eye socket 102 (NOTE: For other terms referring to the eyelids, see words beginning with blephar-, blepharo ) eye socket eye socket /a sɒkt/ noun same as orbit eyestrain eyestrain /astren/ noun tiredness in the mus- cles of the eye with a headache, which may be caused by an activity such as reading in bad light or working on a computer screen. Also called asthenopia eyetooth eyetooth /atuθ/ noun a canine tooth, one of two pairs of pointed teeth next to the incisors (NOTE: The plural is eyeteeth.) Nursing.fm Page 102 Monday, May 14, 2007 4:47 PM F F F abbreviation Fahrenheit face face /fes/ noun the front part of the head, where the eyes, nose and mouth are placed í verb to have your face towards or to look towards some- thing ć Please face the screen. face delivery face delivery /fes d | lv(ə)ri/ noun a birth where the baby’s face appears first face lift face lift /fes lft/, face-lifting operation / fes lftŋ ɒpə | reʃ(ə)n/ noun a surgical oper- ation to remove wrinkles on the face and neck face presentation face presentation /fes prez(ə)n | teʃ(ə)n/ noun a position of a baby in the uterus where the face will appear first at birth facet facet /fst/ noun a flat surface on a bone facet syndrome facet syndrome /fst sndrəυm/ noun a condition in which a joint in the vertebrae becomes dislocated facial facial /feʃ(ə)l/ adjective relating to, or appear- ing on, the face ć The psychiatrist examined the patient’s facial expression. facial bone facial bone /feʃ(ə)l bəυn/ noun one of the fourteen bones which form the face COMMENT: The bones which make up the face are: two maxillae forming the upper jaw; two nasal bones forming the top part of the nose; two lacrimal bones on the inside of the orbit near the nose; two zygomatic or malar bones forming the sides of the cheeks; two palatine bones forming the back part of the top of the mouth; two nasal conchae or tur- binate bones which form the sides of the na- sal cavity; the mandible or lower jaw; and the vomer in the centre of the nasal septum. facial paralysis facial paralysis /feʃ(ə)l pə | rləss/ noun same as Bell’s palsy facies facies /feʃiiz/ noun someone’s facial appear- ance, used as a guide to diagnosis factor factor /fktə/ noun 1. something which has an influence or which makes something else take place 2. a substance, variously numbered, e.g. Factor I, Factor II, in the plasma, which makes the blood coagulate when a blood vessel is injured Factor II Factor II /fktə tu/ noun same as pro- thrombin Factor IX Factor IX /fktə nan/ noun a protein in plasma which promotes the clotting of blood and is lacking in people with haemophilia B. Also called Christmas factor Factor VIII Factor VIII /fktər et/ noun a protein in plasma which promotes the clotting of blood and is lacking in people with haemophilia A Factor XI Factor XI /fktər  | lev(ə)n/ noun a protein in plasma which promotes the clotting of blood and is lacking in people with haemophilia C Factor XII Factor XII /fktə twelv/ noun a protein in plasma which promotes the clotting of blood and is lacking in some people with haemophilia. Also called Hageman factor fade away fade away /fed ə | we/ verb to be in the proc- ess of dying (informal) faecal faecal /fik(ə)l/ adjective referring to faeces faecal impaction faecal impaction /fikl(ə)l m | pkʃən/ noun a condition in which a hardened mass of faeces stays in the rectum faecal incontinence faecal incontinence /fik(ə)l n | kɒntnəns/ noun an inability to control the bowel movements faecalith faecalith /fikəlθ/ noun same as coprolith faecal matter faecal matter /fik(ə)l mtə/ noun solid waste matter from the bowels faeces faeces /fisiz/ plural noun solid waste matter passed from the bowels through the anus. Also called stools, bowel movement (NOTE: For other terms referring to faeces, see words begin- ning with sterco ) Fahrenheit Fahrenheit /frənhat/, Fahrenheit scale / frənhat skel/ noun a scale of temperatures where the freezing and boiling points of water are 32° and 212° under standard atmospheric pres- sure (NOTE: Used in the US, but less common in the UK. Usually written as an F after the degree sign: 32°F (say: ‘thirty-two degrees Fahren- heit’).) fail fail /fel/ verb 1. not to be successful in doing something ć The doctor failed to see the symp- toms. ć She has failed her pharmacy exams. ć He failed his medical and was rejected by the police force. 2. to become weaker and less likely to recover failure to thrive failure to thrive /feljə tə θrav/ noun same as marasmus Nursing.fm Page 103 Monday, May 14, 2007 4:47 PM faint 104 faint faint /fent/ verb to stop being conscious for a short time and, usually, fall down í noun a loss of consciousness for a short period, caused by a temporary reduction in the blood flow to the brain fainting fit fainting fit /fentŋ ft/, fainting spell / fentŋ spel/ noun same as syncope ć She often had fainting fits when she was dieting. Fairbanks’ splint Fairbanks’ splint /feəbŋks splnt/ noun a special splint used for correcting Erb’s palsy faith healing faith healing /feθ hilŋ/ noun the treatment of pain or illness by a person who prays and may also lay his or her hands on the patient falciform falciform /flsfɔm/ adjective in the shape of a sickle falciform ligament falciform ligament /flsfɔm ləmənt/ noun a piece of tissue which separates the two lobes of the liver and attaches it to the diaphragm fallen arches fallen arches /fɔlən ɑtʃz/ plural noun a condition in which the arches in the sole of the foot are not high Fallopian tube Fallopian tube /fə | ləυpiən tjub/ noun one of two tubes which connect the ovaries to the uterus. See illustration at UROGENITAL SYSTEM (FEMALE) in Supplement. Also called oviduct, salpinx ( NOTE: For other terms referring to Fallopian tubes, see words beginning with salping-, salpingo ) [Described 1561. After Gabriele Fal- lopio (1523–63), Italian man of medicine. He was Professor of Surgery and Anatomy at Padua, where he was also Professor of Botany.] Fallot’s tetralogy Fallot’s tetralogy /fləυz te | trlədi/ noun same as tetralogy of Fallot false rib false rib /fɔls rb/ noun one of the bottom five ribs on each side which are not directly attached to the breastbone familial familial /fə | mliəl/ adjective referring to a fam- ily familial adenomatous polyposis familial adenomatous polyposis /fə | mliəl də | nɒmətəs pɒl | pəυss/ noun a hereditary disorder where polyps develop in the small intes- tine. Abbreviation FAP familial disorder familial disorder /fə | mliəl ds | ɔdə/ noun a hereditary disorder which affects several mem- bers of the same family family family /fm(ə)li/ noun a group of people who are related to each other, especially mother, father and children family doctor family doctor /fm(ə)li dɒktə/ noun a gen- eral practitioner family planning family planning /fm(ə)li plnŋ/ noun the use of contraception to control the number of chil- dren in a family family planning clinic family planning clinic /fm(ə)li plnŋ klnk/ noun a clinic which gives advice on con- traception family therapy family therapy /fm(ə)li θerəpi/ noun a type of psychotherapy where members of the family of a person with a disorder meet a therapist to dis- cuss the condition and try to come to terms with it famotidine famotidine /fə | mɒtdin/ noun a histamine which reduces the secretion of gastric acid and is used to treat ulcers Fanconi syndrome Fanconi syndrome /fn | kəυni sndrəυm/ noun a kidney disorder where amino acids are present in the urine [Described 1927. After Guido Fanconi (1892–1979), Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Zurich, Switzerland.] fantasy fantasy /fntəsi/ noun a series of imaginary events which someone believes really took place FAP FAP abbreviation familial adenomatous polypo- sis farcy farcy /fɑsi/ noun a form of glanders which affects the lymph nodes farmer’s lung farmer’s lung /fɑməz lŋ/ noun a type of asthma caused by an allergy to rotting hay fascia fascia /feʃə/ noun fibrous tissue covering a muscle or an organ (NOTE: The plural is fasciae.) fasciculation fasciculation /fə | skjυ | leʃ(ə)n/ noun small muscle movements which appear as trembling skin fasciculus fasciculus /fə | skjυləs/ noun a bundle of nerve fibres (NOTE: The plural is fasciculi.) fasciitis fasciitis /fʃi | ats/ noun an inflammation of the connective tissue between muscles or around organs fastigium fastigium /f | stdiəm/ noun the highest tem- perature during a bout of fever fat fat /ft/ adjective big and round in the body ć You ought to eat less – you’re getting too fat. (NOTE: fatter – fattest) í noun 1. a white oily substance in the body, which stores energy and protects the body against cold 2. a type of food which supplies protein and Vitamins A and D, especially that part of meat which is white, and solid substances like lard or butter produced from animals and used for cooking, or liquid sub- stances like oil ć If you don’t like the fat on the meat, cut it off. ć Fry the eggs in some fat. (NOTE: Fat has no plural when it means the substance; the plural fats is used to mean different types of fat. For other terms referring to fats, see also lipid and words beginning with steato ) fatigue fatigue /fə | ti/ noun very great tiredness fatigue fracture fatigue fracture /fə | ti frktʃə/ noun  stress fracture fatty fatty /fti/ adjective containing fat fatty acid fatty acid /fti sd/ noun an organic acid belonging to a group that occurs naturally as fats, oils and waxes. ı essential fatty acid fatty degeneration fatty degeneration /fti d | denə | reʃ(ə)n/ noun same as adipose degeneration fauces fauces /fɔsiz/ noun an opening between the tonsils at the back of the throat, leading to the pharynx FDA FDA abbreviation US Food and Drug Adminis- tration Nursing.fm Page 104 Monday, May 14, 2007 4:47 PM 105 fertile fear fear /fə/ noun a state where a person is afraid of something ć fear of flying febricula febricula /fe | brkjυlə/ noun a low fever febrifuge febrifuge /febrfjud/ noun a drug which pre- vents or lowers a fever, e.g. aspirin í adjective preventing or lowering fever febrile febrile /fibral/ adjective referring to a fever, or caused by a fever febrile convulsion febrile convulsion /fibral kən | vlʃ(ə)n/ noun a convulsion in a child, lasting a short time, associated with a fever febrile disease febrile disease /fibral d | ziz/ noun a dis- ease which is accompanied by fever fecundation fecundation /fekən | deʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of bringing male and female reproductive matter together. Also called fertilisation feedback feedback /fidbk/ noun 1. information or comments about something which has been done ć The initial feedback from patients on the new service was encouraging. 2. the linking of the result of an action back to the action itself Fehling’s solution Fehling’s solution /felŋz sə | luʃ(ə)n/ noun a solution used in Fehling’s test to detect sugar in urine [Described 1848. After Hermann Christian von Fehling (1812–85), Professor of Chemistry at Stuttgart, Germany.] Fehling’s test Fehling’s test /felŋz test/ noun a test for the presence of aldehydes and sugars in a biological sample by means of Fehling’s solution felon felon /felən/ noun same as whitlow Felty’s syndrome Felty’s syndrome /feltiz sndrəυm/ noun a condition, associated with rheumatoid arthritis, in which the spleen is enlarged and the number of white blood cells increases [Described 1924. After Augustus Roi Felty (1895–1963), physician at Hartford Hospital, Connecticut, USA.] female condom female condom /fimel kɒndɒm/ noun a rubber sheath inserted into the vagina before intercourse, covering the walls of the vagina and the cervix female sex hormone female sex hormone /fimel seks hɔməυn/ noun same as oestrogen feminisation feminisation /femna | zeʃ(ə)n/, feminiza- tion noun the development of female characteris- tics in a male femoral femoral /femərəl/ adjective referring to the femur or to the thigh femoral artery femoral artery /femərəl ɑtəri/ noun a con- tinuation of the external iliac artery, which runs down the front of the thigh and then crosses to the back of the thigh femoral canal femoral canal /femərəl kə | nl/ noun the inner tube of the sheath surrounding the femoral artery and vein femoral head femoral head /femərəl hed/ noun the head of the femur, the rounded projecting end part of the thigh bone which joins the acetabulum at the hip femoral hernia femoral hernia /femərəl hniə/ noun a her- nia of the