Muscle tone. Definition. noun. (1) The muscle in a steady partially contracted state caused by the successive flow of nerve impulses. (2) The amount of tension or resistance to movement in a muscle. Supplement. Muscle tone or tonus helps in maintaining body posture.
Hydronephrosis is the distention of the pelvis and calyces of one or both kidneys, resulting in thinning of the renal tubules because of obstructed urinary flow. When the obstruction is a stone or kink in one of the ureters, only one kidney is damaged.
What Is Ascites? Definition. The organs of the abdomen are contained in a sac or membrane called the peritoneum. Normally the peritoneal cavity contains only a small amount of fluid, although in women this can vary (by 20ml, or less than an ounce) depending on the menstrual cycle. Ascites is the term used to denote increased fluid in the peritoneal cavity, a situation that is not normal.