Glossary

Author: Glossary

  • Growing pain

    An imprecise term indicating ill-defined pain, usually in the shin or other areas of the legs, typically occurring after bedtime in children age 5 to 12. There is no evidence that the pain is related to rapid growth or to emotional problems. If these symptoms occur during the daytime, are accompanied with other symptoms, or…

  • False pain

    Abdominal discomfort associated with Braxton Hicks contractions, which occur during the last trimester of pregnancy. Characteristically, the woman complains of irregular, lower abdominal pains, which are relieved by walking. Vaginal examination shows no change in cervical effacement or dilation.  

  • Expulsive pain

    Discomfort during the second stage of labor, associated with bearing-down efforts to expel the fetus. Women may experience a similar pain during delivery of the placenta.  

  • Epigastric pain

    Pain located between the xiphoid process and the umbilicus. It may suggest a problem in one of many different organs, including the stomach, pancreas, gallbladder, small or large bowel, pleura, or heart.  

  • Eccentric pain

    Pain occurring in peripheral structures owing to a lesion involving the posterior roots of the spinal nerves.  

  • Dull pain

    A mild discomfort, often difficult to describe, that may be associated with some musculoskeletal injuries or some diseases of the visceral organs.  

  • Diskogenic pain

    Low back pain resulting from degeneration of an intervertebral disk. Discogenic pain differs from sciatic pain in that it does not radiate along the course of the sciatic nerve into the buttocks, hip, or leg.  

  • Dilating pain

    Discomfort accompanying rhythmic uterine contractions during the first stage of labor.  

  • Dental pain

    Pain in the oral area, which, in general, may be of two origins. Soft tissue pain may be acute or chronic, and a burning pain is due to surface lesions and usually can be discretely localized; pulpal pain or tooth pain varies according to whether it is acute or chronic, but it is often difficult…

  • Central pain

    Pain due to a lesion in the central nervous system.