Category: Am-Am

  • Amnion

    A thin membrane that surrounds the fetus during pregnancy. The amnion is the inner of the two fetal membranes (the chorion is the outer one), and it contains the amniotic fluid.

  • Amniocentesis

    A before-birth diagnostic procedure during which a long needle is used to obtain amniotic fluid from within the uterus. This fluid can be used for genetic and other diagnostic tests. Informally known as amnio.

  • Amnestic aphasia

     A problem with word finding. Impaired recall of words with no impairment of comprehension or the capacity to repeat the words. In “The Case of Anna H.” who had anomia, the neurologist/writer Oliver Sacks noted that: “When I showed her some kitchen matches, she recognized them at once, visually, but could not say the word ‘match,’…

  • Amnesic aphasia

     A problem with word finding. Impaired recall of words with no impairment of comprehension or the capacity to repeat the words. In “The Case of Anna H.” who had anomia, the neurologist/writer Oliver Sacks noted that: “When I showed her some kitchen matches, she recognized them at once, visually, but could not say the word ‘match,’…

  • Amnesia, transient global

    A passing episode of short-term memory loss without other signs or symptoms of neurological impairment. In transient global amnesia (TGA) the individual does not lose consciousness but does lose the ability to form new lasting memories. Motor function is not affected. The individual may be disoriented to place and time, may recognize that something is wrong, and…

  • Amnesia, retrograde

    Amnesia in which the lack of memory relates to events that occurred before a traumatic event. Retrograde amnesia is in contrast to antegrade amnesia in which the lack of memory relates to events that occurred after a traumatic event.

  • Amnesia, anterograde

    Amnesia in which the loss of memory relates to events that occur after a traumatic event. There is inability to recall new information. Old information can be recalled. Antegrade amnesia may follow brain trauma. Also called antegrade amnesia. This type of amnesia is in contrast to retrograde amnesia in which the lack of memory relates to events…

  • Amnesia, antegrade

    Amnesia in which the loss of memory relates to events that occur after a traumatic event. There is inability to recall new information. Old information can be recalled. Antegrade amnesia may follow brain trauma. Also called antegrade amnesia. This type of amnesia is in contrast to retrograde amnesia in which the lack of memory relates to events…

  • Amnesia

    An impairment to or lack of memory. Antegrade amnesia refers to a lack of memory of events occurring after a traumatic event, whereas retrograde amnesia refers to lack of memory of events that occurred before the event.

  • Ammonium perchlorate

    A chemical used as the primary ingredient of solid rocket propellant and in munitions beginning in the 1950s. Perchlorate is also used in the production of explosives and fireworks. It adds the blue color to firework displays. Perchlorate remains in use and is unregulated. For disposal, perchlorate has often been dissolved in water and poured…