Leaf
Leaf (Medicine)
Leaf (pronounced: /liːf/) is a term used in various medical contexts. In anatomy, it refers to a part of the body that is thin and flat, similar to a leaf of a plant. In pharmacology, it refers to plant leaves used for medicinal purposes.
Etymology
The term "leaf" comes from the Old English lēaf, which is akin to the Old High German loub meaning foliage.
Anatomy
In anatomy, a leaf is a thin, flat organ or structure. For example, the leaflets of the heart valve are often referred to as "leaves". They are thin, flat structures that open and close to regulate blood flow through the heart.
Pharmacology
In pharmacology, a leaf refers to the leaf of a plant that is used for medicinal purposes. For example, the leaves of the Digitalis plant are used to make the heart medication digoxin. Other examples include the leaves of the Eucalyptus tree, which are used in cough medicines, and the leaves of the Cannabis plant, which are used for their analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Related Terms
- Leaflet: A small leaf or a subdivision of a compound leaf.
- Foliage: The leaves of a plant or tree.
- Phyllotaxis: The arrangement of leaves on a plant stem.
- Photosynthesis: The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the aid of chlorophyll pigments.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Leaf
- Wikipedia's article - Leaf
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