Medical Terms
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radial keratotomy
a surgical procedure in which incisions are made into the epithelium of the cornea to correct refractive error.
radiation
use of high-energy radiation from x-rays, neutrons, and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.
radiation colitis
inflammation of the colon from radiation therapy.
radical mastectomy
surgical removal of the entire breast, the pectoral muscles, and the ancillary lymph nodes.
radical prostatectomy
surgery to remove the prostate along with the two seminal vesicle glands attached to the prostate.
radical retropubic prostatectomy
an operation to remove the entire prostate gland and seminal vesicles through the lower abdomen.
radiculopathy
pinched nerve usually from a herniated, or slipped, disk; can cause a shooting pain often described as an electrical feeling.
radioisotope
a radioactive material injected into the body so that a nuclear scanner can make pictures.
radionuclide scan
an imaging scan in which a small amount of radioactive substance is injected into the vein. A machine measures levels of radioactivity in certain organs, thereby detecting any abnormal areas or tumors.
radionuclide ventriculography
a diagnostic procedure used to determine the shape and size of the heart's chambers
radiopharmaceutical (Also called tracer or radionuclide.)
the basic, radioactively-tagged compound necessary to produce a nuclear medicine image.
range of motion
measurement of the extent to which a joint can go through all of its normal range of movements.
rapid gastric emptying
see dumping syndrome.
recommended dietary allowance (RDA)
recommendations for daily intake of specific nutrients for groups of healthy individuals, as set by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council of the National Academy of Science.
rectal manometry
test that uses a thin tube and balloon to measure pressure and movements of the rectal and anal sphincter muscles.
rectocele
condition in which weakening of the lower vaginal wall causes the rectum to bulge into the vagina.
rectum
lower end of the large intestine, leading to the anus.
reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD)
caused by an abnormal sympathetic muscle reflex, giving rise to a response that is out of proportion to, and inconsistent with, the injury.
reflux (Also called regurgitation.)
condition that occurs when gastric juices, or small amounts of food from the stomach, flow back into the esophagus and mouth.
reflux esophagitis
irritation of the esophagus due to stomach contents flowing back into the esophagus
refractive error
the degree to which light reaches the back of the eye; includes myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism
regional anesthetic
an anesthetic used to numb a portion of the body.
regional enteritis
see Crohn's disease.
regurgitation, gastrointestinal
see reflux.
regurgitation, heart
backward flow of blood caused by a defective heart valve.
rehabilitation
the process of restoring a part of the body or a person to near-normal functioning after an injury or disease
required surgery
an operation which is necessary to continue quality of life. Required surgery may not have to be done immediately, like emergency surgery.
respiration
gas exchange from air to the blood and from the blood to the body cells.
respiratory system
the group of organs responsible for carrying oxygen from the air to the bloodstream and for expelling carbon dioxide.
resting tremor
a tremor of a limb that increases when the limb is at rest.
retching
dry vomiting
retrolisthesis
posterior slippage of one vertebra onto another
retropulsion
the tendency to step backwards if bumped from the front or upon initiating walking; usually seen in patients who tend to lean backwards because of problems with balance.
rheumatic fever
a childhood disease that may damage the heart valves or the outer lining of the heart.
rhinitis
an inflammation of the mucous membrane that lines the nose; often due to allergy to pollen, dust, or other airborne substances; causes sneezing, itching, a runny nose, and nasal congestion.
RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation)
treatment plan for acute injury to prevent inflammatory processes from becoming uncontrolled and to speed up the recovery process by eliminating swelling; acute injury management.
rigidity
increased resistance to the passive movement of a limb.
risk factor
activity or factor that may increase the chance of developing a disease.
rotator cuff
muscles and their insertional tendons that form a cuff over the shoulder joint, on their way to attaching from the scapula to the humorous; major function is to control, and produce, rotation of the shoulder.
round window
membrane separating the middle ear and inner ear
rupture
break or tear in any organ or soft tissue
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