difference threshold
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Related to difference threshold: Signal detection theory
threshold
(thresh'(h)old?)1. The point at which a psychological or physiological effect begins to be produced.
2. A measure of the sensitivity of an organ or function that is obtained by finding the lowest value of the appropriate stimulus that will give the response.
absolute threshold
The lowest amount or intensity of a stimulus that will give rise to a sensation or a response.
acoustic reflex threshold
The decibel level that provokes reflex contraction of the stapedius muscle. Tests that measure the triggering of the acoustic stapedius reflex are used to determine the presence of sensorineural hearing loss.
anaerobic threshold
The point at which increased carbon dioxide production and minute ventilation result from increased levels of lactic acid during exercise.
auditory threshold
The minimum audible sound perceived.
threshold of consciousness
In psychoanalysis, the point at which a stimulus is just barely perceived.
difference threshold
Just noticeable difference.differential threshold
The lowest limit at which two stimuli can be differentiated from each other.
erythema threshold
The stage of ultraviolet skin injury in which erythema of the skin due to radiation begins.
ketone threshold
The level of ketone in the blood above which ketone bodies appear in the urine.
ketosis threshold
The lower limit at which ketone bodies, on their accumulation in the blood, are excreted by the kidney. At that point, ketone bodies are being produced faster by the liver than the body can oxidize them.
pain threshold
The minimum level of sensory stimulation that a person will perceive as being unpleasant, noxious, or intolerable.
pressure pain threshold
Abbreviation: PPTThe applied mass per area (kg/cm2) that will elicit a complaint of pain in subjects with painful conditions, e.g., fibromyalgia, temperomandibular joint dysfunction, or vulvodynia.
renal threshold
The concentration at which a substance in the blood normally not excreted by the kidney begins to appear in the urine. The renal threshold for glucose is 160 to 180 mg/dl.
seizure threshold
The level of neurological stimulation capable of precipitating a seizure.
sensory threshold
The minimal stimulus for any sensory receptor that will give rise to a sensation.
speech detection threshold
Abbreviation: SDTThe lowest level of sound intensity in decibels at which a person identifies a spoken word 50% of the time.
spondee threshold
In audiometry, the intensity at which speech is recognized as a meaningful symbol. This is tested by presenting, through an audiometer, two-syllable words in which each symbol is accented equally.
See: audiometryviability threshold
The body weight or gestational age of an infant below which the ability to survive is doubtful.
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