Dictionary

tornado supplies kit See disaster supplies.

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…

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, spasmodic See torticollis.

total hysterectomy See hysterectomy, total.

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.

Tourette’s syndrome A genetic disorder that is characterized by the presence of chronic vocal and motor tics. The tics usually become evident between the ages of 6 and 18. The tics may be minor or debilitating. They may also vary in type and frequency over time. Diagnosis of Tourette’s syndrome is made via observation. Although…

toxemia See eclampsia.

toxic epidermal necrolysis A widespread, lifethreatening skin disorder that is most often druginduced, involving widespread death and destruction of skin and mucous membranes. Abbreviated TEN. TEN is thought to be a variant of the same disease process as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and is believed to arise because of the abnormal death of keratinocytes, the cells that…

toxic multinodular goiter See goiter, toxic multinodular.

toxic shock syndrome A life-threatening syndrome that is characterized by the sudden onset of high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and muscle aches, followed by low blood pressure (hypotension), which can lead to shock and death. Abbreviated TSS. There may be a rash resembling sunburn, with peeling of skin. Toxic shock syndrome was originally described and still…

toxicity The degree to which a substance (a toxin or poison) can harm humans or animals. Acute toxicity involves harmful effects in an organism through a single or short-term exposure. Subchronic toxicity is the ability of a toxic substance to cause effects for more than one year but less than the lifetime of the exposed…