willow (wil′o)

A tree of the genus Salix; the bark of several species, especially S. fragilis, is a source of salicin. [A.S. welig]

Wilms
Wilms

Max, German surgeon, 1867–1918. See W. tumor.

Wilson
Wilson

Clifford, English physician, *1906. See Kimmelstiel-W. disease, Kimmelstiel-W. syndrome.

Wilson
Wilson

James, English anatomist, physiologist, and surgeon, 1765–1821. See W. muscle.

Wilson
Wilson

Miriam G., U.S. pediatrician, *1922. See W.-Mikity syndrome.

Wilson
Wilson

Samuel A. Kinnier, English neurologist, 1878–1937. See W. disease.

Wilson
Wilson

Sir William J.E., English dermatologist, 1809–1884. See W. disease.

Wilson method
Wilson method

See under method.

windage
windage (win′dej)

Internal injury with no surface lesion, caused by collision with the pressure of compressed air or with an object propelled by compressed air.

windburn
windburn (wind′bern)

Erythema of the face due to exposure to wind.

window
window (win′do) [TA]

1. SYN: fenestra. 2. Any opening in space or time. 3. Radiology. A view especially contrived to accentuate tissue contrast.
aortic w. obsolete term for a radiolucent region below the aortic arch on a left anterior oblique chest radiograph, formed by the bifurcation of the trachea and crossed by the left pulmonary artery.
aorticopulmonary w. SYN: aortic septal defect.
aortic-pulmonic w. SYN: aortopulmonary w..
aortopulmonary w. the indentation of the left side of the mediastinum by the lung partially interposed between the aortic arch and the left pulmonary artery, seen on frontal radiographs of the chest. SYN: aortic-pulmonic w..
cochlear w. SYN: round w..
lung w. CT settings of w. level and width appropriate to showing lung detail.
mediastinal w. CT settings of w. level and width appropriate to showing soft tissue structures. SYN: soft tissue w..
oval w. [TA] an oval opening on the medial wall of the tympanic cavity leading into the vestibule, closed in life by the foot of the stapes. SYN: fenestra vestibuli [TA] , fenestra of the vestibule, fenestra ovalis, vestibular w..
round w. [TA] an opening on the medial wall of the middle ear leading into the cochlea, closed in life by the secondary tympanic membrane. SYN: fenestra cochleae [TA] , cochlear w., fenestra of the cochlea, fenestra rotunda.
soft tissue w. SYN: mediastinal w..
tachycardia w. in paroxysmal tachycardia of the reentry type, the interval of time (the w.) between the earliest and latest premature activation that can excite the paroxysm.
vestibular w. SYN: oval w..

windpipe
windpipe (wind′pip)

SYN: trachea.

wine
wine (win)

1. The fermented juice of the grape. SYN: vinous liquor. 2. A group of preparations consisting of a solution of one or more medicinal substances in w., usually white w. because of its comparative freedom from tannin. There are no official wines. [Fr. vin; L. vinum]
high w. the strong spirit obtained by rectification or redistillation of low w. in making whisky.
low w. the first weak distillate obtained from the mash in the process of making whisky.
red w. claret, an alcoholic liquor made by fermenting grapes, the fruit of Vitis vinifera, with their skins (which imparts color); has been used as a tonic.
sherry w. a w. of amber color, obtained originally from Jerez, Spain, containing about 20% alcohol; used in preparation of medicinal wines.

