A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | L | M | N | O | P | R | S | T | U | V
- A — Back to Index
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 acute pain
- Pain of a sudden onset, especially after surgery or injury, or associated with illness
- adrenaline
- A naturally occurring chemical produced in the body in response to stress. When given as a drug it causes increases in heart rate and blood pressure. Adrenaline is also used as a treatment for severe allergic reactions.
- airway
- The part of the body through which the air passes on its way to the lungs. The 'upper airway' usually refers to the mouth and throat as far down as the voice box ( larynx); the 'lower airway' refers to the air passages below the larynx. 'Airway' also refers to a tube placed through the mouth or nose to facilitate the free movement of air, oxygen or anaesthetic gases.
- anaesthetic agent
- An anaesthetic drug, especially a volatile liquid where the vapour is used to induce or maintain anaesthesia by inhalation
- anaesthetic record
- The written or computer generated record of the process and events of a particular anaesthetic. Details noted include drugs and doses; measurements such as heart rate and blood pressure; amount (or percentage) of oxygen delivered; fluids given and blood lost; and surgical events.
- anaesthetic technician
- A trained health worker who assists the anaesthetist.
- analgesic
- Drug used to relieve pain.
- anaphylactic, anaphylactoid
- Severe allergic reaction, requiring immediate treatment. May be fatal.
- antagonist
- A drug that acts within the body to counteract the effect of another drug.
- anti-emetic
- Drug that is used to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting.
- antibodies
- Chemicals produced by the body's immune system to react against foreign proteins such as bacteria and viruses.
- arthroscope
- A small fibre-optic probe used to look at the inside of joints.
- aspiration
- The inhalation of stomach contents into the lungs.
- B — Back to Index
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- biopsy
- A piece of tissue removed from a part of the body for various tests and examination under a microscope.
- breathing system
- A series of hoses and chambers which contain and deliver the gas and vapour mixtures that are breathed by the patient during anaesthesia.
- bronchoscopy
- The process of looking into parts of the upper airway (larynx) and the lung ( trachea and air passages (bronchi)) by means of a fibre-optic probe.
- C — Back to Index
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- caesarean section
- The operation to deliver a baby through the abdomen rather than allow it to be born via the birth canal.
- cannula (plural: cannulae)
- Sometimes called a catheter. A short hollow plastic tube that can be placed into a blood vessel for sampling of blood or giving of fluid or drugs directly into the blood stream.
- cardiologist
- A doctor who specialises in diseases of the heart.
- cardiovascular
- Pertaining to the heart, blood vessels and circulation.
- cataract
- A change in the lens of the eye where the lens becomes opaque.
- caudal
- A type of epidural anaesthetic, but restricted to the lower end of the spinal cord.
- chart
- See ' hospital record'.
- chloroform
- One of the earliest anaesthetic agents, used as a vapour and having a sweet smell. It has a high risk of severe side-effects and death.
- chronic pain
- Pain that persists for a long time, usually more than two or three months.
- circuit
- See 'breathing system'.
- colostomy
- The result of an operation, usually for bowel cancer, in which the lower end of the bowel is relocated to an artificial opening on the front of the abdomen. Faeces are collected into a special plastic bag and emptied as necessary.
- cricoid pressure
- External pressure applied to the cricoid cartilage of the windpipe or trachea to compress the oesophagus and minimise the chance of regurgitation.
- CT scan
- A specialised X-Ray which produces multiple images taken in a 360-degree circle. The patient is required to lie still in the centre of the scanner for several minutes.
- D — Back to Index
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- deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Clotting and inflammation of the veins, usually in the calves of the legs. There is a risk that some of the clot may dislodge and travel in the blood stream back to the heart and lungs, where it may cause major blockage of the blood flow. DVT is more common in the elderly, females, smokers, obese patients and those having major surgery for cancer. Prevention is mainly by the use of anti-clotting agents and having the patient get out of bed and start walking as soon as possible after the operation.
- disorientation
- A state of confusion or inability to know where one is, what the time is, and even who one is.
- dysphoria
- An unpleasant psychological reaction.
- E — Back to Index
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- elective
- Not urgent (when referring to surgery).
- electrocardiograph (ECG or EKG)
- A monitor that measures the small electrical impulses from the heart and displays them on a screen.
- emergence
- The phase of anaesthesia during which patients 'emerge' from the anaesthetised state to regain at least some control over their functions. After emergence, patients are then transferred to a special area where continued recovery occurs under the care of a nurse, as delegated by the anaesthetist.
- emergency
- Requiring urgent attention to avoid the risk of damage or death to the patient or body part.
- endoscopy
- The process of using a fibre-optic scope to observe and operate in parts of the body not otherwise accessible without invasive surgery.
- endotracheal
- Into the trachea or windpipe, as in endotracheal intubation.
- ephedrine
- See 'adrenaline'.
- Epidural
- Epidural anaesthesia refers to the placement of drugs into the epidural space. This is the space which surrounds the spinal cord and its covering layers, through which the spinal nerves pass as they connect to other nerves leading to and from all parts of the body.
