Medical Dictionary
phosphorus (P)
Pronunciation (fos′fō-rŭs)
- A nonmetallic chemical element, atomic no. 15, atomic wt. 30.973762, occurring extensively in nature, always in compounds such as phosphates and phosphites and as the phosphate in every living cell; the elemental form is extremely poisonous, causing intense inflammation and fatty degeneration; repeated inhalation of phosphorus fumes may cause necrosis of the jaw (phosphonecrosis); the approximate fatal dose is 50–100 mg.
[G. phosphoros, fr. phōs, light, + phoros, bearing]
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Stedman’s Medical Dictionary 28th Edition, Copyright© 2006_Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.