bowel at the top of the thigh femoral neck femoral neck /femərəl nek/ noun the narrow part between the head and the diaphysis of the femur. Also called neck of the femur femoral nerve femoral nerve /femərəl nv/ noun a nerve which governs the muscle at the front of the thigh femoral pulse femoral pulse /femərəl pls/ noun a pulse taken in the groin femoral triangle femoral triangle /femərəl traŋəl/ noun a slight hollow in the groin which contains the fem- oral vessels and nerve. Also called Scarpa’s tri- angle femoral vein femoral vein /femərəl ven/ noun a vein run- ning up the upper leg, a continuation of the pop- liteal vein femur femur /fimə/ noun the bone in the top part of the leg which joins the acetabulum at the hip and the tibia at the knee. Also called thighbone. See illustration at PELVIS in Supplement (NOTE: The plural is femora.) -fen -fen /fen/ suffix used in names of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ć ibuprofen fenestra fenestra /fə | nestrə/ noun a small opening in the ear fenestra ovalis fenestra ovalis /fə | nestrə əυ | vɑls/ noun same as oval window fenestra rotunda fenestra rotunda /fə | nestrə rəυ | tndə/ noun same as round window fenestration fenestration /fenə | streʃ(ə)n/ noun a surgical operation to relieve deafness by making a small opening in the inner ear fenoprofen fenoprofen /fenəυ | prəυfen/ noun a non-ster- oidal, anti-inflammatory drug that is used to man- age the pain of arthritis fentanyl fentanyl /fentənl/ noun a narcotic drug that is a powerful painkiller fermentation fermentation /fmen | teʃ(ə)n/ noun a proc- ess where carbohydrates are broken down by enzymes from yeast and produce alcohol. Also called zymosis ferric ferric /ferk/ adjective containing iron with a valency of three ferritin ferritin /fertn/ noun a protein found in the liver that binds reversibly to iron and stores it for later use in making haemoglobin in red blood cells ferrous ferrous /ferəs/ adjective containing iron with a valency of two ferrous sulphate ferrous sulphate /ferəs slfet/ noun a white or pale green iron salt that is used in the treatment of iron-deficient anaemia ferrule ferrule /ferul/ noun a metal or rubber cap or ring that strengthens and protects the lower end of a crutch or walking stick í verb to fit a ferrule onto a crutch or walking stick fertile fertile /ftal/ adjective able to produce chil- dren. Opposite sterile Nursing.fm Page 105 Monday, May 14, 2007 4:47 PM fertilisation 106 fertilisation fertilisation /ftla | zeʃ(ə)n/, fertilization noun the joining of an ovum and a sperm to form a zygote and so start the development of an embryo fertility fertility /f | tlti/ noun the fact of being fertile. Opposite sterility fertility rate fertility rate /f | tlti ret/ noun the number of births per year calculated per 1000 females aged between 15 and 44 FESS FESS abbreviation functional endoscopic sinus surgery fester fester /festə/ verb (of an infected wound) to become inflamed and produce pus ć His legs were covered with festering sores. festination festination /fest | neʃ(ə)n/ noun a way of walking in which a person takes short steps, seen in people who have Parkinson’s disease fetal fetal /fit(ə)l/ adjective referring to a fetus fetal alcohol syndrome fetal alcohol syndrome /fit(ə)l lkə | hɒl sndrəυm/ noun damage caused to the fetus by alcohol in the blood of the mother, which affects the growth of the embryo, including its facial and brain development. Abbreviation FAS fetal dystocia fetal dystocia /fit(ə)l ds | təυsiə/ noun a dif- ficult childbirth caused by a malformation or mal- presentation of the fetus fetal heart fetal heart /fit(ə)l hɑt/ noun the heart of the fetus fetal monitor fetal monitor /fit(ə)l mɒntə/ noun an elec- tronic device which monitors the fetus in the uterus fetal position fetal position /fit(ə)l pə | zʃ(ə)n/ noun a position where a person lies curled up on his or her side, like a fetus in the uterus fetishism fetishism /fetʃz(ə)m/, fetichism noun a psychological disorder in which someone gets sexual satisfaction from touching objects feto- feto- /fitəυ/ prefix fetus fetoprotein fetoprotein /fitəυ | prəυtin/ noun  alpha- fetoprotein fetor fetor /fitə/ noun a bad smell fetoscope fetoscope /fitəskəυp/ noun a stethoscope used in fetoscopy fetoscopy fetoscopy /f | tɒskəpi/ noun an examination of a fetus inside the uterus, taking blood samples to diagnose blood disorders fetus fetus /fitəs/ noun an unborn baby from two months after conception until birth, before which it is called an embryo FEV FEV abbreviation forced expiratory volume fever fever /fivə/ noun 1. a rise in body temperature ć She is running a slight fever. ć You must stay in bed until the fever has gone down. 2. a condition when the temperature of the body is higher than usual ̈ also called pyrexia fever blister fever blister /fivə blstə/ noun same as fever sore fever sore fever sore /fivə sɔ/ noun a cold sore or burn- ing sore, usually on the lips fiber fiber /fabə/ noun US same as fibre fibr- fibr- /fabr/ prefix referring to fibres, fibrous (used before vowels) -fibrate -fibrate /fabret/ suffix used in names of lipid- lowering drugs fibre fibre /fabə/ noun 1. a structure in the body shaped like a thread 2. same as dietary fibre fibre optics fibre optics /fabər ɒptks/, fibreoptics / fabər | ɒptks/ noun the use of thin fibres which conduct light and images to examine internal organs fibrescope fibrescope /fabəskəυp/ noun a device made of bundles of optical fibres which is passed into the body, used for examining internal organs fibrillation fibrillation /fabr | leʃ(ə)n/ noun the fluttering of a muscle fibrin fibrin /fbrn/ noun a protein produced by fibrinogen, which helps make blood coagulate fibrin foam fibrin foam /fbrn fəυm/ noun a white mate- rial made artificially from fibrinogen, used to pre- vent bleeding fibrinogen fibrinogen /f | brnədən/ noun a substance in blood plasma which produces fibrin when acti- vated by thrombin fibrinolysin fibrinolysin /fbr | nɒləsn/ noun an enzyme which digests fibrin. Also called plasmin fibrinolysis fibrinolysis /fbr | nɒləss/ noun the removal of blood clots from the system by the action of fibrinolysin on fibrin. Also called thrombolysis