Acute Toxicity - The ability
of a substance to cause harmful effects soon after a single exposure
or dose. Opposite of chronic toxicity. [See: Estimated
Minimum Acute Dose of Fluoride | Estimated
Minimum Lethal Dose of Fluoride ]
Ameloblast - A cell from which
tooth enamel develops. [See: Dental
Fluorosis ]
Amelogenin - A protein responsible
for forming the matrix in which tooth enamel is formed. [See:
Biology of Dental Fluorosis
]
Ankylosing spondylitis - An
inflammatory arthritis that affects the spine, causing the bones
of the spine to fuse together. [See: Fluorosis
& Spondylosis/Spondylitis ]
Anti-oxidant - an agent that
prevents free radical or oxidative damage to the body tissue and
cells
Appendicular
skeleton - Bones of the upper and lower limbs. [See:
Fluoride's Differential
Impact on Bone Density]
Arthralgia - Pain in a joint.
[See: Fluoride &
Arthritis]
Atopic
dermatitis - Atopic dermatitis is
a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects the skin. The word
"dermatitis" means inflammation of the skin. "Atopic"
refers to a group of diseases where there is often an inherited
tendency to develop other allergic conditions, such as asthma
and hay fever. In atopic dermatitis, the skin becomes extremely
itchy. Scratching leads to redness, swelling, cracking, "weeping"
clear fluid, and finally, crusting and scaling. In most cases,
there are periods of time when the disease is worse (called exacerbations
or flares) followed by periods when the skin improves or clears
up entirely (called remissions). [See: Allergic
Reactions to Ingested Fluorides]
Axial
skeleton - Bones make-up the body's center of gravity
(vertebral column, rib cage, and skull). [See: Fluoride's
Differential Impact on Bone Density]
Beta
Amyloid Plaque - The protein which forms thick deposits,
or plaques, in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease,
a disease where memory skills gradually deteriorate with age.
[See: Fluoride & the Brain
| 1998 Study from Brain Research
- pdf file ]
Bowman capsules - In the outer
cortext of the kidney; the main units for blood filtering.
Calcification - A process that
occurs when tissue or noncellular material in the body becomes
hardened by deposits of calcium salts. [See: Fluoride
& Osteoarthritis | Fluorosis
& Spondylosis/Spondylitis | Fluorosis
& DISH ]
Cancellous bone - Same as trabecular
bone.
Carcinogen - A substance that
can cause or help to cause cancer. [See: Fluoride
& Cancer | Fluoride
& Osteosarcoma | NTP's
1990 Bioassay ]
Caries - Tooth decay or cavities.
[See: Fluoride & Caries
]
Cervical spine - Neck area of
the spine. [See: Fluorosis
& Stenosis | Fluorosis
& Spondylosis/Spondylitis ]
Chronic toxicity - The long-term
toxicity of a product in small, repeated doses. Chronic toxicity
can often take many years to determine. Opposite of Acute Toxicity.
Compressive strength - A material's
ability to resist a force that tends to crush or buckle.
Contact Dermatitis - A localized
rash or irritation of the skin caused by contact with a foreign
substance. [See: Allergic Reactions
to Topical Fluorides]
Colic - Acute abdominal pain
- especially in infants. [See: Fluoride
& the Gastrointestinal Tract ]
Cortical
bone - One of two types of bone in the skeleton,
the other type being trabecular bone. Cortical bone represents
nearly 80% of the skeletal mass. It is also called compact bone,
because it forms a protective outer shell around every bone in
the body. Cortical bone has a slow turnover rate and a high resistance
to bending and torsion. It provides strength where bending would
be undesirable as in the middle of long bones. The proportion
of cortical bone to trabecular bone is highest in the appendicular
skeleton, and lowest in the axial skeleton. [See: Fluoride's
Differential Impact on Bone Density]
Crippling fluorosis - The most
advanced stage of skeletal fluorosis; marked by extensive calcification
of the spine. Hunchback (kyphosis) and spinal cord compression
(stenosis) are common. Physical mobility greatly impaired. [See:
Crippling Fluorosis
| Fluorosis & Stenosis
| Fluorosis
& Spondylosis/Spondylitis]
Dean Index -
A diagnostic index for measuring the severity of dental fluorosis.
