Definition of Akinetic mutism

Akinetic mutism: A state in which a person is
unspeaking (mute) and unmoving
(akinetic). A textbook on clinical neurology observes that
a person with
akinetic mutism has "sleep-waking cycles but, when
apparently awake, with
eyes open, lies mute. immobile and unresponsive." Akinetic
mutism is often
due to damage to the frontal lobes of the brain. The
disorder was the
subject of a front-page story in The New York Times on
Aug. 30, 1998. The
story concerned a 14-year-old girl in Worcester, Mass.
named Audrey Santo,
bedridden for 11 years, "inert and unspeaking, the legacy
of an accidental
fall into a backyard swimming pool" in 1987. "She has had a
steady stream of
visitors to her home," according to the Times, "including
priests and some
people who claim that they were miraculously healed by
her." According to
Audrey's pediatrician, Dr. John W. Harding, "She kind of
gives you the
impression at various times that she sees, hears, and knows
who you are."

Definition of Adnexa

Adnexa: This Latin word (in the plural) is used in
medicine in reference to appendages. For example, in gynecology the adnexa are the
"appendages" of the uterus, namely the ovaries, Fallopian tubes and ligaments
that hold the uterus in place.

Addison disease: Long-term
underfunction of the
outer portion of the adrenal gland. In medical terms, chronic
insufficiency of the adrenal
cortex. This may be due to a number of different insults to the
adrenal including physical
trauma, hemorrhage, and tuberculosis of the adrenal, and destruction
of the cells in the
pituitary gland that secrete ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) which
normally drives the
adrenal. Addison's disease is characterized by bronzing of the
skin, anemia,
weakness, and low blood pressure. The U.S. President J.F. Kennedy is
said to have had
Addison disease. Named after the British physician Thomas
Addison (1793-1860).When Addison first identified adrenal
insufficiency in 1849, tuberculosis (TB) was responsible for 70-90%
of cases. As the treatment for TB improved, the incidence of adrenal
insufficiency due to TB of the adrenal glands greatly decreased. TB
now accounts for around 20% of cases of primary adrenal insufficiency
in developed countries.

Definition of Abdominal muscles

Abdominal muscles: A large group of muscles
in the front of the
abdomen that assists in the regular breathing movement and supports
the muscles of the
spine while lifting and keeping abdominal organs such as the
intestines in place. Abdominal muscles play a key role in exercises
such as "sit-ups." They are informally called the
"abs".