Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

physician assistant
A midlevel practitioner who
is able to practice medicine under the auspices of a
licensed physician (MD or DO). Abbreviated PA.
Although the physician need not be present during
the time the PA performs his or her duties, there
must be a method of contact between the supervis-
ing physician and the PA at all times. The PA must be
competent in the duties he or she is performing,
and the physician for whom the PA is working must
also be licensed and trained to perform the relevant
duties. All US states require physician assistants to
complete an accredited education program and to
pass a national licensing exam. 
physician
-
assisted suicide
The provision of
equipment, medication, or information to a patient
by a physician for the purpose of assisting the
patient in ending his or her own life.
Physicians’ Desk Reference
A book that pro-
vides a guide to all the prescription drugs available
in the US. Abbreviated PDR. PDR is a key reference
to the US pharmacopeia and is published annually.
physiologic
Something that is normal, that is due
neither to anything pathologic nor significant in
terms of causing illness. For example, physiologic
jaundice is jaundice that is within normal limits.
physiologic amenorrhea
See 
amenorrhea,
physiologic.
physiologic jaundice
Jaundice that is within
normal limits. A newborn may have physiologic
jaundice due to the release of the pigment bilirubin
(from red blood cells) that the immature liver can-
not process for excretion in the urine. Physiologic
jaundice causes no illness and clears up in a few
days.
physiology
The study of how living organisms
function, including such processes as nutrition,
movement, and reproduction.