[See: Dental Fluorosis
Classification Criteria ]
Dental fluorosis - A mineralization
disorder of tooth enamel caused by excess fluoride intake during
the teeth forming years. Causes teeth to become discolored. [See:
Dental Fluorosis ]
Dentrifice - Toothpaste. [See:
Allergic Reactions to Topical Fluorides
| Minimum Lethal Dose of Fluoride
]
Dermatitis - An inflammation
of the skin; a rash. Often used interchangeably with eczema. [See:
Allergic Reactions to Topical Fluorides
| Allergic
Reactions to Ingested Fluorides ]
Dialysis - The process of artificially
cleansing the blood in persons whose kidneys no longer function
properly. [See: Fluoridation,
Dialysis, & Osteomalacia ]
Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis
(DISH) - A degenerative disorder of unknown etiology
that frequently occurs in patients over 60. The distinguishing
characteristic of this disorder is the presence of excessive ligamentous
calcification and ossification of ligaments in the spine and extraspinal
locations. [See: Fluorosis
& DISH ]
Diuresis - Increased excretion
of urine. [See: Fluoride & the
Kidneys ]
DMFS (Decayed, Missing,
and Filled Surfaces) - An index for quantifying tooth
decay based on the number of tooth surfaces impacted. [See: DMFS
Results from NIDR's 1986-1987 National Survey of US Schoolchildren]
DMFTs (Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth)
- An index for quantifying tooth decay based on the
number of teeth impacted. [See: DMFT
Results from NIDR's 1986-1987 National Survey of US Schoolchildren]
Eczema - Sometimes called dermatitis,
eczema is a group of skin conditions which can affect all age
groups. The severity of the disease can vary. In mild forms the
skin is dry, hot and itchy, whilst in more severe forms the skin
can become broken, raw and bleeding. Eczema is sometimes referred
to as "the itch that rashes," since the itch, when scratched,
results in the appearance of the rash. [See: Allergic
Reactions to Topical Fluorides | Allergic
Reactions to Ingested Fluorides ]
Endemic fluorosis - A term used
to describe skeletal fluorosis caused by consumption of fluoride-contaminated
well water. [See: Skeletal
Fluorosis in India | Water
Fluoride/Skeletal Fluorosis ]
Enzymes - Naturally occurring
chemical substances in the human body that help a chemical reaction
take place.
EPA - Environmental Protection
Agency (US).
Epidemiology - A field of medical
science that studies the incidence, distribution, and control
of disease in a population. This information is often used to
determine causes and methods of controlling diseases. [See Epidemiology
of Fluoride & Bone Fracture | Fluoride
& Osteosarcoma ]
Eosinophilia - Increased numbers
of eosinophils in the blood characteristic of allergic reactions.
Erythema - Abnormal redness
and inflammation of the skin caused by the congestion and dilation
(widening) of the capillaries (tiny blood vessels). The effect
is usually localized or patchy. In layman's terms, erythema is
a skin rash. [See: Allergic Reactions
to Topical Fluorides | Allergic
Reactions to Ingested Fluorides ]
Essential nutient - A substance
that the body cannot manufacture itself but which is required
for life itself and good health.
Exfoliative
dermatitis - Exfoliative dermatitis, or erythroderma,
is an erythematous, scaly dermatitis involving most, if not all,
of the skin. This generalized scaling eruption of the skin is
drug induced, idiopathic, or secondary to underlying cutaneous
or systemic disease. [See: Allergic
Reactions to Topical Fluorides | Allergic
Reactions to Ingested Fluorides ]
Femoral
neck - A primary site of hip fracture; the portion
of the femur between the femoral head and the shaft. [See: Fluoride-Induced
Bone Fractures in Human Clinical Trials ]
Flexion deformities - An impairment
in the ability to flex (bend) a joint. [See: Skeletal
Fluorosis | Fluorosis
& Stenosis]
Forestier's disease - Synonym
for DISH; Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis. [See: Fluorosis
& DISH ]
Gastritis - Gastritis is not
a single disease, but several different conditions that all have
inflammation of the stomach lining. Gastritis can be caused by
drinking too much alcohol, prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen, or infection with
bacteria. The most common symptoms are abdominal upset or pain.
Other symptoms are belching, abdominal bloating, nausea, and vomiting
or a feeling of fullness or of burning in the upper abdomen. [See:
Fluoride & the Gastrointestinal Tract
]
Gastroenteritis - Gastroenteritis
is the irritation and inflammation of the digestive tract. This
condition may cause abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea. All
ages and both sexes may be affected yet the most severe symptoms
are experienced by infants and those individuals over sixty years
old. [See: Fluoride & the Gastrointestinal
Tract ]
Genotoxic - A chemical capable
of causing damage to DNA. Such damage can potentially lead to
the formation of a malignant tumor, but DNA damage does not lead
inevitably to the creation of cancerous cells. [See: Evidence
Supporting the Mutagenicity of Fluoride | Fluoride
& Cancer ]
Glomeruli - Network of tiny
blood vessels in the kidneys where the blood is filtered and waste
products are removed. [See: Fluoride & the
Kidneys ]
Hemodialysis - A mechanical
method of cleaning the blood for people who have kidney disease.
