394
syndesmopexy The surgical fixation of a dislo- preparations — skin pigmentation with deposits
cated ligament. on the posterior cornea and anterior lens.
syndesmoplasty That plastic surgery procedure toxic shock syndrome That rare disease which
in which ligaments are revised. diagnosis requires involvement of 3 organ sys-
syndesmorrhaphy The suturing/repair of a liga- tems. This involves desquamation of the palms
ment. and soles; diffuse, macular, erythematous rash;
syndesmotomy That surgical sectioning of a liga- fever greater than 102° F; orthostatic syncope,
ment(s). etal.
syndrome Related signs and symptoms. Weber's syndrome Unilateral hypoglossal pare-
Adair-Dighton syndrome That familial condition sis with oculomotor paralysis on the contralater-
resembling osteogenesis imperfecta (0l). al side. The extremities will also be paralyzed by
Adams-Stokes syndrome Heart block which this leion of the cerebral peduncle.
may include bradycardia, convulsions, syncope. synechia Adhesions.
Stokes-Adams syndrome. synechotome The surgical instrument used to
Angelucci's syndrome Conjunctivitis, excitabili- release adhesions.
ty, palpitations, vasomotor disturbances. synechotomy Surgical dissection of adhesions.
Cushing's syndrome Adrenogenital syndrome synechtenterotomy Operative release of intesti-
— excess secretion of adrenocortical hormones nal adhesions.
producing hirsutism, overmasculinism, preco- synergism That interaction of drugs, organs.
cious puberty, and/or virilism, et al. Synchronization to yield an augmented
dumping syndrome Immediate postprandial response.
emesis accompanied by diaphoresis, diarrhea, synergistic action Mutual enhancement of the
nausea, syncope, weakness— which may occur efforts of another.
following surgical gastrectomy. synezesis Constriction of the pupil(s).
Frohlich's syndrome Lesions of the hypothala- syngamy Sexual reproduction.
mus and pituitary may manifest themselves in syngeneic Histological tissue compatibility.
adiposogenital dystrophy — genital atrophy and syngenesioplasty Transplantation within the
obesity. species.
Gradenigo's syndrome Unilateral paralysis of syngnathia Congenital maxillary/mandibular
the external rectus muscle accompanied by sup- adhesions.
purative otitis media and severe temporoparietal synhidrosis Excessive perspiration.
pain on that side. synizesis Occlusion.
Horner's syndrome A cool, dry side of the face, synizesis pupillae Blindness (unilateral/bilateral)
enophthalmos, contracted pupil, and ptosis will due to constriction of the pupil(s).
be noted, due to paresis of sympathetic nerves. synnecrosis That relationship which allows
Korsakoff's syndrome Alcoholic psychosis mutual inhibition/death.
accompanied by bilateral foot/wrist drop, deliri- synonym Similarity in meaning.
um, disorientation, hallucinations, insomnia, synophrys Growth of the eyebrows in which they
and/or polyneuritis. meet over the bridge of the nose. This is often
Marian's syndrome That congenital disorder of noted in patients (pts) with Down's syndrome,
hyperflexibility which affects the cardiovascular, mongolism.
connective, muscular, ophthalmic, osseous sys- synophthalmus Cyclops.
tems. synopsia That congenital anomaly of fused eyes.
sick sinus syndrome Sinoatrial node malfunc- synopsis A generalized review/summary.
tioning which may include sinoatrial block, synoptophore That instrument by which strabis-
sinus arrest, sinus bradycardia, tachyarrhyth- mus is diagnosed and treated. Synoptoscope.
mia. synorchidism Synorchism — partial fusion of
skin-eye syndrome An iatrogenic disorder the testicles.
which is seen as a side effect of phenothiazine synoscheos Scrotal/penile adhesions.
395
synosteotomy That dissection of a joint(s). Intractable pain may necessitate medullary trac-
synotia Embryonic union of the ears in the (par- totomy/chordotomy.
tial) absence of the mandible. syringosystrophy Torsion of the oviduct.
synovia Synovial fluid — that viscid liquid which syringotome That instrument which is used to
lubricates bursae, joints, and tendons. incise a fistula.
synovioma A synovial neoplasm. syringotomy Surgery for a fistula.
synovitis Arthromeningitis. syrinx A fistula. A pathological cavity in the
syntasis Elasticity. The capacity to stretch. brain/spinal cord. An eustachian tube.
syntaxis Articulation. syssarcosis Bones united by muscles.
syntexis Cachexia— tissue destruction sec- systaltic Pulsating, systolic.
ondary to carcinomatous and starvation disease system A grouping of compatible tissues. The
states, et al. metric measurement of length, mass, and time
synthetic That which is an artificial substitute, as centimeter-Gram-second (C-G-S).
produced by synthesis. systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) That colla-
syntonic The self, personality. gen disease which is accompanied by butterfly
ego-syntonic Compatible to the self. (malar) erythema — the stigmata of this serious
syntripsis A comminuted fracture. condition. Confirmation of the diagnosis is
synulosis Cicatrization, scar formation. made when at least 4 of the following conditions
syphilecus A syphilitic chancre. are noted: alopecia, arthritis, the characteristic
syphilide That dermatitis secondary to syphilis. discoid skin lesion, chronic false-positive
syphilis Lues — that venereal disease with cuta- syphilis serology, chronic pericarditis, chronic
neous lesions which may lie dormant for years. pleuritis, convulsions, hemolytic anemia, L.E.
These progress in stages, and may include psy- cells, psychosis, thrombocytopenia, urine pro-
chosis and paralysis. This is a mandatory tein or cellular casts, ulceration in the mouth or
reportable disease in the USA. oropharynx. All symptoms need to be treated
cardiovascular syphilis Aortic insufficiency and early and aggressively, as this is a crippling, life-
aneurysm may follow. threatening disease. Immunosuppressive
congenital syphilis Prenatal syphilis which is agents, antimalarial therapy, corticosteroid
transmitted in utero. drugs may be required to keep the patient in
extragenital syphilis The primary chancre does remission, and to combat exacerbations.
not involve the genitalia. syzygy That organic fusion in which each
latent syphilis The stage during which this dis- remains distinct.
ease is asymptomatic, detectable only through
serological testing.
meningovascular syphilis Neurosyphilis.
pseudosyphilis A nonspecific condition which
mimics syphilis.
visceral syphilis Syphilitic involvement of
internal organs.
syphilis insontium That which is not sexually
transmitted.
syringectomy Excision of the walls of a fistula.
syringitis Eustachian inflammation.
syringobulbia The progressive cavitation of the
medulla oblongata.
syringoencephalomyelia Cavitation of the spinal
cord and/or the brain.
syringomyelia Progressive cavitation of the
spinal cord. There is no adequate therapy.
T
tabacosis Tabacism — tobacco abuse, chronic touch.
tobacco poisoning/pneumoconiosis. tactus eruditus That sensitivity of touch acquired
tabescent Cachectic, malnourished to the stage through diligent effort andexperience.
of tissue breakdown. taedium vitae Hopelessness accompanied by
tabetic crisis Acute manifestations of late suicidal ideation.
syphilis. Tagliacotian operation Nasal plastic surgery uti-
tachycardia Tachyarrhythmia — a heart rate in lizing a skin graft from the patient.
excess of 100 beats per minute. Takayasu's arteritis "The pulseless disease."
atrial tachycardia Tachyarrhythmia arising Aortic arch syndrome, in which syncope and
from the atrium at a rate of 100-200 beats per transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) may occur
minute. with claudication. Visual problems without oph-
ectopic tachycardia That in which the heartbeat thalmic pulses (Ps) are common. Pulmonary
is not stimulated by the sinoatrial node, but artery obstruction may lead to pulmonary
from an extraneous source. hypertension. The etiology of this inflammation
essential tachycardia That caused by a func- of the aorta with occlusion of its branches to the
tional disturbance. brain/arms is unknown.
nodal toxicity A tachyarrhythmia frequently talalgia Pain in the ankle and heel.
caused by drug side effects — possibly digitalis talcosis Talc granulomas — lesions which are
intoxication. formed in intense response to talcum contami-
paroxysmal atrial/ventricular tachycardia An nation. The reaction of calcification, hemor-
abruptly appearing and resolving apical pulse rhage, inflammation may attack any serous
(Pa)of 150-240/minute. membrane, including the pericardium. Caused
paroxysmal nodal tachycardia Due to by inhalation of, or direct contact with, the talc
increased heart activity, the heart rate may reach from surgical gloves, these are now rinsed in
180 beats per minute. sterile water/saline prior to developing the inci-
polymorphic ventriculartachycardia Torsade sion.
de pointes — a self-limiting tachyarrhythmia talipes "Clubfoot" deformity — a congenital
which may evolve into a life-threatening fibrilla- orthopedic deformity, of which there are many
tion. varieties.
reflex tachycardia That stimulated from with- tambour The equipment used to define and doc-
out the heart. ument slight movements such as arterial pulsa-
sinus tachycardia A heart beat in excess of 100 tions, imperceptible blood pressure, peristalsis,
beats/minute due to anoxia, cardiac failure, obscure respirations, et al.
drugs, hyperthermia, hemorrhage, infection, tamperer The classic tamperer is an angry, anti-
exercise, thyrotoxicosis, et al. social person who gets an inflated sense of
ventricular tachycardia A series of 3+ heart power from devising a plan which expands in
beats arising from a single ventricular focus at a the media. Some will use this means to enhance
rate of 150-200 beats per minute. their own credibility. (The fireman who is the
tachycardia strumosaexophthalmica That first to "discover" the fire s/he set; The nurse
occurring secondary to exophthalmic goiter. who is the first responder to the apneic patient
tachylalia Tachyphasia,tachyphrasia, tachy- s/he injected with curare; The security guard
phemia — an excessive rate of speaking. Press who hides contraband to impress supervisors
of speech. with his/her vigilant surveillance when s/he "dis-
tachyphrenia Racing thoughts, flight of ideas. covers" this, et al.)
tachypnea An excessive respiratory rate. When tampon An absorbent, internal surgical pack
seen in critical patients, this could be an indica- intended to arrest hemorrhage.
tion of a condition change leading to expiration. Mikulicz' tampon Mikulicz' drain — a large-
tachytrophism Acceleratedmetabolism. scale capillary drain used to control parenchy-
tactus Tactile, faction, tactual — sensitivity of matous oozing.
397
tamponade The pathological compression of a mandible, grimacing, fasciculations, foot tap-
hemorrhaging part/organ. Taponment employed ping, tongue thrusting, writhing, and a myriad
by a balloon encompassing a catheter within of other tics. Obviously, these involuntary man-
bleeding tissues. nerisms destroy the patient's attempts at socia-
tangentiality That response which is oblique. bility. Patients on neuroleptics should be
tangential speech Tightly-linked associations assessed routinely for impending tardive dyski-
which pass the conversational goal to go off on nesia, looking for fine, vermiform movements of
a tangent. the tongue (an early sign), and for the above
Tangier disease A rare, familial condition of symptoms. If any pathologic facial movements
lipoprotein deficiency. Signs and symptoms appear, or if no benefit is being derived from
include accumulation of organic cholesterol, this medical regimen, its use should be recon-
decreased lipoproteins, discolored, hypertro- sidered. These patients remain under the care of
phied tonsils, hepatosplenomegaly, lymph- a psychiatrist.
adenopathy, polyneuropathy. Therapy is only target child The only child in an abusive family
supportive. to receive maltreatment, s/he may bear the fea-
tap Surgical puncture of a fluid-filled cavity. tures of the despised ex-spouse/parent (of the
taphephobia An exaggerated fear of being buried abuser). This victim may be hyperkinetic, an
alive. FLK (funny-looking-kid), display mannerisms of
taphophilia A pathological attraction to graves. dispised relatives, et al. Psychotherapeutic inter-
Tapia syndrome Unilateral atrophy of the tongue, vention is essential.
accompanied by laryngeal/pharyngeal paresis of target lesion A dermatitis with triple rings.
the contralateral side — an anomaly of a cranial Tarnier's sign That indication of impending
nerve. spontaneous abortion — disappearance of the
tapinocephaly Tapeinocephaly — flattening of angle between the lower and upper uterine seg-
the superior skull. ments.
tapotement A massage technique which employs tarsadenitis Inflammation of the
percussion. meibomian/tarsal glands of the eyelid(s).
tarantism Tarentism — a nervous condition tarsalgia Pain in the ankle/tarsus.
marked by dancing mania, depression, and stu- tarsal tunnel syndrome Numbness, pain, and
porous states. weakness of the ankle due to tibial neuropathy.
Tarasoff mandate That legal requirement that a tarsitis Blepharitis — inflammation of the eyelid
psychiatrist/psychotherapist determine whether margin. Inflammation of the tarsus.
his/her patient is of lethal danger to specific, tarsocheiloplasty Plastic surgery of the eyelid
named persons. Confidentiality must be margin(s).
breached, and these persons at risk must be tarsoclasis Tarsoclasia — surgical correction of
informed and warned about this patient prior to a talipes deformity ("clubfoot"), which involves
his/her discharge, and STAT if s/he elopes fracturing the tarsus.
(escapes). tarsomalacia Softening of the ophthalmic tarsal
Tardieu's spots Upon autopsy of those who cartilage.
expired by strangulation, ecchymotic spots may tarsomegaly Hypertrophy of the calcaneus
be noted subpleurally. (heel).
tardive dyskinesia (TD) A major, irreversible, tarsoplasty Blepharoplasty, tarsoplasia — plastic
extrapyramidal syndrome of buccofacial- surgery of the eyelid.
mandibular movements and/or tarsorrhaphy Plastic revision of the eyelids.
choreiform/athetoid movements, neck/trunk tattooing A therapeutic technique to conceal der-
dystonias — which emerge late in the course of mal defects. This is employed to reduce heman-
treatment with anti-psychotic/neuroleptic giomas, in elective cosmesis, et al.
agents. Symptomatology includes lip smacking, traumatic tattooing The result of severe abra-
involuntary blinking, lateral movements of the sions from pavement, et al., unless the imbed-
398
ded particles are excised at the time emergency teinodynia Tenodynia, tenalgia — tendon pain.
care is given. telalgia Referred pain at a site specific to the
Taussig-Bing syndrome That congenital, cardiac organ.
deformity consisting of an intraventricular septal telangiectasia Telangiectasis — dilated, superfi-
defect, an aorta arising from the right ventricle cial blood vessels seen in certain systemic
and the pulmonary aorta from both. pathology. The etiology is unknown.
taxis The manual reduction of a dislocation/her- hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia Osler-
niation. The reaction of an organism to its envi- Weber-Rendu disease presents with epistaxis
ronment. and hemorrhage from gastrointestinal arteriove-
bipolar taxis Bimanual manipulation of a retro- nous malformation. This systemic disorder may
verted uterus. produce lesions in the hepatic, pulmonary, cen-
negative taxis Turning away from a stimulus. tral nervous systems. None are found on the
positive taxis Attraction to a stimulus. head.
Taylor brace That with diagonal straps over the spider telangiectasia Stellate angioma, nevus
chest, and 2 rigid back sections. araneus.
Tay-Sachs' disease A fatal, inherited disease telangiectasia lymphatica That tumor composed
characterized by blindness, an exaggerated star- of dilated lymphatic vessels.
tle reflex, hypertrophied head, mental/physical telangiitis Capillaritis — inflamed capillaries.
retardation, neurological deterioration, seizures, teleopsia That visual disorder which imparts
spasticity, Tay's spots (cherry-red macular excessive perceptual distance to that which is
spots). With no known therapy, these children seen.
usually die by age 4 years. Genetic counselling teleorganic That which is vital and necessary to
is essential for these parents. organic life.
T-bar Tubing attached to endotracheal equipment teleotherapeutics Suggestive therapeutics. The
in the administration of oxygen to an intubated use of hypnotic suggestion in disease therapy.
patient off mechanical ventilation. telergy Automatism — function without cogni-
T binder A belt which holds perineal/perianal tion.
dressings. The male belt is split. telesthesia Telepathy — perception received at a
tear duct patencytest Drops of a sugar solution distance, without benefit of sensory organ use.
are instilled into the eye (each at a different teletactor An apparatus which conveys vibra-
time). If the subject describes a sweet taste, the tions to the skin of the deaf.
tear duct is patent. tellurium (Te) poisoning Toxicity which imparts
technique Skill required to perform a procedure a garlic scent to all excretions. The symptoms
correctly, orderly, scientifically, and competently. include anorexia, suppressed secretions, lethar-
teeth Organs of mastication. gy.
Hutchinson's teeth Notched permanent teeth temperament The emotional, ethical, intellectual,
— an occasional symptom of hereditary physical characteristics of each person.
syphilis. temperate Moderate.
malacotic teeth Those prone to decay. temperature Degrees of heat.
reimplantation of teeth If the teeth have been inverse temperature That body temperature
completely shelled, they should be cleaned (not which is higher in the morning than in the
scrubbed), placed in water or milk, and rushed evening.
with the patient to the dentist. (Fragments maximum temperature That body temperature
should also be included with the tooth/teeth.) above which bacteria will not grow.
sclerotic teeth Yellowed teeth which are not as minimum temperature That body temperature
prone to decay. below which bacteria will not grow.
tegmentum Tectorium, tegument, tectum — a normal temperature 98.6° F,37.0° C.
covering. Skin. temporal arteritis Giant cell arteritis — an
teichopsia Scintillating scotoma. inflammatory condition of the carotid artery.
399
More common in Caucasians, this is seen in tendon inflammation accompanied by crepita-
Scandinavia and in the United States. Half of tion.
these patients also have polymyalgia. Some will tendotome Tenotome — that instrument by
become blind. There is no known cure. which a tendon is severed.
temporomandibular joints Craniomandibular tendotomy Tenotomy — dissection of a tendon.
joints. tendovaginal Descriptive of a tendon and its
temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD) sheath.
Costen's syndrome — limitation of joint mobility tenectomy That excision of a xanthoma, gan-
at the junction of the mandible/maxilla. This glion, tendon lesion and/or sheath.
may be accompanied by crepitus, deafness, graduated tenectomy The partial dissection of
joint noises, pain, and/or tinnitus. The causative a tendon.
factors are many — arthritis, bruxism, ill-fitting teniasis Infestation with tapeworms.
dentures, malocclusion, neoplastic pathology, tennis elbow An occupational hazard of tennis
trauma. players, in which this painful condition is aggra-
tenacious That which is adherent. vated by supination/dorsiflexion of the arm(s). A
tenaculum A sharp, pointed instrument which weak wrist, with difficulty picking up objects,
grasps and holds. may be experienced. Numerous supportive and
tenalgia Tenodynia, tenotodynia — a painful ten- medical modalities are available, with surgery as
don(s). the last resort.
tenalgia crepitans Tendon inflammation with tenodesis Surgical fixation/transfer of a tendon's
crepitus — tenonitis, tenontitis, tenosynovitis origin in order to restore functioning.
crepitans. tenodesis splint A wrist-driven flexor hinge hand
tenderness Sensitivity. splint which permits pinch and grasp move-
rebound tenderness Pain which is elicited upon ments.
the release of pressure. Significant is whether tenomyoplasty Tenontomyoplasty — a restora-
the pain was greater when pressure was tive surgical procedure on a muscle and tendon.
applied, or when it was released. This is pathog- tenonitis Tendinitis, tenositis — inflammation of
nomonic for appendicitis. atendon(s).
tendinitis Tenonitis — inflammation of the ten- tenonometer That instrument which measures
don. the degree of intraocular pressure — essential
tendinoplasty Tendoplasty, tenoplasty, tenonto- in diagnosing/monitoring glaucoma.
plasty — plastic surgery which restores ten- tenontomyoplasty Tenomyoplasty, myotenonto-
dons. plasty — muscle/tendon restoration by plastic
tendinosuture Tenorrhaphy — that suturing of a surgery — as in the treatment of herniation.
tendon. tenorrhaphy Tenosuture — the suturing of a ten-
tendinous synovitis Inflammation of the synovial don.
sheath of a tendon. tenostosis Tendon calcification.
tendolysis The release of tendon adhesions. tenosynovectomy That excision of a tendon
tendonitis That inflammation involving a tendon. sheath.
tendon reflex The automatic response of a mus- tenosynovitis Tenontolemmitis — tendon sheath
cle upon percussion of its tendon. inflammation.
patellar tendon reflex With the knee flexed and tenosynovitis crepitans The presenceof crepi-
relaxed, percuss the quadriceps' tendon below tus, pain, and tenderness upon joint flexion.
the patella. (The examiner is at risk of being tenosynovitis hyperplastica Edematousextensor
kicked if the patient's reflex is brisk.) tendons of the wrist, which are painless.
tendosynovitis Tenontothecitis, tendovaginitis, tenotome The instrument used to dissect ten-
tenosynovitis — inflammation of a tendon dons.
and/or its sheath. tension Emotional/mental stress. Pressure within
tendosynovitis crepitans Tenalgia crepitans — a contained area. The state of being
400
strained/stretched. teratocarcinoma That malignancy which has
arterial tension That produced by the force of evolved from teratomatous epithelial cells.
the blood pressure upon the arterial wall. teratogenetic Those agents (some are medica-
intraocular tension That within the eye(s) — tions), which have been associated with, or
which may become sight-threatening. proven to be, causative factors of embryonic
intravenous tension That exerted by the blood malformation/severe deformities in the fetus. By
pressure upon the venous walls. law, the product information of these drugs
muscular tension The status of muscle tonus must ban its use by pregnant women, informing
and response. the physician of the risks involved.
premenstrual tension That experienced by teratosis The fetus with deformities.
some female patients prior to the establishment teratospermia The finding of malformed sperm
of catamenia. Nervousness, emotional instabili- in the semen.
ty, irritability, headaches, and/or depression may terebrant Excruciating pain.
be experienced until the menses are well estab- terebration Trephination. The presence of boring
lished. pain.
surface tension The film on a liquid surface ter in die TID, 3 times daily.
which resists interruption of integrity. term A period of time. A limit, boundary.
tissue tension That state of equilibrium at term Completion of the given period of time,
between cells. such as a completed pregnancy.
tension headaches Those caused by sustained terminal That nearing the end.
muscular strain of the face, neck, scalp, due to terminal carcinoma (CA) End-stage malignancy,
stress. in which the treatment is no longer aggressive,
tension pneumothorax Valvular pneumothorax. but palliative. Addiction to ordered opiates is not
tension sutures Those used to reduce the pull of to be a concern.
heavy retention sutures (often on the morbidly terminal device A specific appliance which
obese in abdominal, surgical procedures). serves as a prosthetic hand.
tentative Indecisive, subject to change. terminal illness In anticipation of death, the
tephromalacia Softening of the gray matter with- patient is supported and assisted to face his/her
in the central nervous system (CNS). loss and grief — in whichever form this
tephromyelitis Inflammation of the spinal cord appears. Dealing with the major concerns of
gray matter. dependency, depression, disability, fear, hope-
tephrosis Cremation of the dead. lessness, pain, loss of pleasure and self-esteem,
tepid Lukewarm. each patient is enabled to adjust to his/her
teramorphous A congenially deformed child, vision of death with dignity.
fetus, infant. terminal infection That which is acute and sep-
teras That profoundly malformed fetus. tic, often appearing in the late stages of fatal
teratism An anomaly. disease.
acquired teratism That prenatal, environmen- termination An ending/cessation/terminus.
tally-influenced abnormality. terminology Nomenclature — the study of scien-
atresic teratism An orifice which forms abnor- tific/technical words and their usage.
mally — if atall. terracing Suturing in rows to secure a heavy
ceasmic teratism That in which essential union wound.
fails to occur. terror A terrifying fear.
ectogenic teratism Displacement of a tertiary care A sophisticated level of care, avail-
portion(s) of the body. able mainly in research centers and other large
hypergenic teratism That duplication of a areas with a population which can support this
part(s) of the body. affluent utilization.
symphysic teratism Fusion of body parts which tertiary syphilis The most advanced stage of this
should be separate. communicable, sexually-transmitted disease —
401
of which reporting is mandatory by law in the death.
