Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

autistic disorder
Autism, particularly the most
serious form of autism.
autoantibody
An antibody that is directed
against the patient’s own body. Autoantibodies play a
causative role in a number of diseases, such as
rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus,
and Hashimoto disease. See also 
autoimmune 
disorder.
autoclave
A chamber for sterilizing with steam
under pressure. The original autoclave was essen-
tially a pressure cooker in which steam tightened
the lid.
autogenous
Self-produced.
autograft
Tissue transplanted from one part of
the body to another in the same individual. Also
known as an autotransplant.
autoimmune disorder
A condition character-
ized by autoimmunity in which a misdirected
immune system acts against the tissues of one’s own
body. Autoimmune disorders typically feature
inflammation of various tissues of the body and are
associated with antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) in the
blood. Examples of autoimmune disorders include
systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren’s syndrome,
rheumatoid arthritis, polymyositis, scleroderma,
Hashimoto disease, juvenile (type 1) diabetes melli-
tus, Addison disease, vitiligo, pernicious anemia,
glomerulonephritis, and pulmonary fibrosis.
Autoimmune disorders are more frequent in women
than in men. It is thought that the estrogen of
females may influence the immune system to pre-
dispose some women to autoimmune disorders.
Furthermore, the presence of one autoimmune dis-
order increases the chance for developing another
simultaneous autoimmune disorder. See also 
anti-
nuclear antibody.
autoimmune hemolytic anemia
A condition in
which the immune system destroys red blood cells,
resulting in fewer of these oxygen-transporting cells.
See also 
hemolytic anemia.