| decompression, explosive | A sudden loss of pressure in a pressurised cabin, cockpit, or the like, so rapid as to be explosive. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| decompression illness | <physiology> Also called the bends, this multisystem disorder results when nitrogen bubbles form within the bloodstream and interrupt tissue oxygenation. (27 Sep 1997) |
| decompression sickness | A disorder characterised by joint pains, respiratory manifestations, skin lesions, and neurologic signs, occurring in aviators flying at high altitudes and following rapid reduction of air pressure in persons who have been breathing compressed air in caissons and diving apparatus. (12 Dec 1998) |
| decompression, surgical | A surgical operation for the relief of pressure in a body compartment or on a body part. (12 Dec 1998) |
| internal decompression | Removal of intracranial tissue, usually tumour or brain tissue. To relieve pressure. (05 Mar 2000) |
| optic nerve sheath decompression | A venting of the optic nerve sheath into the retrobulbar space, by slitting or by fenestrating the sheath. See: optic nerve sheath fenestration. (05 Mar 2000) |
| orbital decompression | Removal of a portion of the bony orbit, usually superior (Naffziger operation), lateral (Kronlein operation), or inferior (Ogura operation). (05 Mar 2000) |
| trigeminal decompression | Decompression of the trigeminal nerve root. (05 Mar 2000) |
| explosive decompression | Sudden severe expansion of gases due to a reduction in ambient pressure. Synonym: explosive decompression. (05 Mar 2000) |