F
Familial Polyposis
Hereditary, autosomal dominant precancerous syndrome characterized
by innumerable adenomatous polyps of the colon.
Fanconi anemia (congenital pancytopenia)
A rare congenital anemia characterized by pancytopenia and hypoplasia
of the bone marrow
Fascia
Fascia, a connective tissue, is the packing material of the body.
It envelopes the muscles, bones and joints and holds us together
supporting the body structure and giving us our shape. Fascia
organizes and separates: it provides protection and autonomy for
the individual muscles and viscera. It joins and bonds these separate
entities and establishes spatial relationships. Chemically it
is the collagen in the fascia that enables it to change.
Fertilization
The process of union of two gametes whereby the somatic chromosome
number is restored and the development of a new individual is
initiated.
Fetus
An unborn or unhatched vertebrate especially after attaining the
basic structural plan of its kind; specifically : a developing
human from usually three months after conception to birth.
Fibroblast
A connective-tissue cell of mesenchymal origin that secretes proteins
and especially molecular collagen from which the extracellular
fibrillar matrix of connective tissue forms.
Fibrosis
Refers to the presence of scar tissue or collagen fibers in any
tissue. In the liver, fibrosis or scarring of the liver damages
the architecture and thus the functionality of the organ. Fibrosis,
combined with the liver’s ability to regenerate, causes
cirrhosis (regeneration within the scar tissue).
Fistula
In medicine, a fistula is an abnormal channel that creates an
open passageway between two bodily structures that do not normally
connect.
Flagellum
A long tapering process that projects singly or in groups from
a cell and is the primary organ of motion of many microorganisms.
Flow
Cytometry
Analysis of biological material by detection of the light-absorbing
or fluorescing properties of cells or subcellular fractions such
as chromosomes passing in a narrow stream through a laser beam.
Flow cytometry is used with automated sorting devices to sort
successive droplets of the stream into different fractions depending
on the fluorescence emitted by each droplet.
Fossa
(pl. fossae)
An anatomical pit, groove, or depression.
Free Radicals
An atom or a group of atoms with an unpaired electron. Radicals
are unusually reactive, strongly oxidizing species capable of
causing a wide range of biological damage.
Fulguration
Destroying tissue using an electric current.
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