[See: Fluoridation, Dialysis,
& Osteomalacia ]
Hippocampus - A part of the
brain important for cognitive functions like learning and memory.
[See: Fluoride & the Brain
| 1995 Study from Neurotoxicity
and Teratology - pdf file ]
Histamine - A chemical present
in cells throughout the body that is released during an allergic
reaction and one of the substances responsible for the symptoms
of inflammation. [See: Allergic
Reactions to Topical Fluorides | Fluoride
& Inflammation of the Skin ]
Histological - Pertaining to
the microscopic structure of the tissues of living organisms.
Hyperplasia - An abnormal increase
in the number of normal-appearing cells. [See: Proctor
& Gamble's Fluoride/Cancer study ]
Hyperthyroidism - Overactivity
of the thyroid gland. A condition in which the thyroid gland produces
too much thyroid hormone. [See Fluoride
& the Thyroid ]
Hypothyrodism - A condition
characterized by deficient production of thyroid hormones (underactive
thyroid). [See Fluoride & the
Thyroid ]
Iliac crest - The large, prominent
portion of the pelvic bone at the belt line of the body; a bone
site where marrow is sampled to test for blood cell diseases.
In vitro - Literally, “in
glass,” i.e., in a test tube or in the laboratory; the opposite
of in vivo (in a living organism). [See: Evidence
Supporting the Mutagenicity of Fluoride ]
In vivo - Literally, "in
life", meaning a reaction, process or experiment in a living
organism rather than in a metaphorical test tube. [See: Micronucleus
and Sister Chromatid Exchange Frequency in Endemic Fluorosis
]
Interosseous Membrane
- Fibrous material located between the bones of the forearm (radius
and ulna) , and bones of the leg (tibia and fibula).
Interstitial nephritis - A kidney
disorder caused by inflammation of the tubules and the spaces
between the tubules and the glomeruli. It may be a temporary lesion,
most often associated with the effects of various medications
on the kidney, or it may be chronic and progressive. [See: Fluoride
& the Kidneys]
Iodine
Deficiency Disorder (IDD) - Iodine Deficiency is
the world’s most prevalent – yet easily preventable
– cause of brain damage. IDD affects over 740 million people,
13% of the world’s population; 30% of the remainder are
at risk. Iodine-deficient people may forfeit 15 IQ points. Nearly
50 million people suffer from some degree of IDD-related brain
damage. [See: The Relationship of a Low-Iodine
and High-Fluoride Environment to Subclinical Cretinism ]
Irritable
bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by a group of symptoms
in which abdominal pain or discomfort is associated with a change
in bowel pattern, such as loose or more frequent bowel movements,
diarrhea, and/or constipation. IBS affects approximately 10-20%
of the general population. It is the most common disease diagnosed
by gastroenterologists (doctors who specialize in medical treatment
of disorders of the stomach and intestines) and one of the most
common disorders seen by primary care physicians. [See: IBS
and Fluoride Toxicity? ]
Kyphosis - Excessive curvature
of the upper spine, resulting in humpback, hunchback or rounding
of the shoulders. [See: Crippling
Fluorosis | Fluorosis
& Spondylosis; Spondylitis ]
Lethargy - A feeling of tiredness,
drowsiness, or lack of energy. [See: Hpersensitive
Reactions to Ingested Fluorides | Fluoride
& the Brain ]
Ligament - A tough band of tissue
that connects bone to bone or cartilage to bone, it supports a
joint.
Lipid - A fat or a fatty substance
insoluble in water; essential structural component of living cells
(along with proteins and carbohydrates). [See: Fluoride
& the Brain | Fluoride &
the Kidneys ]
Lipid peroxidation - Refers
to the oxidative degradation of lipids. This process proceeds
by a free radical chain reaction mechanism. [See: Fluoride
& the Brain | Fluoride &
the Kidneys ]
Lumbar spine - Made up of five
vertebrae, it is commonly called the "lower back."
mg - Milligrams. [See: Estimated
"Threshold" Doses for Skeletal Fluorosis ]
mg/L - Milligrams per liter.