fibrinolytic fibrinolytic /fbrnə | ltk/ adjective referring to fibrinolysis ć fibrinolytic drugs Also called thrombolytic fibro- fibro- /fabrəυ/ prefix referring to fibres fibroadenoma fibroadenoma /fabrəυ | d | nəυmə/ noun a benign tumour formed of fibrous and glandular tissue fibroblast fibroblast /fabrəυblst/ noun a long flat cell found in connective tissue, which develops into collagen fibrocartilage fibrocartilage /fabrəυ | kɑtəld/ noun carti- lage and fibrous tissue combined fibrochondritis fibrochondritis /fabrəυkɒn | drats/ noun inflammation of the fibrocartilage fibrocyst fibrocyst /fabrəυsst/ noun a benign tumour of fibrous tissue fibrocystic fibrocystic /fabrəυ | sstk/ adjective refer- ring to a fibrocyst fibrocystic disease fibrocystic disease /fabrəυ | sstk d | ziz/, fibrocystic disease of the pancreas / fabrəυ | sstk d | ziz əv ðə pŋkriəs/ noun same as cystic fibrosis fibrocyte fibrocyte /fabrəυsat/ noun a cell which derives from a fibroblast and is found in connec- tive tissue fibroid fibroid /fabrɔd/ adjective like fibre Nursing.fm Page 106 Monday, May 14, 2007 4:47 PM 107 first-degree relative fibroid tumour fibroid tumour /fabrɔd tjumə/ noun a benign tumour in the muscle fibres of the uterus. Also called uterine fibroid, fibromyoma fibroma fibroma /fa | brəυmə/ noun a small benign tumour formed in connective tissue fibromyoma fibromyoma /fabrəυma | əυmə/ noun same as fibroid tumour fibroplasia fibroplasia /fabrəυ | pleziə/ noun  retrolen- tal fibroplasia fibrosarcoma fibrosarcoma /fabrəυsɑ | kəυmə/ noun a malignant tumour of the connective tissue, most common in the legs fibrosis fibrosis /fa | brəυss/ noun the process of replacing damaged tissue by scar tissue fibrositis fibrositis /fabrə | sats/ noun a painful inflammation of the fibrous tissue which sur- rounds muscles and joints, especially the muscles of the back fibrous fibrous /fabrəs/ adjective made of fibres, or like fibre fibrous capsule fibrous capsule /fabrəs kpsjul/ noun fibrous tissue surrounding a kidney. Also called renal capsule fibrous joint fibrous joint /fabrəs dɔnt/ noun a joint where fibrous tissue holds two bones together so that they cannot move, as in the bones of the skull fibrous pericardium fibrous pericardium /fabrəs per | kɑdiəm/ noun the outer part of the pericardium which sur- rounds the heart, and is attached to the main blood vessels fibrous tissue fibrous tissue /fabrəs tʃu/ noun strong white tissue which makes tendons and ligaments and also scar tissue fibula fibula /fbjυlə/ noun the thinner of the two bones in the lower leg between the knee and the ankle. Compare tibia (NOTE: The plural is fibu- lae.) fibular fibular /fbjυlə/ adjective referring to the fibula field of vision field of vision /fild əv v(ə)n/ noun same as visual field fight or flight reaction fight or flight reaction /fat ɔ flat ri | kʃən/ noun the theory that an organism which is faced with a threat reacts either by preparing to fight or to escape fil- fil- /fl/ prefix referring to a thread filament filament /fləmənt/ noun a long thin structure like a thread filamentous filamentous /flə | mentəs/ adjective like a thread Filaria Filaria /f | leəriə/ noun a thin parasitic worm which is found especially in the lymph system, and is passed to humans by mosquitoes (NOTE: The plural is Filariae.) filariasis filariasis /flə | raəss/ noun a tropical disease caused by parasitic threadworms in the lymph system, transmitted by mosquito bites filiform filiform /flfɔm/ adjective shaped like a thread filiform papillae filiform papillae /flfɔm pə | pli/ plural noun papillae on the tongue which are shaped like threads, and have no taste buds filipuncture filipuncture /flpŋktʃə/ noun the procedure of putting a wire into an aneurysm to cause blood clotting filling filling /flŋ/ noun a surgical operation carried out by a dentist to fill a hole in a tooth with amal- gam filter filter /fltə/ noun a piece of paper or cloth through which a liquid is passed to remove any solid substances in it í verb to pass a liquid through a membrane, piece of paper or cloth to remove solid substances ć Impurities are filtered from the blood by the kidneys. FIM FIM abbreviation functional independence meas- ure fimbria fimbria /fmbriə/ noun a fringe, especially the fringe of hair-like processes at the end of a Fallo- pian tube near the ovaries (NOTE: The plural is fimbriae.) finger finger /fŋə/ noun one of the five parts at the end of the hand, but usually not including the thumb (NOTE: The names of the fingers are: lit- tle finger, third finger or ring finger, middle finger, forefinger or index finger.) finger-nose test finger-nose test /fŋə nəυz test/ noun a test of coordination, where the person is asked to close their eyes, stretch out their arm and then touch their nose with their index finger fingerprint fingerprint /fŋəprnt/ noun a mark left by a finger when something is touched. ı genetic fin- gerprint firm firm /fm/ noun a group of doctors and consult- ants in a hospital, especially one to which a trainee doctor is attached during clinical studies (informal) first aid first aid /fst ed/ noun help given by a non- medical person to someone who is suddenly ill or injured before full-scale medical treatment can be given ć She gave him first aid in the street until the ambulance arrived. first-aid kit first-aid kit /fst ed kt/ noun a box with bandages and dressings kept ready to be used in an emergency first-aid post first-aid post /fst ed pəυst/, first-aid station / fst ed steʃ(ə)n/ noun a place where injured people can be taken for immediate care first-degree burn first-degree burn /fst d | ri bn/ noun a former classification of the severity of a burn, where the skin turns red first-degree haemorrhoids first-degree haemorrhoids /fst d | ri hemərɔdz/ plural noun haemorrhoids which remain in the rectum first-degree relative first-degree relative /fst d | ri relətv/ noun a relative with whom an individual shares 50% of their genes, e.g. a father, mother, sibling or child Nursing.fm Page 107 Monday, May 14, 2007 4:47 PM first intention 108 first intention first intention /fst n | tenʃən/ noun the healing of a clean wound where the tissue forms again rapidly and no prominent