Category: Hg-Hx

An hereditary disorder with mental and physical deterioration leading to death. Although characterized as an “adult-onset” disease, it can affect children as well. Huntington disease describes an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance with high penetrance (a high proportion of persons with the gene develop the disease). The characteristic findings of Huntington disease are caused by loss of neurons…

In medicine, humor refers to a fluid (or semifluid) substance. Thus, the aqueous humor is the fluid normally present in the front and rear chambers of the eye. The humors were part of an ancient theory that held that health came from balance between the bodily liquids. These liquids were termed humors. Disease arose when imbalance occurred between the…

An ancient theory holding that health came from balance between the bodily liquids termed humors. Disease was thought to arise when imbalance occurred between the humors. The humors were phlegm (water), blood, gall (black bile, thought to be secreted by the kidneys and spleen), and choler (yellow bile secreted by the liver). The humoral theory was devised…

In medicine, a fluid or semifluid substance. For example, the aqueous humor is the fluid normally present in the anterior chamber of the eye, between the cornea and the iris.

A form of sick building syndrome that usually develops on Monday or the first workday of the week. The hallmark of the disease is the sudden onset of fever. Other features may include muscle aches and pains and mild shortness of breath. Humidifier fever can be caused by a number of different agents including amebas, bacteria,…

A machine that puts moisture into the air. Humidified air makes it easier to breathe for persons with certain conditions, such as cystic fibrosis, Sjogren’s syndrome, and others.

The usual number of chromosomes in humans, 46 chromosomes. Also called the human chromosome complement. History: For half a century, the human chromosome count was widely believed to be 48. That changed on Dec. 22, 1955. On that day at the Institute of Genetics of the University of Lund in Sweden, a visiting scientist named Joe Hin Tjio (pronounced CHEE-oh) used…

A human hormone made by chorionic cells in the fetal part of the placenta. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is directed at the gonads and stimulates them. Hence, the name “gonadotropin.” The presence of hCG is detectable by immunologic means within days of fertilization and forms the foundation of the common pregnancy tests. The level of hCG tends to be…

Hormone therapy.

1. In the US, Health Saving Account.2. Human serum albumin.