wing
wing

The anterior appendage of a bird. SYN: ala (1) .
angel w. a deformity in which both scapulae project conspicuously. SEE ALSO: winged scapula.
ashen w. SYN: vagal (nerve) trigone.
w. of central lobule [TA] the lateral winglike projection of the central lobule of the cerebellum; made up of an inferior part [TA], which is the lateral portion of lobule II (of Larsell), and a superior part [TA], which is the lateral portion of lobule III (of Larsell). SYN: ala central lobule [TA] , ala lobulis centralis [TA] , ala cerebelli.
w. of crista galli SYN: ala of crista galli.
gray w. SYN: vagal (nerve) trigone.
greater w. of sphenoid (bone) [TA] strong squamous processes extending in a broad superolateral curve from the body of the sphenoid bone. The greater w. presents these surfaces (facies): 1) cerebral surface: forms anterior third of the floor of the lateral portion of the middle cranial fossa; 2) temporal surface: forms the deepest portion of the temporal fossa; 3) infratemporal surface, forms the “roof” of the infratemporal fossa; 4) orbital surface: forms posterolateral wall of orbit. The greater w. forms the inferior border of the supraorbital fissure, and is perforated at its root by foramina rotundum ovale and spinosum and the pterygoid canal. SYN: ala major ossis sphenoidalis [TA] , ala temporalis.
w. of ilium ala of ilium.
lesser w. of sphenoid (bone) [TA] one of a bilateral pair of triangular, pointed plates extending laterally from the anterolateral body of the sphenoid bone. Forming the posteriormost portion of the floor of the anterior cranial fossa, their sharp posterior edge forms the sphenoidal ridge separating anterior and middle cranial fossae. The medial end of the lesser w. attaches to the body by means of two pedicles, thus forming the optic canal. The w. itself forms the superior margin of the supraorbital fissure. SYN: ala minor ossis sphenoidalis [TA] , ala orbitalis, Ingrassia process.
w. of nose SYN: ala of nose.
w. of sacrum ala of sacrum.
w. of vomer SYN: ala of vomer.

Winiwarter
Winiwarter

Felix von, German surgeon, 1852–1931. See W.-Buerger disease.

wink
wink (wink)

SYN: blink. [A.S. wincian]

Winslow
Winslow

Jacques B., Danish anatomist, physicist, and surgeon in Paris, 1669–1760. See foramen of W., W. ligament, W. pancreas, W. stars, under star, stellulae winslowii, under stellula.

Winterbottom
Winterbottom

Thomas Masterman, English physician, 1765–1859. See W. sign.

wintergreen oil
wintergreen oil (win′ter-gren)

SYN: methyl salicylate.

Winternitz
Winternitz

Wilhelm, Austrian physician, 1835–1917. See W. sound.

Wintersteiner
Wintersteiner

Hugo, Austrian ophthalmologist, 1865–1918. See W. rosettes, under rosette.

wire
wire (wir)

Slender and pliable rod or thread of metal.
arch w. SYN: archwire.
guide w. See guidewire.
Kirschner w. an apparatus for skeletal traction in long bone fracture or for fracture fixation. SYN: Kirschner apparatus.
ligature w. a soft thin w. of stainless steel used in dentistry to tie an archwire to band attachments or brackets.
separating w. a w., usually of soft brass, used to gain separation between teeth. SEE ALSO: separation (2) .
wrought w. a w. formed by drawing a cast structure through a die into a desired shape and size; used in dentistry for partial denture clasps and orthodontic appliances.

wiring
wiring (wir′ing)

Fastening together the ends of a broken bone by wire sutures.
circumferential w. fixation of mandibular fractures by passing wires around a section of bone and intraoral splint; i.e., circummandibular w.. SEE ALSO: circumzygomatic w..
circumzygomatic w. a means of fixation for mandibular fractures in which the mandible is fastened to the zygomatic arches with wire.
continuous loop w. the formation of wire loops on both maxillary and mandibular teeth, for the placement of intermaxillary elastics; used in reduction and fixation of fractures. SYN: Stout w..
craniofacial suspension w. a method of w. using areas of bones not contiguous with the oral cavity for the support of fractured jaw segments ( e.g., pyriform aperture, zygomatic arch, zygomatic process of the frontal bone).
Gilmer w. a method of intermaxillary fixation in which single opposing teeth are wired circumferentially, and the wires are twisted together.
Ivy loop w. placement of a wire around two adjacent teeth to provide an attachment for intermaxillary elastics.
perialveolar w. fixing a splint to the maxillary arch by passing a wire through the alveolar process from the buccal surface to the lingual surface.
pyriform aperture w. a method of w. from the area of the pyriform aperture for the stabilization of fractures of the jaw.
Stout w. SYN: continuous loop w..

Wirsung
Wirsung

Johann G., German anatomist in Padua, 1589–1643. See W. canal, W. duct.

wiry
wiry (wir′e)

Resembling or having the feel of a wire; filiform and hard; denoting a variety of pulse.

Wiskott
Wiskott

Arthur, 20th century German pediatrician. See W.-Aldrich syndrome.

Wissler
Wissler

Hans, Swiss pediatrician, *1906. See W. syndrome.

