Surgical neck Health Dictionary

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Surgical Neck: From 1 Different Sources

the constriction of the shaft of the *humerus, below the head. It is frequently the point at which fracture of the humerus occurs.
Health Source: Oxford | Concise Colour Medical Dictionary
Author: Jonathan Law, Elizabeth Martin

Neck

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

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

Surgical Spirit

A liquid preparation, consisting mainly of ethyl alcohol, that has a soothing and hardening effect when applied to the skin.

It may be used before injections as an antiseptic.... surgical spirit

Day Surgical Centre / Clinic

A free-standing ambulatory surgery centre, independent of a hospital.... day surgical centre / clinic

Menopause, Surgical

A term rather callously used to describe the cessation of ovarian hormones as a result of a radical hysterectomy...or what the British more honestly refer to as castration.... menopause, surgical

Dermatome, Surgical

A surgical instrument for cutting varying thicknesses of skin for use in skin grafting.... dermatome, surgical

Drain, Surgical

An appliance inserted into a body cavity or wound to release air or to permit drainage.

Drains range from simple soft rubber tubes that pass from a body cavity into a dressing to wide-bore tubes that connect to a collection bag or bottle.

Suction drains are thin tubes with many small holes to help collect fluid or air, which is drawn into a vacuum bottle.... drain, surgical

Emphysema, Surgical

The abnormal presence of air in tissues under the skin following surgery or injury.... emphysema, surgical

Hypothermia, Surgical

The deliberate reduction of body temperature to prolong the period for which the vital organs can safely be deprived of their normal blood supply during open heart surgery.

Cold reduces the rate of metabolism in tissues and thus increases their tolerance to lack of oxygen.

Cooling may be achieved by continuously instilling cold saline at about 4°C into the open chest cavity.... hypothermia, surgical

Neck Dissection, Radical

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.... neck dissection, radical

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

Surgical Emphysema

see emphysema.... surgical emphysema

Surgical Navigation

see computer-assisted surgery.... surgical navigation

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