(In the case of fluoride, mg/L = ppm). [See: Water
Fluoride/Skeletal Fluorosis ]
Microhardness - Hardness of
the microscopic areas of a material. [See: Moderate/Severe
Dental Fluorosis ]
Mitogen - A substance that induces
cell division. [See: Fluoride
& Osteoblasts | Fluoride
& Osteosarcoma ]
Mottled enamel - Discolored
and spotted tooth enamel caused by excessive amounts of fluorides
in drinking water. [ See: Dental
Fluorosis ]
Mutagen - A substance that causes
mutations - changes to the genetic material in the body. Substances
that can damage genetic material can usually - but not always
- cause cancer as well. [See: Evidence
Supporting the Mutagenicity of Fluoride | Fluoride
& Cancer ]
NaF - Sodium fluoride.
Nephron
- The basic structural and functional unit of the kidney. The
basic function of the nephron is to regulate water and soluble
substances (especially ions) in the body by filtering it all out
first, reabsorbing what should be kept and excreting the rest.
This is a function vital to supporting human life. [See: Fluoride
& the Kidneys ]
Nephropathy - Kidney disease.
[See: Fluoride & the Kidneys ]
Neoplasm - An abnormal growth
of tissue which may be benign or malignant. [See: NTP's
1990 Fluoride/Cancer Bioassay ]
Neurotoxic - Toxic or damaging
to nervous tissue (brain and peripheral nerves). [See: Fluoride
& the Brain ]
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs)
- In the brain, a structurally and functionally diverse group
of ligand-gated cation channels associated with numerous transmitter
systems for which they have a modulatory function. Believed to
play an important role in cognitive and memory functions. [See:
Fluoride & the Brain ]
Non-ulcer
dyspepsia - Nonulcer dyspepsia is a common, sometimes
long-lasting (chronic) disorder of the upper gastrointestinal
system , which includes your esophagus, stomach and the first
part of your small intestine (duodenum). The disorder can cause
signs and symptoms that resemble those of a peptic ulcer, such
as pain or discomfort in your upper abdomen, often accompanied
by bloating, belching and nausea. Nonulcer dyspepsia occurs for
no apparent reason and isn't necessarily related to a particular
disease. [See: Fluoride & the Gastrointestinal
Tract ]
Non-vertebral fracture - A bone
facture anywhere in the skeleton besides the spine. [See: Fluoride-Induced
Bone Fractures in Human Clinical Trials ]
NTP - National Toxicology Program.
[See: NTP's 1990 Fluoride/Cancer
Bioassay ]
Osteoarthritis - Sometimes called
degenerative joint disease or osteoarthrosis, osteosarthritis
is the most common form of arthritis, and the number one cause
of disability in the U.S. A non-inflammatory form of arthritis
marked by a breakdown of joint cartilage, ligament calcification
and bone spurs (osteophytes). Can affect any joint in the body.
[See: Fluoride
& Osteoarthritis ]
Osteoblast - Cell found in bone;
its function is to form the tissue and minerals that give bone
its strength. [See: Fluoride
& Osteoblasts ]
Osteoclasts - Cells that break
down bone. [See: Fluoride
& Osteoclasts ]
Osteocytes - Cell found within
the bone; its function is to help maintain the structural integrity
of bone. [See: Fluoride
& Osteocytes ]
Osteodystrophy - Osteodystrophy
is a combination of bone disorders that is usually caused by chronic
kidney failure (renal disease). The bone disorders affecting patients
with osteodystrophy include varying combinations and degrees of
osteoporosis, osteomalacia, osteitis fibrosa, and osteosclerosis.
[See: Fluoride
& Renal Osteodystrophy | Fluoridation,
Dialysis, & Osteomalacia ]
Osteofluorosis - Synonym for
skeletal fluorosis. [See: Skeletal
Fluorosis ]
Osteogenic Sarcoma - Osteosarcoma;
bone cancer. [See: Fluoride
& Osteosarcoma | Fluoride
& Osteosarcoma Timeline | 1992
New Jersey Study on Water Fluoridation & Osteosarcoma
]
Osteoid - Immature bone that
has not yet undergone calcification. [See: Fluoride
& Osteoid | Fluoride
& Osteomalacia ]
Osteoma - A slow growing benign
tumor consisting of bone tissue. [See: Fluoride
& Osteosarcoma Timeline ]
Osteomalacia - A softening of
the bones in adults caused by a failure of the normal calcification.