- epiglottis
- The flap or 'trap-door' over the opening to the voice box (larynx).
- ether
- An anaesthetic drug administered as a vapour. It was one of the first anaesthetic agents used and has a very pungent smell. It has now been replaced by safer and more acceptable drugs.
- euphoria
- Pleasant psychological reaction. A 'high'.
- extubation
- The removal of the endotracheal tube from the trachea.
- F — Back to Index
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- fibroids
- Benign swellings in the muscular wall of the uterus.
- full stomach
- A term used to describe the potential for the stomach to have failed to empty properly before the anaesthetic is started. This is most common in cases where the bowel is obstructed, or the patient has been involved in an accident (even a minor one) between the time of last eating and the time of surgery.
- G — Back to Index
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- goitre
- A swelling of the thyroid gland, which is situated in the front of the neck.
- H — Back to Index
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- haematoma
- A blood clot within the body.
- haemoglobin
- The chemical contained in red blood cells that is responsible for carrying oxygen.
- haemorrhoidectomy
- The operation to remove haemorrhoids (dilated veins in the rectum).
- hernia
- An outpouching of the lining of the abdominal cavity, through a weakness in the overlying muscular layers.
- hiatus hernia
- A widening of the normal space between the abdomen and the chest through which the oesophagus passes. As a result, part of the stomach slides into the chest, and acid from the stomach is able to flow up the oesophagus, causing 'heartburn' or indigestion.
- high dependency unit (HDU)
- See ' intensive care unit'.
- histamine
- Chemical produced by the body as part of an allergic reaction, causing redness and swelling.
- Hospital record
- The files or records of a patient's admissions and treatments provided by a particular hospital.
- hypertension
- High blood pressure.
- hypotension
- Low blood pressure.
- hypoxia
- Insufficient oxygen in the bloodstream, sometimes caused by the breathing of a gas mixture with inadequate oxygen.
- hysterectomy
- The operation to remove the uterus.
- I — Back to Index
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- incision
- A cut into the surface of the body or an organ.
- induction
- The process of starting the anaesthetic.
- induction agents
- Drugs used to induce anaesthesia.
- informed consent
- Consent for a procedure that is given by the patient or a responsible person, having understood the explanations and implications provided by the treating doctor.
- Inhalation
- The act of inhaling; that is, taking air or gas into the lungs by breathing.
- inhalational agents
- Anaesthetic drugs administered as a vapour or gas and breathed in by the patient.
- Intensive care unit (ICU)
- A specialised ward for the care of critically ill patients.
- internist
- See ' physician'.
- intramuscular
- Literally 'inside or within the muscle', referring to the site of injections.
- intraoperative
- During the operation.
- intravenous
- Into the vein, by injection. Sometimes the word 'intravenous' refers to a cannula inserted into a vein as a means of injecting drugs intravenously. The cannula may or may not have a fluid infusion or intravenous line attached.
- Intubation
- The placement of a tube into a hollow space. In most cases this refers to the placement of an endotracheal tube through the larynx into the trachea. Eg. Endotracheal intubation.
- L — Back to Index
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- laparoscopy
- Procedure when a fibre-optic probe is used to look into or operate within the abdominal cavity.
- laryngeal mask airway (LMA)
- A device used to connect the breathing circuit to the patient's trachea without passing a tube through the larynx (voice box). The LMA consists of a tube with an inflatable pad that encloses the larynx.
- laryngoscope
- A device used to insert an endotracheal tube into the trachea. The laryngoscope consists of a long metal 'blade' with a light, which is inserted into the mouth of the anaesthetised patient so the anaesthetist can see the larynx.
- Larynx
- The site of the vocal cords. Commonly known as the voice-box or Adam's apple, it may be felt in the neck as a hard lump. The larynx connects the throat to the trachea.
- local anaesthesia
- Anaesthesia produced in a locallised area of the body, by the use of local anaesthetic drugs.
- lymph nodes
- Part of the body's defence system, consisting of small glands that respond to infection by swelling up. They are often the sites to which cancer spreads.
- M — Back to Index
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- maintenance
- The phase of anaesthesia between 'induction' and 'emergence'. This is the period during which the surgical or other procedure may be performed.
- malignant hyperthermia/hyperpyrexia (MH)
- A rare condition in which, after administration of certain triggering drugs, the patient develops an uncontrollable rise in temperature. The susceptibility is hereditary and the condition is treatable.
- mandible
- The lower jaw.
- material risks
- Risks that may occur and that represent serious complications.
- mediastinoscopy
- The process of looking into the front part of the chest cavity, using a fibre-optic probe inserted at the bottom of the neck.
- meperidine
- See ' pethidine'.
- monitored anaesthesia care
- Care for a patient by an anaesthetist where a general anaesthetic is not administered.
- Monitor
- Device that measures changes in some aspect of the patient's condition, such as heart rate, or of a piece of equipment-for example, concentration of oxygen delivered from the anaesthetic machine. (A car speedometer is a monitor of road speed.)
- morphine
- A powerful painkilling drug.
- muscle relaxant
- Drug used to induce relaxation or weakening of muscles.
