Nursing Glossary

Capillary

Tiny, thin-walled blood vessels found in most tissues, allowing exchanges of gases, nutrients, and waste products between the tissue cells and the blood.

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Carbohydrates

Important biological molecules that include sugars and starch. Carbohydrates - especially glucose - provide energy and also have structural roles in and around cells.

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Carbon Dioxide

A gas composed of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms, often abbreviated as CO2. Carbon dioxide is formed in the body's tissues as a waste product of aerobic cellular metabolism, and is carried away from the tissues by the blood. Excess carbon dioxide is disposed of via the lungs and airways when we breathe out.

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Chromosomes

Threadlike structures in the nucleus of a cell. Each chromosome is composed of a long DNA molecule supported by - and wrapped around - special proteins called histones. Most human cells contain 46 chromosomes. The exceptions are cells with no nuclei, such as red blood cells, and cells being prepared as gametes (eggs and sperm) which eventually contain only 23 chromosomes. Chromosomes become most clearly visible during cell division, when they become tightly coiled and compacted (micrograph).

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Chronic

A disease or process that lingers and lasts.

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Cilia

Microscopic hair-like processes of some cells: they are capable of active beating movements producing movement of fluids in contact with them. Ciliated epithelia line most of the airways, for example.

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Conceptus

The developing baby before birth, especially during the early stages of development soon after fertilisation.

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Consciousness

This is a hard word to define! It is something we all have, but none of us really know what it is. It has something to do with an awareness of self. There is currently a renewed discussion about the nature of consciousness - whether it is an emergent property of brain activities or whether it is the product of something outside the material realm studied and described by science.

Abdominal Cavity

This lies below the diaphragm and consists of two parts in wide communication with each other: the abdominal cavity proper above and the pelvic cavity below. The boundaries of the abdominal cavity include the vertebral column behind, the muscular and fibrous walls of the abdomen at the back, sides and in front, the diaphragm above and the bony pelvis and its muscular floor below. The abdominal cavity contains many important organs of the digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems, as well as complex arrangements of blood vessels, nerve supplies, and lymphatic drainage.

Absorption

The process by which materials are taken into the body. The term is used mainly in relation to the take-up of the products of digestion from the lumen of the digestive tract into the blood stream (in the case of carbohydrates and amino acids) or lymphatic system (in the case of lipids).

Acute

A disease or process that has a sudden onset and progression.

Anatomy

The study of structure of the body. The term is derived from the Latin term for dissection - anatomia. Gross anatomy is the study of the body's structure as seen by the unaided eye, that is, without the use of a microscope. Traditionally, this is studied by medical students by dissection of a human cadaver.

Quotation from an exam answer:

"Overall anatomy is quite interesting even though there is a lot of it."

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death: the cell closes down its metabolic activities in an orderly way, either because it has been instructed to do so by signals from other cells, or because it has detected irreparable damage to its DNA or other vital systems. Apoptosis is a Greek word which means ‘the falling of leaves in autumn'.

Artery

A blood vessel carrying blood away from the heart.

Atom

A building block of matter. It was once believed that atoms were the smallest, most fundamental particles, but now we know that they are themselves built up of parts: electrons, neutrons, and protons. Even those parts are not fundamental, and are considered to be composed of different combinations of quarks. There is a suggestion from mathematics that quarks are built from superstrings, so it is best to keep an open mind about the possibility of truly fundamental 'particles'!

Atomic Number

The number of protons in an atom of a particular element. When the atom is in its neutral state, there will be an identical number of electrons. The atomic number of an element determines its position in the Periodic Table and also its chemical properties.

Autoimmune Disease

When the immune system turns against normal cells and tissues of the body.

Autonomic Nervous System

This is the part of the nervous system that looks after bodily functions that do not normally come to consciousness, for example control of the heart rate, blood pressure, digestive processes and so on. There are two main subdivisions of the autonomic nervous system: the sympathetic division which organizes arousal responses, and the parasympathetic division which is more to do with resting, repair, and the restoration of balances within the body.

Axon

The narrow process extending away from the cell body of a neuron: it carries nerve impulses towards the next cell with which the neuron communicates, either another neuron or a muscle or glandular cell.

 

Treat Yourself

 

Some chemists run a minor ailment service, which means that they can supply medicines for certain specific conditions. Alternatively you can get advice from NHS direct.

 

Stress Busting

We give help and advice on dealing with life's stains and stresses.

 

How to avoid getting ill this winter

GPs see more minor illness in January and February than any other time of year. A combination of overindulgence during the festive season knocking our immune systems and close contact indoors in the cold wet weather means party time for the bugs! More.

 

Scratch the itch

Or do not as the case may be. Itching is an unpleasant sensation in the skin, which makes us want to scratch, but usually only results in a worse itch. More.

 

Pets are In

Read how having a pet can transform your health. More,