United States. cryptogenic tetanus The source of
testalgia Testicular pain. infection/injury is unknown.
testectomy Castration by testicular excision, per- descending tetanus Spasms which first occur
formed as aggressive treatment for testicular in the head, then progress caudad.
carcinoma. This operation may also be elected hydrophobic tetanus Tetanus dorsalis — the
by sexual offenders who have failed to be reha- cephalic form of this acute disease, in which
bilitated by imprisonment and therapy. opisthotonos may occur.
testis compression reflex Contracted abdominal idiopathic tetanus That in which a lesion is
muscles as a result of compression of the absent.
testes. imitative tetanus A false condition in which
testitoxicosis A poisonous effect which may hysteria has caused the symptomatology.
occur, secondary to ligation of the ductus defer- local tetanus In the absence of trismus (tonic
ens. contractions of the jaws, "lockjaw"), muscle
tetanic That which produces tetanus/tetanic spasms occur at the site of the wound.
spasms. postoperative tetanus A complication of gener-
tetanic convulsions Constant tonic seizures. al surgery and/or anesthesia.
tetanilla Tetany without rigidity. puerperal tetanus That which rarely follows
tetanism Pediatric hypertonicity. parturition.
tetanoid Tetaniform — that which mimics toxic tetanus That caused by an overdose of
tetanus. strychnine/nux vomica.
tetanoid paraplegia Spastic paresis involving the tetanus anticus That during which
legs, as caused by lateral sclerosis of the spinal emprosthotonos (spastic flexion of the spine)
cord. occurs.
tetanus Acutely infectious, a painful state of tonic tetanus infantum Tetanus neonatorum. Tetanus
spasm. A sustained, painful contraction induced of infancy.
by the slightest stimulation. The critical pattern tetanus lateralis That form in which pleu-
of this reportable condition (USA) may progress rothotonos (spastic torsion of the spine) occurs.
from stiffness of the jaws to include esophageal tetanus paradoxus Cephalic involvement, result-
and neck muscles (in this order). Since a tra- ing in paralysis of a facial/cranial nerve(s).
cheotomy may be necessary, a trach tray must tetany Paroxysmal nervous spasms which may
be in the room. If the jaws lock (risus sardon- be accompanied by muscular excitability, pares-
icus), a grotesque grin will appear on the thesia, and pain — caused by pH changes due
patient's face. The voice will be distorted, and to hypocalcemia. The patient remains alert.
spastic rigidity of the extremities/back Characteristic signs are Chvostek's, peroneal,
(opisthotonos) will be noted. These reflexive and Trousseau's signs. Attacks following thy-
paroxysms are elicited by minor environmental roidectomy and parathyroidectomy may be fatal.
stimuli. A high fever may be present. Despite The prognosis is more favorable when the
intensive care, death comes to these alert causative factors are alkalosis, hyperventilation,
patients from asphyxia and exhaustion. Trials of parathyroid deficiency (iatrogenic excision dur-
hyperbaric oxygenation are being researched for ing thyroidectomy), or vitamin D deficiency.
these victims. alkalotic tetany That caused byexcessive
artificial tetanus A rare, paradoxical reaction to intake of sodium bicarbonate, excessive loss of
some medications. vomited chlorides, gastric lavage, gastrointesti-
ascending tetanus Spasticity arising from the nal suctioning, metabolic/respiratory alkalosis.
legs, cephalad. gastric tetany A severe course of gastric
cephalic tetanus Hydrophobic tetanus — that involvement accompanied by tonic spasms of
caused by a high facial injury. Trismus — unilat- the limbs.
eral paresis with marked dysphagia, may lead to hypocalcemic tetany That due to high serum
402
phosphate and low serum calcium levels — rudimentary.
which can be caused by Vitamin D deficiency. tetrameric Tetramerous — that with 4 parts.
Factors interfering with calcium (Ca) absorp- tetranopsia Obliteration of 1/4 of the visual field.
tion may be the defective renal excretion of tetraplegia Quadriplegia — paralysis of all
phosphorous, neonatal diarrhea, and/or steator- extremities.
rhea. tetrapus That congenital abnormality of 4 feet.
latent tetany Excitability may not be evident as tetrascelus The congenital anomaly of 4 legs.
a symptom until mechanical/electrical stimula- tetrotus That congenitally deformed fetus with 2
tion is applied. faces, 4 ears, and 4 eyes.
manifest tetany That form in which are exhibit- texis Childbearing.
ed convulsions, carpopedal spasms, laryn- textoblastic Regenerative.
gospasm. T-bar Respiratory tubing which delivers oxygen
parathyroid tetany A complication of to an intubated patient who is not receiving
hypoparathyroidism, parathyroidectomy, or mechanical ventilation.
other pathology of the parathyroid glands. T cells These thymic lymphoid cells, derived
rachitic tetany That due to vitamin D deficien- from the bone marrow, circulate within thelym-
cy, as well as hypocalcemia. phatic/circulatory systems.
thyreoprival tetany That status resulting from T fracture That which extends both transversely
surgical excision of the thyroid and parathyroid and longitudinally through bone tissue.
glands — thyroidectomy and parathyroidecto- T-group A sensitivity training group (predomi-
my. nantly composed of out-patients).
tetartanopsia Tetartanopia, quadrantanopsia — thalamic syndrome Vascular lesions of the thala-
symmetrical blindness in corresponding quad- mus which may cause severe pain, sensation
rants of the visual fields. disturbances, and/or paresis.
tetrabrachius The presence of 4 arms in the con- thalamotomy Surgical obliteration of thalamus
genitally-deformed fetus. tissue in the treatment of intractable pain or
tetracycline A broad-spectrum antibiotic which psychotic states.
is contraindicated in pregnancy and pediatrics, thalassemia Hereditary anemias — some of
because of the danger of mottling unerupted which are fatal.
teeth. thalassemia major Mediterranean anemia,
tetradactyly The absence of a digit on a hand or Cooley's anemia — a severe pediatric form
foot. characterized by hypertrophy of cranial bone(s)
tetralogy Elementary groupings of four. and cardiac tissue, cholelithiasis, fatigue, jaun-
tetralogy of Fallot The congenital cardiac anom- dice, leg ulcers, increased malar eminences,
aly in which there are 4 major defects — dex- splenomegaly, profound anemia. The younger
troposition of the aorta, interventricular septal the patient (pt),the more vicious the disease
defect, pulmonary stenosis, and right ventricular course.
hypertrophy. These young children instinctively thalassemia minor Heterozygosity which may be
stop their play to assume a characteristic genu- asymptomatic. These patients have an excellent
pectoral squatting position, whenever this prognosis.
becomes cardiovascularly required. Because thalassophobia An exaggerated fear of the
they have not been taught this physiological ocean.
behavior, it is pathognomonic of this critical, thalassoposia The ingestion of sea water.
cyanotic, cardiac anomaly. Surgical correction thalassotherapy Therapeutic qualities attributed
involves closure of the interventricular defect, to the ocean.
and the Blalock-Taussig, Potts, and Waterston thallitoxicosis Thallotoxicosis — thallium (Tl)
anastomoses. poisoning, characterized by severe abdominal
tetramastia Tetramazia — the presence of 4 (or pain, coma, convulsions, delirium, diarrhea,
more) breasts. The accessory breasts may be paralysis, vomiting, tremors, and/or death.
403
thamuria The pathological frequency of voiding. by the minimum lethal dose.
thanatobiological Regarding life and death therapeutic touch (TT) As simplistic as a touch
processes. on the arm of a suffering patient/relative/staff
thanatophoric Lethal. member, a caring gesture can convey a restora-
thanatophoric dwarfism That caused by endo- tive message — that their anguish is under-
chondral failure. These infants, characterized by stood with empathy. In this age of technical and
a large cranium with prominent forehead, saddle too brief hands-on care, those who are in psy-
nose, hypertelorism, and short extremities, chic/physical pain anticipate comfort to come in
often expire early in the neonatal period. the form of chemical and/or surgical relief.
thaumaturgic Referring to miracles or the work- Often, therapeutic touch may surpass the need
ing of magic. for words. If this concept is new to the nurse,
theaism Theinism — excessive ingestion of tea, s/he may begin with task-oriented hands-on
leading to chronic toxicity. care ... unrushed! (Since words are supplemen-
thecitis Inflammation of a tendon sheath. tary and optional, the nurse may adapt this
thecoma That ovarian tumor, usually benign, method to his/her level of comfort.)
which is associated with menopause. therapia sterilisans magna The administration
thelalgia Painful nipples. of a bolus of parasiticide, in an amount which
thelarche Pubertal breast development. will destroy the parasite, while sparing the
thelasis Sucking, nursing, suckling. patient suffering.
theleplasty Mammilliplasty — nipple revision therapy The treatment of pathology. A healing
achieved by plastic surgery. art.
thelerethism Nipple erection. anticoagulant therapy The reduction of blood
thelitis Acromastitis — inflammation of the nip- coagulation by heparin, coumadin, et al., in
ple(s). order to prevent thrombosis.
theloncus Tumor of the nipple. aversion therapy Behavior modification which
thelorrhagia Bleeding from the nipple. discourages unacceptable behavior in the
thelygenic Production of only daughters. patient, through association with noxious stim-
thenar Reference to the palm of the hand, the uli.
sole of the foot. directly-observed therapy The ingestion of
theomania Religious fanaticism, in which the medication by outpatients — which is moni-
person believes him-/herself to have divine pow- tored because of noncompliance issues.
ers, endowed by God. Decanoate preparations may be administered as
theophobia An exaggeratedfear of God. depot injections, by order of the Court and
theory A premise prior to its scientific testing — physician, to achieve this purpose.
after which acceptance it is considered to be a electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) Electroshock
principle/doctrine. therapy (EST) — that treatment modality for
theotherapy The incorporation of a belief in God those with resistant clinical depression (that
in one's treatment of pathology. which medication and psychotherapy have failed
therapeusis Therapeutics, therapy. to lift). This form is also specific for those for
therapeutic That which possesses healing prop- whom medication is contraindicated because of
erties. pregnancy, cardiac status, et al. This protocol
therapeutic alliance That successful doctor- has been refined over the years: the electrode
patient relationship which holds fulfillment for placement is unilateral instead of bilateral, and
both. the procedure is conducted under general anes-
therapeutic privilege The physician's option to thesia (instead of with none). This intervention
withhold information/intervention which could is considered to be safe, and its prominent side
adversely affect the patient. effect of memory loss eventually returns for
therapeutic ratio The curative rate. That amount most patients.
obtained by dividing the effective healing dose fever therapy Exposure of the patient to artifi-
404
daily-produced hyperpyrexia — within the envi- against specific pathogens.
ronment, or by injected foreign proteins. This thermacogenesis That increase of body temper-
treatment is rarely, if ever, used. ature caused by medication.
group therapy The giving and receiving of sup- thermal Heat.
port by patient peers, staff, to and from each thermalgesia Pain secondary to heat.
other. thermalgia Causalgia — neuralgia accompanied
immunosuppressive therapy Drastic preven- by a sensation of intense burning, diaphoresis,
tion of an immune response occurring within erythema, pain.
the patient during critical neoplastic procedures. thermanalgesia Thermoanalgesia — the inability
These patients may require reverse isolation, et of the patient to recognize the sensation of heat,
al., because of their high risk for opportunistic as due to a cerebral lesion.
infections. thermanesthesia Ardanesthesia, thermoanesthe-
inhalation therapy The administration of respi- sia — that inability to discern temperature
ratory agents and techniques to enhanceeach changes, and/or cold from hot. This may be
patient's breathing ability and quality. Included seen in syringomyelia.
is oxygen (02) therapy, respirator management, thermesthesia Thermoesthesia, thermic sense,
the drawing of arterial blood gases (ABGs), thermic perception, temperature sense.
mechanical ventilation, incentive spirometry thermobiosis That ability to tolerate high temper-
(small children are encouraged to blow bub- atures.
bles), et al. thermocauterectomy Excision by cauterization.
milieu therapy That environmental interaction thermocoagulation That modality by which sur-
(audible and/or inaudible) of psychiatric patients gical bleeding is halted by the high-frequency
to each other. This may be positive or negative. currents of electric cautery.
occupational therapy Retraining the patient in thermodynamics That branch of physics which
the specific tasks required in his/her living and concerns energy.
working environments (including those adapta- thermogenesis The production of heat in the
tions which facilitate this). body.
physiotherapy Physical therapy — the use of thermography Medical graphing of hot and cold
electricity, exercise, heat, hydrotherapy, mas- areas on body surfaces. This is used to study
sage, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimula- extremity perfusion, carcinoma of the breast, et
tion (TENS), et al., to treat pain and limitation of al.
motion. thermohyperesthesia Exquisite sensitivity to
radiation therapy The modality of ionizing radi- heat.
ation in the diagnosis and eradication of patho- thermohypothesia Thermohypesthesia — dimin-
logical tissue. ished heat perception.
replacement therapy Supplementation of the thermolabile Instability to heat.
body's deficient/absent substances. thermoluminescent dosimeter That monitor
serotherapy Serum therapy — administration which calculates exposureto radiation.
of immunized blood. thermolysis Chemical decomposition by heat.
spiritual therapy That inclusion of religious Loss of body heat by evaporation.
thought in the medical/surgical healing process. thermomassage The use of heat in manual
(Some surgeons pray with the patient and oper- manipulation of muscles.
ating room staff before induction of the anesthe- thermometer An instrument which registers tem-
sia.) Throughout the hospitalization, those reli- perature (of the body). This may be per os/tym-
gious concepts incorporated into the nursing panum/rectum — which may be by mercury/
care should enhance the patient's faith and electric instruments.
beliefs, as well as receiptive staff members'. spirit thermometer An alcohol thermometer
vaccine therapy Opsonic therapy — an injec- which registers hypothermia.
tion which produces active immunization thermoneurosis That elevation of body tempera-
405
ture in neurotic states. thoracalgia Pleurodynia — chest wall pain.
thermopenetration Thermoradiotherapy — appli- thoracectomy Partial rib resection.
cation of deep heat. thoracentesis Pleurocentesis, thoracocentesis —
thermoplegia Heatstroke. chest puncture with aspiration of fluid. Assess
thermopolypnea Tachypneacaused by high these patients for chest pain, cough, cyanosis,
heat/fever. diaphoresis, dyspnea, hemoptysis, nausea, pal-
thermoregulatory centers Those hypothalamic lor, syncope, vertigo, vital signs, weakness,
areas which control heat production/loss in tachycardia. PreVpost-procedure chest films will
order to maintain thermostasis. be taken.
thermostabile That which is resistant to changes thoracic aortic dissection Splitting/tearing of
in temperature. layers of the aorta, productive of sudden,
thermostat A biological/mechanical regulator extreme pain, hypertension, syncope. These
which maintains an appropriate temperature. patients must be watched constantly.
thermosteresis Loss of body heat. thoracic squeeze The dangerous practice of
thermotaxis Thermotropism — regulation of competitive swimmers, in which they hyperven-
body heat. tilate prior to deep diving (in order to go deeper
negative thermotaxis The repulsion of cells and stay down longer with a greater vital capaci-
away from heat. ty). For those who develop respiratory distress,
positive thermotaxis The attraction of cells artificial respiration with compressed oxygen is
toward heat. the therapy of choice.
thermotherapy Thermotherapeutics — the appli- thoracobronchotomy An incision developed into
cation of heat during treatment. the bronchus via the thoracic wall.
thermotoxin The poison formed in body tissues thoracoceloschisis Thoracogastroschisis —
under extreme heat. congenitally fissured abdominal and thoracic
theroid A person who behaves with animalistic cavities.
mannerisms and instincts. thoracocyllosis A chest deformity.
thesaurismosis Metabolic disorders which cause thoracocyrtosis That marked chest curvature.
excessive/abnormal storage in designated body thoracodelphus The congenitally deformed fetus
cells. with four legs.
thesaurosis Accumulation within body tissues. thoracodidymus Conjoined twins with a thoracic
thiemia A circulatory excess of sulfur. fusion.
Thiersch's graft That skin grafting technique thoracodynia Chest pain.
which uses two layers of skin. thoracolaparotomy Surgical access achieved by
thigmesthesia Sensitivity to tactile stimulation. an incision through the diaphragm and thoracic
thinking That capacity for reasoning and menta- wall.
tion — of which only the human brain is capa- thoracolysis Pneumonolysis — dissection of the
ble. adhered lung away from the chest wall.
thiram poisoning An occupational hazard of thoracomelus That fetal anomaly of a third leg
those working with this antifungal agent. fused to the chest wall.
thixolabile That substance whose properties can thoracomodynia Chest wall discomfort.
be changed by shaking. thoracopagus Conjoined fetal twins who are
thlipsencephalus The fetal anomaly of fused at the chest/thorax.
absence/malformation of the skull. thoracoparacephalus The smaller thoracopagus
Thomas splint That appliance used to apply trac- fetus presents with a rudimentary head.
tion to the femur. thoracoplasty Therapeutic lung collapse achieved
Thomas-White hypothesis The unproven by plastic chest surgery in which ribs are par-
premise that a fetus with two umbilici will pre- tially resected.
sent with another congenital anomaly. thoracopneumoplasty Plastic chest surgery.
