Bma Illustrated Medical Dictionary

brain is restored. This restoration usu-

ally happens within minutes because the

loss of consciousness results in the per-

son falling into a lying position, which

restores the flow of blood to the brain.

Medical attention should be sought for

prolonged unconsciousnessor repeated

attacks of fainting.

faith-healingThe supposed ability of

certain people to cure disease by a

healing force inexplicable to science.

falciparum malariaThe most severe

form of malaria, caused by the parasitic

protozoan PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM.

fallen archesA cause of flat-feet. Fallen

arches can develop as a result of weak-

ness of the muscles that support the

arches of the foot.

fallopian tubeOne of the 2 tubes that

extend from the uterusto the ovary. The

fallopian tube transports eggs and sperm

and is where fertilizationtakes place.

The tube opens into the uterus at one

end, and the other end, which is divided

into fimbriae (finger-like projections),

lies close to the ovary. The tube has

muscular walls lined by cells with cilia

(hair-like projections). The fimbriae take

up the egg after it is expelled from the

ovary. The beating cilia and muscular

contractions propel the egg towards the

uterus. After intercourse, sperm swim

up the fallopian tube from the uterus.

The lining of the tube and its secretions

or irritable bowel syndrome. Enteritis,

dysentery, or a tumour of the intestine

(see intestine, tumours of) may result in

excess mucus, which is often accom-

panied by blood.

Blood in the faeces differs in appear-

ance depending on the site of bleeding.

Bleeding from the stomach or duode-

num is usually passed in the form of

black, tarry faeces. Blood from the colon

is red and is usually passed at the same

time as the faeces. Bleeding from the

rectum or anus, which may be due to

tumours or to haemorrhoids, is usually

bright red. (See also rectal bleeding.)

faeces, blood in theSee faeces, abnor-

mal; rectal bleeding.

Fahrenheit scaleA temperature scale

in which the melting point of ice is 32º

and the boiling point of water is 212º.

On this scale, normal body temperature

is 98.4ºF, which is the equivalent of 37º

Celsius (C). To convert a Fahrenheit tem-

perature to Celsius, subtract 32 and

multiply by 0.56 (or 5/9). To convert a

Celsius temperature to Fahrenheit, mul-

tiply by 1.8 (or 9/5) then add 32. (See

also Celsius scale.)

failure to thriveFailure of expected

growth in an infant or toddler, usually

assessed by comparing the rate at

which a baby gains weight with a stan-

dardized growth chart. An undiagnosed

illness such as a urinary infection may

be the cause. Emotional or physical

deprivation can also cause failure to

thrive. A child who fails to grow at the

appropriate rate needs tests to deter-

mine the cause.

faintingTemporary loss of conscious-

ness due to reduced blood flow to the

brain. Episodes of fainting are usually

preceded by sweating, nausea, dizzi-

ness, and weakness, and are commonly

caused by pain, stress, shock, a stuffy

atmosphere, or prolonged coughing. An

episode may also result from postural

hypotension, which may occur when a

person stands still for a long time or

suddenly stands up. This is common in

the elderly, in people with diabetes mel-

litus, and in those on antihypertensive

drugsor vasodilator drugs.

In most cases, recovery from fainting

occurs when normal blood flow to the

FAECES, BLOOD IN THE FALLOPIAN TUBE

F

Fallopian

tube

Ovary

Uterus

LOCATION

Cervix

FALLOPIAN TUBE

Fimbriae

Vagina