Glossary A

Glossary A

Androgyny refers to the possession of both "female” and "male” gender-role characteristics.

Andropause refers to a period of time in a man’s life, usually during his 70's or 80's, when testosterone decreases, causing a decrease in spermatogenesis, a thinner ejaculate, a decrease in ejaculatory pressure, decreased muscle strength, increased fatigue, and mood disturbances. Moreover, it is the hormonal changes accompanying old age in men that correspond to Menopause in women.

Anecdotal record refers to a short, written report of an individual's behavior in a specific situation or circumstance.

Anemia refers to a condition in which there is a deficiency in the oxygen-carrying material of the blood: a low level of red blood cells, leading to generalized weakness and lack of vitality.

Anencephaly refers to a congenital condition characterized by a failure in development of the two (2) hemispheres of the brain, the mesencephalon, and diencephalon.

Anesthesia refers to the loss of sensations of temperature, touch, or pain.

Anesthetics refer to agents that produce partial or total loss of the sense of pain Derived from the Greek roots meaning "without feeling ".

Aneurysms refer to the weak areas in the walls of an artery that cause the vessel to balloon.