D
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Degenerative |
deteriorating, getting worse |
Depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents |
(example: suxamethonium) drugs causing skeletal muscle paralysis |
Distal |
situated away from the trunk of the body, at the end of the limbs toward the feet and hands |
DM1 |
the abbreviation for the Latin name for myotonic dystrophy (dystrophia myotonica) type 1, the more severe form of myotonic dystrophy with the mutation found on chromosome 19 |
DM2 |
the abbreviation for the Latin name for myotonic dystrophy (dystrophia myotonica) type 2, with the mutation found on chromosome 3 |
DMPK |
the abbreviation for the myotonic dystrophy gene, the Myotonic Dystrophy Protein Kinase gene that causes DM1; it is located on chromosome 19 |
Dominant inheritance |
as in myotonic dystrophy, the expression of a gene where if one parent carries the mutated gene, the children have a 50% chance of getting it |
Double helix |
two strands of DNA held together by hydrogen bonds; when enlarged it |
Dysphagia |
difficulty swallowing |
Dysphasia |
difficulty speaking |
Dyspnea |
shortness of breath |
Dystrophy |
an inherited muscle disorder in which the muscles become weaker |