Thomsen's disease Myotonia congenita. thoracoschisis The chest wall which is congeni-
406
tally fissured. tremor. This is indelibly noted by palpating a
thoracoscope Stethoscope. dialysis shunt.
thoracoscopy An endoscopic examination of the Throckmorton's reflex When the sole of the foot
pleural cavity. is percussed, the great toe will extend, while the
thoracostomy Surgical resection of the chest others flex.
wall to permit chest drainage, or room for a thrombasthenia A hemorrhagic disorder caused
hypertrophied heart. by platelet malfunctioning, thrombopathy.
thoracotomy A surgical incision into the chest. thrombectomy The excision of a thrombus
Thorn test To determine the presence of adrenal through the vessel wall.
insufficiency, the patient is given a trial of corti- thromboangiitis obliterans Buerger's disease —
cotropin. The circulating eosinophils will that peripheral, vascular, occlusive disease seen
decrease unless the test is positive, indicating most often in males with tobacco abuse. The
adrenal insufficiency. chief complaint (CC) is excruciating pain of the
thoughts Those ideas which originate from one- foot/leg with occlusion, cyanosis, and later, gan-
self and others. grene of that limb. Even when amputation has
thought broadcasting The psychotic delusion been accomplished, some of these patients con-
that one's thinking is evident to the world. tinue to smoke, repeating this relentless cycle.
thought insertion The psychotic delusion that thromboarteritis That thrombotic inflammation
one's thoughts have been placed in his/her brain of an artery.
by an outside source. thromboclasis Thrombolysis. Lysis (gradual
thought-stopping technique Used with obsessive decline) of a thrombosis.
patients, who are directed to set a timer for 3 thrombocythemia A marked increase in platelets.
minutes. During this time, s/he floods her/him- thrombocytopenia Thrombopenia — an abnor-
self with objectionable thoughts. When the bell mal platelet drop. These patients need to be
rings, the patient switches to ego-syntonic protected from mechanical trauma which could
thoughts, and is forbidden to return to the result in internal hemorrhage. Observe carefully
egodystonic material. If s/he does, the technique for signs of hemorrhage — abdominal disten-
is to be practiced again — as well as through- tion, anemia, epistaxis, gingival ecchymoses,
out the day. hematemesis, hematuria, hemoptysis, melena,
thought withdrawal The psychotic delusion that menstrual complications, occult bleeding from
an outside source is extracting one's ideas. any site, petechiae, purpura. To prevent inhibi-
threshold That point at which a tion of platelet functioning, ASA (aspirin) and
physiological/psychiatric effect appears. NSAIDs (nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs)
absolute threshold The lowest level of stimula- are contraindicated. Splenectomy may be indi-
tion which elicits a response. cated, or mandatory.
auditory threshold The softest sound which thrombocytosis An increase in blood platelets.
can be perceived by the subject. thromboendarterectomy That surgical extraction
differential threshold That lowest level at of a thrombus from within an artery. Any dis-
which 2 stimuli can be separately perceived. eased intima is also excised.
erythema threshold The first appearanceof thromboendocarditis That formation of a throm-
reddening from radiation therapy. bus on an inflamed valve(s) of the heart.
no threshold substance That which is entirely thrombokinesis Coagulation of blood.
excreted. thrombolymphangitis That obstruction by
sensory threshold The minimal stimulus which thrombus formation, of an inflamed lymphatic
will achieve a responsefrom one of the senses. vessel.
threshold dose The smallest amount of a drug thrombolysis Thromboclasis — the disintegra-
which producesan effect. tion of a clot.
threshold stimulus Liminal stimulus. thrombopenia A pathologic decrease in blood
thrill Fremitus — a cardiac murmur or vascular platelets.
407
thrombophilia A predisposition toward coagula- occluding thrombus Obstructing thrombus —
tion within the vessel. that which completely occludes a blood vessel.
thrombophlebitis Venous inflammation with clot parietal thrombus Mural thrombus — the clot
formation, usually occurring in the leg. Patients which adheres to the wall of a vessel.
should be assessedfrequently for arterial blood progressive thrombus That clot which increas-
gases (ABGs),chest pain, dyspnea,EKG es in size.
changes, level of consciousness, pulmonary trush A pediatric manifestation of stomatitis. This
symptoms, tachypnea, Romans' sign. Therapy oral/pharyngeal/gastric/intestinal inflammation
seeks to prevent thrombi from becoming emboli presents with ulceration of mucosae.
through the use of anticoagulation and/or liga- thrypsis A splintered, crushed fracture.
tion of a proximal vein. thumb sign Seen in children with Marfan's syn-
iliofemoral postpartum thrombophlebitis That drome — the flexed thumb extends beyond the
which may occur following delivery. clenched palm.
thrombophlebitis migrans Recurrent inflamed thumb sucking A pacifying habit of infants and
clotting in various sites. small children, during which they may caress
thrombosis The intravascular coagulation of something with the other hand. Occurring dur-
blood — which may be life-threatening or life- ing moments of fatigue, boredom, frustration,
saving. fear, this is usually abandoned by the time the
cardiac thrombosis That dangerous clotting in child reaches school age. (If not, peers' ridicule
a myocardial artery. may shame the child into stopping.) If this habit
coagulation thrombosis Clotting caused by fi- persists during the eruption of permanent teeth,
brin within the vessel. a dental consult should be obtained. Some par-
coronary thrombosis The cause of myocardial ents choose to give their infant a pacifier.
infarction — clotting within a coronary artery. thymectomize To perform a thymectomy — sur-
embolic thrombosis That caused by an embo- gical excision of the thymus.
lus traveling clot, within the blood vessel. thymelcosis Thymus ulceration.
infective thrombosis Clots which carry patho- thymitis An inflamed thymus gland.
genic bacteria. thymolysis Dissolution of thymus tissue.
marasmic thrombosis That accompanied by thymoma A neoplasm of the thymus.
emotional neglect. thymopathy Pathology of the thymus gland.
placental thrombosis Clotting within the thymoprivic Reference to excision of the thymus.
utero/placental veins. thymotoxic That which is toxic to the thymic tis-
puerperal thrombosis Venous clotting follow- sues.
ing labor and delivery. thymusectomy The surgical excision of the thy-
traumatic thrombosis That occurring in relation mus gland.
to an injury/wound. thymus persistenshyperplastica Failure of the
venous thrombosis Coagulation within a vein. thymus to undergo involution by adulthood.
thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura The thyreoplasia Developmental anomaly of the thy-
hemolytic uremic syndrome. roid, which affects its functioning.
thrombus The obstruction of a cardiac cavity or thyrocardiac That patient with thyroid pathology
blood vessel by a blood clot. which is aggravated by cardiopathy.
annular thrombus That clot which adheres to thyrocele Goiter formation.
the wall of an unoccluded vessel. thyrochondrotomy Surgical incision into the car-
antemortem thrombus Those clots produced tilage of the thyroid.
prior to death. thyroid cachexia Exophthalmic goiter, thyrotoxi-
Laennec's thrombus That globular clot which, cosis.
in fatty degeneration,forms in the heart. thyroidectomy Surgical excision of the thyroid.
milk thrombus A milk tumor in the lactating These patients are at risk for damage to the
breast. recurrent laryngeal nerve, tetany, and thyroid
408
storm. rate, and/or apical impulse hyperactivity.
thyroiditis Strumitis — an inflamed thyroid. Prolapse of the mitral valve occurs more fre-
quently in this population. The risk of arterial
giant cell thyroiditis That characterized by thromboembolism — especially cerebral — is
fibrosis, giant cells, infiltration. increased in patients with thyrotoxicosis. This
Hashimoto's thyroiditis The autoimmune dis- warrants anticoagulation to reduce the frequen-
ease in which hypothyroidism accompanies thy- cy of embolic events. Patients' ongoing angina
romegaly. The treatment of choice is permanent pectoris may be aggravated by the myocardial
thyroid replacement. oxygen demand. Frank myocardial infarction is
thyroidomania The psychiatric features of hyper- rare. Persistent sinus tachycardia or atrial fibril-
thyroidism. lation — in which the ventricular rate fails to
thyroid storm Thyroid crisis — that fatal compli- slow to digoxin — suggests the presence of
cation of thyrotoxicosis precipitated by infec- thyrotoxicosis. Also, a normal T3 in a severe
tion, surgical emergency, trauma. Abrupt fever, cardiac points to thyroid toxicity. Treatment of
congestive heart failure, diaphoresis, pulmonary choice includes radioactive iodine and thyroid
edema, restlessness, tachycardia, and/or tremu- ablation, to prevent recurrence. In the absence
lousness may serve as warning signs of thyroid of pre-existing cardiac disease, treatment of thy-
crisis. rotoxicosis usually results in a return to normal
thyrolysin That agent which destroys thyroid tis- cardiac functioning.
sue.
thyromegaly Hypertrophy of the thyroid. tibial deformity Acquired curvature of the
thyroparathyroidectomy Surgical excision of the tibia(s).
thyroid/parathyroid glands. It is significant when saber-shaped tibia(s) Convex curvature of the
the parathyroidectomy is an iatrogenic compli- tibia, attributed to syphilitic gummatous perios-
cation of thyroidectomy. titis.
thyropathy Diseases/disorders of the thyroid
gland. tibialgia Tibial pain.
thyroprivia Hypothyroidism caused by deficient tibial osteochondrosis Blount's disease.
thyroid functioning. tibia valga Genu valgum — concavity of the
thyrosis Functional pathology of thyroid tissue.
thyrotherapy Treatment with thyroid extract. lower legs.
thyrotome That scalpel used to incise thyroid tibia vara Genu varum — convexity of the lower
cartilage.
thyrotoxicosis Exophthalmic goiter accompanied legs.
by toxicity due to hyperthyroidism and its symp- tic A spasmodic, involuntary vocal and/or motor
tomatology of elevated metabolism, nervous-
ness, hypertrophy of the thyroid, exophthalmos, movement which may have psychogenic over-
tremulousness, and/or weight loss. This can tones. When suppressed, these outbursts can
aggravate cardiomyopathy such as atrial fibrilla- be briefly inhibited, only to erupt with greater
tion, congestive heart failure, et al. The circula- intensity. These sudden, rapid-fire, recurrent,
tion to coronary, cutaneous, skeletal tissues is stereotypical vocalizations and actions are star-
markedly enhanced, while that to the cerebral, tling to onlookers — who are shocked into
hepatic, renal tissues is not. This alters the load- watching out of concern.
ing dynamics on the heart. Thyrotoxicosis Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome The shouting
increases cardiac output. Thyrotoxic, geriatric of coprolalia, barking, blinking, head jerking,
patients with pre-existing heart disease are at inordinate touching, kicking, nail biting, repeti-
increased risk for congestive heart disease. tion of television commercials, occur suddenly
Common symptoms of cardiomyopathy in the without provocation. Symptomatology may be
thyrotoxic patient are palpitations, exertional reduced by medication, but persists for life.
dyspnea, increased pulse pressure and heart convulsive tic Spasms of the facial muscles
stimulated by the facial (seventh cranial) nerve.
habitual tic That repetition of a muscular
spasm or grimace — which may be exaggerated
out of nervousness.
409
tic disorder Sudden vocal/motor disturbances time The measurement of duration.
which cause marked impairment in functioning. bleeding time That required for bleeding to
tic douloureaux Trigeminal neuralgia, prosopal- cease — normally 1-3 minutes.
gia, trifacial neuralgia — pressure/degeneration clot retraction time Normal, 1 hour.
affecting the fifth cranial nerve. Paroxysms of coagulation time Normal, 20-60 minutes.
pain occur repeatedly, subside briefly, then doubling time That during which malignant
recur. The treatment of choice is surgical. cells double in size.
Tickhoff-Linberg procedure Radical excision of prothrombin time (PT) An essential determina-
the subtotal upper arm, clavicle, and scapula to tion which reveals the level at which coagulation
treat malignant lesions in the proximal humerus. is being prevented.
This surgical procedure spares the elbow, arm, reaction time That lapse between a stimulus
and neurovascular upper arm,preserving total and its response.
functioning of the hand and wrist. thermal death time That which is required for
tic rotatoire Spasmodic torticollis which forcibly bacteria to be killed at a given temperature.
rotates the head/neck. time frame Predetermined specifics.
tic spasmodic Those unilateral/bilateral contrac- tincture Tinctura — the alcohol preparation of an
tions accompanied by facial paresis. agent. Care should be taken that these solu-
tidal An increasing/decreasing, rising/falling flow tions, mouthwashes, et al., are not used nor
pattern. consumed by children, nor by alcoholic patients
tidal air The flow of normal respirations. on Antabuse therapy.
tidal drainage That of a paralyzed urinary blad- tincture of iodine poisoning Consumed acciden-
der eliminating by automatic irrigation equip- tally or to suicide, these patients present in
ment. intense pain with vomiting, purging, extreme
Tietze's syndrome Of unknown etiology, inflam- thirst, and in circulatory collapse. Pain control,
mation of the costochondral cartilage. This self- electrolyte and fluid balance will be required, as
limited pain may mimic chest complaints. well as a possible tracheotomy.
Costochondritis. Tinel's sign Cutaneous tingling in response to
tilmus Carphology, picking at the bedclothes by a pressure upon a regenerating nerve trunk.
moribund patient. tine test A tuberculin skin test administered by 4
tilt table testing The goal of this test is to repro- prongs and read in 48 and 72 hours. The porta-
duce the syncopal episode experienced by the bility of these self-contained units (which need
patient. (This constitutes a positive test.) Many no refrigeration), makes this the ideal modality
of these "droppers" are young people. After for mass testing. Still, it is falling into disuse.
establishing that the heart is symptom-free, this tinnitus Fluttering, hissing, musical, ocean wave,
procedure is scheduled for the morning. The pressurized ringing, pulsating, roaring, throb-
patient presents following 6 hours of fasting. bing, thumping sounds within the ear(s). It is
The base blood pressure is determined, and an essential that acoustic neuroma be ruled out.
intravenous infusion (IV)with Isuprel is insert- Causes of tinnitus: endocrine disease; idiopathic
ed. Periodically, the IV and tilt table are causes; medication side effects; metabolic dis-
increased, while closely monitoring the patient. ease; noise-induced trauma; structural anom-
(Isuprel can provoke syncope in normal sub- alies. Immune disorders associated with tinni-
jects.) Once the patient becomes syncopal, the tus: Hashimoto's thyroiditis; rheumatoid arthri-
Isuprel is discontinued and the table lowered. tis; ulcerative colitis, autoimmune disease.
Convulsive syncope may rule out epilepsy in the aurium tinnitus Sonitus in the
presence of normal EEGs, seizures in the inner/middle/exterior ear accompanied by hyste-
upright position, and in poor response to anti- ria, labyrinthitis, Meniere's syndrome, myringi-
convulsants. tis, otitis media, and/or otosclerosis. The etiolo-
timbre That resonant quality which is identified gy may also be attributed to side effects from
by overtones. medication, or to overdosage of aspirin (ASA).
410
tirefond That instrument used to remove a for- tolerance That capacity for endurance —
eign body or depressed bone. whether a substance, physical exertion, or emo-
tissue A group of similar cells — adenoid, adi- tional stress, et al.
pose, areolar, bone, cancellous, cartilage, chon- drug tolerance The acceptance of medication
droid, chordal, cicatricial, connective, elastic, without side effect(s), with evidence of improve-
embryonic, epithelial, erectile, extracellular, fatty, ment of the condition for which it was pre-
fibrous, gelatiginous, glandular, granulation, scribed. Decreasedeffectiveness may be noted
interstitial, lymphadenoid, lymphoid, mesenchy- in long term therapy. Paradoxical side effects
mal, muscular, myeloid, nervous, osseous, may occur years after a medication has been
reticular, scar/keloid, scleral, skeletal, splenic, well established. A drug holiday or switch in
subcutaneous. agents may be necessary.
tissue bank A transplantation facility which col- exercise tolerance The amount of activity that
lects, processes, and stores tissue/body parts can be endured before abnormal EKG signs
for donation. These are preserved in a frozen or and/or exhaustion occur.
freeze-dried state. glucose tolerance test An accurate blood sugar
tissue culture A collection of animal/human cells determination in which a predetermined amount
for lab growth/propagation of a virus. of dextrose is given and serial blood sugar tests
tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) Recombinant obtained.
tPA — that drug administered within 6 hours of immunologic tolerance The status of antigen
a myocardial infarction. This may increase sur- inactivity in which an immune reaction does not
vival chances by 50%. Contraindicated in those develop.
over 75 years of age, this agent should be used substance tolerance The necessity of increas-
with deliberation and caution during pregnancy. ingly greater amounts of alcohol/illicit drugs in
tissue typing That determination of histocompat- order to achieve the accustomed response.
ibility in anticipation of transplantation, grafting. tomography Noninvasive radiography in which
titer Titre — a standard of concentration. soft structures as well as those in deeper planes
agglutination titer That test in which the can be identified, assessed,and diagnosed.
clumping of bacteria is measured against the computerized axial tomography (CAT) A more
highest dilution of a known serum. A dilution in precise form of scanning by which greater sen-
which antibody can be detected. sitivity is appreciated in assessment of the
titillation The sensation of, fear of, or response brain. CT scan.
to tickling. tonaphasia That cerebral lesion which prevents
titration The use of titrimetry — that estimation music recall.
of the concentration of a solution. tone Tonus, tonicity — that state of normalcy
titubation That intoxicated gait of cerebellar and health. The state of responsive tissue tonus.
pathology. A musical sound. Normal tension of muscles at
lingual titubation Stammering, stuttering. rest.
tobacco abuse The addictive use of tobacco in tone deafness Amusia — the inability to discern
any form. tones and musical pitches.
tocodynamometer Tocometer — that instrument tongue-tie Ankyloglossia — a congenially short
which calculates the intensity of uterine contrac- frenum of the tongue. This is surgically freed to
tions during labor. relieve interferencewith sucking. Uncut, this
tocolysis The inhibition of labor. would obstruct the child's articulation.
tocus Childbirth, parturition. tonic Muscular contraction/tension. Medication
Todd's paralysis Transient postictal (that follow- which increases strength.
ing a convulsion) paresis. cardiac tonic Digitalis preparations, et al.
toilet training Teaching a young child to become general tonic Iron supplements, et al.
continent (once s/he is receptive to, and ready tonic labyrinthine reflex All extremities of the
for this training). decerebrate patient extend when the head is
411
positioned in the erect position. personalities and initiative, in addition to their
tonic neck reflex Turning the neonate's head violent tendencies.
causes extension of an extremity(s) on that topesthesia Topognosia, topognosis — the abili-
side. The extremities flex on the contralateral ty to discern the site of tactile stimulation.
side, assuming the "fencing" position. topical External. A local area.
tonic spasm An involuntary, persistent, violent toponarcosis Use of a local anesthetic.
muscular contraction. topophobia A psychoneurotic fear regarding
tonoclonic Tonicoclonic, tonic/clonic, muscular locality.
spasms such as those seen in grand mal topothermesthesiometer An instrument which
seizures. measures the accuracy of one's sense of local
tonometry The measurement of intraocular pres- temperature.
sure by the use of a tenometer/tenonometer/ tormina Intestinal colic which is intensely
tonometer, to screen for glaucoma. painful.
digital tonometry Determination of intraocular torpent Apathetic, dormant, torpid. Incapable of
pressure by the ophthalmologist's palpation, functioning.
instead of using an instrument. torpidity Sluggish, inactive, passively moving.
non-contact tenometry Intraocular measure- Torsade de pointes Polymorphic ventricular
ments achieved by altering the cornea by puffs tachycardia. Self-limiting, this may convert to
of air. ventricular fibrillation. A 12-lead electrocardio-
tonsillar herniation Rupture of the cerebellar graph (EKG, EGG) is used to monitor this lethal,
tonsil(s). By exerting pressure on the medulla uncontrollable heartbeat.
oblongata, this complication may end fatally. torsion A state of being twisted, torsive.
tonsillectomy That surgical excision of the ton- torso The trunk.
sils. Assess the patient carefully for postopera- tort That legal claim resulting from negligence.
tive bleeding, aware that children may be swal- torticollis Wryneck, loxia — retrocolic spasm,
lowing blood. (Coffe-ground emesis is confir- congenital or acquired contraction of the
matory.) Try to prevent crying and coughing. head/neck musculature. This malpositioning
Forbid straws, popsicle sticks, and any other may be habitual, spasmodic, permanent.
objects being placed in the mouth. fixed torticollis That caused by organic short-
Tonsillectomized adolescents/adults may suffer ening of the neck musculature.
significant complications, requiring blood intermittent torticollis Spasmodic torticollis, in
replacement and/or return to surgery. which clonic contractions cause malpositioning.
tonsillitis An acute inflammation of the tonsils ocular torticollis That caused by differing visu-
and adjacent pharyngeal tissue. al acuity between eyes.
tonsil snare The surgical instrument used to rheumatic torticollis Symptomatic torticollis —
excise tonsillar tissue. that with transient, recurrent, clonic contrac-
tooth avulsion The most serious dental injury, a tions which cause the malpositioning. This may
shelled tooth can be successfully replanted in its be aggravated by nervousness.
socket within 30 minutes. If the dentist cannot spurious torticollis That caused by cavities in
be reached STAT to orthodontically splint the the cervical vertebrae.
tooth (teeth), the victim should be taken to the tortipelvis Dystonia musculorum deformans —
emergency room, with the tooth/fragments. distortion of the hip and spine due to muscular
topagnosis Topoanesthesia — the loss of ability spasms.
to discern the site of tactile stimulation. tortuous Complex, severe twisting of a body part.
topalgia Localized pain felt by neurasthenics in torture Inhumane emotional, mental, and/or
crisis. physical torment inflicted upon another — often
topectomy Modified frontal lobotomy, as per- as coercion. If of a child, this may not be reccg-
formed on the intractably violent patient as a nized because of the child's guilt of "being
last resort. Lobotomized patients may lose their naughty". S/he will seek to conceal this inforna-
412
tion, blaming him-/herself. ing, repetition of commercials, throat-clearing,
toruloma A solid mass, that nodular lesion of et al. — which may be constant. The onset of
torulosis (cryptococcosis) which may mimic a this disorder is prior to 21 years. Coprolalia (the
neoplasm. shouting of sacreligious and obscene indigni-
total allergy syndrome The belief that a patient ties) is an alarming feature to all — especially
is allergic to all within his/her environment. the general public. This significant, incurable
Those with marked emotional stress should interference may persist throughout life, in addi-
receive psychotherapy. "20th Century tion to obsessive compulsive traits. On medica-
Syndrome". tion, many will obtain symptom reduction.
total hip/knee arthroplasty replacement The Tournay's sign Pupillary dilation occurring with
procedure of choice for the following diagnoses: strong lateral fixation.
ankylosing spondylitis, avascular necrosis, con- tourniquet A band which constricts an extremity
genital hip dysplasia, fracture, hemophiliac dam- to halt hemorrhage, or to aid venipuncture. If a
age of the joint, neuromuscular pathology, tourniquet is to remain on a bleeding limb,
osteoarthritis, Paget's disease, primary/metasta- tighten it until the bleeding ceases, and write
tic tumor, post-traumatic arthritis, resolved sep- this time on the limb. It is adamant that the
tic arthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis. Weight- tourniquet be released every 15 minutes, lest
bearing X-rays are the most revealing. This the tissues become necrotic, and the limb be
operation is contraindicated for the joint which lost.
is unmanageable by medical care, and the rotating tourniquets In acute pulmonary
patient with active infection. The primary indica- edema, sphygmomanometer cuffs are applied to
tion for joint replacement is intolerable pain in 3 extremities simultaneously, (none with an IV),
the joint. Because this surgery is irrevocable, with the patient in high Fowler's position.
paralytics, those with Charcot joints, neuropath- Determine the patient's midway reading between
ic joints, ischemic legs, anemia, or medically systolic and diastolic readings. This is the level
compromised patients, those who have a limited at which the pressure will be held. Every 10
life expectancy, or who are non-compliant, will minutes, deflate the cuffs, obtain new readings,
make poor condidates. Mentally retarded, alco- rotate the cuffs to allow a new limb to befree,
holic, or drug-addicted patients are also dis- and change the midway reading if indicated.
couraged from undergoing this involved, irre- tourniquet paralysis Nerve injury which can fol-
versible procedure. low tourniquet application which remained in
total parenteral nutrition (TPN) To nourish the place too long. If necrosis results, the limb
cachectic, catabolic, debilitated patient, a sub- could be compromised — an iatrogenic result
clavian venocatheteris sutured into the superior which suggests liability.
vena cava. (The formula to be infused is too rich tourniquet test That which demonstrates capil-
and caustic for smaller veins.) Neither intra- lary fragility.
venous solutions nor medications (except toxanemia A strain of anemia caused by a
insulin) may be administered through this sub- hemolytic toxin.
clavian line. Nor may blood be drawn by this toxemia Systemic poison generalizedthroughout
route. The addition of Chromium 10 meg/liter the body. In diphtheria, toxin affects the mus-
makes the insulin more efficient in this highly cles and nerves. With tetanus, the nervous sys-
concentrated formula — which becomes outdat- tem is attacked.
ed in 24 hours. alimentary toxemia Illness derived from gas-
Tourette's disorder Gilles de la Tourette's syn- tro-intestinal toxins.
drome — the presence of multiple motor/vocal eclamptogenic toxemia Eclampsia, toxemia of
tics. These vary in their complexity, frequency, pregnancy.
location, severity. These restless symptoms are toxic That which is poisonous to the organism.
manifested by barking, blinking, head jerking, toxic-allergic syndrome That illness which is
humming, inordinate touching, kicking, nail bit- characterized by abdominal pain, eosinophilia.
