Collin - Dictionary of Medicine

DICTIONARY OF MEDICINE

DICTIONARY OF MEDICINE

2nd Edition

Editor P.H. Collin

Copyright 1987, 1993, 1998 by P.H.Collin

First published in 1987 by
Peter Collin Publishing Ltd

Published in 1998 the United States of America by
Fitzroy Dearborn, Publishers

This edition published 2014 by Routledge
711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017

Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business

Text computer typeset by Barbers Ltd, Kent

All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form

A Cataloging-in-Publication record for this book is available from the Library of Congress

ISBN 1-57958-074-2

Cover: Peter Aristedes, Chicago Advertising and Design

This dictionary provides the user with the basic vocabulary used in British and American medical practice. The subject matter covers terms used in surgery, general practice, hospitals, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry and other specializations. The level of language varies from the very technical to informal usage as between professionals or between professionals and patients.

Each of the 12,000 headwords is defined in simple English, using a limited vocabulary of 500 words over and above those words which actually appear in the dictionary as main words. Very many examples are given to show how the words and phrases are used in context, and many of the more difficult phrases are also explained in simple and clear English. Words which pose particular grammatical problems have short grammar notes attached, giving irregular forms, and notes on constructions, together with differences between British and American English where appropriate. Comments are also given for many words with notes on symptoms and treatment, as well as more encyclopaedic information. Some of the anatomical features are illustrated by line drawings. Also included in the text are quotations from medical journals and magazines from various parts of the world to show how the language is used in practice.

At the back of the book are a series of supplements which give useful information in tabular form: these refer to vitamins, incubation periods, SI equivalents, diets, and notes on eponymous words.

Very many people have helped or advised on the compilation and checking of this dictionary: in particular we would like to thank G. H. Hooton (who provided most of the supplementary material). Erica Ison, Dr. G. Lewis and Dr. D. W. Macintosh. Illustrations are by SM Design.

PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION

The text of the original edition has been entirely revised and updated, with the addition of many new entries. We are grateful again to G. H. Hooton for his contributions, and to Hazel Curties who provided much new material.

Contents

A & E = ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY A & E department; an A & E ward; A & E nurses

Vitamin Anoun retinol, a vitamin which is soluble in fat and can be formed in the body from precursors but is mainly found in food, such as liver, vegetables, eggs and cod liver oil.

COMMENT: Lack of Vitamin A affects the bodys growth and resistance to disease and can cause night blindness or xerophthalmia. Carotene (the yellow substance in carrots) is a precursor of Vitamin A, which accounts for the saying that eating carrots helps you to see in the dark

A bandnoun part of the pattern in muscle tissue, seen through a microscope as a dark band

ABCabbreviation for Airway, Breathing and Circulation: the basic initial checks of a casualtys condition

abdomennoun space in front of the body below the diaphragm and above the pelvis, containing the stomach, intestines, liver and other vital organs; acute abdomen = any serious condition of the abdomen which requires surgery

abdomin-prefix referring to the abdomen

abdominaladjective referring to the abdomen; abdominal aortasee AORTA; abdominal cavity = space in the body below the chest; abdominal distension = condition where the abdomen is stretched (because of gas or fluid); abdominal pain = pain in the abdomen caused by indigestion or more serious disorders; abdominal viscera = organs contained in the abdomen (such as the stomach, liver, etc.); abdominal wall = muscular tissue which surrounds the abdomen

abdominoperineal excisionnoun cutting out of tissue in both the abdomen and the perineum

abdominoscopynoun internal examination of the abdomen, usually with an endoscope

abdominothoracicadjective referring to the abdomen and thorax NOTE: for other terms referring to the abdomen, see words beginning with coell-

COMMENT: the abdomen is divided for medical purposes into nine regions: at the top, the right and left hypochondriac regions with the epigastrium between them; in the centre, the right and left lumbar regions with the umbilical between them; and at the bottom, the right and left iliac regions with the hypogastrium between them

abducensorabducent nervenoun sixth cranial nerve, which controls the muscle which makes the eyeball turn outwards

abductverb to pull away from the centre line of the body; vocal folds abducted = normal condition of the vocal cords in quiet breathing

abductionnoun movement of part of the body away from the midline or away from a neighbouring part

abductor (muscle)noun muscle which pulls a part of the body away from the midline of the body or from a neighbouring part
NOTE: opposites are adducted, adduction, adductor

QUOTE Mary was nursed in a position of not more than 90 upright with her legs in abduction

British Journal of Nursing

aberrantadjective not normal

aberrationnoun action or growth which is not normal; chromosomeorchromosomal aberration = abnormality in the number, arrangement, etc. of chromosomes; mental aberration = slight forgetfulness or slightly abnormal mental process

ablationnoun removal of an organ or of part of the body by surgery; segmental ablation = surgical removal of part of a nail, as treatment for an ingrowing toenail

ableadjectiveafter the injection he was able to breathe more easily = he could breathe more easily
NOTE: opposite is unable. Note also that able is used with to and a verb

abilitynoun being able to do something

abnormaladjective not normal; abnormal behaviour = conduct which is different from the way normal people behave;