MedTerm Speak

Master the language of medicine

Facilitated Diffusion

fuh-SIL-ih-tay-ted dih-FYOO-zhun

/fəˈsɪlɪˌteɪtɪd dɪˈfjuːʒən/

The process of spontaneous passive transport of molecules across a biological membrane via specific transmembrane integral proteins.

Fascia

FASH-ee-uh

/ˈfæʃiə/

A thin casing of connective tissue that surrounds and holds every organ, blood vessel, bone, nerve fiber, and muscle in place.

Fascicle

FAS-ih-kul

/ˈfæsɪkəl/

A bundle of structures, such as nerve or muscle fibers.

Femur

FEE-mur

/ˈfiːmər/

The bone of the thigh or upper hind limb, articulating at the hip and the knee.

Fenestration

fen-es-TRAY-shun

/ˌfɛnɪˈstreɪʃən/

Small pores or openings in a biological membrane, such as those found in certain capillaries.

Ferritin

FER-ih-tin

/ˈfɛrɪtɪn/

A protein produced in mammalian metabolism that serves to store iron in the tissues.

Fibrin

FY-brin

/ˈfaɪbrɪn/

An insoluble protein formed from fibrinogen during the clotting of blood. It forms a fibrous mesh that impedes the flow of blood.

Fibrinogen

fy-BRIN-oh-jen

/faɪˈbrɪnədʒən/

A soluble protein present in blood plasma, from which fibrin is produced by the action of the enzyme thrombin.

Fibroblast

FY-bruh-blast

/ˈfaɪbrəˌblæst/

A cell in connective tissue which produces collagen and other fibers.

Filtration

fil-TRAY-shun

/fɪlˈtreɪʃən/

The movement of water and solutes across a cell membrane due to hydrostatic pressure from the cardiovascular system.

Fissure

FISH-ur

/ˈfɪʃər/

A narrow split or groove that divides an organ such as the brain or liver into lobes.

Flagellum

fluh-JEL-um

/fləˈdʒɛləm/

A slender threadlike structure, especially a microscopic appendage that enables many protozoa, bacteria, and spermatozoa to swim.

Flexion

FLEK-shun

/ˈflɛkʃən/

The action of bending or the condition of being bent, especially the bending of a limb or joint.

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone

FOL-ih-kul STIM-yuh-lay-ting HOR-mohn

/ˈfɒlɪkəl ˈstɪmjʊleɪtɪŋ ˈhɔːrmoʊn/

A hormone (FSH) secreted by the anterior pituitary gland that promotes the formation of ova or sperm.

Fontanelle

fon-tuh-NEL

/ˌfɒntəˈnɛl/

A space between the bones of the skull in an infant or fetus, where ossification is not complete and the pulsatory relay of the brain can be felt.

Foramen

fuh-RAY-men

/fəˈreɪmən/

An opening, hole, or passage, especially in a bone.

Fovea Centralis

FOH-vee-uh sen-TRA-lis

/ˈfoʊviə sɛnˈtreɪlɪs/

A small depression in the retina of the eye where visual acuity is highest.