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B-C bacteriostatic Inhibiting or retarding growth or reproduction of bacteria. ballistics A study of motion and trajectory. balneotherapy Partial or complete immersion of the body in mineral water as a form of therapy. baroreceptor A sensory nerve ending that is sensitive to stretching that results from pressure. barrier An obstruction that tends to restrict free movement. bath immersion of the body or any of its parts in water—liquid or vapor—for therapeutic purposes. Beevor's axiom The brain knows nothing of individual muscles, but thinks only in terms of movement. biohazardous (in Florida, biomedical) Anything hazardous to man, other species, or the environment. blanch To become pale, white, or lose color. blepharitis Inflammation of the eyelids characterized by swelling, redness and dried mucus. calorie The amount of heat energy needed to raise the temperature of one gram of water 1°C. capsid A shell of protein covering the central core of a virus particle. capsulitis Inflammation of a capsule. CAT SCAN Computerized (axial) tomography scan. catabolism Destructive phase of metabolism. caudad In direction toward the feet, tail, or distal end, opposite cephalad. causalgia Burning pain. cavitation Formation of a cavity or microscopic bubbles. CD4 The antigen on the surface of T-helper lymphocyte cells (CD4 cells), that HIV bind to before entering the cell. CDC Abbreviation for Centers of Disease Control. cephalad In direction toward the head, opposite caudad. chemotaxis The movement of leukocytes to an area of inflammation in response to chemicals. chronic Long duration, normally more than six months. chronic inflammation A persistent inflammation appearing quickly or slowly with a vague termination and characterized more by pain, loss of function, and new connective tissue formation than by swelling, redness, or heat. claudication Lameness resulting from inadequate circulation. clinical trial A research protocol designed to evaluate the efficacy or safety of a drug or a therapeutic agent and to produce scientifically valid results. clonus Uncontrolled spasmodic muscle jerking. coagulation A clotting process that transforms blood from a liquid to a solid. cocontraction Mutual contraction of antagonistic muscles for the purpose of stabilizing a body part. cold compress A cloth dipped in cold or ice water, wrung out, and applied to the body as a form of cryotherapy. cold mitten friction Cold water and friction applied to the body with a terry cloth towel or friction mitts as a form of stimulation. collagen A white fibrous protein found in connective tissue. compensatory Making up or compensating for a defect, deficiency, or loss. concentric contraction A muscle shortens during contraction. conduction Transfer of heat between two objects in contact with each other. confidential testing The name of the person being tested is used, but only the client can receive the test results unless a records release form is signed by the client. conjunctivitis Inflammation of the conjunctiva characterized by red eyes, a thick discharge, and sticky eyelids in the morning. consensual A reflex action in which stimulation on one side of the body causes a circulatory, muscular, or glandular response on the opposite side of the body. A consensual reaction to light occurs when light directed at one eye causes the opposite pupil to contract (consensual light reflex). contamination The introduction of disease germs or infectious material into a normally sterile environment. contractility Having the ability to contract or shorten in response to stimulus. contraction Increased tension caused by physiologic shortening of a muscle. contracture A pathologic shortening of a muscle due to spasm or fibrosis that increases resistance to active or passive stretch. contraindication A special symptom or circumstance that makes the use of a particular therapy inappropriate, normally because of risk. contralateral Affecting opposite side or on opposite sides of the body. convection Transfer of heat in liquids or gases by movement of heated currents. convergence The moving of two or more forces toward the same point. conversion 1. Transformation of electrical or mechanical energy into heat. 2. Changing emotions, such as hysteria, into physical manifestations. cosine law The intensity of radiation is highest when rays from a source strike the patient at an angle of 90 degrees. counterirritation Superficial irritation that relieves another irritation or deep pain. cramp Strong and painful spasm. creep Deformation of viscoelastic materials when exposed to a slow, constant, low-level force for long periods of time. crepitus The sound of bone rubbing against bone. cryoglobulinemia The presence of abnormal plasma protein (cryoglobulin) in the blood plasma. cryotherapy Therapeutic application of cold. cyanosis Bluish or gray discoloration of skin because of reduced hemoglobin in blood. cyst A closed sac or pouch containing fluid, semisolid, or solid material. |
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