See Also: Herbal medicine (botanical medicine, herbology, phytomedicine)(health)
twitch(4)(dictionary)
twitch(3)(dictionary)
twitch(1)(dictionary)
twitch(2)(dictionary)
twitch(medicine)
twitch 2, noun(dictionary)
twitch muscle(medicine)
twitch 1, verb(dictionary)
twitch grass(medicine)

prion (medicine) and twitch (medicine)


prion (medicine)


prion


The word, for proteinaceous infectious agent, was coined in 1982 by neurologist Stanley Prusiner as part of a hypothesis regarding ailments bearing aetiologic resemblance to those caused by slow viruses (for instance, kuru). The hypothesis has been borne out by investigation. Prions are now believed responsible for several transmissible neurodegenerative diseases

Origin: proteinaceous infectious particle


twitch (medicine)


twitch


1. The act of twitching; a pull with a jerk; a short, sudden, quick pull; as, a twitch by the sleeve.

2. A short, spastic contraction of the fibres or muscles; a simple muscular contraction; as, convulsive twitches; a twitch in the side.

3. <veterinary> A stick with a hole in one end through which passes a loop, which can be drawn tightly over the upper lip or an ear of a horse. By twisting the stick the compression is made sufficiently painful to keep the animal quiet during a slight surgical operation.

Source: Websters Dictionary