Wilderness and Rescue Medicine 8th Edition

Glossary 265

diastolic blood pressure The standing pressure within the circulatory system remaining while the heart is between contractions. Documented as the second or lower number in blood pressure. differential diagnosis (D/DX) The list of pos- sible causes of a medical problem or symptom. discharge Fluid escaping from the site of infec- tion or inflammation. Also called exudate. 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. Epinephrine autoinjectors are also sold under a number of other brand or generic names. etiology The cause of a disease or injury. 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.