enucleation

1. the removal of an entire organic structure, such as a tumor or a bodily organ, without damaging the surrounding structure. Enucleation often refers to the removal of an eyeball in which the optic nerve and connective eye muscles have been severed so that the eye can be removed wholly and cleanly. See also autoenucleation.

2. the destruction or removal of the nucleus of a cell.

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Psychology term of the day

December 7th 2024

family medicine

the practice of treating a wide variety of illnesses and disorders in individuals and family members of all ages. Physicians now specializing in this area (called family practice doctors) must first undergo special training and become certified or board-eligible in family medicine in order to practice; such requirements did not apply until the 1970s. Family physicians trained before family medicine became a certifiable specialty are usually called general practitioners or GPs (labels sometimes also used by osteopaths). Both types of family physician are considered primary care providers.