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D-E decompression Remove pressure. decontamination The process of rendering an object, person, or area free from contaminating substances such as infectious materials, poison gas, or radioactive materials. decubitus ulcers A chronic ulcer caused by the pressure of body weight when patients are confined to bed or otherwise immobilized (bedsore). demineralization A loss or decrease of mineral salts, especially from bone. dental dam A thin sheet of latex rubber used in dentistry to isolate teeth from fluids in the mouth. denudation Remove protective covering. derivation The drawing of blood or body fluids away from congested parts of the body to other parts of the body. diapedesis The passage of blood or blood cells through the intact walls of blood vessels. diaphoresis Profuse sweating or perspiration. diathermy Use of high-frequency currents to heat deep tissue. digit A finger (including the thumb) or toe. DIP Acronym for distal interphalangeal joint. discography X-ray taken after injecting an absorbable contrast medium into an intervertebral disk. disease A morbid or pathologic condition that deviates from normal function where the agent, signs, and symptoms are identifiable. disinfectant A substance that prevents infection by killing bacteria and other infection-producing organisms. disinhibition Removal or inhibition of an inhibition. distal Situated away from the center of the body. distract To separate. distraction Extension of a limb to separate joint surfaces. divergence The moving of two or more forces away from a common center. DNA Abbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid. dysesthesia Unpleasant sensations produced by an ordinary stimulus. dystrophy Progressive abnormal changes that result from defective nutrition of a tissue or organ. eccentric contraction A muscle lengthens during contraction. efferent nerve A motor nerve conveying impulses from the central nervous system to the periphery. elastic Having the property of returning to the original shape after being stretched, compressed, or otherwise distorted. elastin A yellow elastic fibrous mucoprotein found in connective tissue. EMG Abbreviation for electromyogram, the graphic record of muscle contraction that results from electrical stimulation. encephalitis Inflammation of the brain. endemic A disease with low mortality that occurs continuously in a particular population. endogenous Produced or developed from within the organism. enthesitis Traumatic disease occurring at the insertion of muscles where repeated stress causes inflammation and possibly fibrosis or calcification. entrapment syndrome Entrapment of a nerve by hard or soft tissue. enzyme Complex proteins produced by living cells that are capable of inducing chemical changes in other substances without being changed themselves. epidemic A disease that attacks many people at the same time in the same geographic region. epidemiology A science that defines and explains the interrelationships between factors relating to the frequency and distribution of disease. ergonomics Study of human factors relating to the design and operation of machines and the physical environment. ergotropic Mechanisms of the nervous system that expend energy, opposite of trophotropic. erythema Inflammatory redness of skin that results from dilatation and congestion of superficial capillaries. etiology Scientific study involving the causes of disease. exacerbation Aggravating symptoms or increasing the severity of a disease. exostosis Bony growth arising from the surface of bone. extensibility The ability to lengthen. exteroceptor A sense organ receiving stimuli from outside the body. extracellular Outside the cell. extravasation Fluids escaping from vessels into surrounding tissue. |
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