Glossary

Author: Glossary

  • Nasal height

    Distance between the lower border of the nasal aperture and the nasion.  

  • Narrowing

    Decreasing the width or diameter of some space or channel (e.g., narrowing of the size of the coronary arteries), usually due to some pathological process.  

  • Narrative competence

    A communication skill with two components: the ability to listen actively and empathetically to the underlying meanings of patient’s histories, and the ability to craft a narrative for use in relaying meanings to patients.  

  • Narcotism

    An addiction to the use of narcotics. Addiction may be said to exist when discontinuance causes abstinence symptoms that are speedily relieved by a dose of the drug.  

  • Medullary narcosis

    General anesthesia induced by a local anesthetic injected into the sheath of the spinal cord in lumbar region.  

  • Carbon dioxide narcosis

    Personality changes, confusion, and coma due to an increase in carbon dioxide content of the blood. This may occur during oxygen therapy of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or in patients receiving inadequate levels of artificial respiration.  

  • Narcissistic object choice

    Selection of another like one’s own self as the object of love, friendship, or liking.  

  • Naphthol

    A toxic petroleum derivative used as an antiseptic and in some dyes. It is prepared from naphthalene.  

  • Naphthalene

    A toxic hydrocarbon, C10H8. It is used as a disinfectant, in moth balls, and in the manufacture of dyes and explosives.  

  • Napalm

    Gasoline made thick or jelly-like for use in incendiary bombs and flame throwers.