Physiological Pharmaceutics

288 GlossaryEsterase An enzyme which degrades an ester, usuallyinto an alcohol and a carboxylic acid.Esters Compounds formed by reaction between analcohol and a carboxylic acid.Ethinylestradiol Synthetic oesotrogen.Ethmoid bone Spongy bone which forms the roofof the nasal fossae.Ethyl oleate An oil commonly used as apharmaceutical excipient.Ethylcellulose A chemically modified cellulose usedas a pharmaceutical excipient.Ethylenediaminepentaacetic acid A powerfulchelating agent which binds many metal cations.Eudragit Trade name for a series of wax-basedpharmaceutical excipients.Extravasation The escape of fluids into thesurrounding tissue.FFaraday crispations Fluctuations in the surface of aliquid induced by ultrasound, leading to theproduction of aerosol droplets.Fatty acids Carboxylic acid derivatives of higheralkanes, generally 4–24 carbon atoms long,often unsaturated.Fenoterol Adrenoceptor stimulant used to treatreversible airways construction.Ferrireductase A cytochrome P450 reductase whichconverts ferric to ferrous iron.Fibrinogen A protein present in the blood plasmaessential for clotting.Fibronectin A group of proteins present in bloodplasma and extracellular matrix.Fick’s law Fundamental relation between diffusionrate and concentration gradient.First-pass metabolism Blood from the small intestinegoes directly to the liver where nutrients andsome drugs are metabolised substantially. Thiscan result in the loss of a large proportion ofactive drug before it can reach its target site.Flunisolide Corticosteroid used in the prophylaxisand treatment of allergic rhinitis.Fluorescein Strongly fluorescent dye often used asa biochemical marker.Fluorocarbons Organic molecules in which asubstantial fraction of the hydrogen atomshave been replaced by fluorine. If all thehydrogen has been replaced they are termedperfluorocarbons. These molecules dissolvesubstantial amounts of respiratory gases andhave been widely studied for the formulationof blood substitutes.Folds of kerckring Folding of the epithelium toincrease surface area.Formaldehyde The simplest aliphatic aldehyde,CH 2O, used as a preservative. It denaturesproteins and is highly toxic.Foveola A minute pit of depression.Frenulum linguae Fold of mucous membrane whichruns from the floor of the mouth to the inferiorsurface of the tongue.Fundus The larger part, base or body of a holloworgan or the portion of the organ furthest fromthe opening. The fundus of the stomach isclosest to the oesophagus.GGALT See gut-associated lymphoid tissue.Gamma scintigraphy The use of gamma emittingradionuclides to study behaviour of drugformulations within the body for research. Itis s routine technique in nuclear medicine fordiagnosis. Requires a gamma camera.Ganciclovir Antiviral drug.Gastric glands cardiac, fundic or oxyntic and pyloricglands of the stomach.Gastric inhibitory peptide (GIF) A polypeptide inthe cells of the duodenum and jejunum whichacts to inhibit secretion of gastric acid.Gastrin A hormone secreted by the pyloric area ofthe stomach and duodenum to stimulate gastricsecretion.Gastritis Inflammation of the stomach.Gastro-oesophageal junction Region where thestomach and oesophagus meet. Gastric tissuelines the first few centimetres of the oesophagusto protect it from acid damage.Gastro-oesophageal reflux Reflux of gastric contentsinto the oesophagus where it can causeoesophagitis. Causes the classic symptom of“heartburn”.Gastrocolic reflex Peristaltic wave in the coloninitiated by the intake of food into the stomach.Gelatinase Enzyme which breaks down gelatin.Gellan gum A polysaccharide used as a rheologicalmodifier in pharmacy and as a food additive.Gelling polymers Polymers which form gels in solution.Gels Solutions which have become rigid due to alinked polymer network.Gentamicin Aminoglycoside used in the treatmentof serious infection.Giant unilamellar vesicles Large (severalmicrometres) single-layered liposomes.Gingiva The gum and tissue that surrounds the neckof the teeth.Gingivitis Inflammation of the gums.Glands of Kraus Small glands in the conjunctiva ofthe eyelids.Glands of Manz Small glands which secrete themucoid layer or tears.Glands of Wolfring Produces the watery lacrimalsecretion of tears.Glands of Zeis Large sebaceous glands found in theeyelids.Glaucoma Elevation of intraocular pressure.Globulin One of a group of Simple proteinsinsoluble in water but soluble in neutralsolutions of salts and strong acids.Glucagon Polypeptide hormone which increases theconcentration of glucose in the blood.Glucocorticoids A general classification ofhormones produced by the adrenal cortex andare primarily active in protecting against stress.