Category: P

A section of an electrocardiogram tracing that indicates depolarization of the upper heart chambers (atria), which results in their contraction; used in diagnostic studies of the heart.  

Temporary inflammation of the esophagus due to reflux of stomach acid.  

Pus in the pleural cavity, known as empyema. An accumulation of pus within the chest cavity.  

Constriction or narrowing of the valve at the end of the stomach due to ulcer, disease, malignant tumor, or scarring and hypertrophy of the mucosa and submucosa. Abnormal narrowing or stricture of the pyloric orifice.  

Dilation of the renal pelvis and renal calices. Dilation of the pelvis and calices of the kidney.  

Cardiac muscle cell located beneath the endocardium and forming part of the electroconduction system of the heart.  

Assessment of the pupil’s ability to constrict briskly and equally in response to a bright light.  

Removal of a circular piece of tissue for examination; usually performed on the cervix uteri. The removal of a small piece of tissue (usually of the skin) with a hollow, round cutting tool. A technique that involves acquiring skin samples, while the patient is under local anesthesia, by utilizing a surgical skin punch.  

To reduce a hard substance to a fine powder consistency by mechanical means, often accomplished by ultrasound to break up calculi formed in the renal pelvis.  

Specific anatomic locations where arterial pulsations are normally palpated, including the temporal, carotid, brachial, radial, ulnar, femoral, popliteal, posterior tibial, and dorsalis pedis.