Symptoms include diffuse bone pain, especially in the hips; muscle
weakness; and bone fractures with minimal trauma. [See: Fluoride
& Osteomalacia | Fluoridation,
Dialysis, & Osteomalacia ]
Osteopetrosis - A hereditary
bone disorder marked by a failure of the osteoclasts to resorb
bone, resulting in increased bone mass of inferior quality. Symptoms
include bone pain, bone fractures (which have difficulty healing),
and degenerative arthritis. [See: Fluoride
& Osteopetrosis ]
Osteophyte - A small, abnormal
bony outgrowth. Common in osteoarthritis.
Osteosarcoma - Malignant bone
tumor; most common in children and young adults. [See: Fluoride
& Osteosarcoma | Fluoride
& Osteosarcoma Timeline | 1992
New Jersey Study on Water Fluoridation & Osteosarcoma
]
Osteosclerosis - Abnormal hardening
or increased density of bone. [See: Fluoride
& Osteosclerosis ]
Oxidative stress - A process
whereby the metabolic balance of a cell is disrupted by exposure
to environmental substances resulting in accumulation of free-radicals,
which can damage the cell. [See: Fluoride
& the Brain | Fluoride &
the Kidneys ]
Parathyroid hormone (PTH) -
Hormone that controls the distribution of calcium and phosphate
in the body; activates the bone resorption process, increasing
calcium in the blood. [See: Fluoride
& Secondary Hyperparathyroidism ]
Paresthesia - Abnormal physical
sensations such as numbness, prickling or tingling. [See: Allergic
Reactions to Fluorides | Fluorosis
& Stenosis ]
Perioral dermatitis - Perioral
dermatitis is a rash composed of tiny red bumps that are primarily
around the mouth, but can also be seen around the nose and on
other areas of the face. [See: Allergic
Reactions to Topical Fluorides | Fluoride
Toothpaste & Perioral Dermatitis ]
Petechiae - Small pin-point
hemorrhages on a body surface. [ See: Damage
to Gastric Mucosa in Human Clinical Trials ]
Phospholipid - A fat or lipid
containing phosphorus found in high quantities in the brain and
very important to the function of cellular membranes and to the
nervous system. [See: Fluoride &
the Brain ]
Pineal Gland - A small gland
located deep within in the brain; believed to secrete the hormone
melatonin. [See: Fluoride & Pineal
Gland]
Pinealocytes - The main cells
of the pineal gland. They produce and secrete melatonin. Pinealocytes
have an organelle called synaptic ribbon, this is considered to
be a specific marker for pinealocytes. Some of the enzymes of
the pinealocytes include 5-HT N-acetyl transferase and 5-hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase
which are used to convert serotonin to melatonin. [See: Fluoride
& Pineal Gland]
Placebo - An inert substance,
such as a sugar pill. A placebo may be used in clinical trials
to compare the effects of a given treatment against no treatment.
Polydipsia - Excessive thirst;
may be a sign of diabetes. [See: Fluoride
& the Kidneys ]
Polyuria - Excessive urination;
may be a sign of diabetes. [See: Fluoride
& the Kidneys ]
ppm - Parts per million.
ppb - Parts per billion.
Pruritus - A technical term
for itching.
Purkinje cells - A specific
type of nerve cell that carries each and every piece of information
outputted by the cerebellum. These cells possess a great deal
of control over the refinement of motor activities. [See: Fluoride
& the Brain ]
Pustules - A small skin blister
containing pus. [See: Fluoride
& Inflammation of the Skin ]
Radiology - The use of x-rays
in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. [See: X-Ray
Diagnosis of Skeletal Fluorosis ]
Renal - Pertaining to the kidneys.
[See: Fluoride & the Kidneys
]
Renal Osteodystrophy - A combination
of bone disorder caused by chronic kidney failure (renal disease).
The bone disorders affecting patients with osteodystrophy include
varying combinations and degrees of osteoporosis, osteomalacia,
osteitis fibrosa, and osteosclerosis. [See: Fluoride
& Renal Osteodystrophy | Fluoridation,
Dialysis, & Osteomalacia ]
Rhinorrhea - Abundant nasal
discharge, generally transparent.
