at a glance

112
Glossary
Dermatosis — Inflammation of the skin.
DMSO — Dimethyl sulfoxide is an alkyl sulfoxide.Its biologic activities
include the ability to penetrate plant and animal
tissues and to preserve living cells during freezing. It has
been used as a topical anti-inflammatory agent and as an
agent to increase the penetrability of other substances
Efferent nerve — Any nerve that carries impulses from the
central nervous system toward the periphery or to muscles,
as a motor nerve.
Endogenous — Developing or originating within the organism,
or arising from the causes within the organism.
Erythema — A name applied to redness of the skin produced
by congestion of the capillaries, which may result from a
variety of causes.
Estrus — The recurrent, restricted period of sexual receptivity
in female mammals other than human females, marked by
intense sexual urge.
Histamine — A product found in all body tissues, particularly in
mast cells and their related blood basophils, the highest concentration
being in the lungs. It is also present in ergot and
other plants and may be synthesized outside the body from
histidine or citric acid. It has several functions, including (1)
dilation of capillaries, which increases capillary permeability
and results in a drop of blood pressure; (2) contraction of
most smooth muscle tissue, including bronchial smooth
muscle of the lung; (3) induction of increased gastric secretion;and
(4) acceleration of the heart rate.
Homeostasis — A tendency toward stability in the normal body
states (internal environment) of any living being. It is
achieved by a system of control mechanisms activated by
negative feedback.
Humoral — Pertaining to elements dissolved in the blood or
body fluids.
Hypothalamus — Anatomically, it includes the preoptic area,
optic tract, optic chiasm, mamillary bodies, tuber cinereum,
infundibulum, and neurohypophysis. The hypothalamic
nuclei regulate body processes through the production of
hormones or control of nerve cells.