Glossary
A
Aberrant - Abnormal.
AED - Automated external defibrillation.
Adrenaline -A naturally occurring chemical which stimulates the body's functions.
AIDS. - Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
Airway. - The tract which involves the movement of air from the nose/mouth to the lungs.
Amphetamine. - Chemical powder which reacts as a stimulant to the CNS.
Anaphylaxis. - An immediate and severe allergic reaction to a substance (e.g. food or drugs).
Anatomy. - Form and structure of living organisms.
Angina pectoris. - Transient chest pain caused by narrowing of coronary arteries.
Anus. - Opening of the rectum.
Autonomic (nerves). - Nerves which function without conscious effort.
Arteries. - Blood vessels which take blood from the heart.
Arterioles. - Small arteries.
Aspiration. - Vomitus in the lungs.
B
Battle's sign. - A bruise-like contusion behind the ear or on the neck associated with head injury.
'B' pillar. - The supporting body strut of a car between the front and back seats.
Brain attack. - Damage to the brain tissue caused by a blocked vessel or bleeding.
C
Capillary return. - The change of colour seen when a fingernail is squeezed, indicating the amount of blood circulation present.
Carcinogen(ic). - Cancer-causing substance.
Cardiac. - Pertaining to the heart.
Cardiovascular. - The body's system involving the heart and blood vessels.
Cartilage. - Fibrous tissue which acts as 'shock absorber' between bones
Cervical collar. - A form of neck brace used to support the spine after a head or neck injury.
Concussion. - Closed head injury which may take some time to manifest.
Carotid (pulse). - The pulse felt in the neck.
Coronary occlusion. - Heart attack due to blockage of the coronary arteries.
CNS. - Central nervous system; the brain and spinal cord.
CPR. - Cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Crepitus. - 'Grating' or other sound made by fractured bones rubbing together.
CSF. - Cerebrospinal fluid.
CVA. - Cerebral vascular accident, (see brain attack).
Cyanosis. - 'Blue' appearance of the skin associated with lack of oxygen.
D
Debilitating. - A condition of strength loss, weakness.
Diaphragm. - The muscle in the upper abdomen which assists breathing.
Dilated. - Large, expanded.
Distal. - Remote, furthest from point of reference.
Distension. - Swollen, usually referring to the abdomen.
E
Electrolyte. - Electrically-charged chemical particle, e.g. certain salts.
Embolism. - Blocking of an artery by a clot or bubble of gas.
Endocrine. - The body's system which involves chemical-secreting glands.
EpiPen. - A device for self-administering adrenaline in anaphylaxis.
Epistaxis. - Nosebleed.
Ergonomic. - Efficient use of the body in a working environment.
Erythrocytes. - Red blood cells which transport oxygen and carbon dioxide.
F
Febrile. - Fever, feverish.
Flail chest. - Section of ribs detached from the skeleton by multiple fractures.
Foetal (position). - In a lateral position with knees drawn and arms folded.
Foetus. - Unborn baby.
G
Guarding. - Act of a casualty putting hands over the injury site.
Grand mal. - Epileptic seizure involving uncontrolled spasms of the muscle
H
Haemorrhage. - Bleeding.
I
Incontinence. - Inability to control passing of urine or faeces.
Infarction. - Death of muscle tissue.
Intercostal (muscles). - Between the ribs.
Ischemia. - Damage caused by deficiency of blood to the tissues.
L
Lateral. - On the side.
Lesion. - Cut or separation of the skin, organs or spinal cord. Also a sore or ulcer.
Leucocyte. - White blood cells that fight infection.
Ligaments. - Tissue connecting bones, especially at joints.
'Log roll'. - The method of turning a casualty into the side position without bending the body - the movement requires at least three rescuers to complete the move.
Lymph. - Fluid which drains from the tissues.
M
Metabolism. - Physical and chemical processes which maintain life.
Musculoskeletal. - The body's system involving the muscles and bones.
N
Nebuliser. - A device which creates a spray or vapour. Commonly used by asthmatics.
Necrosis. - Death or destruction of live tissue.
Neurosis. - A mental illness due to emotional disorder which impairs health.
O
Occlusion. - Blockage.
Oesophagus. - The part of the digestive tract which takes food to the stomach.
P
Palpate. - To examine by touch.
Pancreas. - The organ which produces insulin.
Paradoxical (movement). - Opposite normal movement.
Petit mal. - Epileptic seizures usually manifesting as attention lapse.
Peripheral. - Situated away from the centre.
Placenta. - Afterbirth - an organ which provides nutrients from the mother to foetus.
Plasma. - The fluid medium of the blood
Platelets (thrombocytes). - Blood cells which assist in the clotting process.
Pneumothorax. - collapsed lung, with air in the chest cavity.
Prophylaxis (actic). - Preventative treatment.
Psychosis. - Mental illness when casualty loses touch with reality.
R
Raccoon eyes. - Swollen black eyes associated with head injury.
Reef knot. - The reef knot is a simple binding knot.
1. Hold the two ends.
2. Pass the left end over the right end and twist it around the right end.
3. Draw the left end over until it is facing across the right end of the string.
4. Pull both ends to make the first portion of the reef knot even and tidy.
5. Cross the right end over the left and twist it around the left end.
6. Draw the right end over until it is facing across the left end.
7. Make the knot tidy by pulling both ends of the knot gently. Be careful to have the pressure on both ends even or the knot will not stay and be misshapen.
8. Finish the knot by passing each end through the loop formed by the other end and pulling it back in the opposite direction.
Reduce (dislocation). - Return the joint to its normal position.
Regurgitation. - The passive flow of stomach contents back into the oesophagus and mouth.
Reliever. - Inhaler (puffer) - Airomir, Asmol, Bricanyl, Epaq or Ventolin.
Rescue breaths. - Expired air resuscitation.
Respiration. - The act of breathing, inhaling and exhaling during which the lungs are provided with air.
S
Scoliosis. - Deviation in natural straight line of the spine.
Shock. - Life-threatening condition (usually) due to collapse of the circulatory system.
SIDS. - Sudden infant death syndrome.
Situ. - In place.
Status epilepticus. - State of constant or repetitive fitting.
Sternum. - The bone in the centre of the chest to which the ribs are attached.
Stimuli. - Something that rouses to activity or feeling, e.g. pain, sound.
Stoma. - A surgically created opening, often in the windpipe or intestines.
Stridor. - Shrill, harsh sound associated with airway obstruction.
Stroke. - See brain attack.
Supine. - Lying on back with face upward.
Syndrome. - Group of symptoms commonly occurring to make up a distinct illness or condition.
T
Tendon. - Elastic tissue which connects muscle to bone.
Toxin (ic). - Poison dangerous to humans.
Thrombocytes. - Platelet cells in the blood which help clotting.
Thrush. - Fungal infection.
TIA. - Transient ischemic attack, a minor brain attack with temporary signs and symptoms.
Trachea. - The part of the airway which conducts air to the lungs.
Traction. - Gentle pulling on a fractured limb to align and relieve pressure.
Transient. - Temporary, not permanent.
Trauma. - Wound or injury, usually due to external force.
Triage. - Assessment of casualties to decide the priority of treatment.
U
Unconscious. - State of being insensible or without conscious experiences.
V
Variegated. - Alternating colours.
Venom (ous). - Poison derived from animals, fish or insects.
Vertebra (pl. 'vertebrae'). - Interconnected bones of the spinal column.
Vertigo. - Dizziness, sensation of rotational movement.
Vomitus. - Vomit, result of ejection of stomach contents.
X
Xiphoid (process). - The bony prominence at the lower end of the sternum