Rheumatoid Arthritis - A chronic,
inflammatory disease of the body where a person’s own immune
system attacks cells inside the joint capsule; producing its most
prominent manifestations in joints, often leading to joint pain,
stiffness, and deformity. [See: Fluoride
& Rheumatoid Arthritis ]
Rickets - A disease caused by
either 1) vitamin D deficiency or 2) renal disease leading to
inadequate mineralization of bones the child. [See: Fluoride
& Rickets ]
Rosacea - A skin disease of
adults (more often women) in which blood vessels of the face enlarge
resulting in a flushed appearance. [See: Allergic
Reactions to Topical Fluorides]
Sclerosis - Shorthand for osteosclerosis,
an abnormal hardening or increased density of bone. [See: Fluoride
& Osteosclerosis ]
Secondary hyperparathyroidism
- Excessive production of the parathyroid hormone in response
to low blood calcium caused by another condition (e.g. renal osteodystrophy).
[See: Fluoride
& Secondary Hyperparathyroidism | Fluoride
& Renal Osteodystrophy ]
Skeletal fluorosis - An arthritic
bone disease caused by excessive consumption of fluoride. [See:
Skeletal Fluorosis ]
Sister chromatid exchange (SCE)
- Sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) involve breakage of both DNA
strands, followed by an exchange of whole DNA duplexes. SCE analysis
is considered to be a sensitive method for detecting DNA damage.
[See: Evidence Supporting the Mutagenicity
of Fluoride | Micronucleus and
Sister Chromatid Exchange Frequency in Endemic Fluorosis ]
Spondylitis - A form of inflammatory
arthritis; primarily causes inflammation of the joints between
the vertebrae of spine and the joints between spine and pelvis
(sacroiliac joints). [See: Fluoride
& Spondylosis/Spondylitis ]
Spondylosis - A type of degenerative
disease of the spine whose most obvious pathologic and radiographic
finding is the presence of osteophytes (e.g. bone spurs), especially
along the anterior and lateral aspects of the vertebral column.
[See: Fluoride
& Spondylosis/Spondylitis ]
Stenosis - A narrowing of spaces
in the spine (backbone) that results in pressure on the spinal
cord and/or nerve roots. Spinal stenosis most often results from
a gradual, degenerative aging process. As people age, the ligaments
of the spine may thicken and calcify (harden from deposits of
calcium salts). Bones and joints may also enlarge, and osteophytes
(bone spurs) may form. This decreases the space (neural foramen)
available for nerve roots leaving the spinal cord. [See: Fluoride
& Stenosis ]
Stress fracture - A hairline
or microscopic break in a bone, usually due to repetitive stress
rather than trauma. Stress fractures are usually painful, and
may be undetectable by X-ray. Though they may occur in almost
any bone, common sites of stress fractures are the tibia (lower
leg) and metatarsals (foot). [See: Fluoride
& Stress Fractures ]
Stomatitis - Sores on the inside
lining of the mouth. [See: Fluoride
Dentrifice and Stomatitis | Allergic
Reactions to Topical Fluorides]
Subclinical - relating to the
stage in the development of a disease before the symptoms are
observed.
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
- A hormone secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland
that stimulates and regulates the activity of the thyroid gland.
Also called thyrotropin.
Thyroxine (T4) - A hormone secreted
by the thyroid gland which regulates metabolism.
Triiodothyronine (T3) - Thyroid
hormone similar to thyroxine but with one less iodine atom per
molecule and produced in smaller quantity; exerts the same biological
effects as thyroxine but is more potent and briefer.
Tendon - Tough tissue that connects
a muscle with a bone.
Tensile strength - The ability
of a structural material to withstand bending and stretching forces.
[See: Fluoride & Bone
Strength ]
Thylstrup-Fejerskov Index -
A diagnostic index for measuring the severity of dental fluorosis.
[See: Dental Fluorosis
Classification Criteria ]
Trabecular
bone - One of two types of bone in the skeleton,
the other type being cortical bone. Trabeculare bone represents
20% of the skeletal mass, but 80% of the bone surface. Trabecular
bone is less dense, more elastic and has a higher turnover rate
than cortical bone. Trabelcular bone constitutes most of the bone
tissue of the axial skeleton: bones of the skull, ribs and spine.
It is formed in an intricate and structural mesh. Trabecular bone
forms the interior scaffolding, which helps bone to maintain their
shape despite compressive forces. [See: Fluoride's
Differential Impact on Bone Density]
Urticaria - A skin condition
characterized by welts that itch intensely, caused by an allergic
reaction, an infection, or a nervous condition. Also called hives,
nettle rash. [See: Allergic Reactions
to Topical Fluorides | Allergic
Reactions to Ingested Fluorides ]
uM (uMoL) -
Micromole. (1 micromole of fluoride equals 19 parts per billion
of fluoride.)
