distortion

distortion

 [dis-tor´shun]

1. the state of being twisted out of a natural or normal shape or position.

2. in psychology, the process of altering or disguising unconscious ideas or impulses so that they become acceptable to the conscious mind.

3. in optics or radiology, deviation of an image from the true outline or shape of an object or structure; it may be a change in size or shape, an elongation, a foreshortening, or a magnification. See illustration.

 A, Barrel distortion; B, pincushion distortion. From Dorland's, 2000.

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

dis·tor·tion

(dis-tōr'shŭn),

1. psychiatry a defense mechanism that helps to repress or disguise unacceptable thoughts.

2. dentistry permanent deformation of the impression material after the registration of an imprint.

3. A twisting out of normal shape or form.

4. ophthalmology unequal magnification over a field of view.

[L. distortio, fr. dis-torqueo, to wrench apart]

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

distortion

(dĭ-stôr′shən)

n.

Psychology The modification of unconscious impulses into forms acceptable by conscious or dreaming perception.

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dis·tor′tion·al, dis·tor′tion·ar′y, dis·tor′tive adj.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

dis·tor·tion

(dis-tōr'shŭn)

1. psychiatry A defense mechanism that helps to repress or disguise unacceptable thoughts.

2. dentistry The permanent deformation of the impression material after the registration of an imprint.

3. A twisting out of normal shape or form.

4. ophthalmology Unequal magnification over a field of view.

[L. distortio, fr. dis-torqueo, to wrench apart]

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

distortion

Aberration of an optical system resulting in an image which does not conform to the shape of the object, somewhat resembling the image viewed through a cylindrical lens. This is due to an unequal magnification of the image. Distortion can be barrel-shaped (barrel-shaped distortion) in which the corners of the image of a square are closer to the centre than the middle part of the sides; or pincushion (pincushion distortion) in which the corners of the image of a square are farther from the centre than the middle part of the sides (Fig. D10). Example of barrel-shaped distortion: a square object seen through an uncorrected negative spectacle lens. Example of pincushion distortion: a square object seen through an uncorrected positive spectacle lens. See correction; fisheye lens; sine condition.

Fig. D10 Distortion (O, object; A, pincushion distortion; B, barrel-shaped distortion)

Millodot: Dictionary of Optometry and Visual Science, 7th edition. © 2009 Butterworth-Heinemann

dis·tor·tion

(dis-tōr'shŭn)

1. In dentistry, permanent deformation of the impression material after the registration of an imprint.

2. A twisting out of normal shape or form.

[L. distortio, fr. dis-torqueo, to wrench apart]

Medical Dictionary for the Dental Professions © Farlex 2012

Patient discussion about distortion

Q. what does c4-5 mild central disk bulging impinging upon cervical cord without spinal stenosis or distortion of the cord . mild righ neural foraminal narrowing from uncovertebral joint hypertropy mean

A. Well this basically means there is a very small narrowing of the cervical (your neck area) spinal canal (where the spinal cord is), however the narrowing does not cause any damage to the spinal cord, therefore probably does not cause any major symptoms involving the nerves. The c4-5 bulging part refers to the part in between the two cervical vertebras c4 and c5, in which the disc (a part in the spinal cord) is sliding a bit side-ways, but again, it does not seem to be causing any trouble.

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