scar is left first-level nurse first-level nurse /fst lev(ə)l ns/, first- level Registered Nurse / fst lev(ə)l redstəd ns/ noun a nurse who has passed qualifying examinations, is registered as such with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and can act in an independent decision-making role. Com- pare second-level nurse fission fission /fʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of dividing into two or more parts fissure fissure /fʃə/ noun a crack or groove in the skin, tissue or an organ fistula fistula /fstjυlə/ noun a passage or opening which has been made unusually between two organs, often near the rectum or anus fit fit /ft/ adjective strong and physically healthy ć She exercises every day to keep fit. ć The doctors decided the patient was not fit for surgery. (NOTE: fitter – fittest) í noun a sudden attack of a dis- order, especially convulsions and epilepsy ć She had a fit of coughing. ć He had an epileptic fit. ć The baby had a series of fits. í verb 1. to provide a piece of equipment for someone to wear ć She was fitted with temporary support. 2. to have con- vulsions ć The patient has fitted twice. (NOTE: fit- ting – fitted. Note also: you fit someone with an appliance.) fitness fitness /ftnəs/ noun the fact of being strong and healthy ć Being in the football team demands a high level of physical fitness. ć He had to pass a fitness test to join the police force. 5-hydroxy-tryptamine 5-hydroxy-tryptamine /fav ha | drɒksi trptəmin/ noun a compound which exists in blood platelets and is released after tissue is injured, and is a neurotransmitter important in sleep, mood and vasoconstriction. Also called serotonin fixated fixated /fk | setd/ adjective referring to a per- son who has too close an attachment to another person, often to a parent fixator fixator /fk | setə/ noun a metal rod placed through a bone to keep a part of the body rigid flaccid flaccid /flksd, flsd/ adjective soft or flabby flaccidity flaccidity /flk | sdti, fl | sdti/ noun the state of being flaccid Flagyl Flagyl /fldal/ a trade name for metronida- zole flail flail /flel/ verb to thrash around with uncontrol- lable or violent movements, particularly of the arms flail chest flail chest /flel tʃest/ noun a condition in which the chest is not stable, because several ribs have been broken flap flap /flp/ noun a flat piece attached to some- thing, especially a piece of skin or tissue still attached to the body at one side and used in grafts flare flare /fleə/ noun red colouring of the skin at an infected spot or in urticaria flashback flashback /flʃbk/ noun a repeated and very vivid memory of a traumatic event flat foot flat foot /flt fυt/, flat feet /flt fit/ noun a condition in which the soles of the feet lie flat on the ground instead of being arched as usual. Also called pes planus flatulence flatulence /fltjυləns/ noun gas or air which collects in the stomach or intestines causing dis- comfort COMMENT: Flatulence is generally caused by indigestion, but can be made worse if the person swallows air ( aerophagy). flatulent flatulent /fltjυlənt/ adjective having flatu- lence, or caused by flatulence flatus flatus /fletəs/ noun air and gas which collects in the intestines and is painful flea flea /fli/ noun a tiny insect which sucks blood and is a parasite on animals and humans flecainide flecainide /fle | kenad/ noun a drug that helps to correct an irregular heartbeat flex flex /fleks/ verb to bend something flexibilitas cerea flexibilitas cerea /fleks | bltəs səriə/ noun a condition in which, if someone’s arms or legs are moved, they remain in that set position for some time flexion flexion /flekʃən/ noun the act of bending a joint Flexner’s bacillus Flexner’s bacillus /fleksnəz bə | sləs/ noun a bacterium which causes bacillary dysentery flexor flexor /fleksə/, flexor muscle /fleksə ms(ə)l/ noun a muscle which makes a joint bend. Compare extensor flexure flexure /flekʃə/ noun 1. a bend in an organ 2. a fold in the skin floaters floaters /fləυtəz/ plural noun same as muscae volitantes floating kidney floating kidney /fləυtŋ kdni/ noun same as nephroptosis floating rib floating rib /fləυtŋ rb/ noun one of the two lowest ribs on each side, which are not attached to the breastbone flooding flooding /fldŋ/ noun same as menorrhagia floppy baby syndrome floppy baby syndrome /flɒpi bebi sndrəυm / noun same as amyotonia congenita flora flora /flɔrə/ noun bacteria which exist in a par- ticular part of the body florid florid /flɒrd/ adjective with an unhealthily glowing pink or red complexion flowmeter flowmeter /fləυmitə/ noun a meter attached to a pipe, e.g. as in anaesthetic equipment, to measure the speed at which a liquid or gas moves in the pipe flu flu /flu/ noun 1. same as influenza 2. a very bad cold (informal) (NOTE: Sometimes written ’flu to show it is a short form of influenza.) Nursing.fm Page 108 Monday, May 14, 2007 4:47 PM 109 food intolerance flucloxacillin flucloxacillin /flu | klɒksəsln/ noun a drug related to penicillin and effective against strepto- coccal infections and pneumonia fluconazole fluconazole /flu | kɒnəzəυl/ noun a drug used to treat fungal infections such as candidiasis fluctuation fluctuation /flktʃu | eʃ(ə)n/ noun the feeling of movement of liquid inside part of the body or inside a cyst when pressed by the fingers fluid fluid /flud/ noun 1. a liquid 2. any gas, liquid or powder which flows fluid balance fluid balance /flud bləns/ noun the main- tenance of the balance of fluids in the body during dialysis or other treatment fluke fluke /fluk/ noun a parasitic flatworm which settles inside the liver, in the bloodstream and in other parts of the body flunitrazepam flunitrazepam /fluna | trzpm/ noun a tranquilliser that, because of its association with ‘date rape’ cases, is a controlled drug in the UK fluorescence fluorescence /flυə | res(ə)ns/ noun the sending out of light from a substance which is receiving radiation fluorescent fluorescent /flυə | res(ə)nt/ adjective referring to a substance which sends out light fluoride fluoride /flυərad/ noun a chemical compound of fluorine and sodium, potassium or tin ć fluo- ride toothpaste fluorine fluorine /flυərin/ noun a chemical