Spinal Cord Injury healthcare information in one catch

Glossary V Z

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Scroll down this list to find the medical term and its explanation, or click on the links below to jump straight to that section. Click on the table above to choose another letter. Va Vh Vi Vz W X Y Z Va Vh Vagina A muscular tube that forms the lower part of the female reproductive system. It joins the womb with the outside. Valsalva manoeuvre A method of increasing the pressure within the abdomen by straining to breathe out with the mouth closed. It is used to help pass stools (defecate) and urine. Vascular Relating to the blood vessels, e.g., vascular surgery is surgery on the blood vessels. Vasoconstriction Narrowing of the diameter of a blood vessel in order to increase the resistance to blood flow and raise the blood pressure. Vasodilation Widening of the diameter of a blood vessel in order to decrease the resistance to blood flow. Vasomotor tone Constant level of nervous stimulation to the muscles in the blood vessel walls. This gives the muscles a resting level of contraction. Vein Type of blood vessel that carries blood back towards the heart from the rest of the body. The vessel walls of veins contain valves which ensure that the blood flows in one direction only – towards the heart. Venogram A specific type of angiogram that involves injecting the veins with substances that show up on X-rays, and then taking an X-ray of the appropriate area. It can highlight any blockages in the veins. Ventilator An 'artificial lung' – equipment that mechanically takes over the work of breathing, either on a short or long-term basis, when people are unable to breathe normally, e.g., when the muscles involved in breathing are paralysed. Vertebra Plural: Vertebrae One of the ring shaped bones that sit on top of each other to form the spinal column (backbone) and encase and protect the spinal cord. Vi Vz back to top Vibratory stimulation Generating a nervous system response, by using vibrations on the surface of the skin. Viral infection Infection of the body by a virus. Viruses Infectious agents that invade and replicate in living cells and can cause disease. Vital signs Vital signs include breathing, pulse, blood pressure and body temperature. Thety are indications that the body systems that are essential for keeping a person alive, are still working.. Vitamin B12 A vitamin that is involved in many body functions. A lack of vitamin B12 in the diet affects nearly all body tissues, with some of the most serious affects being on the nervous system. Liver, fish and eggs are all good dietary sources of vitamin B12. Vitamin D A vitamin that is required in very small amounts to help absorb calcium into the body and aid its deposit into bones. It promotes healthy bones and teeth, and good sources of dietary vitamin D include egg yolk, liver and oily fish. Vitamin K A vitamin that is involved in blood clotting. Vitamins Substances that are required in very small amounts for the body to stay healthy, but that must be obtained from the diet as the body is unable to make them for themselves. Vocal cords Small bands of tissue within the voice box (larynx) that vibrate to produce the sounds of the voice. Voiding Emptying the bladder of urine. Voluntary Refers to activities of the body (or muscles) that are under conscious control, e.g., lifting the hand, moving the legs, etc. Vulva The external genitals of the female – two pairs of fleshy folds (the labia) surrounding the opening of the vagina and urethra. Vulval Describing something relating to the vulva. W X Y Z back to top Weight-bearing Supporting heaviness/weight. Weight-bearing exercise Exercise that involves supporting some of the body’s weight, e.g., while walking, the legs bear weight. White blood cells Type of blood cell that is involved in protecting the body against infection, and producing antibodies. White matter Areas in the brain and spinal cord that consist of myelinated nerve cells (neurones). Myelinated nerve cells are those in which their long thread-like extensions (axons) are covered in a layer of white, fatty, insulating material called myelin. Womb Female reproductive organ where an embryo grows and develops in the months before birth. Also known as the uterus. X-rays Images of the inside of the body, particularly the bones, produced by passing radiation (X-rays) through the body onto a photographic film. Young Disabled Unit (YDU) Type of nursing home that specialises in the care of young people with disabilities. The YDU is often a unit within a general nursing home, but some may exist separately. The staff in a YDU will be able to provide most of the care or nursing procedures that are required by the disabled person. back to top

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