Physiological Pharmaceutics

284 GlossaryAntipyrine An analgesic and antipyretic drug.Antisense oligonucleotide An oligonucleotidecomplementary to a specific gene sequencewhich binds to mRNA and preventstranscription.Antivirals Opposing the actions of a virus.Appendices epiploicae Pouches of peritoneum.Filled with fat and attached to the colon.Appendix A short blind pouch arising near thejunction of the small and large intestines.Aqueous humor Transparent liquid contained in theanterior and posterior chambers of the eye.Arachidonic acid An essential fatty acid formed fromunsaturated acids of plants. It is a precursorof prostaglandins.Arachis oil Ground-nut or peanut oil. Used as afaecal softener.Areolar relating to the areola, which is a small spaceor cavity in tissue. Areolar tissue—looseconnective tissue which occupies theinterspaces of the body.Aspirin Acetylsalicylic acid. A derivative of salicylicacid. A widely used analgesic and anti-pyretic.Asthma Disease which causes increased responsesof the tracheobronchial tree to varioussubstances. The result is constriction of theairways.Atopy Genetic predisposition to hypersensitivity orallergic reaction. Hayfever and asthma arecommon inherited allergies.Atropine Alkaloid obtained from bella donna. It isa parasympathetic agent.Auerbach plexus A plexus of sympathetic nervefibres located between the circular andlongitudinal layers of the stomach and smallintestine.Azelastine Topical preparations of an antihistamineused to treat seasonal allergic conjunctivitis.Bß-blockers Also known as ß-adrenoceptor blockingdrugs. Agents which act on sympathetic nervesto block the action of adenaline andnoradrenaline.ß-cyclodextrins see Cyclodextrins.ß-glucosidase An enzyme that catalyses thehydrolysis of a glucoside.ß-glucuronidase An enzyme that splits glycosidiclinkages in glucuronides.B cells Lymphoid stem cels from the bone marrowwhich migrate to and become antigen specificcells in the spleen and lymph nodes.B lymphocytes Cells which identify foreign antigensand can differentiate into antibody producingplasma cells or memory cells.Bacteroid Resembling bacteria.Bartholin’s glands A small compound mucous glandsituated one in each lateral wall of the vestibuleof the vagina.Basal lamina Bottom most layers of cells of amembrane. Gives structural integrity.Basement membrane See Basal lamina.Bauhin’s valve Ileocaecal valve.Beclomethasone A corticosteroid drug.Benzalkonium chloride An antibacterialpreservative.Benzocaine A local anaesthetic used topically.Benzoic acid Compound used in keratolyticointments.Betaxolol A ß-blocking drug.Bethanechol Cholinergic drug used to treat paralyticileus and urinary retention not caused byorganic disease.Bidisomide A sodium channel blocker used as acardiovascular anti-arrhythmic.Bifidobacterium A soil-borne bacterium commonlycolonizing the gastrointestinal tract.Bile A secretion of the liver. A thick viscid fluidthat has a bitter taste. Used to emulsify dietaryfats and oils prior to absorption.Bioadhesion Adhesion of a substance to a biologicalsubstrate.Bladder A membranous sac or receptacle forsecretions.Bleomycin Any one of a group of antitumour agentsproduced by Streptomyces verticillus.Blood-brain barrier A barrier membrane betweencirculating blood and the brain preventingdamaging substances from reaching the brainand cerebrospinal fluid.Bowman’s membrane Membrane separating cornealepithelium from corneal substance.Bromisoval (Bromisovalum) A sedative andhypnotic drugBronchiectasis Chronic dilatation of a bronchus orbronchi.Bronchitis Inflammation of mucous membrane ofthe bronchial tubes.Brunner’s glands Compound gland of the duodenumand upper jejunum. They secrete a clearalkaline mucinous fluid.Budesonide Corticosteroid used to treat asthma.Bulimia nervosa Disorder which is characterised bybinge eating and vomiting to control weight.Buprenorphine Opioid with both agonist andantagonist properties. Used as an adjunct inopioid dependence, premedication andanalgesia.Buserelin Gonadorelin analogue used to treatprostate cancer.Butorphanol Anti-migraine drug.CCaffeine Alkaloid present in tea, coffee, chocolateand other food and over the countermedications. Actions include stimulation of thecentral nervous system, decreases total sleeptime and increases gastric acid production.Calcitonin Hormone released from the thyroid glandand important in bone formation and calciummetabolism.Calcium Metallic element which must be carried in