Metal

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Metal (medicine)

Metal (pronounced: /ˈmɛt(ə)l/) is a term used in the field of medicine to refer to various metallic elements or compounds that have a role in human health, either as essential nutrients or as potential toxins.

Etymology

The term "metal" comes from the Greek word "metallon," which means mine or quarry. In the context of medicine, it refers to the metallic elements that are found in the human body or that can be introduced into the body through various means.

Types of Metals in Medicine

There are several types of metals that are relevant in the field of medicine. These include:

  • Toxic metals: These are metals that can have harmful effects on human health. They include lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium. Exposure to these metals can occur through various means, including ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact.
  • Metalloids: These are elements that have properties of both metals and non-metals. In medicine, the most relevant metalloid is arsenic, which can be toxic in high amounts but is also used in some forms of cancer treatment.

Role of Metals in Medicine

Metals play a crucial role in medicine, both in terms of their physiological roles in the body and their use in medical treatments and procedures. For example:

  • Iron is essential for the production of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body.
  • Copper is involved in the function of several enzymes and is necessary for the formation of red blood cells.
  • Zinc is necessary for the function of over 300 enzymes in the human body and plays a role in immune function, wound healing, and DNA synthesis.
  • Lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium are toxic metals that can cause a range of health problems, from neurological damage to cancer. Understanding the effects of these metals and how to prevent or treat exposure is a key part of environmental medicine.
  • Arsenic is used in a form of cancer treatment known as arsenic trioxide therapy, which is used to treat a type of leukemia known as acute promyelocytic leukemia.

See Also

External links

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