Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

frambesia
See 
yaws.
FRAXA
See 
fragile X chromosome.
free radical
An unstable compound containing
unpaired electrons whose behavior is characterized
by rapid reactions. Free radicals have been impli-
cated in the aging process, cancer, and other kinds
of physical damage to body tissues.
frenulum
A physical structure that has a restrain-
ing function. For example, the lingual frenulum
attaches the tongue to the floor of the mouth and
appears to restrain it.
Freudian
Pertaining to Sigmund Freud, the neu-
rologist, psychiatrist, and founder of psychoanaly-
sis, or to the theory and practice of psychoanalysis
and psychotherapy developed by Freud. Freudian
psychoanalysis concentrates on finding the roots of
adult behavior in childhood conflicts. The term
Freudian also refers to interpretations of behavior
based on Freud’s precepts.
Frey syndrome
Sweating on one side of the fore-
head, face, scalp, and neck that occurs soon after
ingestion of food, as a result of damage to a nerve
that goes to the large saliva gland in the cheek (the
parotid gland). The symptoms are usually mild, but
more severe cases may require medical treatment.
frontal lobe
The part of each hemisphere of the
brain located behind the forehead that serves to reg-
ulate and mediate the higher intellectual functions.
The frontal lobes are important for controlling
thoughts, reasoning, and behaviors.
frostbite
Damage to tissues that results from
exposure to extreme cold. The tissues become
injured from blood clotting and ice-crystal forma-
tion. Severe frostbite can result in death of the tis-
sues (gangrene). The best way to warm a frozen
part is to put it into a tub of hot water at 40°C to
42°C (104°F to 108°F). The extremity should not
be thawed if there is a risk of it refreezing, which
could further damage tissue. Warming over a fire or
next to a heater should be avoided due to the risk of
burns or dehydration of the injured tissue. The
extremity should not be rubbed with snow because
any rubbing may aggravate the injury. There may be
considerable pain when the frostbitten area is
rewarmed. See also 
cold injury.
frozen shoulder
Permanent severe limitation of
the range of motion of the shoulder due to inflam-
mation and subsequent scarring around the shoul-
der joint (adhesive capsulitis). Frozen shoulder may
occur following an injury or immobilization of the
shoulder joint, and it occurs more commonly in
people with diabetes and certain other health condi-
tions than in the general population.