Wistar
Wistar

Caspar, U.S. biologist, 1761–1818, after whom the W. Institute is named. See W. rats, under rat.

witch hazel
witch hazel (wich haz′l)

SYN: hamamelis.

withdrawal
withdrawal (with-draw′al)

1. The act of removal or retreat. 2. A psychologic and/or physical syndrome caused by the abrupt cessation of the use of a drug in an habituated individual. 3. The therapeutic process of discontinuing a drug so as to avoid the symptoms of w. (2). 4. A pattern of behavior observed in schizophrenia and depression, characterized by a pathological retreat from interpersonal contact and social involvement and leading to self-preoccupation.

witkop
witkop (vit′kop)

A favoid condition of the scalp seen in South Africans.

witzelsucht
witzelsucht (vit′sel-zukht)

A morbid tendency to pun, make poor jokes, and tell pointless stories, while being oneself inordinately entertained thereby. [Ger. witzeln, to affect wit, + Sucht, mania]

wobble
wobble (wah′bl)

In molecular biology, unorthodox pairing between the base at the 5′ end of an anticodon and the base that pairs with it (in the 3′ position of the codon); thus, the anticodon 3′-UCU-5′ may pair with 5′-AGA-3′ (normal or Watson-Crick pairing) or with 5′-AGG-3′ (w.). W. pairings can occur between the unusual base hypoxanthine and adenine, uracil, or cytosine, between uracil and guanine, and between guanine and uracil, when in the 5′ position of an anticodon. SEE ALSO: w. base.

Wohlfahrtia
Wohlfahrtia (vol-far′te-a)

A genus of larviparous dipterous fleshflies (family Sarcophagidae), of which some species' larvae breed in ulcerated surfaces and flesh wounds of humans and animals. Important species include W. magnifica, a widely distributed obligatory fleshfly whose tissue-destroying maggots invade wounds or head cavities of domestic animals and humans; W. nuba, a facultative fleshfly of Old World distribution, also found in head wounds or head cavities but not in dermal sores; and W. vigil (W. opaca), which produces cutaneous myiasis in human infants in the northern U.S. and southern Canada by larvae that penetrate the skin and cause infected, boil-like, or furuncular lesions; mink and fox pups in fur farms, and probably rabbits and rodents, are attacked by this species. [P. Wohlfahrt, Ger. medical writer, &dag;1726]

wohlfahrtiosis
wohlfahrtiosis (vol-far-te-o′sis)

Infection of animals and humans with larvae of flies of the genus Wohlfahrtia.

Wohlfart
Wohlfart

Gunnar, Swedish neurologist, 1910–1961. See W.-Kugelberg-Welander disease.

Wolf
Wolf

A., 20th century U.S. pathologist. See W.-Orton bodies, under body.

Wolfe
Wolfe

John R., Scottish ophthalmologist, 1824–1904. See W. graft, W.-Krause graft.

Wolff
Wolff

Julius, German anatomist, 1836–1902. See W. law.

Wolff
Wolff

Kaspar F., German embryologist in Russia, 1733–1794. See wolffian body, wolffian cyst, wolffian duct, wolffian rest, wolffian ridge, wolffian tubules, under tubule.

Wolff
Wolff

Louis, U.S. cardiologist, 1898–1972. See W.-Chaikoff block, W.-Chaikoff effect, W.-Parkinson-White syndrome.

wolffian wolffian (wulf′e-an)

Relating to or described by Kaspar Wolff.

Wölfler
Wölfler

Anton, Bohemian surgeon, 1850–1917. See W. gland.

wolfram
wolfram, wolframium (wulf′ram, wulf-ram′e-um)

SYN: tungsten. See W. syndrome. [from wolframite]

Wolfring
Wolfring

Emilj F. von, Polish ophthalmologist, 1832–1906. See W. glands, under gland.

wolfsbane
wolfsbane (wulfs′ban)

See aconite.

Wolinella
Wolinella (wo-li-nel′ah)

Genus of Gram-negative, microaerophilic bacteria with helical to curved cells; exhibits motility by a single polar flagellum. Isolated from the gingival sulcus and from root canal infections in humans, and from the bovine rumen. Type species is W. succinogenes.

Wollaston
Wollaston

William H., English physician and physicist, 1766–1828. See W. doublet, W. theory.

Wolman
Wolman

Moshe, 20th century Israeli neuropathologist, *1914. See W. disease, W. xanthomatosis.

womb
womb (woom)

SYN: uterus. [A.S. the belly]
falling of the w. SYN: prolapse of the uterus.

