D
- Da
- Abbreviation for dalton, a unit of mass.
- dalton
- A unit of molecular mass approximately equal to that of a hydrogen atom or 1.66 x 10-24 grams. Alternatively, there is approximately 1 mole of daltons per gram.
- defecation
- The act of passing feces from the rectum.
- delta cell
- A type of cell in the endocrine pancreas that secretes the hormone somatostatin.
- dental
- Referring to teeth.
- dentin
- Chief substance of teeth which surrounds tooth pulp and is covered by enamel on the crown and cementum on the root.
- diabetes insipidus
- A disease associated with inadequate production of or response to antidiuretic hormone. A major clinical sign is production of very large volumes of urine.
- diabetes mellitus
- A disease associated with inadequate production of or response to insulin.
- diapedesis
- Passage of blood cells through intact vessel walls.
- digestion
- The process of breaking down foodstuffs into small molecules that can be absorbed into blood.
- dimer
- A protein complex composed of two proteins. In a homodimer, the two proteins are identical, whereas a heterodimer contains two different proteins.
- diploid
- Containing two sets of homologous chromosomes and thus two copies of each gene.
- distal
- Remote; further from a point of reference; away from the attached end or origin or a structure (opposite of proximal). The hand is distal to the elbow on the arm.
- diuresis
- Increased production of urine. A diuretic is an agent that promotes diuresis.
- diurnal
- Occuring during the day.
- DNA testing
- The technology of using DNA to differentiate one individual from another.
- duodenum
- The first section of the small intestine.
- dyspepsia
- Chronic or recurrent pain or discomfort centered in the upper abdomen. Usually the result of gastric or esophageal disease.
Last updated on 10/2/2004