Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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| a white, crystalline, water-insoluble solid, C14H9Cl5, usually derived from chloral by reaction with chlorobenzene in the presence of fuming sulfuric acid: used as an insecticide and as a scabicide and pediculicide: agricultural use prohibited in the U.S. |
| given to using long words. |
hyperparathyroidism hy·per·par·a·thy·roid·ism (hī'pər-pār'ə-thī'roi-dĭz'əm)
n.
An increase in the secretory activity of the parathyroid glands, causing generalized osteitis fibrosa cystica, elevated serum calcium, decreased serum phosphorus, and increased excretion of both calcium and phosphorus.
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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hyperparathyroidism
abnormal increase in the secretion of parathyroid hormone by one or more parathyroid glands (see parathyroid gland). The oversecretion is usually caused by a tumour or enlargement of parathyroid tissue and results in high blood and urine calcium and low blood and high urine phosphorus. The excess calcium is withdrawn from the bones, resulting in (osteoporosis) and an increased susceptibility to fracture. Other effects are kidney stones and decreased nervous and muscular excitability. Treatment is usually surgical removal of the tumour or excess parathyroid tissue.
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