Dictionary

palliate To treat a disease partially and insofar as possible, but not cure it completely. See also palliative care.

palliation See palliative care.

palliative care 1 Medical or comfort care that reduces the severity of a disease or slows its progress rather than providing a cure. For incurable diseases, in cases where the cure is not recommended due to other health concerns, and when the patient does not want to pursue a cure, palliative care is the focus…

palmar surface The palm or grasping side of the hand.

palpable Something that can be felt. For example, a palpable growth is one that can be detected by touch.

palpate To touch or feel. For example, a physician may palpate the liver’s edge when examining the abdomen.

palpebra Medical term for eyelid. The plural is palpebrae.

palpebral fissure The opening for the eyes between the eyelids.

palpebral gland See gland, Meibomian.

palpitations Unpleasant sensations of irregular and/or forceful beating of the heart. In some patients with palpitations, no heart disease or abnormal heart rhythms can be found. In others, palpitations result from abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias).

palsy Paralysis, generally partial, whereby a local body area is incapable of voluntary movement. For example, Bell’s palsy is localized paralysis of the muscles on one side of the face.

oxygenation 1 The process of treating a patient with oxygen. 2 The process of combining a medication or another substance with oxygen.