Operational Medicine 2001
Standard First Aid Course
NAVEDTRA 13119

Appendix

This glossary has been developed to assist the non-medic in interpreting the meaning of common medical terms. To be of immediate assistance to the non-medic, the definitions have been made as brief and simple as possible. If more detailed definitions are required, a standard medical dictionary should beconsulted.

Abdomen--the belly. The area of the body that lies between the chest and pelvis.

Abscess--a swollen, inflamed area of body tissue in which pus collects.

Absorbent--having ability to soak up or take in another substance.

Acute--sharp and severe. A condition of rapid onset and short duration, as in pain or illness.

Air passage--any of several tubes which transmit air from the nose or mouth to the lungs.

Airtight--preventing the passage of air.

Airway--the route for passage of air and/or gases into and out of the lungs.

Anaphylactic shock--a severe allergic reaction of the body to a foreign substance.

Antidote--a remedy or agent that neutralizes a poison.

Antiseptic--an agent which prevents or slows down growth of disease-producing organisms. Free from contamination.

Antitoxin--a substance that works against a poison.

Antivenin--an antitoxin against animal or insect venom.

Appendage--a body part branching off from the trunk; for example, an arm or leg.

Arterial pressure--the pressure of the blood in the arteries.

Artery--a tube-like body structure which carries blood and oxygen from the heart.

Artificial ventilation--movement of air into and out of the lungs by artificial means.

Aseptic--free from germs.

Asphyxiate--suffocate, smother.

Aspiration--to draw in or out. To suck in.

Blister--a small rounded elevation of skin, usually filled with fluid.

Blood poisoning--the presence of bacterial and toxic materials in the blood. Also referred to as septicemia.

Boil--a red and swollen sore on the skin.

Buttocks--two rounded, muscular areas at the back of the hips; the rump.

Capillary--tiny tube-like vessels that connect veins and arteries.

Carbon monoxide--a poisonous gas without color, taste, or odor.

Carbuncle--a red and swollen sore filled with pus, located on the skin surface, and extending into deep body tissue.

Cartilage--a tough, elastic, connective tissue in the joint ends of bones, and the nose and ears.

Cauterize--to burn or sear injured tissue.

Central nervous system (CNS)--the brain and spinal cord.

Chronic--long and drawn out.

Clammy--damp and cool.

Clavicle--the collarbone. Forms the front part of the shoulder; attaches to the top of the sternum (breastbone) and scapula (shoulder blade).

Clot--a semisolid lump or mass formed by thickened blood.

Coma--a deep state of unconsciousness usually caused by disease, injury, or poison.

Compress--a cloth wet or dry, applied to an injury, to control bleeding or swelling.

Compression--to press together into a smaller space.

Concussion--a jarring brain injury resulting from a head blow or fall.

Conscious--awake, aware, and responsive to stimuli or surroundings.

Constrict--to make narrow, as when the pupil of the eye reacts to light.

Contagious--catching. Transmitted from one person to another, either directly or indirectly.

Contaminate--to introduce an impure substance into a clean or aseptic area; for example, dirt entering a wound. To infect.

Contraction--shortening or tightening.

Contraindication--A special condition which causes a normal treatment procedure to be improper or undesirable.

Convulsion--an abnormal, violent, and involuntary contraction of the muscles. A fit or seizure that can be caused by poison, drugs, drug withdrawal, or epilepsy.

Cyanosis--bluish discoloration of the skin from lack of oxygen in the blood.

Decomposition--decay.

Decontaminate--to rid the body, clothes, room, linen, containers, etc. of anything that is dangerous or poisonous.

Deformity--a bodily deviation from normal shape or size, resulting in distorted appearance.

Delirium--a temporary mental disturbance characterized by confusion, excitement, disordered speech, and hallucinations.

Diagnosis--recognition of a specific disease.

Diarrhea--frequent passage of stools that have more or less liquid consistency.

Dilate--to make wider or to expand, as when the pupil of the eye adjusts to darkness.

Dilute--to make thinner by mixing with water or other liquids.

Direct pressure--force applied directly on top of a wound to stop bleeding.

Disinfectant--a chemical that kills or stops the growth of bacteria and germs.

Dislocation--displacement of a bone in a joint so that joint surfaces do not make proper contact.

Distention--stretched out. Inflated.

Dressing--sterile gauze or bandage applied to a wound and fixed in position.

Dyspnea--difficult or labored breathing.

Edema--a collection of fluid in the body tissues which causes swelling.

Elimination--getting rid of the body's waste products.

Embedded--surrounded closely.

Esophagus--the tube that carries food from the mouth and throat to the stomach.

Evaporate--to change from liquid to a gas or vapor.

Exhalation--breathing out.

Extension--a movement which straightens a limb.

External--pertaining to the outside.

Extremity--an arm or leg. A body part branching off from the trunk.

Femur--the thighbone. The bone that extends from the pelvis to the knees--the longest and largest bone in the body.

Fever--an elevation of body temperature above normal (98.6 F) or (37-C) .

Flexion--the bending motion of a joint.

Flush--sudden redness of the skin; or to wash by pouring large amounts of water over an area.

Forceps--a tong-like instrument for holding or grasping skin, dressings, or instruments. Also used as tweezers for removing splinters and barbs.

Foreign object--not normally a part of the body.

