Template - an outline form which can be used to make many identical copies without being used itself. Metal templates can be used placed over a piece of clothing material, which is then cut according to the shape of the template. Many pieces can be made from the same template, and they will all be the right shape for that part of the garment. Molecular1 templates can guide the formation of crystals by providing a shape which is characteristic of, for example anapatite crystal. The role of templates in crystal formation is calledepitaxy.
Temporomandibular joint2 - the joint between the condyle of the mandible and the glenoid fossa of the temporal bone. The joint is divided into an upper and lower compartment3 by a fibrous disc and surrounded by a capsule.
Tenascin - an adhesive4 molecule5 of connective tissue related to fibronectin andlaminin.
Thalamus - the major co-ordinating centre or sensory6 information in the brain.
Threshold - the minimum level of a signal(sound. pressure, pain) which is detectable7.
Thrombin - the final chain in the series of blood clotting8 forms fibrin from fibrinogen. Thrombin is formed from prothrombin by a prothrombin activator9, itself the end of a series of reactions. This cascade10 of events may begin two ways. One, is the release of tissue factors from damaged vessels11. The other, is the activation12 of factors in blood platelets which are altered by coming into contact with collagen or an artificial surface.
Thromboxanes - concerned with platelet clotting and a member of the eicosanoid family of hormones13.
ical - in a local area. e.g application of medication to the affected14 part only.
Trabecula-bone -a description of the radiographic appearance of spongy bone. Radiographs provide an unusual opportunity to see condensations15 within spongy bone. These condensations form lines, or beams with are orientated16 so as to give the best support to loads tending to crush or fracture the bone.( the Latin word for a wooden beam was trabes, a small beam was a trabecula)
Transcription- a process which leads to the copying of a gene17's code, from a section of DNA18, onto a strand19 of messenger RNA and which eventually leads to the synthesis of the peptide or protein which that gene codes for.
Transforming growth factor- TGF a superfamily of cytokines secreted20 by a variety of cells (monocytes, T cells, platelets, fibroblasts). The family include bone morphogenic proteins, which stimulate21 angiogenesis, fibroblast proliferation and inhibit22 T cell proliferation.
Tropocollagen - the precursor23 to the collagen molecule secreted by the cell. The removal of terminal peptides on the tropocollagen allows each molecule to join end to end with another to make a collagen fibril.
Tubule - a small tube leading into a duct,or as in dentinal tubules.
Turnover24 - the replacement25 of cells by mitosis which keeps pace with cell loss, as in epithelia and blood cells. Also refers to the continual replacement of connective tissues like bone and fibrous tissue.