Category: T

Surgery involving the rib cage and structures contained within the chest. It is used to biopsy or remove masses in the hilum, lung, or mediastinum, to drain abscesses or treat empyema, to repair cardiac valves or vessels, or to implant devices, such as cardioverter/defibrillators in the chest. Thoracic surgery is a surgical field dedicated to…

Compression of the lungs and rupture of alveolar capillaries as a result of breath holding during deep underwater diving.  

The volume of gas contained within the chest during body plethysmography when the mouth shutter is closed. This measurement is a rough estimate of the functional residual capacity of the lung.  

A test to evaluate the integrity of the Achilles tendon. The patient kneels on the examination table with the feet hanging off; the examiner squeezes the calf while observing for plantar flexion. The result is positive if there is no movement of the foot; this indicates an Achilles tendon rupture.  

A test used to identify hip flexor contractures. Lying supine with the legs off the end of the table, the patient flexes the knee and tries to pull the thigh to the chest. Inability to perform this maneuver or extension of the opposite knee indicates tightness of the iliopsoas or rectus femoris muscle.  

The property of certain gels in which they liquefy when agitated and revert to a gel on standing.  

A colloquial term for sexual intercourse between two members of a 12-step recovery program to treat addiction.  

A colorless crystalline compound of urea in which sulfur replaces the oxygen.  

An enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of thioglycoside to a thiol and a sugar.  

Able to convert hydrogen sulfide into more complex sulfur compounds, said of bacteria in the water of some mineral springs.