EMT Glossary page 1344 Flashcards
Joint
A place where one bone meets another.
J-receptors
Receptors that are found in the capillaries surrounding the alveoli and are sensitive to increases in the pressure in the capillary and cause rapid, shallow ventilation when stimulated.
Kehr sign
Shoulder pain referred from the diaphragm when it is irritated by blood within the abdominal cavity.
Kinetic energy
The energy contained by an object in motion. Kinetic energy equals mass (weight in pounds), times the velocity (feet per second) squared, divided by two.
Kinetics
The branch of mechanics dealing with the motions of material bodies.
Kinetics of trauma
The science of analyzing mechanism of injury.
Kyphosis
Abnormal curvature of the spine with convexity backward; also called slouch.
Labor
The physiologic process by which the fetus is expelled from the uterus into the vagina and then to the outside of the body; also childbirth.
Laceration
An open injury usually caused by forceful impact with a sharp object and characterized by a wound whose edges may be linear (smooth and regular) or stellate (jagged and irregular) in appearance; a wound that penetrates the brain.
Laryngeal spasm
A contraction of the vocal cords that causes them to close and prevents air from passing through into the trachea; also called laryngospasm.
Laryngectomy
A surgical procedure in which a patient’s larynx is partially or completely removed. A stoma is created fort eh patient to breathe through.
Larynx
Structure that houses the vocal cords and is located inferior tot he pharynx and superior to the trachea.
Lateral
Refers to the left or right of the midline, or away from the midline, or to the side of the body; see also medial.
Lateral recumbent
A position in which the patient is lying on the left or right side; also called recovery position.
Leading questions
Questions that suggest an answer guided by the individual who is asking the question.
Left
Refers to the patient’s left.
Left plane
Everything to the left of the midline.
Lens
The portion of the eye behind the pupil that focuses light on the retina.
Libel
The act of injuring a person’s reputation or good name in writing or through the mass media with malicious intent or reckless disregard for the falsity of those statement.
Life expectancy
The average length of years of life remaining based on the individual’s year of birth.
Ligaments
Bands of fibrous tissue that connect bones about a joint and support organs.
Limb presentation
An abnormal obstetric presentation when an arm or single leg is the first fetal part to protrude from the vaginal opening.
Living will
A legal document that delineates the signer’s wishes about general health care issues such as the use of long-term life support measures.
Local cold injury
Damage to tissues in a specific part of the body resulting from exposure to cold.
Lordosis
Abnormal anterior convexity of the spine; also called swayback.
Lower airway
The portion of the respiratory system that extends from the trachea to the alveoli of the lungs.
Lumbar spine
The five vertebrae located between the sacral and the thoracic spine that from the lower back.
Lungs
The principal organs of respiration.
Malaise
A general feeling of weakness or discomfort.
Malleolus
The knobby surface landmark of the ankle. There is a medial malleolus and a lateral malleolus.
Mammalian diving reflex
The body’s natural response to submersion in cold water in which breathing is inhibited, the heart rate decreases, and blood vessels constrict in order to maintain cerebral and cardiac blood flow.
Mandible
The lower movable portion of the jaw.
Manubrium
The superior portion of the sternum where the clavicle is attached.
Markle test
A test for the presence of peritonitis in which the patient stands on his toes, then drops tot his heels, or in which the heels are struck together or struck on the bottom. The jarring of the torso will elicit pain when the peritoneal linings are inflamed. Also called the heel drop test.
Maxilla
The fixed upper portion of the jaw.
Maximum life span
Theoretically the longest period of time for an organism to live.
Mechanism of injury (MOI)
The factors and forces that cause traumatic injury.
Meconium staining
A greenish or brownish yellow staining of the amniotic fluid, caused by a fetal bowel movement resulting from distress.
Medial
Toward the midline or center of the body; see also lateral.
Median plane
See sagittal plane.
Medical
Concerning illness.
Medical direction
Medical policies, procedures, and practices that are available to EMS providers either off-line or on-line.
Medical director
Physician who is legally responsible for the clinical and patient care aspects of an EMS system.
Medical oversight
The medical director’s broad responsibilities, including all clinical and administrative functions and activities necessary to exercise ultimate responsibility for the emergency care provided by individual personnel and the entire emergency medical services (EMS) system.
Medical oxygen
Oxygen administered as a medication or to support or improve a patient’s oxygenation.
Medical patient
A patient with a condition brought on by illness or by substances or by environmental factors that affect the function of the body.
Medication
A drug or other substance that is used as a remedy for illness.
Melena
Dark tarry stools containing decomposing blood normally from the upper gastrointestinal system.
Menarche
Onset of menses.
Meninges
Layers of tissue protecting the brain. They include the dura mater, the arachnoid, and the pia mater.
Menopause
The permanent end of menstruation and fertility, which usually occurs in a woman’s late 40s or 50s.
Menses
Menstrual period in which the endometrium is sloughed off.
Metacarpals
The bones of the hand. (Mom hint - need hands to drive cars)
Metatarsals
The bones that form the arch of the foot. (Mom hint - feet have to walk on the tar)
Metered-dose inhaler (MDI)
Device consisting of a plastic container and a canister of medication that is used to form an aerosolized medication that a patient can inhale.
Microcirculation
The flow of blood through the arterioles, capillaries, and venules that is the site of exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste products with the cells.
Midaxillary
Refers to the center of the armpit (axilla).
Midaxillary line
An imaginary line that divides the body into anterior and posterior planes; the imaginary line from the middle of the armpit to the ankle.
Midclavicular
Refers to the center of the collarbone.
Midclavicular line
The imaginary line from the center of either clavicle down the anterior thorax.
Midline
An imaginary line drawn vertically through the middle of the patient’s body, dividing it into right and left planes.
Midsagittal plane
A vertical plane that divides the body into equal right and left halves; see also sagittal plane.
Minimum data set
The minimum information the US Department of Transportation has determined should be included on all prehospital care reports.
Minor consent
Permission obtained from a parent or legal guardian for emergency treatment of a minor or a mentally incompetent adult.
Minute ventilation
The amount of air moved in and out of the lungs in one minute; also called minute volume.
Minute volume
See minute ventilation.
Miscarriage
See spontaneous abortion.
Mittelschmerz
Abdominopelvic pain during the middle of a menstrual cycle that is associated with ovulation.
Mobile data terminal
Device that is mounted in the cab of an ambulance, receives a signal from a digital radio, and displays the information on the terminal screen. Some mobile data terminals will also print a hard copy of the information.
Modified secondary assessment
A physical exam that is focused on a specific injury site, performed on a responsive patient with no significant mechanism of injury or critical injuries; or on a medical patient who is alert, oriented, and stable.
Mottling
A skin discoloration similar to cyanosis but occurring in a blotchy pattern; a possible sign of shock.
Mucous membrane
A thin layer of tissue that lines various structures within the body.
Multiple birth
The delivery of more than one baby during a single birth, for example twins or triplets.
Multiple-casualty incident (MCI)
An event that places excessive demands on EMS personnel and equipment.
