n. 1. (in ophthalmology) simultaneous abduction of the eyes. Divergence excess is a divergent squint (see strabismus) in which the eyes are deviated outwards more when looking in the distance than when looking at near objects. Divergence insufficiency is a convergent squint (see strabismus) in which the eyes are deviated slightly inwards only when looking in the distance. 2. (in ethics) a difference of opinion.
The degree of stability exhibited when a measurement is repeated under identical conditions. Reliability refers to the degree to which the results obtained by a measurement procedure can be replicated. Lack of reliability may arise from divergences between observers or instruments of measurement, or instability of the attribute being measured.... reliability
The heaviness of a person or object. In children, weight is routinely used as an index of growth. In healthy adults, weight remains more or less stable as dietary energy intake matches energy expenditure (see metabolism).
Weight loss or weight gain occurs if the net balance is disturbed.
Weight can be compared with standardized charts for height, age, and sex. At all ages, divergence from the normal weight for height may have medical implications. For example, if weight is below 80 per cent of the standard weight for height, the individual’s nutrition is probably inadequate as a result of poor diet or disease, and if 20 per cent above the standard, he or she is considered to be suffering from obesity. An alternative method of assessment is use of the body mass index (, or Quetelet’s index), obtained by dividing weight in kilograms by the square of height in metres. A healthy weight is 20–25 ; a of greater than 25 indicates that a person is overweight. weight loss This occurs any time there is a decrease in energy intake compared with energy expenditure. The decrease may be due to deliberate weight reduction or a change in diet or activity level. It may also be a symptom of a disorder. Unexplained weight loss should always be investigated by a doctor.
Many diseases disrupt the appetite, which may lead to weight loss. Depression reduces the motivation to eat, peptic ulcer causes pain and possible food avoidance, and some kidney disorders cause loss of appetite due to the effect of uraemia. In anorexia nervosa and bulimia, complex psychological factors affect an individual’s eating pattern.
Digestive disorders, such as gastroenteritis, lead to weight loss through vomiting. Cancer of the oesophagus (see oesophagus, cancer of) and stomach cancer cause loss of weight, as does malabsorption of nutrients in certain disorders of the intestine or pancreas.
Some disorders cause weight loss by increasing the rate of metabolic activity in cells. Examples are any type of cancer, chronic infection such as tuberculosis, and hyperthyroidism. Untreated diabetes mellitus also causes weight loss due to a number of factors.... weight
n. 1. (in anatomy) a corner. For example, the angle of the eye is the outer or inner corner of the eye; the angle of the mouth is the site where the upper and lower lips join on either side. 2. the degree of divergence of two lines or planes that meet each other; the space between two such lines. The carrying angle is the obtuse angle formed between the forearm and the upper arm when the forearm is fully extended and the hand is supinated.... angle
(heterotropia) n. squint: abnormal alignment of the two eyes. The strabismus is most commonly horizontal – convergent strabismus (or esotropia) or divergent strabismus (exotropia) – but it may be vertical (hypertropia, in which the eye looks upwards, or hypotropia, in which it looks downwards). In rare cases both eyes look towards the same point but one is twisted clockwise or anticlockwise in relation to the other (cyclotropia). Usually strabismus is concomitant, i.e. the abnormal alignment of the two eyes remains fairly constant, in whatever direction the person is looking. Strabismus acquired by injury or disease is usually incomitant, i.e. the degree of misalignment varies in different directions of gaze. See also cover test; deviation; divergence; heterophoria.... strabismus
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