empiric-risk figure

in genetic counseling, a percentage representing the risk for common disorders, such as schizophrenia and depression, when there is evidence of genetic factors of unknown mechanism. The figure is based upon reports of frequency of occurrence in large series of families (in addition to the approximately 3% risk of birth defects, including intellectual disability, present for every couple having a child).

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Psychology term of the day

July 27th 2024

ramus

n. (pl. rami)

1. a branch of a blood vessel or a nerve.

2. any of the large branches of a spinal nerve after it emerges from the spinal column, notably the anteriorly directed ventral ramus and the posteriorly directed dorsal ramus. These distribute motor and sensory nerve fibers to other, smaller nerves.

3. any of the short nerve branches that arise from the ventral ramus and communicate with sympathetic ganglia (see rami communicantes).