compensation

1. A process in which a tendency for a change in a given direction is counteracted by another change so that the original change is not evident. 2. An unconscious mechanism by which one tries to make up for fancied or real deficiencies. [L. com-penso, pp. -atus, to weigh together, counterbalance]

- attenuation c. SYN: time-gain c..

- depth c. SYN: time-gain c..

- gene dosage c. the putative mechanism that adjusts the X-linked phenotypes of males and females to compensate for the haploid state in males and the diploid state in females. It is now largely ascribed to lyonization which compensates the mean of the dose but not its variance, which is greater in females.

- time-gain c. (TGC) in ultrasonography, an increase in receiver gain with time to compensate for loss in echo amplitude with depth, usually due to attenuation. SYN: attenuation c., depth c., time c. gain, time-compensated gain, time-varied gain control, time-varied gain.

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com·pen·sa·tion .käm-pən-'sā-shən, -.pen- n

1) correction of an organic defect by excessive development or by increased functioning of another organ or unimpaired parts of the same organ <cardiac \compensation> see DECOMPENSATION

2) a psychological mechanism by which feelings of inferiority, frustration, or failure in one field are counterbalanced by achievement in another

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n.

the act of making up for a functional or structural deficiency. For example, compensation for the loss of a diseased kidney is brought about by an increase in size of the remaining kidney, so restoring the urine-producing capacity.

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com·pen·sa·tion (kom″pən-saґshən) [L. compensatio, from cum together + pensare to weigh] 1. the counterbalancing of any defect of structure or function. 2. a conscious process or, more frequently, an unconscious defense mechanism by which a person attempts to make up for real or imagined physical or psychological deficiencies. 3. in the presence of disease, the maintenance of an adequate blood flow without distressing symptoms, accomplished by such cardiac and circulatory adjustments as tachycardia, cardiac hypertrophy or dilation, and increase of blood volume by sodium and water retention.