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hernia

(Encyclopedia)hernia, protrusion of an internal organ or part of an organ through the wall of a body cavity. The hernia is enclosed by a sac formed by the lining of the cavity. It results from a weakness or rupture...

antidiuretic hormone

(Encyclopedia)antidiuretic hormone ănˌtēdīyo͞orĕtˈĭk [key], polypeptide hormone secreted by the posterior pituitary gland. Its principal action is to regulate the amount of water excreted by the kidneys. An...

plagues of Egypt

(Encyclopedia)plagues of Egypt, in the Bible, the plagues and other troubles brought on Egypt by God through the hands of Moses, because Pharaoh would not let the people of Israel go out of Egypt. The account, in t...

Sarkis, Elias

(Encyclopedia)Sarkis, Elias, 1924–85, president of Lebanon (1976–82). He was governor (1967–76) of Lebanon's central bank and was elected president by parliament during the bitter Lebanese civil war (1975–7...

skin

(Encyclopedia)CE5 Cross section of skin skin, the flexible tissue (integument) enclosing the body of vertebrate animals. In humans and other mammals, the skin operates a complex organ of numerous structures (so...

pigmentation

(Encyclopedia)pigmentation, name for the coloring matter found in certain plant and animal cells and for the color produced thereby. Pigmentation occurs in nearly all living organisms. Almost all plants synthesize ...

Geba

(Encyclopedia)Geba gēˈbə [key], in the Bible, town, ancient Palestine, c.5 mi (8 km) NW of Jerusalem, the modern Jaba, the West Bank. There Jonathan slaughtered the Philistines. ...

Kiriath-arba

(Encyclopedia)Kiriath-arba kĭˈrēăth-ärbə [key], see Hebron, West Bank. ...

Kirjath-arba

(Encyclopedia)Kirjath-arba kûrˈjăth-ärbə [key], see Hebron, West Bank. ...

Beth-tappuah

(Encyclopedia)Beth-tappuah bĕth-tăpyo͞oˈə [key], in the Bible, town, c.4 mi W of Hebron, of which it was perhaps a colony; now called Taffuh (West Bank). ...