Glossary of Terms - f

Index

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Terms

False-negative: A test result that shows no evidence of the disease or abnormality being investigated although the condition is actually present.
False-positive: A test result that shows evidence of a disease or an abnormal condition although it (the condition being tested for) is not present.
Fasting Glucose Test: A blood test done to determine the plasma glucose concentration in the fasting state (the person has not eaten for 8 to 12 hours). A fasting plasma concentration > 140 mg/dl on at least two occasions is diagnostic for diabetes mellitus.
Ferritin: The primary form of storage iron.
Fibrin: Clot forming protein — these clots often remain suspended in the serum and cause problems within sampling.
Flow cytometry: A method of measuring physical and chemical attributes of cells or other biological particles by sensors, as they move by, one after the other, homogeneously suspended in fluid. This rapid (about 10,000 particles per second) analytic method allows identification of important cell types, such as malignant cells, T cells and B cells. This process also may utilize immunologic binding methods to further identify particular cell groups.
Fluorescein: A molecule that emits light at certain wavelengths; often used to tag antibodies or other proteins and nucleic acids.
Fluorescence: The emission of light of one wavelength after being exposed to light of a different wavelength.
Fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA): See assay.
Fluoroscopy: A radiologic technique in which a fluoroscope is used to visually examine the body or an organ. (A fluoroscope utilizes an X-ray tube and fluorescent screen, with the area to be viewed placed between the screen and the tube.) This immediate imaging, when coupled with an image intensifier, is invaluable in situations such as cardiac catheterization, thin needle biopsies of tumors, and localization of foreign bodies.
Fulminant: Sudden, severe or rapid.