413
fever, headache, hepatosplenomegaly, myalgia, cells into the adjacent environment.
nausea, pneumonopathy, respiratory distress. toxinosis Toxonosis — those conditions/dis-
There are few specific treatments for this occu- eases caused by poisons.
pational hazard other than corticosteroids and toxocariasis Visceral larva migrans — that infes-
mechanically assisted respiratory therapy. tation which may cause encephalitis, endoph-
toxic erythema Reddening of the skin caused by thalmitis, myocarditis, retinoblastoma.
poisonous agents/drugs. toxoid An anatoxin.
toxicity The quality of being poisonous. toxolysin An antitoxin, toxicide — a poison
toxicoderma Any dermatitis which has been which destroys substance.
caused by a poison. toxophylaxin That which neutralizes bacterial
toxicogenic That toxidermatosis which has been poisons.
caused/produced by a poisonous agent. toxoplasmosis A disease which may be imper-
toxicologist A specialist in poisons. ceptible in a severely disseminated form, or in a
toxicomania An obsession for intoxicants, nar- congenital state. Included may be anemia, cen-
cotics, poisons. tral nervous system (CNS) lesions, dermatitis,
toxicophobia lophobia — an exaggerated fear of dyspnea, encephalitis, hepatitis, jaundice,
poisoning by any means. lymphadenopathy, malaise, myalgia, pneumonia.
toxicosis A condition caused by poisoning. This infection is often a marker for autoimmune
endogenic toxicosis Autointoxication — poi- deficiency syndrome.
soning caused by autogenous substances within trace An amount too minute to measure.
the body. trace elements in the body Aluminum, bromine,
exogenic toxicosis Poisonous conditions due chromium, cobalt, copper, fluorine, iron, iodine,
to toxins not produced by the body. manganese, nickel, silicon, zinc.
retention toxicosis Poisoning caused by tracer A radioactive isotope used in nuclear med-
retained excreta within the body. icine.
toxic shock syndrome (TSS) A rare and fatal ill- tracheaectasy Tracheal dilation.
ness in which 3-4 of the following criteria con- trachealgia Tracheal pain.
firm the diagnosis: A diffuse, macular, erythe- tracheal tug A late sign of respiratory distress, in
matous rash followed by desquamation of the which cyanosis is seen with suprasternal retrac-
palms/soles; fever greater than 102° F; hypoten- tions.
sion, orthostatic syncope. Positive involvement tracheal tugging That symptomatic sign of a
of at least 3 of the following organ systems: thoracic aneurysm. When the thyroid cartilage is
central nervous system, ophthalmologic, gas- manipulated in examination, the patient may
trointestinal, hematologic, hepatic, muscular, sense downward traction of the trachea or lar-
renal, oropharyngeal. ynx, with pulsation.
toxidermitis Toxicodermatitis — any inflamed tracheitis That acute/chronic inflammation which
rash caused by poisoning. may accompany bronchitis, laryngitis.
toxiferous Poisonous. trachelagra Torticollis due to gout of the neck
toxigenic That which is productive of poison. musculature, or rheumatism.
toxigenicity The virulence of an organism which trachelectomopexy Fixation of the uterus with
generates poison. partial excision of the uterine neck.
toxin A poisonous agent of organic origin. trachelectomy Amputation of the uterine cervix.
bacterial toxin That poisonous substance pro- trachelism Trachelismus — hyperextensive
duced by bacterial cells — both endotoxins and spasm of the neck which may precede (or be
exotoxins. part of the aura of) an epileptic seizure.
endotoxins Poisons released upon the destruc- trachelitis Cervicitis — mucous membrane
tion of bacterial cells. inflammation.
erythrogenic toxin Dick toxin. trachelocystitis Inflammation of the bladder,
exotoxin That which diffuses from bacterial extending to the neck of the bladder.
414
trachelodynia Neck discomfort. tracheotomize Tracheostomize — the surgical
trachelokyphosis That excessive anterior curva- development of a tracheotomy/tracheostomy.
Rarely, this may be developed under unsterile
ture of the cervical spine. conditions outside the hospital — as a lifesav-
trachelomyitis Inflammation of the neck mus- ing effort.
cles. tracheotomy Tracheostomy — the emergency
tracheloplasty Plastic surgery of the uterine rescue which opens an airway during tracheal
obstruction. Tracheotomy care requires much
neck. suctioning. Oxygenate the patient prior to this
trachelorrhaphy The suturing of a lacerated procedure. Another tracheotomy tray should
remain in the patient's room, in the event of
cervix. another emergency.
tracheloschisis A fissure/congenital opening in
trachitis Tracheitis — tracheal inflammation.
the neck. trachoma Egyptian ophthalmia, granular con-
trachelotomy An incision into the cervical neck.
tracheobronchial papillomatosis That respirato- junctivitis. That form of conjunctivitis which is
chronic and communicable. Sequelae include
ry condition which causes multiple papilloma- corneal opacities, blindness, ectropion, staphy-
tous lesions to develop within the tracheal loma, entropion, symblepharon, trichiasis.
mucosae. brawny trachoma That infectious conjunctivitis
tracheobronchomegaly Congenital hypertrophy with generalized lymphoid infiltration.
of the bronchi and trachea. diffuse trachoma Conjunctivitis with major
tracheobronchoscopy That surgical examination granulation.
of the entire respiratory tract, using a broncho- trachyphonia The voice which sounds hoarse,
scope. This procedure is also used to obtain tis- husky.
sue, secretions, foreign bodies, et al. tracing The record of a machine which uses a
tracheolaryngotomy An incision developed into graph and needle.
the trachea and larynx. tract A path, course, tractus.
tracheomalacia Softening of the tracheal carti- traction The function of pulling against an
lage. opposing weight/force/gravity — which may be
tracheopathia osteopathica A rare condition in the patient. By this force are fracturesreduced
which nodules are present in the bronchi/tra- and/or held in reduction.
chea, but may not be discovered until autopsy. cervical traction That applied to the neck as a
Of unknown etiology, this occurs in geriatric halter for injuries, surgery, et al. (The pull
patients — many of whom are asymptomatic. should be felt at the neck, not the chin.)
Computerized tomography, bronchoscopy,and Crutchfield tongs Skeletal traction into the skull
chest x-rays may reveal a sabersheath trachea to immobilize the spine. Halo traction has
at the thoracic inlet. Localizedtumors may be evolved from this modality, and permits the
asymptomatic, and require no intervention. patient to leave the bed.
Other patients suffer dyspnea, hemoptysis, elastic traction That exerted by expansive
recurring infections. Extension of the tumor into devices to achieve traction.
the bronchi may cause obstruction and, eventu- tractotomy Surgical sectioning of a central ner-
ally, atelectasis. vous system (CNS) tract to relieve intractable
tracheopathy Tracheopathia— a disordered/dis- pain.
eased state of the trachea. tragophonia Tragophony, egophony — those
tracheophony Auscultated sounds heard over the sounds auscultated at the fluid level in
trachea. hydrothorax.
tracheoplasty Plastic surgery of the trachea. training Organized instruction.
tracheopyosis Suppurative tracheitis. assertiveness training Behavior modification
tracheorrhagia Hemorrhage within the trachea. utilized to encouragepassive persons in the
tracheoschisis A trachealfissure.
tracheostenosis The constricted lumen of the
trachea.
415
expression of their genuine feelings, with role approached through the atrium.
playing. transcalent Diathermal, penetrated by heat
trait A characteristic — congenital or acquired. waves.
acquired trait That obtained from the environ- transcapillary exchange The transfer of cells
ment, not inherited. between interstitial fluid and blood.
inherited trait A characteristic transmitted
through the genes. transcranial Doppler Ultrasonography which can
trajector That device which determines the site measure the blood flow in all the cerebral arter-
of a bullet within the wound. Special forceps will ies. This makes possible the prompt diagnosis
be required to retrieve the bullet. of arteriovenous malformation, intracranial arte-
trance A sleep state induced by hypnotists, hys- rial stenoses, vasospasm following subarach-
terics, spiritualists, et al. This trance may be noid hemorrhage. In the presence of apparent
self-induced, and may be followed by transient brain death, cerebral circulatory arrest can be
amnesia. confirmed or ruled out.
dissociative trance disorder That temporary,
altered state of consciousness/identity, or a transcription The precise interpretation and fol-
replaced identity — influenced by a deity, low-through of the physicians' orders, findings,
power, spirit, or person. This state is not reli- progress notes, consultations, et al. — as dic-
giously/culturally accepted within the patient's tated. This ensures accurate, timely records in
value system, and is the cause of significant the patient's chart.
clinical distress.
tranquilizer A medication which reduces psychi- transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
atric anxiety and tension while permitting nor- (TENS) The administration of weak electrical
mal mentation and, perhaps, sleep. This is the stimuli via electrodes placed over an area of
state of tranquilization. These drugs are the unrelieved pain. This interference with the trans-
agents of choice for severely disturbed patients. mission of pain perception affords relief when
(A side effect is depression.) Tranquilizers may other modalities fail, and heavier analgesia is
be selected by the anesthesiologist for preoper- not warranted.
ative sedation, and/or as the agent for a proce-
dure during which the patient will remain awake transdermal topical system Transdermal drug-
and cooperative. (This patient won't care what is delivery system, transdermal therapeutic system
being done to him/her.) Many of these agents — epidermal patches of medications such as
have potential for teratogenicity. nitroglycerine, nicotine, scopalomine, et al. If
transactional analysis Psychotherapy which uti- the old patch isn't removed (and medication
lizes role playing in its adaptation of the patient wiped off the body) when the new one is
to reality. applied, the patient is at risk of overdosage.
transaminase That enzyme by which transami-
nation is catalyzed. transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) That
SCOT Serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transami- invasive form of cardiac Ultrasonography in
nase — that enzyme which indicates hepatic cell which the flexible gastroscope is equipped with
damage or myocardial infarction. Aspartate an ultrasound probe. An intravenous infusion
aminotransferase. (IV) and/or oxygen (02) administration may be
SGPT Release of serum glutamic-pyruvic ordered by the cardiologist/anesthesiologist.
transaminase into the circulation suggests liver These patients are at risk for esophageal/gastric
damage. perforation, congestive heart failure (CHF), sep-
transamination Artificial respiration. sis, and/or laryngospasm. Patients with
transaortic Cardiac surgery accomplished via an esophageal anomalies are not accepted for this
aortic approach. procedure.
transatrial Open heart surgery which is
transference Those emotional feelings a patient
holds for his/her psychiatrist/therapist — which
may incorporate those unconsciously held for
others during his/her life.
counter-transference Those unspoken feelings
(recognized and unrecognized) that the psychia-
416
trist/therapist holds for the patient. If not acted hematuria, lumbar/neck pain, pressure, pul-
upon, this is regarded as appropriate and thera- monary edema, rales, shock, urticaria,
peutic. headaches, vomiting, and/or anaphylaxis.
transfixion Amputation which is accomplished Discontinue the infusion, infuse normal saline in
from the center to the periphery. new blood tubing, and notify the physician
transforation Craniotomy of the expired, impact- STAT. All fluids administered during resuscita-
ed fetus, in which the basal skull is perforated tion should be warmed, using coiled blood
to allow parturition or extraction of tissue warming tubing in a water bath (at the precise
remains. temperature) connected between the blood and
transformation Metamorphosis, metastasis. the patient.
transfusion An intravenous infusion of blood. transillumination Assessment of an organ/cavity
autologous transfusion That in which a patient as light is shone through its walls. If a lesion or
receives his/her own stored blood. Children may fluid is present, the transmission of light will be
be drawn if their physicians approve. Patients less, or obscured.
may donate 1 unit weekly, (if their hematocrits transient ischemic attack (TIA) Pseudoapoplexy
remain greater than 34%), up to 5 days prior to — that symptomatology of brief cerebral, neu-
surgery. Obstetrical patients are held to greater rological deficits which resolve within 24 hours.
restrictions. There is an $85 charge to draw These signs may include aphasia, astereogno-
each unit, and another charge when transfused. sis, ataxia, atrial fibrillation, blindness, diplopia,
Indirect transfusion. dysphagia, embolus, hemiplegia, impaired circu-
cadaver blood transfusion That blood obtained lation, hypercoagulation, mitral valve prolapse,
from an expired person shortly following death. numbness, occlusion, paresthesia, stenosis,
(This is a rare procedure.) and/or vertigo, et al. These "mini strokes" origi-
direct transfusion A transfer of blood by tubing nate in the basilar vertebro/carotid arteries. The
between an extremely critical and difficult-to- patient's risk factors must be objectively and
match patient and donor (who may not have subjectively appreciated, lest s/he go on to
tested precisely). This is an unusual and contro- stroke in the near future. Anticoagulant therapy
versial condition of ethics as well as possible or carotid endarterectomy may be the procedure
rescue. (The risks are compounded.) of choice, or the waiver of aggressive proce-
exchange transfusion Replacement transfusion dures in the absenceof quality of life, or the
— withdrawal of blood from the infant/patient presence of a dismal prognosis.
followed by transfusion of blood until the vol- transitional Changeable, convertible.
ume has been totally exchanged. Multiple proce- translation Conversion into another modality,
dures may be required. This technique is the mathematical expression, language, et al.
procedure of choice for neonates with erythrob- translocation Chromosomal manipulation.
lastosis fetalis and in patients with uremia. reciprocal translocation That intrachange of
multiple transfusion syndrome That chromosomes.
cytomegaloviral group of serious symptoms translucent Pellucid — permitting the transfer of
which may follow involved blood therapy. These light in the absenceof transparency.
patients require same-day donated blood and transmigration The passage of cells from one
fibrinogen. tissue across/through to another.
transfusion reactions A multitude of adverse external transmigration That transfer of an
protein responseswhich may accompany trans- ovum to the contralateral fallopian tube via the
fusions, and vary from minor to fatal. Some pelvic cavity.
patients require antihistamines prior to, and/or internal transmigration That transfer of an
in their transfusions to cover side effects. ovum to the contralateral fallopian tube via the
Incompatible blood will cause clumping with the uterus.
killing of erythrocytes. Severe reactions include transmissible Communicable, contagious.
cardiac failure, cyanosis, edema, flushing, transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE)
417
Neurological degeneration of the brain. heteroplastic transplantation The graft donor
Symptomatology may include intellectual and recipient are of the same species.
impairment, disorientation, confusion, myoatro- heterotropic transplantation The transplanted
phy, weakness, progressive loss of coordina- site of the recipient is not the donor's site of ori-
tion. gin.
transmission Transfer. homotopic transplantation The organ sites of
the donor and the recipient are the same.
biological transmission That communicable transpleural That via the pleurae.
disease in which the causative organism plays transposition Metathesis — that transfer from
an essential role. one site to another. Repositioning an organ to
duplex transmission Nervous impulses which the contralateral side. Transfer of a pedicle graft
travel in both directions. without severing the original attachment.
mechanical transmission The passive transfer transposition of the great vessels That crucial,
of pathogens. fetal anomaly in which the pulmonary artery
placental transmission The transfer of blood, arises from the left ventricle, and the aorta from
immunity, nutrients, et al., by fetal/maternal cir- the right ventricle.
culation. transsexual That person who is obsessed with
transmural Transmigration across a profound desires to be of the opposite sex. One
structure/organ. who has to constantly readjust to the belief that
transmural myocardial thrombosis Transfer of s/he is subjectively masquerading as the oppo-
cells across the cardiac wall. site sex. One who has undergone medical/surgi-
transmutation Transformation, evolution, cal transformation of the secondary sexual char-
change. acteristics. S/he who anticipates hormonal/sur-
transmyocardial laser revascularization Cardiac gical transformation may first be required to
surgeons may employ this high-energy laser to cross-dress for a year. S/he may be given a
pierce holes in the myocardium. physician's authorization in case s/he is appre-
transocular That which spans across the eye(s). hended.
transonance The transmission of auscultated transsexualism That search and effort by those
sounds through another organ. with "incorrect", undesired sexual assignment
transorbital Passagethrough the eye. to have their sexual anatomy altered to corre-
transovarian passage That transmission of poi- spond with their hormonal/sexual self-image.
sonous agents and/or infectious micro-organ- transsexual surgery That permanent genital
isms into the ovaries, placing the oocytes at alteration of those whose psychiatric and/or
risk. anatomic sexual characteristics are in conflict.
transphenoidal hypophysectomy Surgical exci- transtentorial herniation Rupture into the brain
sion of the pituitary by an approach which is — the result of increased intracranial pressure.
beneath the upper lip, superior to the maxillary transthalamic That which passes over the optic
gum line, through the sphenoidal structures, thalamus/chiasma.
reaching this gland at the base of the cranium. transthermia Diathermy, thermopenetration —
transpiration Exhalation through membranes. the electric production of heat, applied to deep
cutaneous transpiration Perspiration. Toward tissues.
expiration, renal dysfunctioning may cause the transtracheal oxygen therapy(TTO)
patient to excrete urea through skin pores. Administered directly into the anterior trachea
transplacental Penetration of the placenta by a via an oxygen (02) catheter which is dressed.
chemical, organic, teratogenic, or toxic agent. This is removed only by the physician. Promptly
transplantation The grafting of tissue to another notify the doctor of dyspnea, severe coughing,
site or person. rales, and/or cyanosis.
autoplastic transplantation Homoplastic trans- transtympanic neurectomy Surgical severing of
plantation in which the graft donor is the recipi- the parasympathetic innervation to the sub-
ent.
