Dictionary

radiation, seed See radiation therapy, interstitial.

radiation 1 Rays of energy. Gamma rays and Xrays are two types of radiation that are often used in medicine. 2 The use of energy waves to diagnose or treat disease.

radiate To spread out from a central area. For example, sciatic pain may radiate outward from the lower back.

radial artery A major artery that emerges through the neck of the radius in the crook of the elbow and sends out 12 branches to various areas of the forearm, wrist, and hand.

radial aplasia-thrombocytopenia syndrome See TAR syndrome.

radial 1 Pertaining to the radius, the smaller bone in the forearm. The radial artery is so named because of its proximity to the radius. 2 Pertaining to the radius of a circle. 3 Spreading from a central point. A radial keratotomy, for instance, is an eye operation in which incisions are made in the…

rad Radiation absorbed dose, a measurement for a dose of ionizing radiation.

racemose A descriptive term for something that is in a cluster or bunch. For example, a racemose aneurysm is an aneurysm that looks like a bunch of grapes.

rabies A potentially fatal viral infection that attacks the central nervous system. Rabies is carried by wild animals (particularly bats and raccoons) and finds its way to humans by many routes. Most cases of rabies can be traced to animal bites, but cases have been documented in which the virus was inhaled in bat caves,…

R 1 Respiration. For example, a medical chart note of “R20” is shorthand for 20 respirations (breaths) per minute. 2 Right. A medical chart note of a burn on the “R digit 5” places the burn on the right little finger or toe. 3 Roentgen. 4 In chemistry, a radical. 5 On a prescription, recipe,…

quotient The result of mathematical division.

quotidian Recurring each day, as in a fever that returns every day.