FINSEN LIGHT Meaning and
Definition
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Finsen light refers to a specialized form of light therapy that was developed by Danish physician Niels Ryberg Finsen in the late 19th century. It involves the use of concentrated ultraviolet (UV) radiation for medical purposes, particularly in the treatment of various skin diseases.
The Finsen light system typically consists of a lamp that emits a specific wavelength of UV light, known as the Finsen light spectrum. This spectrum, also referred to as actinic light, is made up of a narrow range of UV wavelengths that have been found to possess therapeutic properties. Finsen light predominantly emits UVA and UVB radiation.
This treatment method is based on the principle that certain UV wavelengths can have beneficial effects on the skin, mainly by inducing photodynamic reactions. When exposed to Finsen light, the UV radiation penetrates the skin and interacts with certain molecules, leading to the production of reactive oxygen species and other chemical compounds. These substances can help combat various skin conditions, such as psoriasis, acne, and vitiligo, by exerting antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects.
Finsen light therapy is typically administered under medical supervision to ensure the safe and controlled delivery of UV radiation. Protective measures, such as goggles and shielding for unaffected areas, are employed to minimize the risk of overexposure and potential side effects, including sunburn and skin cancer.
Despite advancements in other light-based treatments, Finsen light therapy remains a historically significant method in the field of dermatology and is recognized for its contribution to the understanding and utilization of UV radiation in medical contexts.
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The violet and ultraviolet rays of the spectrum filtered out of the sunlight by a hollow planoconvex lens filled with an ammoniacal solution of copper sulphate; usually, instead of the filtered sunlight, the electric arc light is used, the rays being made parallel by two planoconvex lenses. The light is used in the treatment of lupus and other affections of the skin.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for FINSEN LIGHT
- dinsen light
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- ginsen light
- tinsen light
- rinsen light
- funsen light
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- finden light
Etymology of FINSEN LIGHT
The word "Finsen light" is derived from the name of its inventor, Niels Ryberg Finsen. Niels Finsen was a Danish physician and scientist who made groundbreaking contributions in the field of phototherapy, particularly in the treatment of certain skin diseases. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Finsen developed specialized lamps that emitted a specific wavelength of light, known as "Finsen light", which was used in the treatment of conditions like lupus vulgaris (a form of tuberculosis of the skin). The term "Finsen light" was coined to recognize the association with Niels Finsen and his pioneering work in light therapy.
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