Spinal Cord Injury healthcare information in one catch

Glossary P

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 link below to jump straight to that section. Click on the table above to choose another letter. Pa Pd Pe Pg Ph Pq Pr Pz Pa Pd Palpation Gently pressing on the surface of the body to feel the organs/tissue underneath. For example, feeling the chest to assess chest movements during breathing. Pancreas Gland that is positioned behind the stomach. The pancreas produces enzymes that are used in digestion, and also produces the hormones insulin and glucagon, which help to control the body’s blood sugar level. Paralysis The complete or incomplete loss of ability to control and move muscles. Paralytic ileus The build up of pressure in the small intestine that can occur in the early stages after a spinal cord injury. Symptoms include absence of normal bowel sounds and visible swelling of the abdomen. It can cause vomiting or force the stomach contents up into the airways. Paraplegia Describes complete or incomplete paralysis, affecting the legs and possibly also the trunk, but not the arms. The extent to which the trunk is affected depends on the level of spinal cord injury. Paraplegia is the result of damage to the cord at T1 and below. Parasympathetic nervous system A subdivision of the body’s nervous system that is automatic (not consciously controlled) and is involved in regulating the routine functions of the body, such as heartbeat, digestion, sleeping. Passive (exercise /movement) Movement is not brought about by the person’s own efforts. Instead another person, e.g., a physiotherapist, moves the parts of the body in question. This can be used to keep muscles and joints working in people with nerve problems that prevent voluntary movement, such as in spinal cord injury. The word passive may also be used to describe activities, such as breathing out, that happen automatically and do not require any effort/muscle contraction. Pe Pg back to top Penetrative sex Sex that involves the male penis fully entering the female vagina. Penis Male organ through which urination takes place. The penis is mainly made up of erectile tissue, and when the penis becomes erect (rigid) it can then act as a sexual organ and release fluid containing sperm into the female. Percussion Tapping the surface of the body to assess the organs/tissue beneath it. For example, tapping the chest and listening to the sounds produced. Normal lung tissue sounds hollow, but if the lung tissue is full of mucus, blood or other fluid, then it sounds more solid. Percussion drainage Involves removing unwanted fluids (e.g., mucus) that have built up in the airways. It uses strong vibration or clapping on the chest walls to help dislodge them. Perianal The area around the anus. Perineal Referring to the region of the body between the anus and the opening of the urethra. Perineum The area behind the genitals and in front of the anus. Peripheral nervous system All the nerves in the body that lie outside of the brain and spinal cord (the central nervous system). It carries messages from all over the body to the central nervous system and vice versa. Peristalsis A wave-like movement that travels along some of the hollow tubes in the body, such as the digestive tract. It is brought about by the coordinated contraction and relaxation of muscles in the walls of the hollow tubes, and serves to move material through the tubes in a specific direction. It is an involuntary (subconscious) process. Peritoneal dialysis Peritoneal dialysis is a method used to filter the blood when the kidneys are not working properly. It involves passing a special fluid into the body’s abdomen. The waste products pass from the blood, through a membrane lining the inside of the abdomen, into the special fluid, which can then be drained from the body. One type of peritoneal dialysis is continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). This does not require a machine, and it may be a possible approach for some mobile individuals. Another type of peritoneal dialysis is intermittent peritoneal dialysis, which is used in immobile individuals. Ph Pq back to top Phantom pain Pain that appears to come from an area where pain cannot actually be sensed, e.g., from an amputated limb, or below the level of an SCI. Pituitary gland The ‘master’ gland of the body, which produces hormones, e.g., human growth hormone, and affects a wide range of body functions. Plethysmography Method used to find problems with blood flow in the body. It works by detecting the electrical energy generated by blood flow. Pneumonia An infection that occurs deep within the lungs. It causes fluid to build up in the lungs, making them heavy and less spongy, and therefore making it more difficult to breathe. Polysaccharide bead dressings Type of wound dressing that contains water-absorbent granules/beads. Natural movement of the dressing on the wound helps the beads to pick up any foreign material or dead tissue, which is therefore removed during dressing changes. Pooling The collection/accumulation of fluid (e.g., blood) in one place. Postmenopausal Describes women who can no longer have children because they have undergone the menopause. Postoperatively Refers to an event that occurs at some point after an operation. Postural drainage Uses gravity to help remove lung secretions, e.g., mucus. The person is tilted by lowering the top of the bed by about 45cm and then placed in different positions for short periods. Pr Pz back to top Pressure sores An area of skin that has died due to prolonged pressure cutting off its normal blood supply. The pressure is usually due to long periods of immobility and lack of pressure relief. The sores can be painful and slow to heal. Progesterone Female reproductive hormone that is produced in the ovaries. Progressive damage Damage that develops over time. Proprioception The ability to sense the three-dimensional position of a limb. Prostate gland A gland around the neck of the bladder in males that produces fluid for release during sexual activity. Protein deficiency Lack of protein – especially in the diet. Proteins Proteins are substances that are essential parts of the body. For example, they form the structural material of muscles, tissues and organs. In addition, enzymes are proteins, as are many hormones. Proteins are required in the diet (from foods such as meat and dairy products) so that they can be broken down by digestion, absorbed and then rebuilt in forms that the body needs. Enough protein in the diet is essential to keep the body healthy. Proton pump inhibitors Drugs that reduce the amount of acid produced by the stomach by blocking the action of the ‘pump’ that moves the acidic particles into the stomach. Psychological Relating to the mind – thoughts and behaviour. Psychosocial A combination of psychological and social factors. Pulmonary embolism A blood clot (solid mass of blood) that blocks one or more of the blood vessels in the lungs. It can be life-threatening. Pulse oximetry This is a simple method of measuring the amount of oxygen in the blood. It consists of a probe that is attached to the person’s finger or ear lobe. This probe is then connected up to a computer that will display the amount of oxygen in the blood and the pulse rate. It can be used to detect and provide warnings about low levels of oxygen before any serious damage is done. Pyrexia Medical term meaning fever. back to top

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