Glossary N's
narcotic analgesic
Definition:type of painkiller that blocks the transmission of pain signals in the brain; often causes tolerance (the need for higher amounts of the drug to produce the same effect) and drug dependence
narcotic
Definition:addictive substance that blunts the senses; can cause confusion, stupor, coma, and death with increased dosages
nares
Definition:the nostrils or nasal openings
nasal septum
Definition:section of the nose that divides the left and right nostrils; made of cartilage and bone and covered by a mucous membrane
nasal
Definition:pertaining to the nose
nasopharynx
Definition:upper part of the pharynx, located behind the nose
nausea
Definition:feeling the need to vomit
nebulizer
Definition:instrument that provides a drug in a misted form through a facemask; used for severe asthma attacks and for children who have asthma but cannot use an inhaler
necrosis
Definition:death of tissue cells
needle aspiration
Definition:use of a thin, hollow needle and syringe to remove body fluid for examination
needle biopsy
Definition:use of a hollow, wide-diameter needle to remove a sample of tissue for examination
nephrectomy
Definition:surgical removal of one or both kidneys
nephritis
Definition:inflammation of one or both kidneys because of an infection, an abnormal immune system response, or a metabolic disorder
nephrolithotomy
Definition:surgical removal of a kidney stone
nephrons
Definition:tiny filtering units of the kidney
nephrosclerosis
Definition:replacement of normal kidney structures with scar tissue
nephrostomy
Definition:surgical placement of a tube into the kidney to drain urine
nephrotic syndrome
Definition:loss of protein from nephrons
nerve block
Definition:dulling of sensation in an area of the body by injecting a painkiller into or around a nerve leading to that section of the body
nerve cell
Definition:basic unit of the nervous system; transmits chemical messages throughout the body
nerve compression
Definition:pressure on a nerve, which can cause nerve damage and muscle weakness
nerve
Definition:bundle of fibers that transmit electrical messages between the brain and areas of the body; these messages convey sensory or motor function information
nervous system
Definition:the complete system of nerve tissues in the body, consisting of the brain, brainstem, spinal cord, nerves and ganglia
neural
Definition:pertaining to a nerve or the nerves
neuralgia
Definition:pain along the course of a nerve caused by irritation or damage to the nerve
neuritis
Definition:inflammation of a nerve, often characterized by pain, numbness, or tingling; also used to describe nerve damage and disease from causes other than inflammation
neuro
Definition:prefix indicating a nerve or relating to a nerve or the nervous system
neurofibromatosis
Definition:condition in which connective tissue tumors occur on nerves in the skin
neuroleptic
Definition:an antipsychotic drug
neurologic
Definition:pertaining to the nervous system or neurology
neurology
Definition:branch of medicine dealing with diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the nervous system
neuroma
Definition:noncancerous tumor occurring in nerve tissue
neuromuscular blocking drugs
Definition:group of very powerful drugs that completely relax most of the muscles in the body, temporarily disabling movement; patient must be on breathing machine as breathing muscles are affected
neuron
Definition:nerve cell
neuropathy
Definition:disease, inflammation, or damage to the nerves connecting the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body
neurosis
Definition:relatively mild emotional disorders, such as mild depression and phobias
neurotransmitters
Definition:chemicals that transfer messages from one nerve cell to another or from a nerve cell to a muscle cell
neutrophil
Definition:type of white blood cell
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Definition:nonregulatory United State's federal agency with oversight of research activities it funds
nitrates
Definition:group of drugs that widen blood vessels; used to treat insufficient blood supply to the heart (angina pectoris) and reduced pumping efficiency of the heart (heart failure)
nocturia
Definition:urination or a sleep-disturbing need to urinate during the night
nocturnal
Definition:occurring during or active at night
noninvasive
Definition:descriptive of medical procedures that do not enter or penetrate the body; also refers to noncancerous tumors that do not spread to other sections of the body
norepinephrine
Definition:hormone that regulates blood pressure by causing blood vessels to narrow and the heart to beat faster when blood pressure drops
nosocomial infection
Definition:infection acquired in a hospital
nurse practitioner (NP)
Definition:a registered nurse specially trained to provide an expanded role in the provision of medical care under the supervision of a doctor
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID)
Definition:group of drugs that relieve pain and reduce inflammation
nursing home
Definition:facility which provides nursing supervision and limited medical care to people who do not require hospitalization; also called an extended care facility
nuclear medicine
Definition:use of weakly radioactive material as a type of contrast material and a radiation detection camera to make images of the inside of the body
numbness
Definition:lack of sensation in a part of the body because of interruption of nerve impulses
nutrient
Definition:any substance that the body can use to maintain its health
nutrition
Definition:collectively, all nutrients and the physical and chemical processes by which nutrients are converted into body tissue
nystagmus
Definition:persistent, rapid, involuntary movement of the eyes
nitroglycerin
Definition:drug used to widen blood vessels, including use as treatment for insufficient blood supply to the heart (angina pectoris) and the reduced pumping efficiency of the heart (heart failure)
nasogastric tube (NG)
Definition:thin, plastic tube that is inserted through the nose, down the esophagus, and into the stomach; used to drain, wash, or take samples from the stomach, or to feed very sick patients who cannot eat; also called NG tube