element found in bones and teeth (NOTE: The chemical symbol is F.) fluoroscope fluoroscope /flυərəskəυp/ noun an apparatus which projects an X-ray image of a part of the body onto a screen, so that the part of the body can be examined as it moves fluoroscopy fluoroscopy /flυə | rɒskəpi/ noun an examina- tion of the body using X-rays projected onto a screen fluoxetine fluoxetine /flu | ɒksətin/ noun a drug that increases serotonin in the brain and is used to treat anxiety and depression flush flush /flʃ/ noun a red colour in the skin í verb 1. to wash a wound with liquid 2. (of person) to turn red flutter flutter /fltə/, fluttering /fltərŋ/ noun a rapid movement, especially of the atria of the heart, which is not controlled by impulses from the sinoatrial node flux flux /flks/ noun an excessive production of liq- uid from the body focal focal /fəυk(ə)l/ adjective referring to a focus focal distance focal distance /fəυk(ə)l dstəns/, focal length / fəυk(ə)l leŋθ/ noun the distance between the lens of the eye and the point behind the lens where light is focused focal epilepsy focal epilepsy /fəυk(ə)l eplepsi/ noun epi- lepsy arising from a localised area of the brain focus focus /fəυkəs/ noun 1. the point where light rays converge through a lens 2. the centre of an infection (NOTE: The plural is foci.) í verb 1. to adjust a lens until an image is clear and sharp 2. to see clearly ć He has difficulty in focusing on the object. focus group focus group /fəυkəs rup/ noun a discussion group of lay people brought together under pro- fessional guidance to discuss issues such as care foetal foetal /fit(ə)l/ adjective another spelling of fetal (NOTE: The spelling foetal is common in general use in British English, but the spelling fetal is the accepted international spelling for technical use.) foetoscope foetoscope /fitəskəυp/ noun another spell- ing of fetoscope foetoscopy foetoscopy /f | tɒskəpi/ noun another spelling of fetoscopy foetus foetus /fitəs/ noun another spelling of fetus ( NOTE: The spelling foetus is common in gen- eral use in British English, but the spelling fetus is the accepted international spelling for techni- cal use.) folacin folacin /fəυləsn/ noun same as folic acid folic acid folic acid /fəυlk sd/ noun a vitamin in the Vitamin B complex found in milk, liver, yeast and green vegetables such as spinach, which is essen- tial for creating new blood cells follicle follicle /fɒlk(ə)l/ noun a tiny hole or sac in the body follicle-stimulating hormone follicle-stimulating hormone /fɒlk(ə)l stmjυletŋ hɔməυn/ noun a hormone pro- duced by the pituitary gland which stimulates ova in the ovaries and sperm in the testes. Abbrevia- tion FSH follicular follicular /fə | lkjυlə/, folliculate /fə | lkjυlət/ adjective referring to follicles folliculitis folliculitis /fə | lkjυ | lats/ noun inflammation of the hair follicles, especially where hair has been shaved fomentation fomentation /fəυmen | teʃ(ə)n/ noun same as poultice fomites fomites /fəυmtiz/ plural noun objects touched by someone with a communicable dis- ease which can then be the means of passing on the disease to others fontanelle fontanelle /fɒntə | nel/ noun the soft cartilage between the bony sections of a baby’s skull food allergen food allergen /fud ləden/ noun a sub- stance in food which produces an allergy food allergy food allergy /fud lədi/ noun an allergy to a specific food such as nuts, which causes a severe reaction that may lead to life-threatening anaphy- lactic shock food canal food canal /fud kə | nl/ noun the passage from the mouth to the rectum through which food passes and is digested food intolerance food intolerance /fud n | tɒlərəns/ noun an adverse reaction to some foods such as oranges, eggs, tomatoes and strawberries Nursing.fm Page 109 Monday, May 14, 2007 4:47 PM food poisoning 110 food poisoning food poisoning /fud pɔz(ə)nŋ/ noun an illness caused by eating food which is contami- nated with bacteria foot foot /fυt/ noun the end part of the leg on which a person stands foramen foramen /fə | remən/ noun a natural opening inside the body, e.g. the opening in a bone through which veins or nerves pass (NOTE: The plural is foramina.) foramen magnum foramen magnum /fə | remən mnəm/ noun the hole at the bottom of the skull where the brain is joined to the spinal cord foramen ovale foramen ovale /fə | remən əυ | vɑle/ noun an opening between the two parts of the heart in a fetus COMMENT: The foramen ovale usually clos- es at birth, but if it stays open the blood from the veins can mix with the blood going to the arteries, causing cyanosis. forced expiratory volume forced expiratory volume /fɔst ek | sprət(ə)ri vɒljum/ noun the maximum amount of air that can be expelled in a given time. Abbreviation FEV forceps forceps /fɔseps/ noun a surgical instrument with handles like a pair of scissors, made in dif- ferent sizes and with differently shaped ends, used for holding and pulling forceps delivery forceps delivery /fɔseps d | lv(ə)ri/ noun childbirth where the doctor uses forceps to help the baby out of the mother’s uterus fore- fore- /fɔ/ prefix in front forearm forearm /fɔrɑm/ noun the lower part of the arm from the elbow to the wrist forebrain forebrain /fɔbren/ noun the front part of the brain in an embryo forefinger forefinger /fɔfŋə/ noun the first finger on the hand, next to the thumb foregut foregut /fɔt/ noun the front part of the gut in an embryo foreign foreign /fɒrn/ adjective 1. not belonging to your own country ć foreign visitors ć a foreign language 2. referring to something that is found where it does not naturally belong, especially something found in the human body that comes from a source outside the body ć a foreign object ć foreign matter foreign body foreign body /fɒrn bɒdi/ noun a piece of material which is not part of the surrounding tis- sue and should not be there, e.g. sand in a cut, dust in the eye or a pin which has been swallowed ć The X-ray showed the presence of a foreign body. forensic forensic /fə | rensk/ adjective relating to the use of science in solving criminal investigations or settling legal cases forensic medicine forensic medicine /fə | rensk med(ə)s(ə)n/ noun the branch of medical