lethal (le´thal)
Pertaining to or causing death; denoting especially the causal agent. [L. letalis, fr. letum, death]
clinical l. a disorder that culminates in premature death.
l. equivalent expression used of the genetic load of recessive genes in heterozygous state that if in homozygous state would cause death or carry a risk of death. The expected number of deaths from all such genes is expressed in l. equivalent.
genetic l. a disorder that prevents effective reproduction by those affected; e.g., Klinefelter syndrome.
Browse Medical References:
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E] [F] [G] [H] [I] [J] [K] [L] [M]
[N] [O] [P] [Q] [R] [S] [T] [U] [V] [W] [X] [Y] [Z]