Wood
Wood

Paul. See W. units, under unit.

Wood
Wood

Robert, U.S. physicist, 1868–1955. See W. glass, W. lamp, W. light.

wood alcohol
wood alcohol (wud)

SYN: methyl alcohol.

wood wool
wood wool

A specially prepared, not compressed, wood fiber used for surgical dressings.

wool
wool (wul)

The hair of the sheep; sometimes, when defatted, used as a surgical dressing. SYN: lana.
w. alcohols w. wax alcohols prepared by saponification of the grease of sheep w. and separation of the fraction that contains cholesterol (not less than 30%) and other alcohols; used to prepare w. alcohols ointment.
w. fat the purified, anhydrous, fatlike substance obtained from the w. of sheep. SEE ALSO: adeps lanae.
hydrous w. fat SYN: adeps lanae.

Woolf
Woolf

B., 20th-century British biochemist. See W.-Lineweaver-Burk plot.

Woolner
Woolner

Thomas, English sculptor, 1826–1892. See W. tip.

word salad
word salad (werd sal′ad)

A jumble of meaningless and unrelated words emitted by persons with certain kinds of schizophrenia.

Woringer
Woringer

M.M.F., 20th century French dermatologist. See W.-Kolopp disease.

work
work (work)

1. Physical and/or mental effort to achieve a result. 2. That which is accomplished when a force acts against resistance to produce motion.

workaholic workaholic (werk-a-hawl′ik)

A person who manifests a compulsive need to work, even at the expense of family responsibilities, social life, and health. [by analogy with alcoholic] Although increasingly recognized as a source of emotional distress, social malfunctioning, and physical illness, the pathologic need of some people to invest all their energy in goal-directed and intensive labor has not been deeply studied, nor is it named or defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). The w. may engage in physical or mental work or a combination of the two, and may work for an individual or a company, be self-employed, or even engage in volunteer activities without remuneration. The typical w. seems incapable of relaxing, and uses work not only as a source of livelihood but also as a form of recreation, substituting it for leisure pastimes such as socialization, hobbies, sports, and artistic and cultural pursuits. In this sense, work assumes the function of an addictive drug. Workaholics tend to postpone or omit meals, stay at work after others have gone home and even keep working until late at night, put in excessive amounts of overtime (sometimes failing to claim due compensation), and abuse nicotine, caffeine, alcohol, and other agents to assuage stress and withstand fatigue. The w. lifestyle is a common feature of various personality disorders, including a compulsion to achieve success, recognition, or advancement in one's chosen field of endeavor; a morbid absorption in the acquisition of wealth; and a need to immerse oneself in work as a distraction from the stresses or dissatisfactions of daily life. Some w. behavior is driven by family, social, or cultural expectations. Many workaholics manifest a compulsion to work even in childhood; some seem to be influenced by the example of a successful, driving parent, relative, family friend, or public figure. In Japan, death from overwork (karoshi) is formally recognized as a compensable form of occupational disorder. Japanese courts have ruled that deaths from heart failure, stroke, and even suicide are examples of karoshi.

Working Formulation for Clinical Usage
Working Formulation for Clinical Usage (WF)

Classification of malignant lymphomas introduced by the National Cancer Institute in 1982, based on the correlation of clinical and histopathologic features of various lymphomas; widely used in clinical practice.

working out
working out (werk′ing)

In psychoanalysis, the state in the treatment process in which the patient's personal history and psychodynamics are uncovered.

working through
working through

In psychoanalysis, the process of obtaining additional insight and personality changes in a patient through repeated and varied examination of a conflict or problem; the interactions between free association, resistance, interpretation, and working out constitute the fundamental facets of this process.

workstation
workstation (werk′sta′shun)

A computer or television monitor with controls for studying and manipulating graphical or clinical images.

World Health Organization
World Health Organization (WHO)

A unit of the United Nations devoted to international health problems.

