Bma Illustrated Medical Dictionary

including bronchitis, cystitis, and ear and

skin infections. Allergy to amoxicillin

causes a blotchy rash and, rarely, fever,

swelling of the mouth and tongue, itch-

ing, and breathing difficulty.

amoxycillinSee amoxicillin.

amphetamine drugsSee amfetamine

drugs.

amphotericin BA drug used to treat

fungal infections. Lozenges are used for

candidiasisof the mouth. Life-threaten-

ing infections, such as cryptococcosis

and histoplasmosis, are treated by injec-

tion. Adverse effects may occur with

injectionand include vomiting, fever,

headache, and, rarely, seizures.

ampicillinA penicillin drugcommonly

used to treat cystitis, bronchitis, and ear

infections. Diarrhoea is a common

adverse effect of ampicillin. Some peo-

ple are allergic to it and suffer from

rash, fever, swelling of the mouth and

tongue, itching, and breathing difficulty.

ampullaAn enlarged, flask-shaped area

at the end of a tubular structure or

canal. There are several ampullae in the

body, including at the end of the fallo-

pian tubes, at the opening of the bile

duct into the intestine, and on each of

the semicircular canals of the inner ear.

amputationSurgical removal of part or

all of a limb. Amputation is necessary if

peripheralvascular diseaseas a result of

atherosclerosisor diabetes mellitushas

impaired the blood supply to a limb. If

blood supply cannot be restored, ampu-

tation is carried out to prevent the

development of gangrene. Amputation

may also be needed if a limb has been

irreparably damaged in an accident.

For some time after amputation, there

may be an unpleasant sensation that the

limb is still present, a phenomenon

known as “phantom limb”. A prosthesis

(see limb,artificial) is usually fitted

when the stump has healed.

amputation, congenitalThe separa-

tion of a body part (usually a limb,

finger, or toe) from the rest of the body,

as a result of the part’s blood supply

being blocked by a band of amnion

(fetal membrane) in the uterus. The

affected part may be completely separ-

ated or show the marks of the “amniotic

band” after birth. (See also limb defects.)

amputation, traumaticLoss of a fin-

ger, toe, or limb through injury. (See

also microsurgery.)

amylaseAn enzymefound in salivaand

pancreatic secretions (see pancreas). It

helps to digest dietary starch, breaking

it down into smaller components such

as the sugars glucoseand maltose.

amyl nitriteA nitrate drugformerly pre-

scribed to relieve angina. Because amyl

nitrite frequently causes adverse effects,

it has been superseded by other drugs. It

is sometimes abused for its effect of

intensifying pleasure during orgasm.

amyloidosisAn uncommon disease in

which a substance called amyloid, com-

posed of fibrous protein, accumulates

in tissues and organs, including the

liver, kidneys, tongue, spleen, and heart.

Amyloidosis may occur for no known

reason, in which case it is called primary;

more commonly, it is a complication of

some other disease, and in such cases

it is called secondary. Conditions that

may lead to amyloidosis include multi-

ple myeloma(a cancer of bone marrow),

rheumatoid arthritis, tuberculosis, and

some other longstanding infections,

such as chronicosteomyelitis.

The symptoms of amyloidosis vary,

depending on the organs affected and

the duration of the condition. Deposits

of amyloid in the kidneys may cause

kidney failure, which may be fatal.

There is no treatment, but secondary

amyloidosis can be halted if the under-

lying disorder is treated.

AMOXYCILLIN AMYLOIDOSIS

A

Outer

ear

Middle

ear

Inner

ear

Semicircular canal

AMPULLA

Ampulla

LOCATION

INNER EAR

Cochlea

Cochlea