- myocardial infarction (MI)
- A heart attack. Specifically refers to the damage (infarction) caused by lack of blood supply to a section of the heart muscle (myocardium). Narcotics. Painkilling drugs derived from opium, or related synthetic compounds.
- N — Back to Index
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- narcotic
- Painkilling drugs derived from opium, or related synthetic compounds.
- nasal
- Pertaining to the nose.
- nasogastric (tube)
- A narrow plastic tube inserted through one nostril, down the oesophagus and into the stomach.
- nerve block
- The use of local anaesthetic around a nerve to block the passage of impulses down the nerve fibre.
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)
- These drugs provide pain relief and reduce inflammation, but are not members of the narcotic group of painkilling drugs.
- NPO
- 'Nil per os', i.e. 'nothing by mouth'-in other words, no food or drink.
- O — Back to Index
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- obstetrician
- Doctor who specialises in the care of women during pregnancy and delivery.
- obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)
- A condition where partial blockage to breathing in the mouth and at the back of the throat leads to short periods of interruption of breathing while asleep. Such breathing while asleep is usually noisy, as in snoring.
- oral
- Pertaining to the mouth.
- P — Back to Index
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- palate
- The roof of the mouth.
- patient controlled analgesia (PCA).
- Pain relief with intravenous administration of narcotic analgesics, where the rate of administration is under the patient's control. A delivery system is programmed so that overdoses cannot be given.
- pentothal
- A commonly used brand name for thiopentone.
- peripheral
- In an extremity, such as an arm or a leg. Opposite to 'central'.
- Pethidine
- A strong narcotic painkiller, similar to morphine.
- phlebitis
- Inflammation of the veins, usually confined to a small area.
- Physician
- Doctor who specialises in internal medicine-that is, in diseases of the body not usually associated with the need for surgery. Also known as an 'internist'.
- placenta
- The organ that grows in the uterus with the developing baby and provides a connection with the mother, so that oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other nutrients and waste products can be exchanged between the mother's and baby's bloodstreams.
- polyp
- Swollen lump of tissue, usually in the nose or bowel.
- postoperative
- After the operation.
- premedication
- The administration of medication to a patient before anaesthesia. This medication may include drugs to relieve pain, sedatives, anti-emetics or specific treatments, as well as the patient's normal medication(s).
- preoperative
- Before the operation.
- prophylactic
- Procedure or medication that is used in order to prevent the occurrence of an adverse effect.
- propofol
- A drug used for induction of anaesthesia. It is a white milky liquid and has been used since the late 1980s.
- pulse oximeter
- A monitor that measures the saturation or percentage of oxygen in the blood stream and the heart rate. The sensor probe is a simple wrap-around or peg-like device that is attached to a finger, toe or earlobe.
- R — Back to Index
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- radiologist
- A doctor who specialises in diagnosing illnesses and other conditions through the use of X-rays and other imaging techniques.
- rapid sequence induction
- Rapid induction of anaesthesia because of a risk of vomiting or regurgitation.
- recovery room
- The area near the Operating Room to which a patient is transferred to continue recovery from both the anaesthesia and surgery.
- rectal
- Pertaining to the rectum.
- regional anaesthesia
- Anaesthesia applied to a part of the body, usually by blocking the transmission of nerve impulses in one or more nerves.
- Regurgitation
- The passage of fluid or partially digested food back up the oesophagus from the stomach to the mouth. Regurgitation does not imply active vomiting.
- respiratory therapist
- A trained health worker who specialises in the care of breathing, especially in severe illness.
- rheumatoid arthritis
- An inflammatory condition of joints and tendons. Can be very painful and debilitating.
- S — Back to Index
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- sedation
- A state of calmness, or the process of producing such a state. Usually achieved by the use of sedative drugs.
- Spinal
- Anaesthesia produced by placing anaesthetic drugs into the cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds the spinal cord.
- sputum
- Spittle or mucus and other material coughed up from the lungs.
- stress test
- A test which may be performed to estimate the capacity of the heart and lungs to withstand additional stresses, such as those imposed by surgery.
- suppository
- Drug that is administered by placing in the rectum.
- suture
- Stitch, as used by surgeons when sewing up incisions or wounds.
- T — Back to Index
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- Thiopentone
- A drug used to induce anaesthesia.
- thyroid cartilage
- The main cartilage of the larynx (voice box). This is the hard lump or the Adam's apple in the front of the neck.
- titrating
- Adjusting the dose of a drug as it is being administered, according to the effect it has on the patient.
- toxicity
- Tendency to cause damage.
- Trachea
- The tube that connects the larynx to the lungs. Commonly known as the windpipe.
- tracheal intubation
- See 'endotracheal intubation'
- U — Back to Index
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- ultrasound
- The use of sound waves to examine parts of the body. Commonly used during pregnancy to examine the state of the growing baby and the placenta.
- V — Back to Index
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- vena cava
- The large vein draining venous (deoxygenated) blood from the lower half of the body back to the heart.
- ventilator
- A mechanical device which acts on the breathing system to move gas into and out of the patient's lungs.
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Glossary
