Dictionary

total parenteral nutrition Intravenous feeding that provides patients with all the fluid and the essential nutrients they need when they are unable to feed themselves by mouth. Abbreviated TPN.

total hysterectomy See hysterectomy, total.

torticollis, spasmodic See torticollis.

torticollis, congenital A deformity of the neck that is present at birth. Congenital torticollis is due to shortening of the neck muscles. Congenital torticollis tilts the head to the side on which the neck muscles are shortened, so that the chin points to the other side. The shortened neck muscles are principally supplied by the…

torticollis The most common of the focal dystonias, a state of excessive or inadequate muscle tone in the muscles in the neck that control the position of the head. Torticollis can cause the head to twist and turn to one side. The head may also be pulled forward or backward. Torticollis can occur at any…

tornado supplies kit See disaster supplies.

TORCH screen A blood test that is designed to screen for a group of infectious agents known by the acronym TORCH, which stands for Toxoplasma gondii, other viruses (HIV, measles, and so on), rubella (German measles), cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex. All these infectious agents are teratogens (agents that are capable of causing birth defects). The…

topical Pertaining to a particular surface area. For example, a topical agent is applied to a certain area of the skin and is intended to affect only the area to which it is applied. Whether its effects are indeed limited to that area depends on whether the agent stays where it is put or is…

tophus A nodular mass of uric acid crystals. Tophi are characteristically deposited in different soft tissue areas of the body in chronic (tophaceous) gout. Even though tophi are most commonly found as hard nodules around the fingers, at the tips of the elbows, and around the big toe, they can appear anywhere in the body….

tophi Plural of tophus.

toothache Pain in the tooth or gum. The most common cause of a toothache is a cavity or an injury to a tooth that exposes the pulp, which is heavily supplied by nerves.

tooth root sensitivity Sensitivity of the tooth roots to cold, hot, and sour foods when they are no longer protected by healthy gum and bone. Chronic gum disease contributes to toothache due to root sensitivity. Bacterial toxins dissolve the bone around the roots and cause the gum and the bone to recede. Tooth root sensitivity…