Worm
Worm

Ole, Danish anatomist, 1588–1654. See wormian bones, under bone.

worm
worm (werm)

1. In anatomy, any structure resembling a w., e.g., the midline part of the cerebellum in the forms of “vermis” and “lumbrical.” 2. Term once used to designate any member of the invertebrate group or former subkingdom Vermes, a collective term no longer used taxonomically; now commonly used to designate any member of the separate phyla Annelida (the segmented or true worms), Nematoda (roundworms), and Platyhelminthes (flatworms). Important species include Dracunculus medinensis (dragon, guinea, Medina, or serpent w.), Enterobius vermicularis (seat w. or pinworm), Loa loa (African eye w.), Moniliformis (phylum Acanthocephala, thorny-headed worms), Oxyspirura mansoni (Manson eye w.), Pentastomida (tongue w.), Strongylus (palisade w.), Thelazia (eye w.), and Trichinella spiralis (pork or trichina w.). For some types of worms not listed as subentries here (because they are usually written as one word), see the full name. [A.S. wyrm]
caddis w. aquatic larva in the insect order Trichoptera.
Manson eye w. SYN: Oxyspirura mansoni.
meal w. the larva of beetles of the genus Tenebrio; both larvae and adults are important pests, destroying flour, meal, and other cereal products; they are also intermediate hosts of nematodes of the genus Gongylonema, and of various tapeworms of the genus Hymenolepis.

worm bark
worm bark

SYN: andira.

wormian wormian (werm′e-an)

Relating to or described by Ole Worm.

Wormley
Wormley

Theodore G., U.S. chemist, 1826–1897. See W. test.

wormseed
wormseed (werm′sed)

1. Santonica. 2. SYN: chenopodium.

wormwood
wormwood (werm′wud)

SYN: absinthium.

wort
wort (wort)

1. A suffix in the popular names of many plants, such as liverwort, lungwort, woundwort, etc. 2. An infusion of malt. [A.S. wyrt, a plant]
St. John's w. a shrubby perennial (Hypericum perforatum) with numerous orange-yellow flowers whose petals may be speckled black along their margins; a herbal antidepressant that compares favorably with standard synthetic psychopharmaceutical agents in the treatment of mild to moderate depression.In medieval folk-medicine this herb, traditionally gathered on the eve of the feast of St. John the Baptist (June 24), was used against various illnesses, including hysteria and epilepsy, as well as witches' spells and diabolical possession. In Europe, St. John's w. is widely prescribed for the treatment of depression. The herb has been shown in placebo-controlled trials to lessen depression, anxiety, apathy, sleep disturbances, insomnia, anorexia, and feelings of worthlessness. EEG studies have shown that it improves sleep intensity without increasing total sleep duration or interfering with REM sleep. In clinical comparisons it was only slightly inferior to the tricyclic agents imipramine, amitriptyline, and desipramine in abolishing depressive symptoms. In addition, memory and other mental functions may be improved instead of being blunted as with prescription antidepressants. No controlled studies comparing the efficacy of St. John's w. with that of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have been published. Fewer than 3% of subjects in clinical trials noted any side effects. Those most frequently experienced were gastrointestinal irritation, allergic reactions, fatigue, restlessness, and photodermatitis. The principal active ingredient of St. John's w. is believed to be hypericin, which has been shown in vitro to inhibit the uptake or biodegradation of several neurotransmitters, including serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. It also binds to γ-aminobutyric acid receptors on CNS neurons and improves the signal produced by serotonin after it binds to its receptors. Ongoing studies seek to define the psychopharmaceutical potential of this agent more precisely and to confirm the safety of its use. Because it inhibits monoamine oxidase, at least in vitro, its use with other antidepressants is not recommended. It is not considered appropriate during pregnancy or in the treatment of severe depression with serious risk of suicide or of depression accompanied by psychosis.

Worth
Worth

Claud A., British ophthalmologist, 1869–1936. See W. amblyoscope.

Woulfe
Woulfe

Peter, English chemist, 1727–1803. See W. bottle.

wound
wound (woond)

1. Trauma to any of the tissues of the body, especially that caused by physical means and with interruption of continuity. 2. A surgical incision. [O.E. wund]
abraded w. SYN: abrasion (1) .
avulsed w. a w. caused by or resulting from avulsion.
crease w. SYN: gutter w..
glancing w. SYN: gutter w..
gunshot w. a w. made with a bullet or other missile projected by a firearm.
gutter w. a tangential w. that makes a furrow without perforating the skin. SYN: crease w., glancing w..
incised w. a clean cut, as by a sharp instrument.
nonpenetrating w. injury, especially within the thorax or abdomen, produced without disruption of the surface of the body.
open w. a w. in which the tissues are exposed to the air.
penetrating w. a w. with disruption of the body surface that extends into underlying tissue or into a body cavity.
perforating w. a w. with an entrance and exit opening.
puncture w. a w. in which the opening is relatively small as compared to the depth, as produced by a narrow pointed object.
septic w. a w. that has become infected.
seton w. a tangential perforating w., the entrance and exit openings being on the same side of the body, head, or limb involved.
stab w. a puncture w. produced by the stabbing motion of a knife or similar object.
subcutaneous w. an injury or w. extending below the skin into the subcutaneous tissue, but not affecting underlying bones or organs.
sucking chest w. SYN: open pneumothorax.
tangential w. a perforating w. or seton w. that involves only one side of the part.

