P's Flashcards
periosteum
Tough layer of vascular connective tissue that covers outer surfaces of all bones except at the joint surfaces. Periosteum is responsible for circumferential growth of immature long bones and provides healing response when bone is damaged.
pes
Distal part of a pelvic limb; includes tarsus, metatarsus, and digits.
phosphor
A rare-earth compound that emits an instantaneous flash of light after interaction with an x-ray. The light is phosphorescence rather than fluorescence (latter glows for a longer period of time).
physis
The cartilaginous growth plate located between the metaphysis and the epiphysis of an immature long bone. Other names: epiphyseal plate, growth plate.
physeal fracture
A break in bone that occurs through a physis (occurs in immature animals). Fracture commonly is described using Salter–Harris classification.
phytobezoar
A concretion of plant material (fruit and/or vegetable fibers) within the alimentary tract (usually stomach or intestine).
plantar
Associated with the sole of the foot; refers to the bottom surface of a distal pelvic limb or pes (Figure 2.22). Opposite of dorsal when referring to a limb.
pleural fissure line
Linear increased opacity between lung lobes. May represent pleural thickening (line is uniform in thickness and does not taper), pleural effusion (line widens peripherally and tapers toward the hilus), or interlobar fat (line is wider centrally and tapers peripherally). Other names: interlobar fissure line, fissure line.
pleural thickening
Increased width and opacity of parietal or visceral pleura due to deposits of fibrin or mineral.
pleurography
A radiographic contrast study of the parietal and visceral pleural surfaces made by instilling contrast medium into the pleural space.
plication
Abnormal bunching of small intestine with tight turns and irregular pockets of gas, commonly caused by linear foreign material. Other names: pleating.
pneumatocoele:
An air-filled cyst in a lung; usually results from trauma.
pneumomediastinum
Presence of free gas in the mediastinum (aorta, esophagus, cranial vessels) appear sharp and well-defined; results in visualization of mediastinal structures not normally seen. If only the “dorsal outer tracheal margin” is visible, gas is present in the esophagus (megaesophagus). If both dorsal and ventral outer margins of trachea are visible, gas is in mediastinum (pnumomediastinum)
pneumopericardiography
A radiographic contrast study of the pericardial space; used to evaluate the pericardial sac, epicardial surface of the heart, and origin of the aorta and pulmonary arteries. Typically performed by instilling gas in the pericardial sac.
PACS (picture archiving and communication system)
a network of computers used to accomplish many of the services required in digital radiography:
P Pictures made available for viewing, interpretation, reporting, and consultation from multiple modalities (radiology, ultrasound, CT, MRI, etc.).
A Archiving and storage of imaging studies for both short and long terms.
C Communication with local and remote computers, professionals, and consultants to manage workflow and share information.
S System coordination and integration to works with radiology information systems (RIS), hospital information systems (HIS), and others to enable a paperless environment.
palmar
Associated with the palm of the hand; refers tothe bottom surface of a distal thoracic limb or manus (Figure 2.22). Opposed to dorsal when referring to a limb.
panosteitis
A self-limiting bone disorder of unknown
etiology that causes an acute onset of pain in one or more bones. Multiple bones may be affected either simultaneously or sequentially and lameness commonly shifts between legs. Appears on radiographs as areas of increased medullaryopacity, typically near a nutrient foramen, and sometimes with a periosteal response.
parosteal osteosarcoma
A rare, slow-growing bone tumor that arises from the surface of the bone instead of the intramedullary region. Commonly appears as a smoothbordered, nonaggressive bony mass arising from the surface of the bone.
patchy
Refers to multiple, indistinct, irregularly shaped lesions; commonly used to describe amorphous areas of
increased opacity in the lungs.
pathologic fracture
A loss of continuity in a bone that has been weakened by an underlying disease process or developmental defect; typically caused by neoplasia or metabolic bone disease.
penumbra
The partial outer shadows that blur the edgesof structures and decrease radiographic detail. Occurs due to the fact that x-rays do not originate from a single point but are generated over a small area. Penumbra can be minimized by using a small focal spot, a longer distance between focal spot and image detector, and a shorter distance between patient (subject or object) and imaging detector. Other names: geometric unsharpness.
periosteal response
Formation of new bone to fill the space created when the periosteum is separated from the cortex. New bone forms perpendicular to the periosteum. The appearance of the margin of the periosteal new bone formation reflects the activity of the disease process (the less distinct the margin, the more active the disease process).
pulmonary emphysema
Refers to increased size of air spaces distal to the terminal bronchiole, with destruction of alveolar walls.
portography
A radiographic contrast study of the portal venous system. Contrast agent is injected into a mesenteric vein (venous portography) or the spleen (splenoportography).
pyothorax
Accumulation of purulent exudate in the pleural space.
pyelogram
The phase in excretory urography during which contrast medium opacifies the renal collecting system (e.g., renal pelvis, pelvic recesses).
pneumoperitoneum
Free gas in the peritoneal space.
pneumoperitoneography
A radiographic contrast study of the peritoneal space; gas is instilled into the peritoneal space.
pneumothorax
Presence of free gas in the pleural space.
- Simple pneumothorax: air in pleural space is less than or equal to atmospheric pressure.
- Closed pneumothorax: a simple pneumothorax in which the thoracic wall is intact.
- Open pneumothorax: a simple pneumothorax caused by an opening in the thoracic wall.
- Tension pneumothorax: a closed pneumothorax in which pressure within the pleural space is greater than atmospheric pressure, resulting in compression atelectasis of the lung(s).
polyarticular
Associated with multiple joints
polyarthritis
Inflammation affecting multiple joints.
polydactyly
Congenital anomaly in which one or more extra digits are present.
polyostotic
Associated with multiple bones.
poorly-defined
Similar meaning to ill-defined, but sometimes used as a qualifier when making a decision between well-defined and ill-defined. Such a lesion should be reevaluated in a week or so, especially if the lesion margins are becoming better-defined on serial radiographs, but not quite well-defined.
positive contrast agent
A contrast medium that absorbs many x-rays and is more opaque than soft tissue or bone (e.g., barium sulfate, organic iodinated compounds).
pronate
To rotate a limb inward so that the palmar or plantar surface faces downward or lateral and the dorsal or cranial surface faces upward or medial.
proximal
Anatomical term describing part of a limbnearest its attachment to the body. Contrast distal (Figure 2.22).
pseudoarthrosis
“False joint”; a fibrous capsule filled with serum that may form at the site of a long-term nonunion fracture, chronic dislocation, or developmental anomaly.
pseudo-nodule
A discrete soft tissue or mineral opacity that mimics a pulmonary nodule (e.g., end-on visualization of a pulmonary vessel, superimposed nipple, costochondral junction, heterotopic bone formation).
Peribronchial cuffing
Outer bronchial margins may become indistinct due to disease in adjacent lung parenchyma or peribronchial infiltrates. When viewed tangentially this can give the appearance of a tram line. It is sometimes described as a “donut sign”. It may either represent bronchial wall thickening or fluid around bronchi when seen end on due to lymphatic congestion. It can be seen in with a number of pathologies which include: pulmonary oedema, small air ways inflammatory disease, bronchiolitis , asthma (C on image)
