trace elements
(redirected from microelements)Also found in: Dictionary, Encyclopedia.
trace el·e·ments
elements present in minute amounts in the body, many of which are essential in metabolism or for the manufacture of essential compounds, for example, Zn, Se, V, Ni, Mg, Mn.
Synonym(s): microelements, microminerals
Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
trace el·e·ments
(trās el'ĕ-mĕnts)Elements present in minute amounts in the body (e.g., Zn, Se, V, Ni, Mg, Mn), many of which are essential in metabolism or for the manufacture of essential compounds.
Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012
trace elements
Dietary minerals required only in tiny amounts to maintain health. They include zinc, copper, chromium and selenium, and are rarely deficient except under unusual circumstances such as artificial feeding.Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005
Trace elements
A group of elements that are present in the human body in very small amounts but are nonetheless important to good health. They include chromium, copper, cobalt, iodine, iron, selenium, and zinc. Trace elements are also called micronutrients.
Mentioned in: Malabsorption Syndrome
Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.