| nocifensor | Denoting processes or mechanisms that act to protect the body from injury; specifically, a system of nerves in the skin and mucous membranes that react to adjacent injury by causing vasodilation. Origin: noci-+ L. Fendo (only in compounds), to strike, ward off (05 Mar 2000) |
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| nocifensor reflex | Vascular dilation in a part surrounding an injury or in its neighborhood. (05 Mar 2000) |
| point tenderness | <clinical sign> A finding on physical examination that can indicate a localised inflammatory process due to injury or disease. Point tenderness will be discovered over fracture sites (in bone injury). (27 Sep 1997) |
| tenderness | The condition of being tender. Pencil tenderness, strictly localised tenderness, elicited by pressure with the rubber tip of a pencil, e.g., in cases of incomplete or subperiosteal fracture. Rebound tenderness, tenderness felt when pressure, particularly pressure on the abdomen, is suddenly released. (05 Mar 2000) |
| tenderness to palpation | <clinical sign> A physical examination finding that is characterised by the development of pain with the application of light touch (palpation) to a specific area. See: palpation. (13 Jan 1998) |