W-plasty
W-plasty

Surgery to prevent the contracture of a straight-line scar; the edges of the wound are trimmed in the shape of a W, or a series of W's, and closed in a zig-zag manner.

W.r.
W.r.

Abbreviation for Wassermann reaction.

Wra
Wr^a

Abbreviation for Wright antigens, under antigen. See low frequency blood groups, Blood Groups appendix.

wrap
wrap (rap)

A cover, particularly one that enfolds or encloses.
cardiac muscle w. SYN: cardiomyoplasty.

wreath
wreath (reth)

A structure resembling a twisted or entwined band or a garland. [A.S. wraeth, a bandage]
ciliary w. SYN: corona ciliaris.

Wright
Wright

Basil Martin, 20th century British physician. See W. respirometer.

Wright
Wright

James Homer, U.S. pathologist, 1869–1928. See W. stain.

Wright
Wright

Marmaduke Burr, U.S. obstetrician, 1803–1879. See W. version.

wrightine
wrightine (rit′en)

SYN: conessine.

wrinkle
wrinkle (ring′kl)

A furrow, fold, or crease in the skin, particularly with increasing occurrence as a result of sun exposure or, in perioral skin, cigarette smoking; associated with degeneration of dermal elastic tissue.

Wrisberg
Wrisberg

Heinrich A., German anatomist and gynecologist, 1739–1808. See W. cartilage, W. ganglia, under ganglion, W. ligament, W. nerve, W. tubercle.

wrist
wrist (rist) [TA]

The proximal segment of the hand consisting of the carpal bones and the associated soft parts. SYN: carpus (1) [TA] . [A.S. w. joint, ankle joint]
w.-drop paralysis of the extensors of the w. and fingers; most often caused by lesion of the radial nerve. SYN: carpoptosis, carpoptosia, drop hand.

wryneck
wryneck (ri′nek)

SYN: torticollis.

Wuchereria
Wuchereria (voo-ker-e′re-a)

A genus of filarial nematodes (family Onchocercidae, superfamily Filarioidea) characterized by adult forms that live chiefly in lymphatic vessels and produce large numbers of embryos or microfilariae that circulate in the bloodstream (microfilaremia), often appearing in the peripheral blood at regular intervals. The extreme form of this infection (wuchereriasis or filariasis) is elephantiasis or pachydermia.
W. bancrofti the bancroftian filaria, a species endemic in South Pacific islands, coastal China, India, and Burma, and throughout tropical Africa and northeastern South America (including certain Caribbean islands); transmitted to humans (apparently the only definitive host) by mosquitoes, especially Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes pseudoscutellaris, but also by several other species of Culex, Aedes, Anopheles, and Mansonia, depending on the specific geographic area; adults are white, 40–100 mm cylindroid, threadlike worms, and the microfilariae are ensheathed, with rounded anterior end and tapered, nonnucleated tail; the adult worms inhabit the larger lymphatic vessels ( e.g., in the extremities (especially lower), breasts, spermatic cord, and retroperitoneal tissues) and the sinuses of lymph nodes ( e.g., the popliteal, femoral, and inguinal groups, and also the epitrochlear and axillary nodes), where they sometimes cause temporary obstruction to the flow of lymph and slight or moderate degrees of inflammation.
W. malayi former name for Brugia malayi.

wuchereriasis
wuchereriasis (voo′ker-e-ri′a-sis)

Infection with worms of the genus Wuchereria. SEE ALSO: filariasis.

Wurster
Wurster

Casimir, German chemist, 1856–1913. See W. reagent, W. test.

Wyburn-Mason
Wyburn-Mason

Roger, British physician. See Wyburn-Mason syndrome.

Wyman
Wyman

Jeffries, U.S. biochemist, 1901–1995. See Monod-W.-Changeux model.