Glossary

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Term Definition
Myocarditis

An inflammation of the myocardium, the middle layer of the heart wall, usually caused by a viral infection. Signs and symptoms of myocarditis include chest pain, heart failure, and abnormal heart rhythms.

Neurofibromatosis

Genetic disorder that disturbs cell growth in the nervous system, causing tumors to form on nerve tissue. These tumors may develop anywhere in the nervous system, including in the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Neurofibromatosis is usually diagnosed in c

Neutropenia

An abnormally low level of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell. Neutropenia affects the body's ability to fight off infections.

Nevus of ota

A blue or grey birthmark on the face that may include the eye.

Numbness

Inability to feel sensation such as pain, heat, or cold.

Occupational Therapy

The assessment and treatment of physical and psychiatric conditions using specific, purposeful activity to prevent disability and promote independent function in all aspects of daily life.

Orthotics

Custom made mechanical devices made and worn to correct a problem with body strength or structure; most commonly used for ankle stability.

Osteogenesis imperfecta

A genetic disorder in which bones break easily.

Osteopenia

Bone condition characterized by bone loss that is not as severe as in osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis

Condition that affects the bones, causing them to become weak and fragile and more likely to break (fracture).

Ovaries

Female reproductive organ found in pairs in the pelvis.

Pancreas

A gland on the left side of the body, behind the stomach and in front of the spine. It produces juices that help break down food and hormones that help control blood sugar levels.

Paraplegia

Complete paralysis of the lower half of the body including both legs, usually caused by damage to the spinal cord.

Paresis

Condition characterized by a weakness or partial loss of voluntary movement or impaired movement.

Patent Ductus Arteriosusÿ(PDA)

The failure of the ductus arteriosus to close shortly after birth. The ductus arteriosus is a blood vessel that is present in all babies while still in the womb that allows blood to bypass the pathway to the lungs.

Pelvis

The cavity in the lower part of the abdomen and the bone that protects the organs located there (ovaries, uterus, lower intestines, appendix, bladder)

Pericardial Effusion

Fluid around the heart. An abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pericardial cavity.

Pericardial Window

A procedure in which an opening is made in the pericardium to drain fluid that has accumulated around the heart.

Pericardiectomy

The surgical removal of part or most of the pericardium, the fluid filled sac that surrounds the heart and the proximal ends of the aorta, vena cava, and the pulmonary artery.

Pericardiocentesis

Medical procedure that uses a needle to remove fluid from the pericardial sac, the tissue that surrounds the heart.

Pericarditis

Condition in which the sac-like covering around the heart (pericardium) becomes inflamed.

Physical Therapy

Health profession which aims the physical treatment and management of disease or condition which enables people to reach their maximum potential.

Placenta previa (placenta covers cervix)

Problem of pregnancy in which the placenta grows in the lowest part of the womb (uterus) and covers all or part of the opening to the cervix. Almost always requires C-section delivery.

Pleural Effusion

Excess fluid that builds up between the two pleural layers, the fluid-filled space that surrounds the lungs. Too much fluid can impair breathing by limiting the expansion of the lungs.

Pleurectomy

Surgical removal of the lining around the lungs.

Pleurocentesis

Surgical puncture and drainage of the thoracic cavity; also called thoracentesis.

Pleurodesis

Procedure that adheres the outside of the lung to the inside of the chest cavity to prevent excess fluid collection in the space.

Pneumonia

An infection of the lungs that is usually caused by bacteria or viruses.

Polycystic Kidney Disease

Causes many cysts (fluid-filled sacs) to develop in the kidneys. There are many causes, but the most common type is inherited.

Port-wine stain

A permanent birthmark that starts out pink, but turns darker red or purple as a child grows. Most often, a port-wine stain appears on the face and neck, but it can affect other areas of the body.

Preeclampsia

Type of gestational hypertension (blood pressure greater than 140/90) plus protein in the urine (>300 mg of protein in a 24-hour urine sample).

Prolonged QT syndrome

Also known as long QT Syndrome; refers to a group of disorders that increase the risk for sudden death due to an abnormal heartbeat.

Pulmonary Atresiaÿ(PA)

Heart defect present at birth in which the pulmonary valvewhich is normally located between the right ventricle and the pulmonary arteryis abnormal and doesn_t open.

Pulmonary Fibrosis

Disease marked by scarring in the lungs in which the tissue deep in the lungs becomes thick, stiff and scarred. The condition impairs breathing and may eventually cause pulmonary hypertension.

Pulmonary Hypertension

High blood pressure in the arteries to the lungs. It is a serious condition for which there are treatments but no cure.

Pulmonary Valvar Stenosisÿ(PS)

A thickened or fused heart valve that does not fully open. The heart must then work harder to pump blood out of the heart, into the pulmonary artery, and then to the lungs.

Pulmonary valve regurgitation

The pulmonary artery is weak and not able to close tightly so blood leaks backwards rather than steadily pumping forwards.

Quadriplegia (paralysis of whole body - complete or incomplete)

Paralysis caused by damage to the cervical spinal cord segments at levels C1-C8 (the neck). The injury may result in the loss of partial or total function in all four limbs, meaning the arms and the legs.

Radius

bone between the elbow and wrist on the thumb side

Respiratory distress

Medical term that refers to both difficulty in breathing and to the psychological experience associated with such difficulty. The physical presentation of respiratory distress is generally referred to as labored breathing, while the sensation of respirato

Restrictive cardiomyopathy

Refers to changes in and weakening of the heart muscle, which causes the heart to fill poorly, squeeze poorly, or both.

Scapula (shoulder blade)

The paired bones in the upper back that form part of the shoulder.

Sclerotherapy

Medical procedure used to treat blood vessels or blood vessel malformations (vascular malformations) and also those of the lymphatic system. A medicine is injected into the vessels, which makes them shrink.

Scoliosis (left-right curve in the spine)

Crooked spine that curves to the side.

Seizure

Uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain that may lead to symptoms that may range from mild loss of attention to violent muscular contractions that can lead to death.

Sepsis

A serious illness in which the body has a severe response to bacteria or other germs. The symptoms of sepsis are not caused by the germs themselves. Instead, chemicals the body releases cause the response.

Shunt

A surgically implanted tube which moves, or allows movement of fluid from one part of the body to another.

Sigmoidoscopy

Medical procedure where a doctor or nurse looks into the rectum and sigmoid colon, using an instrument called a sigmoidoscope.

Single Ventricle Anomalies

Complex heart defects that result in one of the heart_s pumping chambers (ventricles) being underdeveloped.

Sleep Apnea

The temporary interruption of breathing during sleep, severe symptoms include more than 30 incidents of disrupted breathing per hour

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