Author: Glossary
-
Alligator forceps
A straight or angled clamp with jawlike movement at its end.
-
Forced expiratory time
The time required to forcibly exhale a specified volume of air from the lung.
-
Forced duction test
A test used in ophthalmology to assess whether eye elevation or movements of the inferior muscles of the eye are restricted as a result of an injury, e.g., of an orbital floor fracture. Used to determine if an ocular deviation is mechanically restricted versus paretic.
-
Force couple
Biomechanical principle whereby two or more muscles acting in different directions influence the rotation of a joint in a specific direction. When the forces are of equal magnitude and in opposite directions, the limb will rotate about its long axis.
-
Unit of force
An arbitrary measure of a certain amount of force. For example, a dyne is the amount of force acting continuously on a mass of 1 g that will accelerate the mass 1 cm per second.
-
Reserve force
The energy available above that required for normal functioning of the heart.
-
Maximum inspiratory force
The output of the inspiratory muscles measured in negative centimeters of water pressure. It is measured by having the subject inhale from a tube connected to a manometer under conditions of no flow. Also called maximum inspiratory pressure; negative inspiratory force.
-
Electromotive force
Energy that causes flow of electricity in a conductor. The energy is measured in volts.
-
Catabolic force
Energy produced by metabolism of food.
-
Vena cava foramen
The opening in the diaphragm through which the inferior vena cava and branches of the right vagus nerve pass.