science concerned with finding solutions to crimes against people and which involves procedures such as conduct- ing autopsies on murdered people or taking blood samples from clothes foreskin foreskin /fɔskn/ noun the skin covering the top of the penis, which can be removed by cir- cumcision. Also called prepuce forewaters forewaters /fɔwɔtəz/ plural noun fluid which comes out of the vagina at the beginning of childbirth when the amnion bursts formaldehyde formaldehyde /fɔ | mldhad/ noun a gas with an unpleasant smell that is a strong disinfect- ant. When dissolved in water to make formalin, it is also used to preserve medical specimens. formalin formalin /fɔməln/ noun a solution of formal- dehyde in water, used to preserve medical speci- mens formication formication /fɔm | keʃ(ə)n/ noun an itching feeling where the skin feels as if it were covered with insects formula formula /fɔmjυlə/ noun 1. a way of indicating a chemical compound using letters and numbers, e.g. H 2 SO 4 2. instructions on how to prepare a drug formulary formulary /fɔmjυləri/ noun a book that lists medicines together with their formulae fornix fornix /fɔnks/ noun an arch (NOTE: The plural is fornices.) fornix cerebri fornix cerebri /fɔnks serbra/ noun a sec- tion of white matter in the brain between the hip- pocampus and the hypothalamus. See illustration at BRAIN in Supplement foscarnet foscarnet /fɒs | kɑnət/ noun an antiviral drug administered by intravenous injection that is effective against herpesviruses that are resistant to acyclovir. It is especially used for people with AIDS. fossa fossa /fɒsə/ noun a shallow hollow in a bone or the skin foster children foster children /fɒstə tʃldrən/ plural noun children brought up by people who are not their own parents foster parent foster parent /fɒstə peərənt/ noun a woman or man who brings up a child born to other parents Fothergill’s operation Fothergill’s operation /fɒðəlz ɒpə | reʃ(ə)n/ noun a surgical operation to correct prolapse of the uterus [After W. E. Fothergill (1865–1926), British gynaecologist.] foundation hospital foundation hospital /faυn | deʃ(ə)n hɒspt(ə)l / noun in the UK, a type of hospital that is independent of its Local Health Authority in financial matters fourchette fourchette /fυə | ʃet/ noun a fold of skin at the back of the vulva fovea fovea /fəυviə/, fovea centralis /fəυviə sen | trɑls/ noun a depression in the retina which is the point where the eye sees most clearly. See illustration at EYE in Supplement FP10 FP10 /ef pi ten/ noun in the UK, an NHS pre- scription from a GP Nursing.fm Page 110 Monday, May 14, 2007 4:47 PM 111 frontal lobotomy fracture fracture /frktʃə/ verb 1. (of bone) to break ć The tibia fractured in two places. 2. to break a bone ć He fractured his wrist. í noun a break in a bone ć rib fracture or fracture of a rib fragile-X syndrome fragile-X syndrome /frdal eks sndrəυm/ noun a hereditary condition in which part of an X chromosome is constricted, causing mental impairment fragilitas ossium fragilitas ossium /frə | dltəs ɒsiəm/ noun a hereditary condition where the bones are brittle and break easily, similar to osteogenesis imper- fecta frame frame /frem/ noun 1. the particular size and shape of someone’s body 2. the main part of a building, ship or bicycle, etc., which holds it together ć the bicycle has a very light frame ć I’ve broken the frame of my glasses 3. a solid sup- port for something. ı walking frame, Zimmer frame framycetin framycetin /fr | masətn/ noun an antibiotic fraternal twins fraternal twins /frə | tn(ə)l twnz/ plural noun same as dizygotic twins freckle freckle /frek(ə)l/ noun a harmless small brown- ish patch on the skin that becomes more noticea- ble after exposure to the sun. Freckles are often found in people with fair hair. Also called lentigo í verb to mark something, or become marked with freckles freeze freeze /friz/ verb to anaesthetise part of the body (informal) ć They froze my big toe to remove the nail. Freiberg’s disease Freiberg’s disease /frabz d | ziz/ noun osteochondritis of the head of the second metatar- sus [Described 1914. After Albert Henry Freiberg (1869–1940), US surgeon.] fremitus fremitus /fremtəs/ noun vibrations or trem- bling in part of someone’s body, felt by the doc- tor’s hand or heard through a stethoscope frenectomy frenectomy /frə | nektəmi/ noun an operation to remove a frenum frenotomy frenotomy /frə | nɒtəmi/ noun an operation to split a frenum frenum frenum /frinəm/, frenulum /frenjυləm/ noun a fold of mucous membrane under the tongue or by the clitoris frequency frequency /frikwənsi/ noun 1. the number of times something takes place in a given time ć the frequency of micturition 2. the rate of vibration in oscillations Freudian Freudian /frɔdiən/ adjective understandable in terms of Freud’s theories, especially with regard to human sexuality í noun someone who is influenced by or follows Freud’s theories or methods of psychoanalysis friable friable /fraəb(ə)l/ adjective easily broken up into small pieces friar’s balsam friar’s balsam /fraəz bɔlsəm/ noun a mix- ture of various plant oils, including benzoin and balsam, which can be inhaled as a vapour to relieve bronchitis or congestion friction friction /frkʃ(ə)n/ noun the rubbing together of two surfaces friction fremitus friction fremitus /frkʃən fremtəs/ noun a scratching sensation felt when the hand is placed on the chest of someone who has pericarditis friction murmur friction murmur /frkʃən mmə/ noun the sound of two serous membranes rubbing together, heard with a stethoscope in someone who has pericarditis or pleurisy Friedländer’s bacillus Friedländer’s bacillus /fridlendəz bə | sləs/ noun the bacterium Klebsiella pneumo- niae which can cause pneumonia [Described 1882. After Carl Friedländer (1847–87), patholo- gist at the Friedrichshain Hospital, Berlin, Ger- many.] Friedman’s test Friedman’s test /fridmənz test/ noun a test for pregnancy [After Maurice H. Friedman (1903–91), US physician.] Friedreich’s ataxia Friedreich’s ataxia /fridraks ə | tksiə/ noun an inherited nervous disease which affects the spinal cord and is associated with club foot, an unsteady walk and speech difficulties. Also called dystrophia