Glossary P

Glossary P

Palpation means using the sense of touch to feel or examine a muscle or other tissue.

Palpitations are abnormally rapid beating of the heart. Palpitations are unpleasant sensations of irregular and/or forceful beating of the heart.

Palter means to talk or act in an insincere or deceitful manner. Palter also means to haggle.

Pancreas is a gland containing both exocrine and endocrine portions; exocrine secretions include enzymes and bicarbonate to digest food in the small intestine; endocrine secretions include insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin, which are released into the blood. Pancreas, moreover, is an endocrine gland, located below the stomach, that produces digestive juices and hormones.

Pancreatic juices are acid-reducing enzymes secreted by the pancreas into the small intestine.

Pandemonium model refers to a model of letter perception based on a bottom-up hierarchy of feature detectors.

Pander means to act as a go-between or liaison in sexual intrigues; function as a procurer. Also, to cater to the lower tastes and desires of others or exploit their weaknesses.

Panel study refers to a type of longitudinal study, in which data are collected from the same set of people (the sample or panel) at several points in time. Please see cohort, longitudinal, and trend study.