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Botulism
Botulism An extremely dangerous form of food poisoning caused by the toxin of Clostridium botulinum.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Food
Any substance eaten to provide nutritional support for the body.
Toxin
A poison formed as a specific secretion product in the metabolism of a vegetable or animal organism as distinguished from inorganic poisons. Such poisons can also be manufactured by synthetic processes.
Clostridium
A genus of bacteria that includes the agents capable of causing food poisoning and tetanus.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Botulinum toxin
A toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum that is the most poisonous biological substance known. Botulinum toxin acts as a neurotoxin. It binds to the nerve ending at the point where the nerve joins a muscle, blocking the release by the nerve of the chemical acetylcholine (the principal neurotransmitter at the neuromuscular junction), preventing the muscle from contracting. The result is weakness and paralysis of the muscle. The muscle atrophies. The blockage of acetylcholine release is irreversible. Function can be recovered by the sprouting of nerve terminals and the formation of new synaptic contacts, which usually takes 2 to 3 months.
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Blepharoplasty
Plastic surgery on the eyelid.
Blister
Buildup of watery or bloody fluid under the skin.
Blood poisoning
Infection within the circulatory system. A potentially life-threatening condition that requires prompt treatment.
Boil
A skin infection characterized by a localized buildup of pus.
Borrelia
A class of disease-causing bacteria that includes the organisms that cause relapsing fever and Lyme disease.
Botulism
Bovine
Having to do with cattle. For example, bovine insulin is insulin obtained from cattle.
Bowleg
A deformity of the legs in which the space between the knees is greater than normal.
Brace
A device used to support a body part, correct or prevent deformities, or control movement.
Breech birth
A birth in which the feet or buttocks of the baby appear first through the birth canal.
Bronchiolitis
An infection of the bronchioles, the tiny air tubes in the lungs.
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