Medical Lexicon

 

anesthetic gas scavenging System (AGS-System)

 

Used in conjunction with an anesthesia machine, the AGS-System conveys expired and/or excess anesthesia gases to an appropriate place of discharge

 

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anoscope

 

An instrument for facilitating visual examination of the anal canal.

 

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audiometer

 

An electrical instrument for measuring the threshold of hearing for pure tones of normally audible frequencies generally varying from 200 to 8000 hertz and recorded in decibels.

 

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autoclave

 

An apparatus (as for sterilizing) using superheated steam under pressure.

 

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bariatric

 

A branch of medicine that deals with the treatment of obesity. Specialized medical furniture exists that are designed to accommodate the needs of bariatric patients.

 

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blood pressure

 

The pressure exerted by the blood against the walls of the arteries, maintained by the contraction of the left ventricle, the resistance of the arterioles and capillaries, the elasticity of the arterial walls, and by the viscosity and volume of the blood.

 

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c-arm table

 

A medical table designed for c-arms, which is a specialized x-ray mainly used for plain fluoroscopy or digital subtraction angiography.

 

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calibration

 

To standardize (as a measuring instrument) by determining the deviation from a standard so as to ascertain the proper correction factors. Certain medical equipment, including spirometers, need to be calibrated routinely in order to display optimal reports.

 

capnograph

 

A monitoring device that measures the concentration of carbon dioxide in exhaled air and displays a numerical readout and waveform tracing.

 

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cautery

 

Used in the process of cauterizing, an agent or instrument used to destroy tissue by burning, searing, cutting, or scarring, including caustic and electric currents, lasers.

 

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centrifuge

 

A machine using centrifugal force for separating substances of different densities, for removing moisture, or for simulating gravitational effects.

 

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colposcope

 

An instrument for examining the uterine cervix, esp for early signs of cancer.

 

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crash carts

 

A movable cart or similar conveyance carrying supplies and equipment for the management of medical emergencies.

 

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defibrillator

 

An electrical device used to counteract fibrillation of the heart muscle and restore normal heartbeat by applying a brief electric shock.

 

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densitometer

 

An instrument for determining optical, photographic, or mass density. A bone densitometer can be used to check for osteoporosis.

 

endoscope

 

An illuminated, usually fiber-optic flexible or rigid tubular instrument for visualizing the interior of a hollow organ or part (as the bladder or esophagus) for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes that typically has one or more channels to enable passage of instruments (as forceps or scissors)

 

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exercise stress test

 

Also known as a "treadmill test," this term refers to a test which is performed to determine irregular heart rhythms which may occur during exercise.

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holter monitor

 

A portable holter that makes a continuous record of electrical activity of the heart and that can be worn by an ambulatory patient during the course of daily activities in order to detect fleeting episodes of abnormal heart rhythms. Used with EKG Machines.

 

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IBP

 

A method of measuring blood pressure internally by using a sensitive IV catheter inserted into an artery. This provides a more accurate reading of the patent's current blood pressure.

 

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kick bucket

 

A medical receptacle commonly used in surgical procedures to collect sponges and other disposable articles.

 

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laproflator

 

A type of medical insufflator used during surgical procedures. This device is used to maintain constant intra-abdominal pressure in the patient.

 

laryngoscope

 

A rigid or flexible endoscope passed through the mouth and equipped with a source of light and magnification, for examining and performing local diagnostic and surgical procedures on the larynx.

 

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laser

 

Any of several devices that convert incident electromagnetic radiation of mixed frequencies to discrete frequencies of highly amplified and coherent ultraviolet, visible, or infrared radiation; used in surgery to cut and dissolve tissue.

 

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manometer

 

An instrument (as a pressure gauge) for measuring the pressure of gases and vapors.

 

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mayo stand

 

A portable stand used to provide easy access to medical equipment during a procedure.

 

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nasal cannula

 

A medical device used to deliver oxygen at low flow rates to a patient or person in need of extra oxygen. Connected to an oxygen tank or portable oxygen generator.

 

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neonatal

 

Of or relating to the first 28 days of an infant's life.

 

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NIBP

 

Known as Non-Invasive Blood Pressure, used to describe oscillometric blood pressure monitoring. This oscillometric equipment uses an electronic pressure sensor to detect blood flow, instead of relying on the traditional stethoscope and ear.

 

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ophthalmoscope

 

An instrument for examining the interior structures of the eye, especially the retina, consisting essentially of a mirror that reflects light into the eye and a central hole through which the eye is examined.

 

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otoscope

 

An instrument fitted with lighting and magnifying lens systems and used to facilitate visual examination of the auditory canal and eardrum.

 

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pediatrics

 

A branch of medicine dealing with the development, care, and diseases of children.

 

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phototherapy

 

The application of light for therapeutic purposes.

 

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pulse oximeter

 

A device that measures the oxygen saturation of arterial blood in a subject by utilizing a sensor attached typically to a finger, toe, or ear to determine the percentage of oxyhemoglobin in blood pulsating through a network of capillaries and that typically sounds an alarm if the blood saturation becomes less than optimal.

 

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radiology

 

The branch of medicine that deals with the use of radioactive substances in diagnosis and treatment of disease.

 

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retinoscope

 

An optical instrument for examining refraction of light in the eye.

 

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rhinolaryngoscope

 

A rigid medical device used in the examination of the upper respiratory tract.

 

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sigmoidoscope

 

An endoscope designed to be passed through the anus in order to permit inspection, diagnosis, treatment, and photography especially of the sigmoid colon.

 

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sphygmomanometer

 

An instrument for measuring blood pressure and especially arterial blood pressure.

 

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spirometer

 

An instrument for measuring the volume of air entering and leaving the lungs.

 

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SpO2

 

A measurement of the saturation level of oxygen in the hemoglobin. Normally, this measurement is determined with the use of pulse oximetry, a non-invasive procedure.

 

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stethoscope

 

An instrument used to detect and study sounds produced in the body that are conveyed to the ears of the listener through rubber tubing connected with a usually cup-shaped piece placed upon the area to be examined.

 

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sundry jar

A receptacle designed to hold miscellaneous items. In a medical setting, sundry jars are used to hold an assortment of small accessories, such as cotton or tongue depressors.

 

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syringe

 

A small syringe used with a hollow needle for injection of material into or beneath the skin.

 

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thermometer

 

An instrument for determining temperature that usually consists either of a device providing a digital readout or of a glass bulb attached to a fine tube of glass with a numbered scale and containing a liquid (as mercury or colored alcohol) that is sealed in and rises and falls with changes of temperature.

 

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transducers

 

Any device or element which converts an input signal into an output signal of a different form. Examples include the microphone, phonographic pickup, loudspeaker, barometer, photelectric cell, automobile horn, doorbell, and underwater soundtransducer.

 

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trendelenburg

 

A position in which the patient is on his back with the head and chest lowered and the legs elevated. Some medical tables can be adjusted allow the patient to be situated in this position.

 

ultrasound

 

The use of ultrasonic waves for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, specifically to visualize an internal body structure, monitor a developing fetus, or generate localized deep heat to the tissues.

 

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Vital Signs

 

The pulse rate, respiratory rate, body temperature, and often blood pressure of a person. Vital sign monitors keep track of this information for a patient.

 

X-Ray

 

A stream of such photons used for their penetrating power in radiography, radiology, radiotherapy, and scientific research.

 

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