Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

aerosol
A fine spray or mist. Medications in
aerosol form can be administered via a nebulizer
and inhaled.
aerotitis
Middle ear problems due to changing
atmospheric pressures, as when a plane descends
to land. Symptoms include ear pain, ringing ears,
diminished hearing and, sometimes, dizziness. Also
known as aerotitis media, barotitis, barotitis media,
and otic barotrauma.
Aesculapius
The ancient Roman god of medi-
cine, whose staff with a snake curled around it is
commonly used as a symbol of medicine. According
to mythology, Aesculapius’s children included
Hygeia, the goddess of health, and Panaceia, the
goddess of healing.
affective disorder
A psychiatric disorder that
affects the control of mood. See 
bipolar disorder;
cyclothymia; depression; seasonal affective dis-
order.
adjuvant chemotherapy
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afferent
Carrying toward. A vein is an afferent
vessel because it carries blood from the body
toward the heart. The opposite of afferent is effer-
ent.
afferent nerve
A nerve that carries impulses
toward the central nervous system.
afferent vessel
A vessel that carries blood
toward the heart. A vein or venule.
AFLP
Acute fatty liver of pregnancy.
AFO
Ankle-foot orthosis.
AFP
Alpha-fetoprotein.
African tapeworm
See 
Taenia saginata.
African tick typhus
See 
typhus, African tick.
afterbirth
The placenta and the fetal membranes
that are normally expelled from the uterus after the
birth of a baby. See also 
placenta.