Neck dissection, radical Health Dictionary

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Neck Dissection, Radical: From 1 Different Sources

A surgical procedure for the removal of cancerous lymph nodes in the neck.

The operation is commonly part of the treatment of cancer of the tongue, tonsils, or other structures in the mouth and throat.

Health Source: BMA Medical Dictionary
Author: The British Medical Association

Dissection

(1) The cutting of tissue to separate the structural components for identi?cation or removal during an operation or the study of anatomy.

(2) Dissection of an artery involves tearing of the inner part of the wall, allowing blood to track through the media occluding the origins of smaller arteries and often leading to vessel rupture (see also ARTERIES).... dissection

Neck

The connecting tissues between the scolex and strobila of a tapeworm. This part is unsegmented.... neck

Radical Surgery

An operation to remove a cancer, plus adjacent tissue and lymph nodes.... radical surgery

Wry-neck

A condition in which the head is twisted to one side. It may be caused by the contraction of a scar, such as that resulting from a burn or by paralysis of some of the muscles; as a result of injury at birth; or trauma to the area later in life. Treatment is by an orthopaedic collar, heat or ULTRASOUND, or PHYSIOTHERAPY. Sometimes a local injection of BOTULISM toxin will produce temporary relief. Rarely, surgery is necessary. (See also MUSCLES, DISORDERS OF – Cramp; SPASMODIC TORTICOLLIS.)... wry-neck

Free Radicals

Both vegetable and animal tissues produce free radicals as a normal metabolic byproduct. They are found in many areas of human activity.

A radical is a group of atoms which can combine in the same way as single atoms to make a molecule. Free means uncombined. A free radical is a state in which a radical can exist before it combines – an incomplete molecule containing oxygen which has an uneven electrical charge. High energy oxygen atoms are known to form atheroma.

As well as being substances that take part in a process of metabolism, free radicals can be found in industrial fumes and cigarette smoke. They are oxidants and have an anti-bacterial effect. But their activity is not confined to bacteria alone. When produced in large amounts as in inflammation and infection, they may have a damaging effect upon the lining of blood vessels and other tissues. An excess is produced in ischaemic heart disease. They have been shown to be involved in jet lag, Alzheimer’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, thrombosis, heart failure, cancer, irradiation sickness and a weak immune system. Damaging to the DNA, they are probably the greatest single cause of ill health. They hasten the ageing process. Vitamins A, C, E, being antioxidants and the mineral Selenium stimulate certain enzyme systems to limit damage done by these destructive elements.

Losing weight is believed to generate free radicals – a metabolic side-effect of dieting. See: ANTIOXIDANTS. ... free radicals

Neck Rigidity

Marked stiffness of the neck caused by spasm of the muscles in the neck and spine.

Neck rigidity is an important clinical sign of meningitis (inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord).

Severe neck rigidity may cause the head to arch backwards, especially in babies.... neck rigidity

Stiff Neck

A common symptom, usually due to spasm in muscles at the side or back of the neck. In most cases, it occurs suddenly and for no apparent reason. It may result from a neck injury, such as a ligament sprain, disc prolapse, or whiplash injury. A rare cause is meningitis.

Mild stiffness may be relieved by massage, warming, and use of a liniment. Severe or persistent stiffness requires medical attention. (See also torticollis.)... stiff neck

Asymmetric Tonic Neck Reflex

a primitive reflex that is present from birth but should disappear by six months of age. If the infant is lying on its back and the head is turned to one side, the arm and leg on the side to which the head is turned should straighten, and the arm and leg on the opposite side should bend (the ‘fencer’ position). Persistence of the reflex beyond six months is suggestive of *cerebral palsy.... asymmetric tonic neck reflex

Bladder Neck Incision

an operation that involves an incision through the bladder neck that is extended into the prostate to relieve *lower urinary tract symptoms. This procedure is usually performed under a general or spinal anaesthetic through a cystoscope. It is not as extensive as a transurethral resection of the prostate and is therefore associated with a comparatively lower incidence of side-effects.... bladder neck incision

Radical Treatment

vigorous treatment that aims at the complete cure of a disease rather than the mere relief of symptoms. Compare conservative treatment.... radical treatment

Surgical Neck

the constriction of the shaft of the *humerus, below the head. It is frequently the point at which fracture of the humerus occurs.... surgical neck

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