Below are definitions of many of the terms used on this website.
Select the first letter of the word you want to look up below...
A B C D
E F G H I J K
L M N O P Q R
S T U V W X Y
Z
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glossary of terms, please let us know. Thanks!
Word |
Definition |
Source |
A |
| Ap·ne·a |
Temporary absence or cessation of breathing. |
1 |
| Apnea Monitor |
An electronic device which detects and alarms at
the sign of apnea. |
3 |
| Asthsma |
a condition ofthen of allergic origin that is
marked by continuous or episodic labored breathing accompanied by wheezing, by a sense of
constriction in the chest, and often bty attacks of coughing or gasping. |
2,3 |
| Autosomal |
Referring to a chromosome other than a sex (X or
Y) chromosome. In this context, Autosonomal refers to the variations of Myotubular
Myopathy that is not carried on the X Chromosome (i.e., non X-linked). |
2,3 |
B |
| bi·op·sy |
The removal and examination of a sample of tissue
from a living body for diagnostic purposes. |
1 |
| Billirubin |
A reddish yellow pigment C33H36N4O6
that occurs especially in bile and blood and causes jaundice if accumulated in excess. |
2 |
| Bronciolitis |
inflammation of the small passageways in the
lungs. |
2,3 |
| Bronchopneumonia |
pneumonia involving many relatively small areas
of lung tissue -- also called bronchial pneumonia. |
2 |
C |
| Chest Percussion Therapy, CPT |
A respiratory therapy that involves vibration or
pounding on the chest and back in order to loosen and mobilize lung secretions. |
3 |
| Chro·mo·some |
A threadlike linear strand of DNA
and associated proteins in the nucleus of animal and plant cells that carries the genes
and functions in the transmission of hereditary information. |
1 |
| CPAP, continuous positive airway pressure |
A technique of assisting breathing by maintaining
the air pressure in the lungs and air passages constant and above atmospheric pressure
throughout the breathing cycle. |
2 |
D |
| DNA |
Any of various nucleic acids that are usually the molecular basis of heredity, are
localized in the cell nuclei, and are constructed of a double helix. [d(eoxyribo)n(ucleic)
a(cid).]
|
2,3
|
E |
| Extubate |
Removal of a tube used for assistance in
ventilation. (See intubate.) |
3 |
F |
| Fundoplication |
Surgical attachment of the top of the stomach
around the lower end of the esophogus as a treatment for the reflux of stomach contents
into the esophogus. |
2,3 |
G |
| Gas·tros·to·my |
Surgical construction of a permanent opening from
the external surface of the abdominal wall into the stomach, usually for inserting a
feeding tube. This type of feeding tube is often called a "G-tube." The closure
of the opening is often called a "G-button." |
1,3 |
| Gene |
A hereditary unit that occupies a specific
location on a chromosome and determines a particular
characteristic in an organism. Genes exist in a number of different forms and can undergo
mutation. |
1 |
H |
| Hippotherapy |
A form of physical
therapy which involves horseback riding. |
3 |
| Hydrocephalus |
An abnormal increase in the amount of
cerebrospinal fluid within the cranial cavity that is accompanied by expansion of the
central ventricles and enlargement of the skull. |
3 |
I |
| in·tu·bate |
To insert a tube into (a hollow organ or body
passage). Intubation often refers to inserting a tube town the trachea
to allow a person to be placed on a ventilator for assistance in
breathing. |
1,3 |
J |
| Jaundice |
A wellowish pgmentation of the skin, tissues and
certain body fluids. |
2 |
K |
| Ky·pho·sis |
Abnormal rearward curvature of the spine,
resulting in protuberance of the upper back; hunchback. |
1 |
| Ky·phot"ic, |
Having kyphosis |
3 |
L |
| |
|
|
M |
| MTM |
Common abbreviation to Myotubular Myopathy.
Depending on the context and the perspective of the user, this may refer to only the
X-linked version or to any version of the disease. |
3 |
| MTM1, XMTM |
Common abbreviations or references to X-linked
Myotubular Myopathy |
3 |
| Muscle Biopsy |
A biopsy to obtain muscle
tissue. A muscle biopsy is the only definitive way to diagnose myotubular myopathy. |
3 |
N |
| Nebulizer, Neb |
An atomizer equipped to produce an extremely fine
spray for deep penetration of the lungs often used to administer medications through
inhalation. |
2,3 |
| Negative pressure chamber |
A jacket like device that ventilates a patient
through applying less than atmospheric pressure externally to the chest area. |
3 |
O |
| Occupational therapy |
Abbr. OT The use of productive or creative
activity in the treatment or rehabilitation of physically or emotionally disabled people. |
1 |
| Osmotic fragility |
A laboratory test used to diagnose spherocytocis. |
3 |
P |
| Passy-Muir, Passy Valve |
A one-way valve that fits over a tracheostomy tube that allows inhalation through the trachea and exhalation through the larynx and out the mouth. This
enables easier vocalization and helps patients manage their secretions. Passy-Muir
is the trade name of the device. |
3 |
| Peliosis hepititis |
An abnormal condition charachterized by the
occurrence of small blood-filled cystic lesions throughout the liver. |
2 |
| Physical Therapy |
Abbr. P.T. The treatment of physical
dysfunction or injury by the use of therapeutic exercise and the application of
modalities, intended to restore or facilitate normal function or development. Also called
physiotherapy. |
1 |
| Pulse Oximeter |
A device for measuring the oxygen saturation of
arterial blood. |
1 |
| Pyloric Stenosis |
A narrowing of the opening between the stomach
and the intestine. |
2,3 |
Q |
| |
|
|
R |
| Res·pi·ra·tor |
See ventilator. |
3 |
| RSV, Respiratory Syncytial Virus |
A virus that forms thick, sticky lung secretions
and is often responsible for severe lung diseases (such as bronchopneumonia
and bronciolitis) in children and, especially, in infants. |
2,3 |
S |
| sco·li·o·sis |
Abnormal lateral curvature of the
spine. |
2 |
| spherocytocis |
A disorder of the red blood cells that is
characterized by anemia, small thick fragile spherocytes (a globular red blood cell) which
are extrememly susceptible to hemolysis, enlargement of the spleen, reticulocytocis and
mild jaundice. |
2 |
T |
| Tra·che·a |
A thin-walled tube of cartilaginous and
membranous tissue descending from the larynx to the bronchi and carrying air to the lungs.
Also called windpipe. |
1 |
| Tra·che·os·to·my |
1.a. Surgical construction of a respiratory
opening in the trachea. b. The opening so made. 2. A tracheotomy performed in order to
insert a catheter or tube into the trachea, especially to facilitate breathing. |
1 |
U |
| |
|
|
V |
| Ven·ti·la·tor |
A device that supplies oxygen or a mixture of
oxygen and carbon dioxide for breathing, used especially in artificial respiration. |
1,3 |
W |
| |
|
|
X |
| X Chromosome |
A sex chromosome that usually occurs paired in
each female cell and singly in each male cell (along with the Y Chromosome). X-linked
disorders are those carried on the X Chromosome. |
2,3 |
Y |
| |
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Z |
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