Fracture--any break or crack in a bone.

Frothy--bubbly or foamy.

Gangrene--death of tissue generally associated with loss of blood supply, injury, or disease.

Gastric distention--enlargement of the stomach caused by trapped air.

Groin--the region where the abdomen and thighs join.

Hair follicle--the root of the hair.

Hallucinations--seeing, smelling, or hearing things that are not real or true.

Hemorrhage--internal or external bleeding.

Hemotoxic--poisonous to the blood.

Hyperextension--extension of an arm or leg beyond normal limits.

Immobilize--to make incapable of moving, as with a splint or cast.

Impairment--sickness or injury.

Impermeable--not allowing passage of fluids.

Impregnate--to soak, fill, or saturate.

Improvise--to make from available materials, usually on the spur of the moment.

Incision--a cut made by a sharp instrument.

Incoherent--not understandable.

Infection--invasion and multiplication of germs in the body, resulting in tissue damage.

Ingestion--swallowing substances taken into the mouth.

Inhalation--breathing in.

Internal--pertaining to the inside.

Irrigation--cleansing by washing and rinsing with water or other fluids.

Larynx--voice box.

Listless--having no desire to exert oneself.

Litter--a stretcher for carrying sick or injured.

Microorganisms--bacteria or germs that are so small that they can be seen only through a microscope.

Mucous--a thick, sticky fluid secreted by mucous membranes and glands.

Nausea--a sickness in the stomach which produces a feeling of a need to vomit.

Neurotoxic--poisonous to nerve cells.

Neutralize--to make harmless. To destroy effectiveness.

Ointment--a soft, oily substance having antiseptic and healing properties.

Organism--any individual living thing.

Paralysis--temporary or permanent loss of feeling or ability to move.

Perforation--a hole or series of holes made through a substance.

Peritonitis--inflammation of the internal membranes lining the abdominal cavity.

Pharynx--throat.

Pneumonia--an inflammation of the lungs caused by viruses, germs, or physical and chemical agents.

Porous--containing or being full of tiny holes.

Potable--water or liquid suitable for drinking.

Potency--power, strength.

Pressure point--areas of the body where arterial blood flow can be stopped by pressing an artery against a bone.

Profuse--in large amounts.

Prone--lying face downward.

Prostration--complete exhaustion.

Pulse--the throbbing of arteries caused by the beating of the heart.

Pungent--sharp and harsh in taste or odor, irritating.

Pupil--the opening in the center of the eye through which light passes--necessary for vision.

Relapse--slipping back or getting worse.

Respiratory obstruction--a blockage in the breathing system that prevents it from functioning normally.

Scalp--the skin of the head, excluding the face and ears.

Seizure--an attack, (fit), such as convulsions, in which there is some loss of body control.

Semiconscious--not fully awake or oriented to surroundings.

Shock--a generalized depression of all body functions which results in decreased blood flow.

Signs--indications of a victim's condition visible to the rescuer.

Skull--the bony framework of the head.

Spasm--sudden, involuntary movement of a muscle or muscles which is usually associated with pain.

Spinal cord--the cord of nerve tissues extending from the brain down the length of the spine.

Spine--the backbone.

Spineboard--a device used primarily for transporting patients with suspected or actual spinal injuries.

Splint--any material used to immobilize, support, or protect an injured area.

Sterilize--to destroy germs. To make free from bacteria.

Stool--waste matter discharged from the large intestine.

Stretcher--a litter on which a patient can be carried.

Stupor--state of being less responsive or sensible.

Subcutaneous--just beneath the skin.

Suction--the act of drawing up or out.

Superficial--at, on, or near the surface.

Supine--lying on the back with the face upward.

Swathe bandage--a bandage that passes around the chest, used to hold an injured arm to the chest or immobilizing fractured ribs.

Symptoms--indications of a victim's condition as stated by the victim.

Tetanus--a bacteria which can enter the body through dirty wounds. It causes muscle spasms, and rigid neck and jaw muscles (lockjaw), often resulting in death.

Thoracic--pertaining to the chest.

Tissue--living cells formed into a body structure such as the muscles.

Tolerance--power to resist.

Tourniquet--a device that is twisted around an extremity to stop severe bleeding. Usually consists of a band of flat material. Used only when all other measures fail.

Toxic--poisonous.

Toxin--a poison.

Trachea--the windpipe.

Traction--the act of pulling or drawing something straight.

Trauma--a wound or injury that is violently produced.

Triangular bandage--a piece of cloth cut in the shape of a right triangle, used as a sling for the arm and other bandaging purposes.

Ulcer--an open sore on the skin or mucous membrane which drains tissue fluid.

Unconscious--unable to respond to stimulation--"out cold."

Vaccine--a prepared mixture of living or dead germs which assist the body in developing resistance to certain diseases.

Vascular--relating to blood vessels.

Vein--a tube-like body structure which returns blood to the heart.

Ventilation--the process of breathing in and out to supply the body with oxygen and remove carbon dioxide.

Virus--an organism that can cause infectious or communicable diseases.

Vital signs--measurable signs by which the physical state of an individual can be determined--usually includes the pulse, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and the level of consciousness.

Windpipe--the tube through which air passes from the throat to the lungs.

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Operational Medicine 2001
Health Care in Military Settings

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