Medical Terminology Glossary: [T]
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E] [F] [G] [H] [I] [J] [K] [L] [M] [N] [O] [P] [Q] [R] [S] [T] [U] [V] [W] [X] [Y] [Z]T-waves ECG component reflecting restoration (repolarisation) of the normal electrical charge in heart muscle and electrical conducting system after a wave of depolarisation has spread through the heart, usually causing contraction of heart muscle.
T-waves Normally upright deflection smaller on electrocardiogram, following the major (QRS) deflection, and representing electrical repolarisation of the ventricles of the heart.
T2 A tumour of a certain size, defined by convention according to the location and type of tumour.
Tachycardia Rapid heart rate.
Tachypnea Rapid breathing.
Telecanthus Increased distance between the junctions of upper and lower lids of the two eyes.
Temporal Lobe One of the 4 major areas of the cerebral cortex ("skin") of the brain, concerned amongst other functions with hearing and understanding.
Temporomandibular Joint The joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull. Temporomandibular Dysfunction A group of symptoms that may include pain in the temporomandibular joint, headache, earache, neck, back, or shoulder pain, limited jaw movement, or a clicking or popping sound in the jaw and that are caused either by dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint or another problem (spasm of the chewing muscles for instance) affecting the region of the temporomandibular joint.Tendinitis (or Tendonitis) Inflammation of a tendon.
Tendon Guider, a solid tubular fibrous structure attaching muscle to bone.
Teno- Pertaining to a tendon.
Tenolysis Therapeutic freeing of tendon from surrounding adhesions.
Teratogenic Causing fetal malformation.
Tetralogy of Fallot The commonest form of cyanotic congenital heart disease, comprising high pulmonary valve stenosis, ventricular septal defect, dextroposition (displacement to the right) of the aorta, and right ventricular hypertrophy.
Therapeutic Ratio The ratio between the toxic dose of a drug and the minimum effective dose.
Thoracic Relating to the chest.
Thoracocentesis Introduction of a large-calibre needle into the chest, for the purpose of draining fluid from the pleural cavity.
Thoracotomy An incision into the chest cavity for diagnostic and/or surgical purposes.
Thrombectomy Removal of a clot from a bloodvessel.
Thrombectomy Surgical removal of blood-clot.
Thrombocytopenia Pathological reduction in the number of circulating platelets.
Thromboembolism Pathological clotting in a blood vessel, followed by lodgment of clot or clots in remote blood vessels.
Thrombolytic A substance which dissolves blood clots in the body.
Thrombosis Pathological clotting in bloodvessels.Thrombophilia "Thrombosis-loving" - having a propensity for abnormal clotting.
Thrombophlebitis Inflammation of a vein with thrombus formation.
Thrombosis Pathological clotting in bloodvessels.
Thrombus Clot.
Thymus A gland in the chest concerned with immune defences.
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) A chemical messenger regulating thyroid activity and produced by the pituitary gland, in excessive amounts when the thyroid gland fails to respond because of underactivity.
Tibial Osteotomy Surgical removal of a short segment or wedge of the shin-bone in order to shorten it or alter its angulation.
Tibialis Anterior Muscle A shin muscle which pulls up the great toe.
Tocography Measurement of the occurrence and strength of contractions of the uterus during pregnancy and labour.
Tocolysis The therapeutic interruption of (premature) labour.
Tone, of Muscle The resting resistance to passive movement by the examiner.
Topical Applied directly to skin or the lining of a body cavity.
Total Parenteral Nutrition Providing the body's nutritional needs by a balanced mixture of basic constituents supplied by intravenous infusion.
Toxic Colitis See "Merck Manual"
Toxic Megacolon Acute dilatation (enlargement of the diameter) of the colon, seen in fulminant ulcerative colitis.
Trachea Windpipe.
Tracheal Tug Visible pulling in of the windpipe during inspiration.
Tracheo(s)tomy Surgical opening into the windpipe to provide an artificial airway.
Tracheostomy Surgically created opening from the neck into the windpipe.
Trans Thoracic Needle Biopsy The diagnostic sampling of pathological tissue collected by aspiration through a needle introduced through normal tissues in the chest cavity.
Trans- Across.
Transarticular Across a joint.
Transbronchial Across the wall of the major air passages.
Transection Cutting across, typically a tubular organ.
Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn Self-limiting period of rapid breathing beginning shortly after birth, representing a process of adjustment rather than a progressive pathological process.Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) Temporary interruption of blood supply to a portion of the brain, giving rise to completely reversible brain-damage, symptoms and clinical signs.
Transluminal Along the interior of a tubular structure, such as a blood vessel.
Transplantation Partial or total replacement of diseased or deficient organs or tissues from healthy sources from the same or another body of the same or another species.
Transthoracic Needle Aspiration Sampling liquid or semiliquid material through a hollow needle introduced through the chest wall into the lung.
Transverse Colon The part of the large bowel between the ascending and descending colon, lying in the upper abdomen.
Transverse Myelitis Inflammation of both the white and grey matter of the spinal cord, causing neurological damage.
Transverse At right angles to the long axis of the body or a part.
Transverse At right-angles to the long axis of a body part.
Trendelenburg Position Lying supine with pelvis higher than the head, knees flexed and legs hanging down over the edge of the operating table or examining couch.
Trial of Labour Planned and monitored attempt at vaginal labour and delivery, with constant readiness to change to Emergency Cesarian Section.
Triangle of Calot Triangle bounded by the cystic artery, cystic duct, and hepatic duct.Trigger Point Skin location at which pressure provokes pain or other nerve symptom.
Trimester The first, second (mid) or third three months of pregnancy.
Trinitrin A specific medication which relieves angina.
Trochar A sharp surgical instrument used for piercing the skin and underlying tissues.
Truncal, of Vagotomy Refers to the cutting of one or both of the two nerves supplying impulses to the lining glands and muscle of the stomach.
Tubal Ligation Tying of the Fallopian tubes, usually together with cutting or removing a segment, for the purpose of contraception: the ovum, or egg, is released from the ovary but is no longer able to reach the sperm or uterus.
Tubal Coagulation (=Diathermy) Interruption of the channel of the fallopian tube by destroying a length of the tube by means of an electrical current.
Tubal Occlusion Blockage of the fallopian tubes, either pathological, usually by scar tissue following damage from infection, or surgical for the purpose of sterilisation.
Tubal Pregnancy Pregnancy implanted in the lining of a fallopian tube rather than in the lining of the uterus.
Tube, Tympanostomy or Ventilation A plastic device surgically placed through the eardrum for equalising air pressure in the presence of faulty functioning of the eustachian tube.
Tuberculin Skintest A liquid suspension of Mycobacterium tuberculosis which is injected into the skin, to produce a local reaction in subjects who have previously been immunised or suffered tuberculous infection (page ?, reference ?).
Tubo-Ovarian Pertaining to the fallopian tube and ovary.
Tylenol #3 A moderate strength prescription painkiller consisting of Acetaminophen and Codeine.
Tympanitic, of Abdomen Distended and tense, like the skin of a kettle-drum.
Tympanoplasty Repair of the eardrum or tympanum.
Tympanoplasty Repair or reconstruction of a damaged eardrum.
Tympanosclerosis Hardening of the eardrum.
Tympanostomy Surgical puncture of the eardrum, for diagnostic or therapeutic reasons.
Tympanum Eardrum.
Copyright © 2009 Electronic Handbook of Legal Medicine