Essential definition - Medical Dictionary definitions of popular medical terms easily defined on MedTerms

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November 22, 2009

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Definition of Essential

Essential: 1. Something that cannot be done without.
2. Required in the diet, because the body cannot make it. As in an essential amino acid or an essential fatty acid.
3. Idiopathic. As in essential hypertension. "Essential" is a hallowed term meaning "We don't know the cause."

Last Editorial Review: 10/8/2004

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