418
mandibular/parotid glands. This procedure is Abruptio placentae can occur even in minor
indicated for the intervention of sialorrhea trauma within 48 hours post-injury. Maternal
(drooling) of profoundly retarded patients. blood loss can reach 1,500 cc before her vital
transudate An exudate of low specific gravity, signs (VS) change. The most common cause of
containing few cellular elements. intraperitoneal hemorrhage is splenic rupture.
transudation The oozing of fluid through a mem- Auscultation of the fetal heart tones (FHTs) is an
brane. essential part of OB trauma assessment.
transureteroureterostomy Surgical anastomosis Perimortem Cesareansection must be per-
of the bilateral ends of a severed ureter into the formed within 15 minutes to secure a neurologi-
remaining ureter. This is to repair a surgical cally intact infant.
incident. psychic trauma That painful, emotional experi-
transurethal Surgery performed via a urethral ence which may render the victim anxious, vul-
approach. nerable, unable to cope, desperate, and/or
transurethral prostatectomy (TURP) Excision of suicidal. Long term psychiatric care may be
the prostate via the urethra. Postoperative hem- required.
orrhage is such a significant concern, these trauma psychosis The aftermath of emotional
patients are often placed in intensive care the shock and physical injury.
first postoperative night, as protocol. trauma score An assessment tool which numeri-
transverse That which is horizontal to the erect cally estimates the severity of trauma, incorpo-
person. rating cardiopulmonary function grading and the
transversectomy Excision of the transverse ver- Glascow ComaScale.
tebral process(es). traumatic atriovenous fistula(s) Stabbing and/or
transverse plane That which figuratively sepa- gunshot wounds of the abdomen. Special care,
rates the body into superior and inferior halves. in the operating room, will be taken to guard
transversion Eruption of a tooth (teeth) at abnor- against air embolism.
mal sites. Treacher Collins' syndrome Mandibulofacial
transvesical Via the urinary bladder. dysostosis — an extraordinary, congenital
transvestism Transvestitism — cross dressing. deformity which requires mutiple, staged surgi-
Living in the role of the opposite sex. cal revisions of the face. These anomalies
trapdoor incision A 3" incision, instead of the include the jaws, cheek bones, eyelids, and/or
12" incision, developed in the chest for bypass ears, et al. Bilateral, conductive hearing loss
surgery. This experimental, minimally invasive may be noted. (These abnormalities startle all
cardiac surgery requires no heart/lung machine. with whom the patient comes in contact.)
Only anterior vessels (those which can be Functional problems may cause feeding and
reached) can be revised via this approach. breathing risks for many — especially in the
trauma An acquired deformity/injury/wound presence of a cleft palate. A tracheotomy may
resulting from external force, and/or violence. be required for victims of this life-threatening
This may sometimes be self-inflicted. condition. The outcome of each surgical revi-
birth trauma A neonatal injury occurring during sion often leaves the child and parents greatly
parturition. disappointed, since their hopes and expecta-
obstetrical (OB)trauma Motor vehicle acci- tions are so unrealistic.
dents (MVAs) cause most of the critical injuries treatment Specific intervention/therapy embrac-
to pregnant women. Aggressive resuscitation of ing the dental/medical/psychiatric/surgical needs
the mother yields the highest fetal survival. of pathologic conditions. These represent many
Because of the increased oxygen (02) require- schools of thought.
ments of pregnancy, the mother under stress active treatment Aggressive care gauged to
should be oxygenated on the field until seen by relieve the recognized pathology.
an MD. OB trauma results in premature labor, causal treatment That specific to the eradica-
abruptio placentae, fetal distress/injury/demise. tion of specific pathology and its source/cause.
419
conservative treatment Until such time as treatment plan That written assignment of
medication and/or procedures are clearly indi- patient care which is based upon the admission
cated, they may be held with a "watch and wait" assessment and diagnosis, and amended by the
stance. Follow-up will indicate the next decision. evaluation each shift RN assigns to his/her
Medications ordered may not be the "big guns" ongoing condition. Treatment as usual: TAD.
until their use is clearly warranted. Referrals are
made to specialists at the physician's initiative tremor That involuntary, opposing myoclonus
and/or the patient's request. Drug holidays which may be dynamic, hysteric, inherited,
(days spent completely off medications) help kinetic, static. Pathologic tremors may be
the practioner decide which drugs are no longer coarse or fine, slow or rapid, may appear on
needed by the chronic patient. movement, be due to organic disease, or emo-
dietetic treatment Nutritional care which con- tional expression. All disappear during sleep
siders the age, pathology, patient preferences, except ocular myoclonus and palatal
and physician's orders. A diet plan will be for- myoclonus.
mulated for each individual. cerebellar tremor That present with cerebellar
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) Electroshock pathology.
therapy (EST) which is specific for intractable continuous tremor Paralysis agitans.
depression, especially for those in whom psy- delirium tremens (DTs) An advanced symptom
chotropic medications are contraindicated — of alcohol toxicity which appears during with-
cardiac and pregnant patients. drawal of alcohol. Force fluids and administer
empirical treatment That based on expertise vitamin supplementation to prevent seizures and
and observation primarily, less on scientific the- alcoholic psychosis.
ory. enhanced physiologic tremor An intention
expectant treatment Those measures directed tremor associated with alcohol withdrawal, anxi-
toward emerging symptomatology of the course ety, hypoglycemia, thyrotoxicosis. The side
of the illness. effects of amphetamines, caffeine, corticos-
palliative treatment A regimen in which termi- teroids, lithium, levodopa, theophylline, tricyclic
nal patients are no longer aggressively treated, antidepressants may also appear in tremor.
but are supported by all the comfort measures essential tremor A benign trembling of the
which work for them — especially innovative chin, head, voice which is aggravated by anxi-
ideas for individual problems and concerns. ety.
preventive treatment Innoculation programs, fibrillary tremor Fibrillation — the source of
quarantine measures, mandatory reporting, which is not muscular, but systemic.
patient education, et al. flapping tremor Asterixis — a coarse tremor in
rational treatment Scientific rationale guides those with hepatic coma and diseases causing
this protocol. encephalopathy.
specific treatment Those measures which are forced tremor That which extends beyond the
best indicated for the etiology of the stimulation of voluntary movement.
disease/condition. Hunt's tremor Present in many cerebellar
starvation treatment Fasting, followed by con- lesions, this fine tremor may be seen in all vol-
trolled intake. untary movements.
supportive treatment That which supplements hysterical tremor A generalized or regional
the prescribed therapy. tremor aggravated by emotions.
surgical treatment That provided those who intention tremor An action tremor which
visit the operating room (OR) — preoperatively, appears when voluntary movements are
perioperatively, and postoperatively. attempted.
symptomatic treatment Care indicated for con- intermittent tremor That present in paralyzed
stitutional symptomatology — pain, fever, muscles upon attempted movement.
shock, et al. parkinsonian tremor A "pill-rolling" tremor
which may disappear during sleep. Brain
420
surgery offers promising results. suprameatal triangle, triangle of Petit, triangular
senile tremor That which may appear in ligament, triangular nucleus of Schwalbe,
advanced age. trigonum submandibulare, urogenital triangle,
static tremor Rest tremor. vesical triangle.
volitional tremor That which may be seen in triangular bandage The cravat — which serves
multiple sclerosis and other neurological dis- to dress any part of the body (usually in an
eases. emergency), as well as being used as a sling.
Trendelenburg position The supine/prone posi- (Cut a square yard of white cotton fabric in half,
tions in which the patient's head is lower than diagonally.)
the feet. This positioning for the patient in shock tritaadism That sexual relationship in which
is contraindicated in the presence of head homosexual women imitate heterosexual coitus.
injuries. Many gurneys and beds have a pedal tribasilar synostosis The resultant disorder of
for emergency use. premature fusion of the occipital, sphenoidal,
trephination The surgical perforation by a and temporal bones. Mental deficiency results
trephine or trepan to reduce cranial pressure. from this arrested cerebral development.
trephining Partial excision of the cornea in the tribrachius The malformed fetus with 3 arms.
treatment of glaucoma. This anomaly may have evolved from the status
trepidatio Trepidation, tremulousness. of conjoined twins.
trepidatio cordis Cardiac palpitations. tricephalus The grossly-deformed fetus with 3
treponemiasis Parasitic infestation by heads.
Treponema. Treponematosis. triceps reflex Tapping the triceps' tendon of the
trepopnea The ability to breathe more easily in flexed arm will cause the forearm to extend
the patient's positioning of choice. sharply.
tresis Perforation. trichangiectasia Trichangiectasis, telangiectasia
triad Trivalent. Triplets. — capillary dilation.
Hutchinson's triad The prenatal syphilitic syn- trichauxe Hypertrichosis, trichauxis — an exces-
drome of interstitial keratitis, notched teeth, sive growth of hair.
eighth nerve deafness, following meningeal trichiasis Cornea! irritation from inverted eye-
involvement. lashes. The patient may complain of a foreign
triage That screening and classification of those object in the eye, lacrimation, and/or photopho-
in need of emergency care, according to acuity. bia.
Those with chest pain are seen first — even if a trichilemmoma A benign tumor of the hair folli-
visit with another has to be interrupted. cle.
Whatever protocol is in effect, triage is used in trichinosis Trichinelliasis, trichinellosis,
emergency situations to serve the masses trichiniasis — infestation in undercooked pork.
affected by disaster. Minor cases will not be The gastrointestinal (Gl) symptoms may involve
seen while major cases wait. the respiratory center. Facial edema is a classic
triangle The area formed by 3 sides/angles — sign. Signs and symptoms (S/S) of meningitis
such as the anal triangle, anterior neck triangle, or encephalitis may appear. Most of these
carotid triangles, cephalic triangle, digastric patients survive this prolonged and acute tox-
triangle, elbow triangle, facial triangle, femoral emia.
triangle, frontal triangle, Hesselbach's triangle, trichlerbrust "Funnel chest" — aconcave,
inferior occipital triangle, inguinal triangle, depressed sternum.
Lesser's triangle, lumbocostoabdominal trichoanesthesia Loss of the tactile sensation of
triangle, muscular triangle, mylohyoid triangle, the hair being touched.
omohyoid triangle, posterior cervical triangle, trichobezoar A gastrointestinal (Gl) concretion
pubourethral triangle, Scarpa's triangle, subcla- composed of hair.
vian triangle, submandibular triangle, sub- trichocardia "Shaggy" pericardium — inflamed
occipital triangle, supraclavicular triangle, raised areas resembling hair.
421
trichoclasia Trichoclasis, trichorrhexis — brittle which the organs of hearing, sight, and sense of
hair. smell failed to develop.
bifurcation That separation into triple branches.
trichocryptosis Pathology of the hair follicles. trigeminal neuralgia Tic douloureax, trifacial
trichoepithelioma The benign follicular tumor. neuralgia — severe spasms along the fifth cra-
trichoesthesia That sensation of a hair. nial nerve. This nerve may have to be injected
trichokryptomania Trichorrhexomania, tricholo- with alcohol, be resected, or be submitted to
other intracranial surgery.
gia — the pathological compulsion to break trigeminal pulse That in which every 3rd beat is
off/pull out one's hair. an extrasystole (the interval is iregular).
trichoma Entropion — the inversion of eyelash- trigeminy Triple beats. That occurring in 3s.
es. Plica polonica. trigger A stimulus — an eliciting impulse.
trichomadesis Sudden balding. trigger zone Trigger point — that site which,
trichomatosis A fungal dermatitis of the scalp when stimulated, produces a neurological
due to deficient hygiene. spasm. This stimulus may be superficial, such
trichomegaly Heavy, long eyebrows. as a draft. That cerebral cortex site which pro-
trichomoniasis A trichomonal infestation. duces seizure/tremor activity, when stimulated
trichomycosis Any fungal pathology affecting the in brain surgery.
hair. triglycerides Fatty acids, lipids, fatty substances.
trichonodosis Trichorrhexis nodosa, Hodara's Alcohol abuse can raise the triglyceride level.
disease. trigone Trigonum — a triangular area.
trichonosis Trichonosus — pathology of the hair. carotid trigone The triangular area at the ante-
trichorrhea Rapid balding. rior neck.
trichorrhexis Trichoschisis — splitting hair. olfactory trigone That located between the
trichorrhexis nodosa Hodara's disease — nose and the brain (beneath the brain).
atrophic fracturing of the hair. Petit's trigone Trigonum lumbale — a triangu-
trichoscopy Microscopic examination of the hair. lar area in the abdominal wall.
trichosis That pathological condition, develop- vesical trigone Trigone of the bladder — that
ment, growth, location of hair. area between the ureters and the urethra.
trichosis decolor Canites — abnormal hair color. trigonectomy That surgical excision of the blad-
trichosis setosa Abnormally coarse hair. der base.
trichostasis spinulosa Congenital obstruction of trigonitis That bladder inflammation of the
the hair follicles, accompanied by lanugo. mucosa at the trigone of the bladder.
trichotillomania Trichologia — that pathological trigonocephalus The congenital malformation of
compulsion to pull out one's hair. the head which is triangularly-shaped.
trichotomy Trichotomous, trifid — division into 3 tri-iniodymus That grossly deformed fetus with 3
portions. heads, fused at the occiput.
trichotrophy Nourishment of the hair — this can- trilabe A triple-pronged forceps used to extract
not be absorbed topically (such as protein hair foreign objects from the urinary bladder.
sprays/shampoos), but must be ingested as trilaminar Triple-layered.
enhanced nutrient supplements). trilateral Triple-sided.
trichromatopsia Trichromatic, trichromic, trill A sustained tone with more than one note
trichromatism — normal visual perception of which rapidly repeats and returns. A cultivated
the 3 primary colors: red, yellow, blue. tremor in vocal/instrumental music, as
tricuspid atresia Tricuspid murmur/stenosis — advanced technique.
that unusual, congenital, cardiac anomaly which trilogy Tripled events.
results in paroxysmal dyspnea, clubbing, trimanual That procedure which requires the use
cyanosis, difficult feeding in the neonate/child. of 3 hands — such as in an obstetrical maneu-
trielcon That triple-branched instrument used to ver, conducted by 2 examiners.
extract foreign bodies from within wounds.
triencephalus The congenitally deformed fetus in
422
trimensual Quarterly. Those characteristic anomalies include an
trimester A 3-month period of time. abnormal mandible, hypertelorism, low-set ears,
trimethylaminuria "Fish odor syndrome". (This a large, broad nose.
is under research.) trisomy 18 Hereby are caused the severe con-
triocephalus The nonviable fetus which possess- genital deformities of cleft lip and/or palate,
es a rudimentary head, void of features. facial anomalies, index finger(s) overlapping the
triolism That sexual aberration involving 2 per- third finger(s), low-set ears, a prominent
sons of the same sexual orientation, and a third occiput, a straight nose projecting sharply from
of the opposite sex. the forehead.These mentally retarded children
triophthalmos The severe fetal anomaly of 3 often do not live beyond age 5 years.
eyes. trisomy 21 Down's syndrome encompassing the
triopodymus That congenially malformed fetus mongolism abnormalities of Brushfield's spots,
with 3 conjoined heads — each with a face. dwarf ism, low-set ears, epicanthal folds, a flat
triorchidism The presenceof 3 testes. nose without bridge, sloping forehead, wide
triotus The fetus with a third ear. hands with short fingers and simian crease,
trioxsalen That agent used for patients with vitili- mongolian eyes, absence of the posterior curve
go, to achieve repigmentation. of the skull.
triphalangia The abnormal presence of 3 digits trisplanchnic That in referenceto the 3 major
as the great toe, and/or thumb. body cavities — abdominal, cranial, thoracic.
triphasic That which is in 3 phases/stages. tristichia Triple rows of eyelashes.
Tripier's amputation Surgical amputation which trituration Amalgamation — reduction to pow-
includes partial excision of the heel. der.
triple Threefold, treble, triplet, triplex. trocar An aspirating wand used in deep surgical
triplegia Paresis of three extremities. procedures.
triplets Three children born of one gestation, trochanterplasty Plastic reconstruction of the
confinement, and parturition. One will be frater- femoral neck.
nal, if not all 3. troche Trochiscus, lozenge — a medicated disk
triplopia Triple vision. which dissolves slowly in the mouth. The
tripodia The anomaly of possessing a third foot. patient should be cautioned about not lying
tripoding The gait which uses 2 crutches with down with this in the mouth, (and children
one foot, or both feet with a cane. The upright, watched,) to prevent aspiration.
supported sitting of an infant. Hereby is provid- trochocardia Rotational malposition of the heart.
ed the support of 3 bases. trochocephalia Trochocephaly — that premature
triprosopus The fetal anomaly of 3 faces. fusion of the parietal/frontal sutures, which
tripsis Massage. Amalgamation. results in a rounded head.
triquetral Triangular, triquetrous. trophedema Localized swelling caused by con-
triradiate Triradial — 3-directional rays. genital hypoplasia, inflammation, obstruction of
Radiation in 3 directions. lymphatic vessels.
triskaidekaphobia An exaggeratedfear concern- trophoblastoma Chorioepithelioma — that tumor
ing the number 13. Triakaidekaphobia. caused by the excess proliferation of chorionic
trismus Ankylostoma, tetanus — contracted epithelium.
muscles of mastication. trophodynamics The study of the factors/forces
trismus nascentium That inability of the neonate related to nutrition.
to open his/her mouth. trophoneurosis A disorder caused by defective
trisomy The genetic abnormality of 3 homolo- neural nutrition.
gous chromosomes (instead of 2) in each cell. disseminated trophoneurosis Scleroderma,
trisomy 13 Causing severe mental/physical sclerema.
deformities, this genetic aberration prevents facial trophoneurosis Progressive atrophy of
neonates from surviving their first year of life. the face.
423
muscular trophoneurosis Myopathy secondary well as by vectors.
to nervous disorders. African trypanosomiasis African sleeping sick-
trophopathia Trophopathy, trophonosis — nutri- ness — whose vector is Trypanosoma gambi-
tional pathology. ense, carried by the tsetse fly.
tropia Manifest squint, ophthalmic deviation, American trypanosomiasis Chagas' disease —
strabismus. that which may be asymptomatic, or may fatally
esotropia Nasal deviation of the eye(s). exhibit megacolon, megaesophagus, myocar-
exotropia Outward deviation of the eye(s). diopathy. Facial edema, fever,
hypertropia Upward deviation of the eye(s). hepatosplenomegaly, and/or lymphadenopathy
hypotropia Downward deviation of the eye(s). may be noted. The drug of choice is Nifurtimox
tropical immersion foot Painful maceration of (available in the United States, only from the
the foot, due to exposure to the elements. government Centers for Disease Control (CDC)).
Troponin T A rapid assay for the early detection tryptophanuria The presence of tryptophan in
and evaluation of chest pain, with a high sensi- the urine.
tivy for myocardial infarction (Ml). This screen- tsutsugamushi disease An acute, febrile illness
ing instrument requires close surveillance in the borne by mites in the Asiatic-Pacific region.
identification of acute coronary ischemic syn- Untreated patients may expire. Scrub typhus.
drome (ACIS), unstable angina pectoris, new- T-tube The drain which is inserted into the biliary
onset chest pain, et al. (Cocaine-inducedchest duct during a cholecystectomy. This allows for
pain imitates myocardial infarction.) A sensitive contrast media to be injected during postopera-
and specific marker of myocardial cell necrosis, tive cholangiography, as well as for drainage.
this test can detect even minor myocardial dam- tubal ligation Surgical contraception of the
age. female — which is intended to be permanent.
Trousseau's sign/symptom Muscular spasms The fallopian tubes are ligated via a pelvic or
characteristic of latent tetany or osteomalacia. laparoscopic approach. When opted by the
Occluded circulation to the arm with the sphyg- patient, this may be performed during Cesarean
momanometer pressure above the systolic level section, to avoid a second surgical procedure.
will induce a carpal spasm within 3 minutes. Should later circumstances occur to change the
Trousseau's spots Indicative of cerebral patholo- patient's needs, plastic microsurgery may be
gy, streaking of the skin will appear, when able to reverse this status of sterilization.
stroked with a pointed instrument. tubal nephritis Inflammation of the renal
truncus The trunk. tubules.
sympathetic truncus Vertebral neural fibers tubal pregnancy Ectopic pregnancy — that
extending from the skull to the coccyx. zygote which implants into the fallopian wall (or
truncus arteriosus A rare anomaly in which the elsewhere outside the uterus). This becomes a
embryonic arteries to the heart fail to develop surgical emergency, fatal to both, unless the
correctly. Complex cardiac surgery is the thera- mother's life can be surgically rescued.
py of choice. tubectomy Total/subtotal excision of an organic
truncus brachiocephalicus That developmental tube.
origin of the aortic arch. tube feeding Nourishment of the patient who is
truncus celiacus That arising from the abdomi- unable to safely eat or swallow — for whatever
nal artery to supply the duodenum, gallbladder, reason. The prescribed formula is instilled into
liver, lumbosacral trunk, spleen, and stomach. the stomach by gravity drip, via nasogastric or
truncus pulmonalis That vessel which transports gastrostomy tube. This may also be ordered for
venous blood from the right ventricle to the cachectic states. Gavage feeding.
lungs. tuber Hypertrophy, enlargement, swelling.
trypanosomiasis Central nervous system (CNS) tuber cinereum That portion of the basal hypo-
involvement which causes its victims to sleep in thalamus, between the optic tract.
coma. This can be transmitted congenitally, as tubercle Tuberculum — a tubercular lesion. A
424
small nodule. An osseous elevation. If the area Because the symptomatology is non-specific,
is covered by nodules, this is tuberculated. this condition may masquerade as many blood
tuberculitis A tubercular inflammation. dyscrasias — the management of which is cru-
tuberculocele Testicular tuberculosis. cial. This syndrome of diaphoresis, fever,
tuberculofibrosis Interstitial pneumonia. Chronic, fatigue, weight loss, pancytopenia, calls for
fibrotic, pulmonary inflammation. bone and liver biopsies. (The diagnosis might
tuberculoma A tuberculous abscess/tumor. not be realized until the autopsy results are
tuberculophobia An exaggerated fear of con- known. Then, all who cared for this patient must
tracting tuberculosis. be X-rayed.)
tuberculosis That communicable (and reportable open tuberculosis That which includes the
— USA) disease caused by Mycobacterium excretion of mycobacterium.
tuberculosis. Affecting primarily the respiratory pseudotuberculosis Those diseases which
system, the osseous, gastrointestinal (Gl), geni- mimic tuberculosis.
tourinary (GU), integumentary, and nervous sys- pulmonary tuberculosis Phthisis, "tuberculo-
tems may be involved. Years ago, the sanitaria sis".
were permanently closed in the United States, verrucosa tuberculosis Epidermal/mucosal
when this disease responded dramatically to lesions of mycobacterium.
medical/surgical intervention. Following tuber- tuberosis A state in which developing nodules do
culosis' virtual eradication, human immunodefi- not qualify as specific pathology.
ciency virus (HIV) has met with an escalation of tuberosity A nodule, projection, prominence.
vicious complications. Such comorbidity is tuberous enterocolitis Gastrointestinal tubercu-
especially resistant to known treatment. Routine losis.
respiratory isolation is totally ineffective for tuberous sclerosis Bourneville's disease, epiloia
these patients. Each needs a private room with a — that central nervous system (CNS) disorder
large exhaust fan which runs constantly. If which includes adenoma sebaceum, convul-
unable to shield coughing, the patient should sions, hypertrophic sclerosis of the brain, lateral
wear a mask. Masks are to be worn whenever ventricle nodules, progressive mental deficiency,
s/he leaves the room. (Masks should be dis- renal tumors. This is a multisystem disease.
carded as ineffective, when moist.) If main- tuboabdominal pregnancy Ectopic impregnation,
tained, ultraviolet lighting affords added protec- in which the embryo is situated both in the
tion to all. Still, universal precautions do nothing abdominal cavity and in the fallopian tube. This
to diminish the communication of tuberculosis patient will present as an acute abdomen.