adiposogenitalis [Described 1863. After Nicholaus Friedreich (1825–82), Professor of Pathological Anatomy at Würzburg, later Pro- fessor of Pathology and Therapy at Heidelberg, Germany.] frigidity frigidity /fr | ddti/ noun the fact of being una- ble to experience orgasm, sexual pleasure or sex- ual desire fringe medicine fringe medicine /frn med(ə)sn/ noun types of medical practice which are not usually taught in medical schools, e.g. homeopathy or acupuncture (informal) frog plaster frog plaster /frɒ plɑstə/ noun a plaster cast made to keep the legs in an open position after an operation to correct a dislocated hip Fröhlich’s syndrome Fröhlich’s syndrome /frlks sndrəυm/ noun a condition in which someone becomes obese and the genital system does not develop, caused by an adenoma of the pituitary gland [Described 1901. After Alfred Fröhlich (1871– 1953), Professor of Pharmacology at the Univer- sity of Vienna, Austria.] frontal frontal /frnt(ə)l/ adjective referring to the forehead or to the front of the head. Opposite occipital frontal bone frontal bone /frnt(ə)l bəυn/ noun a bone forming the front of the upper part of the skull behind the forehead frontal lobe frontal lobe /frnt(ə)l ləυb/ noun the front lobe of each cerebral hemisphere frontal lobotomy frontal lobotomy /frnt(ə)l ləυ | bɒtəmi/ noun formerly, a surgical operation on the brain to treat mental illness by removing part of the frontal lobe Nursing.fm Page 111 Monday, May 14, 2007 4:47 PM [...]... gangli- ganglion Nursing. fm Page 1 14 Monday, May 14, 2007 4: 47 PM ganglionectomy 1 14 taining fluid (NOTE: [all senses] The plural is ganglia.) ganglionectomy ganglionectomy / ŋ liə nektəmi/ noun the surgical removal of a ganglion gangrene / ŋ ri n/ noun a condition in which tissues die and decay, as a result of bacterial action, because the blood supply has been lost through injury or disease of the artery... ipsəm/ noun calcium sulphate, used as plaster of Paris gyrus / d aiərəs/ noun a raised part of the cerebral cortex between the sulci gynaecologist | gynaecology | gynaecomastia | gyne gypsum gyrus Nursing. fm Page 1 24 Monday, May 14, 2007 4: 47 PM H H2-receptor antagonist H2-receptor antagonist / eitʃ tu ri septər n t ənist/ noun a drug that inhibits the production of stomach acid and so relieves indigestion... kerato-.) horny Nursing. fm Page 135 Monday, May 14, 2007 4: 47 PM 135 horseshoe kidney horseshoe kidney / hɔ sʃu kidni/ noun a congenital condition of the kidney, where sometimes the upper but usually the lower parts of both kidneys are joined together Horton’s syndrome / hɔ t(ə)nz sindrəυm/ noun a severe headache, often with constant pain around one eye, which starts usually within a few hours of going to... tasting gustatory / stət(ə)ri/ adjective referring to the sense of taste gut / t/ noun 1 the tubular organ for the digestion and absorption of food Also called intestine 2 a type of thread, made from the intestines of sheep It is used to sew up internal incisions and gustation | gustatory gut Nursing. fm Page 123 Monday, May 14, 2007 4: 47 PM 123 dissolves slowly so does not need to be removed ı catgut... hangnail / h ŋneil/ noun a piece of torn skin at the side of a nail hangover / h ŋəυvə/ noun a condition occurring after a person has drunk too much alcohol, with dehydration caused by inhibition of the antidiuretic hormone in the kidneys The symptoms include headache, inability to stand noise and trembling of the hands hangover Nursing. fm Page 127 Monday, May 14, 2007 4: 47 PM 127 Hansen’s disease Hansen’s... hemi ɑ θrəυpl sti/ noun an operation to repair a joint which replaces one of its surfaces with an artificial substance, often metal hemiballismus / hemibə lizməs/ noun a sudden movement of the limbs on one side of the body, caused by a disease of the basal ganglia hemicolectomy / hemikə lektəmi/ noun the surgical removal of part of the colon hemimelia / hemi mi liə/ noun a congenital condition in which... hemiparesis / hemipə ri sis/ noun slight paralysis of the muscles of one side of the body hemiplegia / hemi pli d ə/ noun severe paralysis affecting one side of the body due to damage of the central nervous system Compare diplegia hemisphere / hemisfiə/ noun half of a sphere HEMS /hemz/ plural noun a system of delivering a paramedic crew to the scene of an accident or helminthiasis | heloma | helper... herpes herpes simplex pes Nursing. fm Page 132 Monday, May 14, 2007 4: 47 PM herpesvirus 132 herpesvirus herpesvirus / h pi z vairəs/ noun one of a group of viruses which cause herpes and chickenpox (herpesvirus Type I), and genital herpes (herpesvirus Type II) herpes zoster / h pi z zɒstə/ noun inflammation of a sensory nerve, characterised by pain along the nerve and causing a line of blisters to form on... diet hilar hilum hindbrain hindgut Nursing. fm Page 133 Monday, May 14, 2007 4: 47 PM 133 hinge joint hinge joint / hind d ɔint/ noun same as ginglymus hip /hip/ noun a ball and socket joint where the thigh bone or femur joins the acetabulum of the hip bone hip bone / hip bəυn/ noun a bone made of the ilium, the ischium and the pubis which are fused together, forming part of the pelvic girdle Also called... (1798–1866), British physician.] Nursing. fm Page 1 34 Monday, May 14, 2007 4: 47 PM hoist 1 34 hoist hoist /hɔist/ noun a device with pulleys and wires for raising a bed or a patient hole in the heart / həυl in ðə hɑ t/ noun same as septal defect (informal) holism / həυliz(ə)m/ noun the theory that all of a person’s physical, mental and social conditions should be considered in the treatment of his or her illness . the organs of reproduction and uri- nation, including the kidneys Nursing. fm Page 116 Monday, May 14, 2007 4: 47 PM 117 gigantism genome genome /dinəυm/ noun the set of all the genes of an individual genotype genotype. same as marasmus Nursing. fm Page 103 Monday, May 14, 2007 4: 47 PM faint 1 04 faint faint /fent/ verb to stop being conscious for a short time and, usually, fall down í noun a loss of consciousness. man of medicine. He was Professor of Surgery and Anatomy at Padua, where he was also Professor of Botany.] Fallot’s tetralogy Fallot’s tetralogy /fləυz te | trlədi/ noun same as tetralogy of