functional blindness

functional blindness

n.

Loss of vision related to conversion hysteria.

---

functional

pertaining to or fulfilling a function; affecting the function but not the structure. A common qualification when no lesion is found to explain or justify a diagnosis.

---

functional alveolar emphysema

reversible, uncomplicated bronchiolitis.

functional blindness

blindness in the absence of a lesion, e.g. in nervous acetonemia, pregnancy toxemia.

functional colic

colic in the absence of a structural fault, e.g. spasmodic colic, paralytic ileus.

functional disease

a disease involving body functions but having no known organic basis.

functional ileus

see paralytic ileus.

functional residual capacity (FRC)

the amount of air remaining in the lungs at the end of a normal expiration. Called also FRC, functional residual capacity.

functional tumors

those producing an active substance, usually found in glandular tissue, e.g. pituitary, pancreas, thyroid, parathyroid. Because such activity is autonomous and not subject to the normal feedback mechanisms, a syndrome resembling hyperactivity of the gland results, e.g. primary hyperparathyroidism, hyperthyroidism.