— which is now increasing. (BCGvaccination is Emergency surgery is mandatory in this life-
recommended only for uninfected children who threatening situation (for both).
are at high risk of exposure to tuberculosis, and tubo-ovariotomy Salpingo-oothecotomy — exci-
for whom other methods of prevention and con- sion of the ovary and fallopian tube. This patient
trol are unrealistic. will present as an acute abdomen.Emergency
chronic tuberculous arthritis Often monoartic- surgery is mandatory, as life-preserving inter-
ular, with a proliferative, granulomatous synovi- vention.
tis. tuboplasty Salpingoplasty — plastic reconstruc-
endogenous tuberculosis That originating at tion of the fallopian tube(s).
another site. tuborrhea Drainage from the eustachian tube(s).
exogenous tuberculosis That originating from tubotorsion That exquisitely painful twisting of
an outside source. an organic tube.
hematogenous tuberculosis Metastasis of tubulorrhexis The rupture of a renal tubule.
tuberculosis via the circulation. tularemia That mandatory reportabledisease
miliary tuberculosis The most tragic form of (USA), communicated by a vector. Debilitation
this disease, this strikes the debilitated patient may include aching, chilling, diaphoresis, fever,
on the rebound. The lungs may be uninvolved. headache, nausea with emesis, pain, weight
425
loss, ulceration, infection. significant and independent predictive value, be
tumefaction Intumescence — an edematous applied widely with high quality and little vari-
ability, be readily interpretable, am/have thera-
state. peutic implications.
tumescence Engorgement of an extremity, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) That which is lethal
to neoplastic cells. The antitumor hormone,
organ, et al. experimentally under research, which is pro-
tumor An enlargement, inappropriate growth, duced from the patient's extracted tumor cells.
This vaccine is injected into the patient to
neoplasm. immunize him/her against his/her own carcino-
desmoid tumor That neoplasm invading fibrous ma.
connective tissue. tumor of pregnancy The gravid uterus.
Ewing's sarcoma Malignancy of bone tissue. tumor staging Assessment and stratification of
false tumor Extravasation of blood/fluid into an carcinoma —1-4: smaller-larger. (The lower the
area. This is not neoplastic. grade, the brighter the prognosis.)
heterologous tumor That of which the cells dif- tumultus Excessiveresponse.
fer from those of its site. tumultus cordis An arrhythmia accompanied by
Hiirthle cell tumor A thyroid neoplasm of palpitations.
Hurthle's eosinophil cells. tumultus sermonia Marked stuttering caused by
Krukenberg's tumor An ovarian tumor metasta- pathologic factors. These patients may be able
sized from a gastrointestinal (Gl) neoplasm. to sing without stuttering.
melanotic neuroectodermal tumor A benign tuning fork That instrument which can be heard
tumor of the jaw, seen in the neonate. and felt, when struck. Used in neurological test-
tumor angiogenesisfactor (TAF) The protein ing (it plays a 440 A), this may beperceived
component present in, and responsible for, car- both by acoustic and bone conduction. (Strike
cinoma (CA) growth. the tines on the opposite hand, and place the
tumoraffin Oncotropic — that which has an end of the handle on the patient's frontal bone
affinity for neoplastic cells. while the instrument is still sounding.)
tumoricidal That which is lethal to malignant tunnel vision Marked constriction of the visual
cells. field, due to advanced glaucoma. Figuratively, a
tumorigenic Oncogenic — that which is produc- narrow-minded perspective with hysterical state,
tive of malignant growth. which indicates a constricted outlook.
tumor markers Tumor biomarkers. In the screen- turbidity Cloudiness without translucence. A liq-
ing of carcinoma, highly sensitive analyses uid suspension (such as blood in urine). Clear
which can identify those at risk. These protocols urine with sediment in the bottom of the con-
are not used as screening tools for the general tainer is cloudy urine because its sediment has
public, but to modify patient care in the therapy settled, but is still there.
of malignant disease. Most tumor markers have turbinectomy Turbinotomy — excision/incision
been approved in the United States, only for of a nasal turbinate(s).
highly-regimented research protocols. Those in turgor Tension.
use by the Mayo Clinic include prostate-specific Turner's syndrome Gonadal dysgenesis, congen-
antigen (PSA), CA 125, alpha-feto-protein, ital absence of the ovaries, testosterone. This
human chorionic gonadotropin, carcino-embry- chromosomal endocrine disorder is caused by
onic antigen (CEA), and urinary 5-hydroxyin-
dole-acetic acid. These assess the risk of carci-
noma (CA), achieve early detection and staging,
monitor recurrence of malignancy, monitor
response to a therapeutical trial, or provide
prognostic information of use to the patient with
CA. The United States' National Institutes of
Health (NIH) mandates that tumor markers pro-
viding prognostic information must demonstrate
426
the ovaries' failure to respond to stimulation by system (CNS).
the gonadotropin hormone. Amenorrhea, tailed two-tier system That laboratory testing strategy
sexual maturation, impaired Id, severe cubitus by which abnormal hemoglobin identified by
valgus, short stature, and/or webbed neck may one technique, is confirmed by a second.
be noted. These females become highly femi- tympanectomy Surgical excision of the tympanic
nized, with exaggeratednurturing tendencies. membrane.
turricephaly Oxycephaly— possessing a high, tympanicity The tympanic quality, tympanal res-
pointed skull. onance, tympanitic response.
tussis A cough. tympanites Abdominal distention, meteorism,
tussis convulsiva Pertussis (whopping cough). tympania, tympanism, tympanosis.
tussis stomachalis Reflexive coughing — the tympanitis Otitis media — a painful infection of
result of irritation to the gastric mucosa. the middle ear. This may appear with/without
tussive syncope Laryngeal vertigo — in the pain and/or tinnitus.
patient with chronic bronchitis, fainting may tympanomastoiditis Inflammation of the tympa-
accompany a severe coughing spell. num and mastoid tissue.
tutamine oculi Those protective structures of the tympanoplasty Any surgical procedure on the
eye — the eyebrows,eyelashes, eyelids. middle ear — either to restore hearing or to
twilight sleep That hypoconsciousness/partial cure an infectious process.
anesthesia in which the patient responds to tympanosclerosis Fusion of the ossicles of the
pain. (Medication blocks the memory of the middle ear.
event and its pain.) tympanostomy Myringotomy — that incision
twilight state An hysterical/epileptic state in into the tympanic membrane to treat otitis
which consciousness is disordered without the media with effusion, and to ventilate the middle
patient's recall of events (which may have been ear. Myringotomy tubes are often placed.
chaotic). tympany Resonance upon percussion — a
twinning Two infant siblings who share the pathological sign when elicited over a body cavi-
uterus from the same impregnation. ty.
conjoined twins Those who are organically typhlectomy Cecectomy — surgical excision of
fused. the cecum.
dizygotic (DZ) twins Fraternal twins, biovular typhlenteritis Typhlitis, typhloenteritis — cecal
twins who have their own placentae. inflammation.
impacted twins Those so tightly interlocked in typhloempyema A post-appendiceal abscessof
utero, they must be delivered by Cesarean sec- the abdomen, following rupture of the appendix.
tion. typhlolithiasis A cecal concretion.
monozygotic (MZ) twins Enzygotic twins, iden- typhlomegaly Cecal hypertrophy. Megacolon of
tical twins, uniovular twins — those who devel- the cecum.
op from a single zygote, nourished from a sin- typhlospasm Painful spasm(s) of the cecum.
gle placenta. These infants are of the samesex, typhlostenosis Cecal stricture(s).
with identical emotional/psychiatric features. typhlostomy The surgical construction of a cecal
parasitic twins Unequal twins — the victim of fistula.
uterine steal, in which the larger "steals" more typhlotomy Laparotyphlotomy — the develop-
than its share of circulation/nourishment. ment of a cecal incision through a lateral
twitching Myoclonic movements without inten- abdominal approach.
tional control. typhloureterostomy Surgical implantation of
two-point discrimination test That evaluation of ureters into the cecum — in the surgical
cutaneous sensation which requires the patient absence of a urinary bladder.
to discern between two tactile points simultane- typhoid fever An acute communicable disease, of
ously. This assessment is determined following which reporting is mandatory in the USA.
trauma/pathology involving the central nervous Characteristic are the symptoms of etat crible
427
(Peyer's patches of the intestine). Lesions of the deficient tyrosine aminotransferase. Dermatitis,
spleen and mesenteric glands may be accompa- keratitis, and mental retardation may be present.
nied by abdominal distention/pain, alopecia, tyrosinuria The presence of tyrosine in the urine
anemia, bronchial rales, carphologia, coma vigil, — tyrosyluria.
constipation, cough, delirious stupor, dermatitis, tyrotoxism Toxicity caused by cheese and milk.
desquamation, diarrhea, dicrotic pulse, epi- tysonitis Inflammation of Tyson's (preputial)
staxis, headache, high fever, leukopenia, muscu- glands.
lar twitching, nausea with emesis, oropharyn- Tzanck test The microscopic examination of tis-
geal coating, pain, physical/mental debilitation, sue from vesicular lesions.
proteinuria, splenomegaly, tachypnea, tympani-
tis, urinary retention, weakness.The patient
must be monitored to insure that the isolation is
not violated. Surgical intervention will be
required if intestinal decompression/perfora-
tion/hemorrhage occurs — the most crucial
complication of this condition. (The precursor is
often a sudden drop in fever.)
typhoid fever carrier A recoveredvictim who
harbors the typhoid bacillus and excretes this
organism.
typhopneumonia Comorbidity of pneumonia
accompanied by symptoms of typhoid fever.
typhus fever Acute communicable diseases simi-
lar to typhoid fever, but differing in intensity of
symptomatology, severity of illness, and mortal-
ity rate. Characterized by profound prostration,
maculopapular rash, severe headache,and
sustained high fever, a progressive neurologic
deterioration may end in crisis. Comorbidity
with bronchopneumonia, hypostatic pulmonary
congestion, nephritis, or parotid abscess may
occur.
Brill-Zinsser disease Typhus fever which re-
occurs years following the original outbreak for
the patient.
endemic typhus fever Flea-borne typhus,
murine typhus, shop typhus.
epidemic typhus Classic typhus fever.
Mexican typhus Tabardillo.
recrudescent typhusfever Recurring typhus
with attacks.
scrub typhus fever Rural typhus, tsutsuga-
mushi disease (self-limited by strain).
typing That identification of tissue strain bacteri-
ologically, hematologically, histologically.
tyrannism Sadism — that pathologic tendency
and attraction toward cruelty.
tyromatosis Caseation, tyrosis.
tyrosinemia That metabolic disease caused by
u
uberous That which is fertile, fruitful, prolific. nal mucosae. Stress ulcer.
Uffelmann's test That which determines the perforating ulcer That which erodes through an
presence of lactic acid in gastric secretions. organ/body part.
Uhthoff's sign Nystagmus — noted in multiple phagedenic ulcer Rapidly spreading, this
disseminated sclerosis. necrotic process disintegrates tissue.
ulaganactesis Irritation of the buccal mucosae serpiginous ulcer Ulceration which extends,
(gums). while healing elsewhere.
ulalgia Painful gingival tissues. simple ulcer Local necrosis which presents
ulatrophia Atrophy of buccal membranes. Buccal without pain nor inflammation.
pathology holds a greater risk of tooth loss than stress ulcer A peptic ulcer which is caused by
decay. the acute/chronic stress secondary to acute
ulcer Ulcus — a lesion of the mucous mem- burns, prolonged adrenal corticosteroid therapy,
brane/skin, with sloughing of necrotic tissue. cerebral trauma, central nervous system (CNS)
Ulceration may result from arterial/venous sta- pathology, acute infection, extensive major
sis, caustic agents, extreme temperatures, trac- surgery.
tion on the skin, trauma. tropical ulcer That caused by leishmaniasis or
amputating ulcer An encircling ulceration a combination of environmental factors.
which surrounds the part, destroying its circula- varicose ulcer Varicosities caused by the pres-
tion. ence of thrombophlebitis. This may result in
atonic ulcer Chronic necrosis of tissue. stasis ulceration with edema.
chronic leg ulcer Stasis ulcer — that due to venereal ulcer That caused by sexually trans-
occlusive arterial/venous disease, which is long- mitted disease (STD).
standing. Skin grafting may be required. ulceration Helcosis, necrosis.
Curling's ulcer A form of stress ulceration suf- specific ulceration That caused by
fered by many patients with critical, thermal known/unique pathology.
burns. ulcerative colitis Sloughing necrosis of the
decubitus ulcer Ischemic necrosis due to pres- colonic mucosa(e). Emotionally enhanced, this
sure over bony prominences during extended may progress to include hemorrhage and
confinement without measures to prevent this. intestinal perforation.
These may go on to stages of necrosis, then ulcerogangrenous Ulceration which becomes
systemic infection — which sometimes ends necrotic.
fatally. ulcerogenic drugs Those medications whose
duodenal ulcer That caused by gastric acid in systemic side effects produce peptic ulceration.
contact with the duodenal mucosa. These ulcers ulceromembranous tonsillitis That serious ton-
are larger in the smoking patient. sillar infection which ulcerates, forming a
follicular ulcer Necrosis of a lymph follicle pseudomembrane.
which affects the mucous membrane. ulcus Ulcer.
gastric ulcer Erosion of the interior lining of ulcus cancrosum Jacob's ulcer — that malignant
the stomach. ulcer which relentlessly and indiscriminantly
Hunner's ulcer That painful, slowly-healing erodes tissue.
lesion of the mucosa of the urinary bladder. ulcus induratum Syphilitic chancre.
indolent ulcer A painless, indurated lesion of ulectomy Ulotomy, gingivectomy — the excision
the leg — which may persist chronically. of gum tissue.
(Without pain, patients may lack motivation to ulegyria Fetal scarring of the cerebral gyri.
seek medical attention.) ulemorrhagia Ulorrhagia, oulorrhagia — gingival
Jacob's ulcer Ulcus cancrosum — malignant hemorrhage, as may be seen in some leukemic
necrosis which erodesfacial tissues and struc- patients and others.
tures. uletomy Cicatricotomy — the incisional release
peptic ulcer Erosion of the stomach or duode- of scar/keloid formation.
429
ulitis Gingivitis, oulitis — inflammation of gingi- uncinate That which is in the shape of a hook.
uncinate epilepsy A convulsive disorder pro-
val tissue.
interstitial ulitis Inflammation of peridontal tis- duced by lesions of the uncinate region of the
sue. temporal lobe. Episodic attacks are character-
ulnar drift The rheumatoid arthritic shift of the ized by the seizure (gustatory, olfactory), and/or
phalangeal joints of the fingers and hands, a sense of unreality.
occurring from longstanding synovitis. This uncipressure Hemostasis achieved by pressure
marked deformity interferes with functioning. applied with a blunt hook.
ulocarcinoma Malignancy of gingival tissue. uncomplemented Inactive, unjoined.
ulodermatitis Skin pathology which leaves scar- unconditioned reflex That automatic, natural,
ring. innate response — which might reflect the sur-
uloglossitis Inflammation of the tongue and gin- vival instinct.
gival tissues. unconsciousness The state of insensibility,
uloncus Neoplastic/edematous conditions of gin- whether due to coma, pathology, sleep, stupor,
syncope, injury. The clinical picture varies with
gival tissue. each patient. Although there are no sensory
ulorrhea The gingival oozing of blood. impressions during this state, subjective recall
ulosis Cicatrization — the formation of may be experienced.As with all nonresponsive
patients, speak only that, in the patient's pres-
keloid/scar tissue. ence, which is intended for him/her to hear.
ulotrichous The "kinky" hair of the African race
unction Ointment, unguent. An agent used for
and others. annointing the sick. A form of topical medica-
ultimate That which needs no further analysis, tion which should be applied sparingly, with a
spatula.
division, separation. An eventual goal. The
last/highest in a series or progression. That undifferentiated somatoform disorder
which is the most remote in time and space. Neurasthenia — somatic complaints which can-
ultrabrachycephalic That cephalic index (cranial not be medically explained. The impairment is
capacity) which is in excess of 90. excessive to the subjective complaints.
Functioning is disturbed in many areas, but
ultramicroscope The Darkfield microscope — malingering is not present.
that high-powered instrument which operates by
peripheral illumination. undulant Ascending and descending, as fluctuat-
ing waves.
ultramicrotome That which slices microscopic
wafers of tissue specimens for frozen section- undulant fever Melitensis, brucellosis.
ing/grafting. undulant motion Waving to and fro.
undulation Pulsation.
ultrasonic Sound frequencieswhich are inaudi-
ble to the human ear — those greater than jugular undulation Venous pulsation.
20,000 to 109 (10 billion) cycles per second. respiratory undulation Respirations which
cause a fluctuation in the blood pressure.
ultrasonography The use of ultrasound for diag- unguis incarnatus An ingrown nail — which is
nostic and therapeutic procedures. In assessing especially risky in the diabetic patient. (All infec-
glandular parameters, this modality is operator- tious processes may seriously affect diabetic
dependent. (The patient must not move. If control.)
unpredictable, restraints are required.) ungula That instrument used to extract an
expired fetus from the uterus.
ultrastructure Tissue arrangement visible only by unicameral Unilocular — possessing only one
electron microscopy. chamber.
uniforate That with one opening.
ululation The wailing and screaming of the men- unigravida Unipara, primipara — the patient in
tally deficient. her first pregnancy.
umbilical souffle A bruit auscultated from the
umbilical cord.
uncal herniation Transtentorial rupture of the
brain.
uncinariasis Hookworm infestation.
430
unilaminar A single layer.
unilateral Hemilateral, one-sided.
unioctilar Monocular — possessing only one
eye. Vision in only one eye.
union The joining of multiples into a combined another patient's supply is forbidden.)
whole. The healing of severed/fractured trauma. universal That which provides blanket inclusion
non-union Failure of wound edges to heal, or of throughout the world as omnipresent and exis-
a fractured bone to knit. tent under all conditions. That which encom-
secondary union Healing by secondary inten- passes a major portion (which is comprehen-
tion (by adhesion of granulating surfaces). sively broad and versatile). That which is adapt-
vicious union That knitting of a fracture which able and adjustable to changing conditions.
results in deformity. universal antidote Epicac, a popular antidote for
uniovular Monozygotic, identical twins. poisoning. Composed of activated charcoal, tan-
unisex Void of gender. Designed for use by nic acid, and magnesium oxide, its use is con-
either sex. troversal.
unit (U) A single entity. Universal standard mea- universal biohazard sign A visible symbol to be
surement. placed on materials (often to be discarded)
antitoxin unit That dose designed for individual known/suspected to be risky to the environment
immunization. and/or its inhabitants.
Mache unit (M.u.) The measurement of radium universal choking sign When the choking patient
irradiation. instinctively clutches his/her throat with both
motor unit Those muscles, innervated by neu- hands, inaudibly appearing to be in panic, this is
rons, which accomplish motion. the international signal for the Heimlich maneu-
unit dose system That protocol which requires ver to be applied at once (after it is confirmed
every dose of medication to be individually that the victim cannot speak). Since these des-
packaged and labeled. This expensive dispens- perate victims may not realize they are "chok-
ing, now employed by most hospitals and nurs- ing" (an expressionalso used for the severe
ing homes to heighten dispensing accuracy, coughing which follows aspiration), et al., this
markedly reduces pilferage. Usually each unit is author asks, "Can you talk?" If they can, and/or
issued for a given dose — only. Unrealistically, are still coughing, stand by and permit them to
administration of new medications, absent sup- recover without intervention. If aphonic, the
plies, wasted doses, changed orders must wait Heimlich maneuver is applied until it is no
excessively, unless they are STAT, or a special longer necessary. (It works!)
trip to pharmacy is made. (Borrowing from universal cuff Palmer cuff — an adaptation
431
Universal donor/Universal recipient: Rh compatibility
Patient's Rh type Antigen present Donor's Rh type
Positive Yes Positive or negative
Negative No Negative
which enhances the grasp of those without this uragogue A diuretic.
ability, to perform activities of daily living uranisconitis Palatal inflammation.
