the point on the abdomen that overlies the anatomical position of the appendix and is the site of maximum tenderness in acute appendicitis. It lies one-third of the way along a line drawn from the anterior superior iliac spine (the projecting part of the hipbone) to the umbilicus. [C. McBurney (1845–1913), US surgeon]
A local or regional access point where older persons receive information, assessment of needs, care planning, referrals to health and social services and, in some systems, authorization of services for home care, community-based care or residential care facilities.... single point of entry
Places on the body where arteries lie near the surface and pressure can be applied by hand to limit severe arterial bleeding (in which bright red blood is pumped out in regular spurts with the heartbeat). Major pressure points of the body include the brachial pressure point in the middle part of the upper arm and the carotid pressure point at the side of the neck, below the jaw.... pressure points
an entry site for minimal-access surgery (see laparoscopy), especially when there is an increased risk from previous abdominal surgery. It is located in the left upper quadrant (see abdomen), 3 cm below the middle of the left costal margin. See Veress needle.... palmer’s point
n. a procedure in massage in which the therapist’s fingers are pressed, fingertip first, deep into the patient’s skin. This is done to manipulate underlying structures and break up adhesions that may have formed following injury.... pointillage
a point at which an artery lies over a bone on which it may be compressed by finger pressure, to arrest haemorrhage beyond. For example, the femoral artery may be compressed against the pelvic bone in the groin.... pressure point
a very dangerous form of *ventricular tachycardia characterized by a sinusoidal (twisting) pattern on the electrocardiogram due to a constantly shifting cardiac electrical vector (hence the French term, meaning ‘twisting of points’). It is usually a side-effect of medication but may also occur in patients with severe deficiency of potassium or magnesium or inherited abnormalities of the cardiac electrical system. See long QT syndrome.... torsades de pointes
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