NAVEDTRA 13119 Standard First Aid Course - Appendix
Appendix
Department of the Navy
Bureau of Medicine and Surgery
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.