(ADLs). uraniscoplasty Uraniscorrhaphy, uranoplasty,
universal donor/universal recipient concept
Pertaining only to packed cells (RBCs), this indi- uranorrhaphy — the suturing of a cleft palate. If
cates which blood compatibility may be cross- the palate is not approximated before the child
matched as a substitute type in a dire emer- begins to speak, s/he will retain the distinctive,
gency. Blood typing and crossmatching (X- hollow-sounding cleft speech impediment even
matching) must still be done. after the surgical repair(s) has been completed.
universal donor The donor with type 0 Rh neg- uranostaphylorrhaphy Uranostaphyloplasty —
that surgical revision of hard and soft palatine
ative blood. clefts.
universal recipient The patient with type AB Rh uranostaphyloschisis Cleft hard and soft palatine
positive blood. anomalies.
Universal Dosage Schedule A graphic guide aid- urapostema That abscess which contains urine.
ing the determination of therapeutic blood levels urarthritis Arthritis caused by gout.
for the patient of any weight, receiving any drug, uratoma A tophus. Urate concretions caused by
at any dosage. gout within a joint.
unmedullated Unmyelinated — those nerves
without a myelin sheath. uraturia Lithuria — excessive urinary urates.
unofficial That which is not formally approved. urea frost Uridrosis crystallina — salt deposits
unorganized Lacking organization. Inorganic.
unrest Instability, anxiety, turbulence, agitation, on the skin of patients in end-stage uremia. The
restlessness. skin carries the odor of urine, as the patient is
unstable hemoglobin(Hgb) Abnormal Hgb excreting urinary salts through the epidermis.
which denatures under normal conditions. ureameter Ureometer — the instrument which
Unverricht's disease/syndrome That rare, genet- calculates urea.
ic disease in which school children at risk devel- uredema Distention of subcutaneous tissues
op dementia, progressive myoclonic epilepsy, with urine.
and tetraplegia. uremia Hyperazotemia, urinemia — toxic renal
unwell III, symptomatic, suffering from general insufficiency caused by the retention of nitroge-
malaise, sick. nous products in the circulation. These patients
upper motor neuron lesion That neurological may present with hypertension, oliguria with
result of pyramidal or corticospinal damage. albumin and/or casts, fixed pupils, urea frost,
Pathological reflexes, sensory loss, and/or spas- stertorous respirations, stupor, a uric odor to
ticity may accompany hemiplegia, paraplegia, breath and skin, convulsions, visual distur-
quadriplegia. bances, vertigo, headache, nausea with emesis,
upper respiratory infection (URI) A vague bacte- and/or uremic coma. The therapy of choice is
rial/viral, communicable disease process involv- hemodialysis.
ing the respiratory system. external uremia Prerenal uremia, not of renal
uptake The absorption of agents, chemicals, etiology. This is caused by circulatory abnormal-
medication by body tissues. ities, fluid imbalance, metabolic disturbance.
uracrasia Voiding disorders. uremigenic That which produces, or is caused
uracratia Incontinence of urine. by, uremia — renal dysfunctioning.
uresiesthesia Uresiesthesis — the normal urge
to micturate.
UNIVERSAL DOSAGE SCHE
Sally Vanderwerf. R.N., B.
Amount of any drug per kilogram of body weight
10 15 20 30 40 50 75
50 Ibs = 22.7kg . 0.44 . . 0.66 . . 0.88 1.32 . . 1 76 . 2.20 3.30
55 25.0 . 0.40 . . 0.60 . . 0.80 . . 1.20 . . 1 60 . . 2.00 3.00
60 27.3 . . 0.37 . . 0.55 . . 0.73 . . 1.10 .. 1.47 . . 1.83 . . 2.75 . .
65 29.5 . . 0.34 . 0.51 . . 0.68 . . 1.02 . . 1 36 . 1.69 2.54
70 31.8 . 0.31 . . 047 . 0.63 . . 0.94 . . 1.26 1.57 2.36
75 34.1 . . 0.29 . , 0.44 . . 0.59 . . 0.88 . . 1.17 . . 1.47 . 2.20 .
80 36.4 0 27 0 41 0.55 0.82 1 10 1 37 2 06
85 38.6 . 0 26 039 0.52 0 78 1 04 1 30 1 94
90 40.9 . 0.24 . 0.37 . 0.49 . 0.73 . 0.98 . . 1.22 .. 1.83 . .
95 43.2 0.23 0.35 0.46 0 69 0.93 1 16 1 74
100 45.5 0.22 0.33 0.44 066 0.88 1 10 1 65
105 47.7 0.21 031 0.42 0 63 0.84 1 05 1 57
110 50.0 . 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.60 0.80 1 00 1 50
115 52.3 0 19 0.29 0.38 0 57 076 0.96 1 43
120 54.5 . 0.18 . 0.28 . . 0.37 . . 0.55 . . 0.73 . . 0.92 . . 1.38..
125 56.8 . 0 18 0.26 0.35 0 53 070 0.88 1 32
130 59.1 . 0.17 . 025 . . 0.34 . . 0.51 . 0.68 . . 0.85 . . 1.27. .
135 61.4 0.16. 024 0.33 0.49 0.65 081 1 22
140 63.6 .0.16 . 024 . . 0.31 . . 0.47 . . 0.63 . 0.79 . . 1.18 ..
145 65.9 . 0.15 . 023 . . 030 . 0.46 . . 0.61 . . 0.76 . . 1.14 . .
150 682 0 15 0 22 0 29 0.44 059 0 73 1 10
155 70.5 0 14 0 21 0 28 043 0.57 0 71 1 06
160 72.7 0 14 021 0.28 041 0.55 0.69 1 03
165 750 0 13 0 20 0 27 0.40 0.53 0 67 1 00
170 77.3 . 0 13 . 0.19 . 026 . 0.39 . . 0.52 . . 0.65 . . 0.97 . .
175 79.5 . 0.13 . . 0.19 . . 0.25 . 0.38 . 0.50 . . 0.63 . . 0.94 . .
180 81.8 .0.12 0.18 . 0.24 . 0.37 . . 0.49 . 0.61 . . 0.92 . .
185 84.1 . 0.12 . 0.18 . . 0.24 0.36 0.48 . . 0.59 . . 0.89 . .
190 864 . 012 . 0.17 . . 0.23 . 0.35 . 0.46 . 0.58 . . 0.87 . .
195 88.6 . 0.11 0.17 . 0.23 . 0.34 . . 0.45 . 0.56 . 0.85 . .
200 909 . 0.11 . 0.17 0.22 0.33 0.44 . . 0.55 . . 0.83 . .
TO USE: • Find patient's known weight • Follow line right to desired blo
(Dosage to he confirmed or adjusted according to
©1985
EDULE
S.
t on a daily dosage of:
100 125 150 175 200 250 300 mg
4 40 5 51 661 7 71 8 81 11.01 13.22
4 00 5 50 6.00 7 00 8 00 10.00 12.00
3.66 . . 4.58 . . 5.49 . . 6.41 . . 7.33 . . . 9.16 . . .10.99
3.39 . 4 24 5.08 5.93 6.78 . . 8.47 . .10.17
3 14 . 3.93 4 72 5.50 . . 6.29 . . 7.86 . . .9.43
2.93 . . 3.67 . . 4.40 . . 5.13. . 5.87 . . . 7.33 . . . 8.80
2 75 3.43 4 12 4 81 5.49 6.87 8.24
2.59 3 24 3.89 4 53 5 18 . 6.48 7.77
2.44 . . 3.06 . . 3.67 . . 4.28 . . 4.89 . . . 6.11 . . . 7.33
2 31 2 89 3 47 4 05 463 5 79 6.94
2 20 2 75 3 30 3 85 4 40 5.49 6.59
2 10 2.62 3 14 3.67 4 19 5.24 6.29
2 00 2 50 3.00 3 50 4 00 5.00 6.00
1 91 2 39 2.87 3.35 3.82 4.78 . 5.74
1.83 . . 2.29 . . 2.75 . . 3.21 . . 3.67 . . . 4.59 . . .5.50
1 76 2 20 2.64 3.08 3 52 . . 4.40 . . 5 28
1.69 . . 2.12 . . 2.54 . . 2.96 . . 3.38 . . . 4.23 . . . 5.08
1 63 2.04 2.44 2.85 . . 3 26 . . . 4.07 . . .4.89
1.57 .. 1.97 .. 2.36 . . 2.75 . . 3.14 . . . 3.93 . . . 4.72
1.52 .. 1.90 . . 2.28 . . 2.66 . . 3.03 . . . 3.79 . . .4.55
1 47 1 83 2 20 2.57 . 293 . . 3.67 . . 4.40
1 42 1 77 2.13 2.48 . . 2.84 . . . 3.55 . . . 4.26
1 38 1 72 2.06 . 2.41 . . 2.75 . . . 3.44 . . . 4.13
1 33 1 67 200 2 33 2.67 3.33 4.00
1.29 . . 1.62 . . 1.94 . . 2.26 . . 2.59 . . . 3.23 . . .3.88
1.26. . 1.57 . 1.89 . . 2.20 . . 2.52 . . . 3.14 . . 3.77
1.22 .. 1.53 . . 1.83 . . 2.14 .. 2.44 . . . 3.06 . . . 3.67
1.19 . . 1.49 . . 1.78 .. 2.08 . 2.38 . . . 2.97 . . . 3.57
1.16 .. 1.45 . . 1.74 . . 2.03 . . 2.31 . . . 2.89 . . . 3.47
1.13 . 1.41 . . 1.69 . 1.98 . . 2.26 . . . 2.82 . . . 3.39
1.10. 1.38 . 1.65 . . 1.93 . 2.20 . . . 2.75 . . . 3.30
ood level of drug • From there, follow line up to dosage.
o serum determinationsJ
433
uresis Voiding, micturation, urination. ureteronephrectomy Surgical excision of the kid-
ureteralgia Discomfort related to the ureter(s). ney and ureter.
ureteral stent placement That procedure in ureteroplasty Plastic surgery involving the
which the ureteral catheter is placed to facilitate ureter.
the excretion of calculi. Measurement of the ureteropyelitis Ureteropyelonephritis — that
urethral and ureteral catheters' output must be inflammation of the ureter and its renal pelvis.
precise. (Ureteral catheters must never be ureteropyeloplasty Any plastic surgical proce-
clamped.) dure involving the ureter and its corresponding
uretercystoscope Surgical instrumentation by renal pelvis.
urinary cystoscope, with placement of ureteral ureteropyosis Suppuration within the ureter(s).
catheters which will remain in place for the ureterorrhagia Hemorrhage within/out the
postoperative period. Ureterocystoscope. ureter(s).
ureterectasis Ureteral dilatation. ureterorrhaphy Suturing of the ureter.
ureterectomy Ureteral excision. ureterosigmoidostomy That surgical implanta-
ureteritis Ureteral inflammation. tion of the ureters into the sigmoid flexure.
ureterocele Congenital stenosis of the ureteral ureterostenosis Ureterostegnosis — constriction
orifice may cause dilation of the ureter, with cyst of the ureter(s).
formation. ureterostomy Creation of a permanent fistula by
ureterocelectomy Surgical excision of a uretero- which the ureter is permitted to drain.
cele. cutaneous ureterostomy That implantation of a
ureterocolostomy Following excision of the uri- fistula through a stoma at the back, draining
nary bladder, the ureters are implanted into the into an ostomy bag.
colon. All excretion will be per rectum, all stools ureteroureterostomy That anastomosis of the
liquid, and the patient will be uncertain whether ureters.
s/he needs to defecate or to void. ureterovesicostomy Reimplantation of a
ureterocystoneostomy Ureterocystanastomosis, ureter(s) into the urinary bladder.
ureteroneocystostomy, ureterocystostomy. urethralgia Urothrodynia — urethral discom-
ureterodialysis Ureterolysis — herniation of a fort/pain.
ureter. urethrascope Urethroscope — that
ureteroenterostomy That surgically-constructed instrument/scope used in cystoscopy.
passage between the intestine and the ureter. urethratresia Occlusion of the urethra.
ureterohydronephrosis Dilation of the kidney urethrectomy Partial/total excision of the urethra.
pelvis/ureter due to obstruction of the urinary urethremphraxis Urethrophraxis — obstruction
tract. of the urethra.
ureteroileostomy The surgical anastomosis of a urethrismus Urethrism — urethral spasm/irri-
ureter to the ileum, which is attached to an tability.
abdominal stoma — by which the urine drains urethritis Urethral inflammation which may be
into an ileostomy bag. gonococcal or chlamydial.
ureterolith A calculus in the ureter. urethrocele Herniation of the female urethra.
ureterolithiasis The pathological formation of Hypertrophied connective tissue of the female
calculi in the ureter(s). urethra.
ureterolithotomy That surgical development of urethrocystitis Inflammation of the bladder/ure-
an incision through which ureteral calculi can be thra.
extracted. urethrocystopexy That plastic surgery procedure
ureterolysis The severing of ureteral adhesions. which seeks to relieve stress incontinence.
Ureteral paralysis, ureteral herniation. urethropexy Surgical fixation of the urethra.
ureteroneopyelostomy Ureteropyeloneostomy — urethrophyma A urethral tumor.
excision and anastomosis of a severed ureter to urethroplasty Reconstructive surgery of the ure-
a new site in the renal pelvis. thra.
434
urethrorrhagia Bleeding within/out the urethra. linemia (the presence of urobilin in the blood).
urethrorrhaphy Suturing of the urethra. urobilinogenemia Circulatory urobilinogen.
urethrorrhea Pathological discharge from the urobilinuria Excessive urobilin in the urine.
urethra. urocele Uroscheocele — that extravasation of
urethrospasm Urethrostenosis — spasmodic urine into the scrotum.
stricture(s) of the urethra. urocyanosis Indicanuria — blue pigmentation in
urethrostaxis Hemorrhagic oozing from the ure- the urine.
thral mucosa. urocyst The urinary bladder.
urethrostomy That surgical construction of a urocystitis Infection within the urinary bladder.
permanent fistula by perineal sectioning/fixation urodynia Pain upon micturation.
of urethral membranous tissue into the per- uroedema Uredema — swelling caused by urine
ineum. A collection device will be required. in the tissues.
urethrotome An instrument which incises a stric- urogenital Urinogenital, urinosexual — pertain-
ture of the urethra. ing to the urinary/genital systems.
urethrotomy An incision of a urethral constric- urogenous Uriogenous — originating in the
tion. urine. That which is productive of urine.
uricacidemia Uricemia — excess uric acid in the urohematonephrosis Distention of the renal
circulation. pelvis by blood and urine.
uricaciduria Uricosuria — excess uric acid in the urokinase That enzyme derived from human
urine. urine. Intravenously administered, this may be
uricocholia The presence of uric acid in the bile. used to disintegrate pulmonary emboli/venous
uriesthesis The urge to void. thrombi.
urinary reflex That response to a full bladder — urolagnia The aberant practice of voiding in
to void. association with coitus — a form of sexual
urinary retention Uroschesia — that inability to masochism.
void because of lost muscle tone from age, ane- urolith Urinary calculus/calculi.
mia, cold weather, prolonged surgery, neural urolithiasis That urological pathology which
bladder lesion(s), central nervous system cord involves the presence of calculus formation.
lesion(s), urethral obstruction, inflammation, uromancy The diagnosis of pathology by urinaly-
stricture(s), calculi, diverticula, cysts (CNS), sis findings.
neoplasms, pressure, psychogenic factors, uromelus Sirenomelus — that congenital defor-
medication. This is confirmed by measurement mity in which the legs are fused.
of the catheterized residual urine following void- uronephrosis Hydronephrosis — distention of
ing. the renal pelves/tubules by urine. Renal dilation
urinary stammering An interrupted urinary occurs from the obstruction of urine.
stream. uropenia Insufficient production of urine.
urinary tract infection (UTI) An acute or chronic urophilia Any paraphilia (bizarre, erotic practice)
infection of the urinary tract which presents which involves urine.
with the symptoms of chilling, fever, burning urophosphometer That instrument which calcu-
upon micturation, and/or hematuria. The urinal- lates urinary phosphorus (P).
ysis will be abnormal and in need of culturing. uroplania The pathologic presence of urine in
urination Micturation, voiding. other than the urinary organs. Excretion of urine
urinoma A cyst which contains urine. Uroncus. from other than the urinary tract.
urinometer That instrument which is used in uri- uropyonephrosis Accumulation of pus and urine
nometry — to determine the specific gravity of in the renal pelvis.
urine. urorrhagia Polyuria — excess urine production.
uriposia The desperate or pathological drinking uroschesis Urinary retention/suppression.
of urine. urosepsis Toxicity due to the absorption of
urobilinicterus That jaundice caused by urobi- retained urinary by-products.
435
urotoxicity Urotoxia — urine which has become uteralgia Pain in the uterus.
poisonous from retention/absorption within the uterectomy Abdominal/vaginal hysterectomy.
tissues. uterine inversion That invagination of the uterus
urticaria Hives — that sudden vascular eruption accompanied by prolapse. Bedrest is indicated
associated with marked allergic pruritus. This until the patient can be seen by a physician.
may be enhanced by neurogenic factors as well. uterine rupture in labor Spontaneous or trau-
Removal of the offending agent(s) may relieve matic, shock and hemorrhage must be managed
the symptoms, augmented by the administration while preparing for STAT hysterectomy. Both the
of antihistamines. Cortisone is indicated for mother and infant may expire. For this risk,
severe cases which have developedangioneu- vaginal delivery is often contraindicated once
rotic edema. These patients are at risk for life- the patient has undergone Cesarean section(s).
threatening anaphylactic complications. uterine souffle Funic souffle — that vascular
aquagenic urticaria That eruption which is sound which can be auscultated in the gravid
caused by water. (pregnant) uterus. This is synchronous with the
cold urticaria The eruption of hives on only fetal heart tones (FHTs).
those areas exposed to cold. This can be uterine subinvolution Failure of the hypertro-
demonstrated by placing an ice cube on the phied uterus to revert to its normal size postpar-
patient's unerupted skin. Antihistamines and tum. Causative factors may include the malposi-
covering exposed skin reduces these outbreaks. tioned uterus, multiparity, nonlactation, polyhy-
These patients become hypotensive and react dramnios, puerperal infection.
seriously, when suddenly exposed to cold uterocele That herniation involving the uterus.
immersion. uterofixation Hysteropexy — uteropexy,
uteropexia. Surgical suturing of a displaced
urticaria bullosa That eruption with blebs uterus to the abdominal wall.
beneath the epidermis. uterogestation Normal conception/pregnancy.
uterolith A uterine stone/calculus.
urticaria factitia Dermatographia — these uteroplacental apopexy Couvelaire uterus —
patients produce a dermatitis from slight irrita- that extravasation of blood into the uterine mus-
tion to the skin. This dermographism permits culature during abruptio placentae. This obstet-
writing on the skin with a sharp instrument. rical crisis may require an emergency hysterec-
tomy if the mother is to be saved. Fetal demise
urticaria gigantica Angioneurotic edema — may already haveoccurred.
advanced urticaria which may progress to ana- uteroplasty Plastic surgery of the uterus.
phylactic shock. The presence of rales is a cru- uterosalpingography X-ray visualization of the
cial sign. fallopian tubes and the uterus. Uterotubography,
hysterosalpingography.
urticaria haemorrhagica The urticarial blebs uterotractor An obstetrical instrument used to
contain blood. apply traction to the cervix.
uterus acollis The absence of a uterine cervix.
urticaria maritima Hives caused by salt water. uterus biocularis Uterus septus — that body (if
urticaria medicamentosa Hives as a side effect a uterus which is partitioned into two halves.
utilization review The evaluation of a hospital's
of medication(s). appropriateness of admission and discharge
urticaria papulosa Prurigo simplex, lichen protocols, lengths of stay, orders and their dis-
pensations, et al.
urticatus — a highly pruritic form seen in debili- uveitis Inflammation of the ciliary body, choro:d,
tated children. iris, and/or uvea.
urticaria pigmentosa Xanthelasmoidea — mas- heterochromic uveitis A chronic, uniocular iii-
tocytosis which appears as pruritic brown areas. docyclitis with abnormal iridial pigmentation,
urticaria pigmentosa juvenilis That xanthelas-
moidea which first appears in the neonate.
urticaria Solaris Hives caused by exposure to
the sun.
Usher syndrome That inherited anomaly which
includes congenital deafnessand retinitis pig-
mentosa — the prelude to eventual blindness.
436
uveal inflammation, vitreous opacities.
sympathetic uveitis Critical, bilateral inflamma-
tion following a puncture wound of the "exciting
eye" (the injured eye). Its enucleation must be
performed within ten days, if the contralateral
eye is to be saved, and sympathetic, bilateral
blindness prevented.
uveoscleritis Scleral inflammation contaminated
by a uveal infection.
uviolize Treatment with ultraviolet rays.
uvioresistant Uviofast, unaffected by ultraviolet
rays.
uviosensitive Vulnerable to the effects of ultravi-
olet rays.
uvulatome That surgical instrument used in the
resection of the uvula.
uvulectomy Uvulotomy. Uvular amputation.
uvuIitis Inflammation of the uvula.
uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) Plastic
surgery of the oropharynx, with excision of
redundant tissue. This may be indicated for
those with intractable sleep apnea.
uvulopharyngoplasty Uncomplicated oropharyn-
geal excision of excessive tissue.
uvulotomy Kiotomy — amputation of the uvula.
