Terms Flashcards
Metastasis
the development of secondary malignant growths at a distance from a primary site of cancer.
Biopsy
procedure to remove a piece of tissue or a sample of cells from your body so that it can be tested in a laboratory.
Xerostomia
the sensation of oral dryness, which can result from diminished saliva production.
neck dissection
QOL
an individual’s perception of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns.
recurrent laryngeal nerve
branches off the vagus nerve (cranial nerve X) and has an indirect course through the neck. It supplies innervation to all of the intrinsic muscles of the larynx, except for the cricothyroid muscles, as well as sensation to the larynx below the level of the vocal cords.
Beneficence
an act of charity, mercy, and kindness with a strong connotation of doing good to others including moral obligation.
Microstomia
a condition with a small sized-mouth that results in functional impairment such as difficulty with food intake, pronunciation, and poor oral hygiene and cosmetic problems.
cardiac sphincter (LES)
cardioesophageal sphincter, or gastroesophageal sphincter, is contained within the cardia of the stomach. This sphincter acts like a door to the stomach, opening only in one direction so that food can flow into the stomach and not back up the esophagus.
UES
referred to as the inferior pharyngeal sphincter because it is located at the lower end of pharynx and guards the entrance into the esophagus. It has two major functions: (1) to prevent air from entering into the esophagus during breathing and (2) to prevent reflux of esophageal contents into the pharynx to guard airway aspiration.
LES
a high-pressure zone located where the esophagus meets the stomach and protects the esophagus from the reflux of gastric contents.
Gy (Gray)
One of the two units used to measure the amount of radiation absorbed by an object or person, known as the “absorbed dose,” which reflects the amount of energy that radioactive sources (with any type of ionizing radiation) deposit in materials (e.g., water, tissue, air) through which they pass.
in situ
In the normal location.
Chemotherapy
a drug treatment that uses powerful chemicals to kill fast-growing cells in your body.
Hypopharynx
the bottom part of the pharynx (throat), that lies right behind the larynx
