Wilderness and Rescue Medicine 7th Edition Jeffrey Isaac, PA-C and David E. Johnson, MD

Glossary 257

dislocation Disruption of normal joint anatomy. distal An anatomical direction; away from the body center. The wrist is distal to the elbow. dura Connective tissue and membrane lining of the cranium and brain. dyspnea Also called shortness of breath, respira- tory distress, or difficulty breathing. dysrhythmia An abnormal heart rhythm. Also called arrhythmia. edema Swelling due to leaking of serum from capillaries. electrolyte Elements or molecules in the blood. Examples include sodium, potassium, chloride, and calcium. embolus Object or substance traveling in the blood capable of lodging in the circulatory system and causing ischemia. Examples include bubbles of air, fat globules, and freely floating blood clots. emphysema Chronic lower airway constriction leading to lung hyperinflation and the formation of cavities within lung tissue. epinephrine The synthetic form of the hormone adrenalin. Used to constrict blood vessels and dilate airway tubes. EpiPen Device that automatically injects 0.3 mg of epinephrine when armed and triggered. evacuation Transferring a patient from the scene of injury or illness to definitive medical care. evisceration Injury that leaves abdominal or tho- racic organs outside the body. exercise induced hyponatremia Condition of electrolyte dilution caused by over consumption of water in relation to electrolytes, and to a lesser extent, the loss of salt in sweat.

extension Movement at a joint that extends an extremity away from the center of the body. The opposite of flexion. extracellular space Between and among the cells of body tissues. extrication Removing or freeing a patient from entrapment or confinement. exudate Discharge, usually from a wound or infection. fascia A layer of tough connective tissue that lies below the fat and over the muscle, bone, organs, and joints. femoral artery Large artery that travels along the femur in the thigh. femur Long bone of the thigh. flail chest The loss of rigidity of the chest wall due to multiple rib fractures. flexion Bending of a joint. The opposite of exten- sion. fracture Broken bone, cartilage, or solid organ. frostbite Frozen tissue. May be superficial or deep. frostnip Loss of circulation due to the vasocon- striction of blood vessels in the skin during the early stages of tissue freezing. glaucoma Disease or condition causing increased pressure within the globe of the eye. Glasgow Coma Scale An assessment of level of consciousness and mental status resulting in a numeric score. See page . glycogen Carbohydrate stored in the liver and muscles. Glycogen is converted into sugar for use as fuel during exercise.