V 437
vaccination Immunization — innoculation by vagal attack That sinking sensation accompanied
vaccine to establish immunity. Scarification is by cardiac distress with dyspnea, as caused by
the technique of choice. (Take care that the child vasomotor spasm.
doesn't reinnoculate him-/herself by inadvertent vagal escape Persisting heartbeats through
dermal contact with another skin surface.) vagus nerve stimulation, even though this
adverse events followingvaccination General inhibits the heart.
rule: Adverse events following live attenuated vagal tone The inhibitory effect exerted by the
vaccines are similar to a mild form of the natur- vagus nerve upon the heart.
al illness. Adverse events following inactivated vaginal celiotomy That surgical incision devel-
vaccines are mostly local with or without fever. oped into the abdomen via a vaginal approach.
antibody-vaccine interactions Generalrule: vaginalectomy Vaginectomy — surgical excision
Live attenuated vaccines are usually affected by of the tunica vaginalis.
circulating antibody to the antigen. Inactivated vaginal hysterectomy That surgical excision of
vaccines are generally not affected by circulating the uterus, per vaginal approach.
antibody to the antigen. vaginalitis Inflammation/infection of the tunica
interval between doses of the samevaccine vaginalis testis.
General rule: Increasing the interval between vaginapexy Colpopexy, vaginofixation — repair
doses of a multi-dose vaccine does not diminish of a vaginal prolapse.
the effectiveness of the vaccine. Decreasing the vaginectomy Tunica vaginalis resection — par-
interval between doses of a multi-dose vaccine tial/total excision of the vagina.
may interfere with antibody response and pro- vaginitis Colpitis — vaginal infection. If of an
tection. STD (sexually transmitted disease) in the United
general rule The more similar a vaccine is to States, each case is to be reported to the Public
the natural disease, the better the immune Health Service.
response to the vaccine. atrophia vaginitis Senile vaginitis, post-
missed opportunity for vaccination A child in menopausal vaginitis.
need of immunization seeks health care but diphtheritic vaginitis That with a membranous
receives either no immunizations or does not exudate.
receive all the needed immunizations. emphysematous vaginitis That with gas forma-
number of doses General rule: Live attenuated tion within the connective tissue.
vaccines generally produce longlasting immuni- nonspecific vaginitis That for which no definite
ty with a single dose. Inactivated vaccines etiology can be named.
require multiple doses and often require period- Trichomonas vaginalis vaginitis A sexually
ic boosting to maintain immunity. transmitted form of this disease.
vaccine Vaccinum — the biological (medication) vaginitis adhaesiva Inflammatory vaginal adhe-
which provides the body with that immunity sions.
which would have been acquired, had the com- vaginitis testis Inflammation of the testicular
municable disease been experiencedin vivo. tunica.
vaccinia Smallpox —an international, communi- vaginocele Colpocele — vaginal herniation.
cable health scourge. In 1980, the World Health vaginodynia Vaginal pain.
Assembly certified that the world was officially vaginofixation Suturing the uterus to the vaginal
free of smallpox. Still, the National Institutes of peritoneum. Vaginopexy, colpopexy.
Health have preserved a remnant of the live vaginomycosis A fungal infection invading the
strain, should it ever again be necessary to vagina, which may be secondary to reduced
develop the vaccine. flora by antibiotics.
vaccinia immune globulin Hyperimmune vaginoperineorrhaphy Colpoperineorrhaphy —
gamma globulin. surgical repair of the lacerated vagina/perineum.
vacuum The total absence of matter, gravity, air, vaginoperineotomy Episiotomy — that surgical,
etal. perineal incision, developedwith scissors to
438
facilitate childbirth. may be noted irritation of the conjunctivae,
vaginoplasty Plastic surgery of the vagina. mucous membranes, skin — among those
vaginotome A scalpel which incises the vaginal working with raw vanilla.
vaporization Conversion of a solid/liquid into a
wall. gas.
vagitis An infection of the vagal nerve. Vaquez' disease Polycythemia vera.
vagitus The neonate's first cry. variability Lability of behavior, affect, form,
vagitus uterinus The fetus' first cry, occurring in physiology, structure, performance.
varication The formation and condition of a vari-
utero. cosity.
vagitus vaginalis During parturition, the fetus' varicella Primary chickenpox, the most conta-
gious of the communicable diseases.
first cry, prior to emergence of the head. Confirmatory are lesions in various stages of
vagolysis Surgical obliteration of the vagus, to eruption/healing. Those who are severely at risk
are those who will develop life-threatening
prevent further pathology involving this 10th comorbidity with their leukemia, those on
cranial nerve. adrenocorticosteroids, those infected with
medical vagotomy Pharmacological destruc- encephalitis, patients who are immunocompro-
tion of the 10th cranial nerve, the vagus nerve. mised, and those who have laryngeal lesions
vagotonia That hyperirritable state of the which could progress to edema of the glottis.
parasympathetic nervous system. Reactivation of latent varicella virus (in the
vagus pulse Bradycardia which is reflexive to patient who recovered from this disease) will
vagus stimuli. appear as herpes zoster. Exposure to this her-
valetudinarian An invalid who is chronically ill. petic patient will result in the susceptible child
validity Whether or not a test/study measures or adult contracting varicella.
that which it claims to measure. The truth of varicella gangrenosa That complication in which
that resultant data. vesicular necrosis evolves to gangrene.
vallecula A crevice/depression. varicocele Varicole — venous hypertrophy of
Valsalva maneuver The act of bearing down by the spermatic cord. Occurring in adolescent
exhaling against a closed glottis. This decreases males, this condition rarely requires interven-
the circulatory return to the heart, increases the tion. Varicosities may also occur at the ovari-
intrathoracic pressure, increases venous pres- an/uterine plexes of the broad ligament in the
sure, and slows the pulse. Some cardiac regi- female.
mens forbid this, as contraindicated movement. variococelectomy Partial excision of the scrotal
valvectomy Valvuloplasty — that surgical exci- sac with ligation of the dilated veins, to repair a
sion of a heart valve. variococele.
valvotomy Valvulotomy — a valvular incision. varicomphalus A varicose tumor of the umbili-
valvuloplasty Restorative/plastic surgery on a cus.
heart valve. varicose Edematous, distended, engorged veins.
valvulotome That instrument used to incise a esophageal varices The neglected state of
cardiac valve. alcoholic intoxication may evolve into cirrhosis
vanadiumism Toxicity from chronic exposure to with portal hypertension. Any episodic hemor-
vanadium (V), which may present with anemia, rhage from the esophagus becomes a life-
bronchitis, conjunctivitis, or pneumonitis. threatening emergency, requiring the
van Buren's disease Peyronie's disease. Sengstaken Blakemore tube to save the patient
Indurated corpora cavernosa. — if this can be accomplished (mid the frantic
van Buchem's disease Endosteal hyperostosis. efforts of EKG,emergency transfusions, et al.).
van den Bergh'stest That which reveals the varicose ulceration That which results from
presence of serum/plasma bilirubin. dependent venous stasis and edema.
van der Hoeve's syndrome Otosclerotic conduc-
tion deafness in the presence of osteogenesis
imperfecta.
vanillism An occupational condition in which
439
varicose veins Tortuous varicosities which usu- vasohypotonic A vasodilator which relaxes circu-
ally occur in the legs. Some may require surgi-
cal ligation with stripping. latory vessels.
vasoinhibitory That which is restrictive of vaso-
varicosity The presence of varicose veins —
phlebectasia, phlebectasis. motor activity.
vasoligation The suturing off of a blood vessel.
variegated porphyria A psychiatric disturbance vasomotion Alteration in the lumen of a blood
accompanied by peripheral neuropathy, dermal
melanosis, abdominal pain. vessel.
vasomotor Angiokinetic — those nerves with
variola Smallpox. An acute, communicable dis-
ease which has been conquered world-wide. control of the muscular walls of blood vessels.
vasomotor epilepsy Vasomotor changes occur
vasalgia Vascular discomfort.
vascular dementia Multi-infarct dementia caus- in the epidermis during seizures.
vasomotor reflex Altered vasomotor tone (pilo-
ing impairment of memory, aphasia, apraxia,
agnosia, focal neurological signs. erection, et al.), secondary to a stimulus (such
vascular ring That congenital anomaly in which as fright).
the esophagus/trachea are encircled by an arter-
ial ring. Surgery may be required to relieve vasomotor tumentia Irregular edema of the legs,
compression. associated with vasomotor anomaly.
vascular tumor Telangioma, angioma — a neo-
plasm which contains dilated vessels. vaso-orchidostomy Vasovasostomy — surgical
vasculitis Angiitis — inflammation of a reconstruction of the severed vas deferens to
lymph/blood vessel. Systemic forms may the epididymus. Surgical reversal with plastic
involve the central nervous system (CNS). repair of a vasectomy.
Included are giant-cell arteritis, hypersensitivity
vasculitis, necrotizing vasculitis, polyarteritis vasoparesis Weakness of the vasomotor nerves
nodosa, Takayasu's arteritis, Wegener's granulo- which accompanies paresis of those muscles.
matosis.
vasculomotor Vasomotor. vasopressin That antidiuretic hormone with a
vasectomy Gonangiectomy — bilateral, total pressor effect which elevates the blood pressure
excision of the vas deferens. Ejaculation will (BP).
continue, but the semen will be void of sperm.
Because spontaneous anastomosis can occur, vasospasm Angiospasm, vasoconstriction,
contraception is advisable. angiohypotonia.
vasitis The inflamed ductus deferens of the
testis. vasotomy Vasostomy — incision into the vas
vasoactive That which involves the blood ves- deferens.
sels.
vasoconstriction Narrowing of the blood vessels. vasotribe Angiotribe — pressure forceps which
vasodepression Vasomotor collapse. arrest hemorrhage.
vasodepressor An agent which decreases the
circulation and/or blood pressure. That drug vasovagal Reference to the stimulation exerted
which dilates the vasculature. upon the blood vessels by the vagal nerve.
vasodilation An increase of the vascular tissue
lumen. vasovagal syncope Sudden fainting elicited by
vasofactive Vasifactive, vasoformative — pro- extreme pain, stress, trauma. Bradycardia,
duction of new circulatory vessels. diaphoresis, hyperventilation, pallor may be the
vasohypertonia Vasoconstriction which causes presenting symptoms. Lay the victim down,
blood vessels to tighten their circumference, to confirm a patent airway, and treat presenting
constrict. symptoms.
vasovesiculectomy Excision of the seminal vesi-
cles/vas deferens.
vasovesiculitis Inflammation of the seminal vesi-
cles/vas deferens.
vault A domed roof (such as the palate of the
mouth).
vectorcardiography That ECG/EKG which
employs continuous vector loops. These
demonstrate the electrical depolarization of the
auricle, for the ventricular depolarization, and
440
for ventricular repolarization. venospasm Venous contraction.
vegan A vegetarian who consumes no animal venostasis Trapped blood within a compressed
products. vein — which may be prescribed to halt hemor-
vegetarian Phytophagous — one who eats no rhage or to reduce circulating volume.
meat products. Some vegetarians also exclude venotomy An incision into a vein.
dairy products. venous That which pertains to the veins and their
vegetate To be non-productive and passive, functioning.
maintaining only autonomic functioning. venous hyperemia Venosity. Excessive venous
vegetative signs Eating, sleeping, et al. — those accumulation.
which may be observed in major depression. ventilation The circulation of air. Oxygenation of
vehicle That inactive carrier in which are mixed the blood.
the ingredients of compounded medications continuous positive-pressure ventilation
(such as oil or water as the vehicle for injectible Mechanically ventilated lungs. Oxygen/room air
preparations, alcohol in elixirs). is administered under constant pressure.
vellication The contractions of muscle tissue in intermittent positive-pressure ventilation
spasm. Mechanical pulmonary inflation assisted by oxy-
vellus Downy hair covering the neonate, which gen/room air, with passive expiration.
replaces the lanugo present at birth. pulmonary ventilation Respiration.
velosynthesis Staphylorrhaphy — cleft palate ventilator That mechanical apparatus which
reconstruction by suturing. achieves positive ventilation for the patient who
Velpeau's bandage That which immobilizes the cannot breathe adequately, unassisted.
entire arm and shoulder. ventral herniation That which occurs at the
Velpeau's deformity The backward displacement abdominal wall.
of Colles' fracture of the radius/ulna. ventricle A small cavity within the brain, heart,
venectasia Phlebectasia — venous dilation. larynx.
venectomy Phlebectomy — surgical excision of ventricular assist pump That which aids or
venous tissue. replaces the nonfunctioning/diseased heart.
venenation Poisoning. ventricular capture The normal ventricular
venereal collar Mottling of the neck which response of the heart, when stimulated by its
appears in some cases of syphilis. conduction system.
venereal disease Sexually transmitted disease ventricular catheter(ization) The most accurate
(STD). Many of these must be reported by state modality by which the intracranial pressure can
mandate, in the USA. be measured.
venereal urethritis That present in gonorrhea. ventricular compliance Elasticity of the cardiac
venereophobia Cypridophobia — an exaggerated ventricles at rest.
fear of coitus and/or venereal disease. ventricular hypertrophy Leading to valvular
venipuncture Venepuncture — the sterile inser- obstruction, that condition which contributes to
tion of a needle, cannula, venous intracatheter conduction abnormalities of the heart and exer-
into the vein for whatever medical reason. cise-related sudden death.
venoclysis Phleboclysis — continuous intra- ventricular septal defect A congenital, lethal,
venous (IV) infusion — usually per angio- cardiac anomaly, by which blood is shunted
catheter. between the ventricles.
venofibrosis Phlebosclerosis. ventriculitis An inflammation of any ventricle(s).
venoperitoneostomy That surgical draining of ventriculoatriostomy Plastic surgery which is
peritoneal ascitic fluid into the saphenous vein lifesaving for hydrocephalic conditions — diver-
by suturing this vein into the peritoneum as a sion of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)from the cere-
shunt. bral ventricle to the jugular vein.
venopressor Related to venous blood pressure. ventriculocisternostomy That plastic procedure
venosclerosis Phlebosclerosis — sclerotic veins. which develops an opening between the cisterna
441
magna and the cerebral ventricles. vermillionectomy Surgical excision of the ver-
ventriculography X-ray visualization of the cere- million border.
bral ventricles, utilizing air or contrast medium. vermiphobia The exaggerated fear of infestation
ventriculostomy Plastic surgery to treat hydro- by worms.
cephalus. Rather than shunting the cere- vernal conjunctivitis Inflammation of the
brospinal fluid, this is drained outside the skull. mucous membranes seen during spring until
Communication is achieved between the brain frost, in the allergic patient (pt).
and the cisterna interpeduncularis.
ventriculotomy Surgical incision into a ventri- Vernet's syndrome Opposite the lesion of a jugu-
cle^). lar foramen, paralysis involves the 9th, 10th,
ventricumbent Prone positioning. 11th cranial nerves.
ventriduct That position in which the extremities
are drawn to the trunk. verruca An epidermal tumor which is caused by
ventrodorsal From anterior to posterior, front to a papillomavirus.
back.
ventrofixation The surgical repair of displaced version That altered fetal position in utero —
viscera to the abdominal wall. bipolar, cephalic, combined, external, internal,
ventrohysteropexy Ventrosuspension — sutur- pelvic, podalic, or spontaneous version. This
ing of the uterus to the abdominal wall. may occur spontaneously, or be manipulated by
ventroscopy Celioscopy — illumination the physician.
employed in abdominal examination.
ventrosity Corpulence, morbid obesity with a version gloves Rubber gloves which reach to the
prominent abdomen. elbows — used to pelvically examine the
ventrotomy Exploratory laparotomy, celiotomy woman in labor.
— surgery of the abdomen.
ventrovesicofixation Hysterocystopexy — that vertebrectomy Partial/total excision of a vertebra.
surgical repair of suturing the uterus to the vertex Corona capitis — the crown of the head.
bladder and abdominal wall. vertex cordis The cardiac apex.
Venturi mask An oxygen mask which governs verticality That accurate perception of the verti-
the concentration of oxygen delivered to the
patient. cal direction, in the absence of environmental
Venus' collar That syphilitic eruption of pigmen- cues.
tation encircling the neck. vertiginous Afflicted with true vertigo.
crown of Venus Syphilitic dermatitis encircling vertigo The illusion of movement in the self/envi-
the hairline. ronment when none exists. This may follow the
verbigeration The stereotypical recitation/repeti- types of auditory, central, cerebral, epileptic,
tion of words or phrases without comprehen- essential, gastric, hysterical, labyrinthine, laryn-
sion. geal, objective, ocular, organic, peripheral, pos-
verbomania Psychotic press of speech, tural, subjective, toxic, true, or vestibular verti-
echolalia. go.
verge The edge of an object or concept. verumontanitis Colliculitis — an inflammation of
vergence Horizontal strabismus — divergence, the prostatic urethra at the sites of the seminal
convergence, vertical strabismus — supraver- ducts, the verumontanum.
gence, intravergence. vesica A bladder.
vermicide Vermifuge, anthelmintic — that agent vesica fellea The gallbladder.
which eradicates intestinal worms. vesica prostatica Utriculus prostaticus.
vermicular movements Vermiculation — crawl- vesica urinaria The urinary bladder.
ing, writhing movements. vesical reflex Distention of the urinary bladder
vermillion border The edge of the lips. causes the urge to micturate.
vesicant Vesicatory — a cause of blisters.
vesicles Fluid-filled blebs which may be allanto-
ic, compound, encephalic, multiocular, or semi-
nal vesicles.
vesicocele Cystocele — herniation of the urinary
bladder into the vagina.
442
vesicoclysis A bladder instillation. threshold. This instrument calculates the remis-
vesicosigmoidostomy Surgical construction of sion/progression of peripheral neuropathy.
an anastomosis between the sigmoid colon and vicarious That which serves in substitution.
the urinary bladder. vicarious learning The education one receives
vesicostomy A surgical creation of a bladder through life experiences.
opening to the exterior. vicarious respirations That compensatory
vesicotomy Incision into the urinary bladder. increase within one lung in the presence of
vesicular eczema That dermatitis which is punc- diminished capacity of the other.
tuated by blebs. Vidal's disease Lichen simplex chronicus.
vesicular murmur Vesicular breathing — normal videognosis That diagnosis which utilizes X-rays
respirations heard upon auscultation. and data through the medium of television.
vesicular rales A crackling sound, crepitant rales video surgery Endoscopy, laparoscopy. Through
auscultated at the completion of inspiration. minute incisions, optical trocar, et al., televised
vesicular resonance Percussion heard over the magnification enables surgeons to perform
normal lung. major/minor surgery. The limitations are sutur-
vesicula seminalis The seminal vesicle — that ing, technology lag, and the necessity to work in
reservoir of semen at the base of the urinary remote dimensions.
bladder. vigil A watch (usually through the night).
vesiculitis Vesicular infection, inflammation. coma vigil The delirium of a semicose patient.
vesiculotomy Surgical incision into a seminal vigilance A state of alertness while watching the
vesicle. person(s)/objects of concern.
vestibuloplasty Plastic surgery of the oral cavity Villaret's syndrome That lesion of the posterior
including the cheeks, gums, lips, teeth. retroparotid space which may cause paresis of
vestibulotomy A surgical incision into the inner many cranial nerves.
ear vestibulum. villoma A villous tumor.
vestigial Rudimentary. villositis Inflamed placental villi.
vestigium Vestige — an incomplete/degenerate Vincent's angina Acute necrotizing gingivitis.
structure, evolved from embryonic or earlier violaceus Purple discoloration.
species. violation Harm or injury perpetrated upon anoth-
veta Andean mountain sickness. er. The breaking of a law/ruling.
viability The capacity to survive, live. violent That state of threatening danger to one-
vial A small bottle which holds more than one self or others. Sudden, extreme force by an
dose of injectible medication. This vial is sealed unpredictable patient. Aggressivity heralded by
by a rubber diaphragm which permits piercing angry, raised voices, intoxication, psychosis,
by multiple hypodermic needles to aspirate sin- presence of weaponry, impulsivity, substance
gle doses, without compromise of contents, nor abuse. When sufficient staff arrive (this may
of sterility. include police) use this show of force to over-
vibrapuncture Scarification with medication into power the violent person and transfer him/her to
an epidermal lesion(s). a private place for care/apprehension.
vibration Oscillation — manual or mechanical. viraginity Transsexuality of afemale.
Those engaged in occupations which expose viral hepatitis Infectious, inflammatory clinical
them to heavy vibrations may suffer back disor- diseases of the liver which are etiologically and
ders, peripheral nervous conditions, prostatitis. epidemiologically distinct.
vibratory sense That ability to perceive oscilla- hepatitis A Infectious hepatitis has an abrupt
tions transmitted by a tuning fork through the onset of symptomatology which includes fever,
skin, to deep tissues (including bone). malaise, anorexia, nausea, abdominal pain, dark
vibrometer An instrument which vibrates the urine, jaundice. (Children usually do not exhibit
tympanic membrane as a massage for deafness. jaundice.) Primarily transmitted by person-to-
This also measures the vibratory sensation person contact, deficient personal hygiene, fecal