equilibrium (redirected from equilibria)

equilibrium /equi·li·bri·um/ (e″kwĭ-lib´re-um)

1. balance; harmonious adjustment of parts.

2. sense of equilibrium.

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dynamic equilibrium  the condition of balance between varying, shifting, and opposing forces that is characteristic of living processes.

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e·qui·lib·ri·um (kw-lbr-m, kw-)

n.

1. A condition in which all influences acting upon it are canceled by others, resulting in a stable, balanced, or unchanging system.

2. The state of a chemical reaction in which its forward and reverse reactions occur at equal rates so that the concentration of the reactants and products does not change with time. Also called dynamic equilibrium.

3. Mental or emotional balance.

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equilibrium

[ē′kwilib′rē·əm]

Etymology: L, aequilibrium

1 a state of balance or rest resulting from the equal action of opposing forces such as calcium and phosphorus in the body.

2 (in psychiatry) a state of mental or emotional balance.

3 (in radiotherapy) a point at which the rate of production of a daughter element is equal to the rate of decay of the parent element and the activities of parent and daughter are identical.

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equilibrium (ē´kwilib´rēm),

n a state of balance between two opposing forces or processes.

equilibrium, functional,

n the state of homeostasis within the oral cavity existing when biologic processes and local environmental factors, including the forces of mastication, are in a state of balance.

equilibrium, juvenile occlusal

(joo´vnīl kloo´sl),
n one of the six eruptive phases of dentition, and the first of three postfunctional stages of eruption of the entire dentition. It occurs at or near adolescence when permanent teeth continue to erupt into the oral cavity in response to the vertical growth of the ramus.

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equilibrium

a state of balance between opposing forces or influences. In the body, equilibrium may be chemical or physical. A state of chemical equilibrium is reached when the body tissues contain the proper proportions of various salts and water. See also acid-base balance and fluid balance. Physical equilibrium, such as the state of balance required for walking or standing, is achieved by a very complex interplay of opposing sets of muscles. The labyrinth of the inner ear contains the semicircular canals, or organs of balance, and relays to the brain information about the body's position and also the direction of body motions. Genetic equilibrium is achieved when the allelic frequencies do not change from generation to generation.

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equilibrium dialysis

a technique for determining the affinity of an antibody for an antigen.

equilibrium disturbances

see posture, posture balance.

dynamic equilibrium

the condition of balance between varying, shifting and opposing forces that is characteristic of living processes.

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equilibrium

A state of constancy in a system; a population might be in static equilibrium–no pasa nada–ie, no births or deaths, or in dynamic equilibrium–ie, same numbers of births and deaths; the state to which a system evolves–eg, sustained periodic oscillations. See Chemical equilibrium, Linkage equilibrium, Sedimentation equilibrium Neurology A state of balance in the body, where forces are appropriately offset by counterforces. Cf Dizziness, Equilibrium, Vertigo Orthopedics A state of biomechanical homeostasis that enables persons to know where their bodies are in the environment and to maintain a desired position. See Fixed point equilibrium.