| Ametropia |
| The refractive condition where parallel rays do not focus on the retina that is, there is an imperfection in the refractive state of the eye. |
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| Androgens |
| The "male" sex hormones. Actually produced by women as well (though in smaller quantities and with little absorbtion). |
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| Androgynes |
| Individuals whose assumed chasracteristics are not limited to either of the two traditionally accepted gender classifications, masculine and feminine. This can include a variety of experiences including androgynous presentation, behavior, wardrobe and social roles. Androgynes usually are not interested in Sex Reassignment Surgery although they occasionally seek out hormone therapy and/or secondary sex characteristic repressive surgeries. |
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| Androgynous |
| Being neither Male or Female - or having characteristics of both |
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| Anesthesia |
| Partial or complete loss of sensation, brought on by an anasthetic drug, most often to prevent discomfort during surgery. |
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| Anesthesiologist |
| A physician who specializes in administering anesthesia after completing extensive medical school and hospital training in this field. The best anesthesiologists are usually board certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology. |
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| Anesthetic |
| Chemical that causes anesthesia (loss of sensation, numbness). |
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| Aniseikonia |
| A condition where there is a difference in imaging size between the two eyes. |
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| Anisometropia |
| A condition where there is a difference in refractive power of the two eyes in which the variance is at least one diopter. |
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| Anterior |
| An adjective used to describe things pertaining to front teeth (central incisors, lateral incisors and cuspids). The front six teeth. |
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| Anterior Chamber |
| A fluid-filled area of the eye between the cornea and the lens. The fluid is known as aqueous humor. |
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| Anti-androgens |
| also called androgen blockers, these drugs block the effects of testosterone in male- to-female TSs. |
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| Antibiotic Prophylaxis |
| Administering antibiotics to patients who are at high risk for bacterial endocarditis (inflammation of the endocardium, the membrane lining the cavities of the heart) before performing dental procedures. Antibiotics help kill bacteria that may enter the bloodstream during dental procedures. This usually affects people with certain heart murmurs or who have just had joint replacement or hear surgery. |
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| Anticoagulant |
| Delaying or preventing the process of the clumping together of blood cells to form a clot. |
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| Antioxidants |
| Any synthetic or natural substance that is capable of counteracting the damaging effects of oxidation (when oxygen molecules break down) in body tissues. Oxidation produces potentially harmful molecules such as free radicals. Antioxidants convert free radicals into harmless waste products. Examples of antioxidants are Vitamins A, C, E and Selenium. |
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| Anus |
| The opening of the rectum. |
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| Aqueous Humor |
| The fluid in the anterior chamber. |
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| Areola |
| A circular area of different (usually darker) pigmentation surrounding the nipple of the breast. |
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| Aspirator |
| In liposuction, the suction machine that “vacuums” the fat into the cannula. The aspirator is usually an electrical pump with filters and usually contains collection bottles, bags or containers into which the fat and any suctioned material (or aspirate) accumulates and settles. |
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| Asymmetry |
| Lack of symmetry (symmetry: similarity of form). |
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