| continuous suture | An uninterrupted series of stitches using one suture; the stitching is fastened at each end by a knot. Synonym: spiral suture, uninterrupted suture. (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| continuous time model | <epidemiology> A model in which the system changes continuously over time. Derivatives (e.g. DY/dt ) are the mathematical formalism for describing such continuous change. The differential equation which embodies a model provides the values of these derivatives at any particular time point; calculus or a computer can then be used to move the state of the model forwards in time. Continuous models have the advantage over discrete time models in that they are more amenable to algebraic manipulation, although they are slightly harder to implement on a computer. The same as a differential equation model. (05 Dec 1998) |
| continuous tremor | A tremor that is constant, whether the subject is at rest or moving. Synonym: continuous tremor. (05 Mar 2000) |
| continuous variable | A variable that may take on any value in an interval or intervals (its domain). (05 Mar 2000) |
| acupuncture anaesthesia | Insertion of acupuncture needles at specific points in the body to block the afferent nerve impulses from reaching the brain, thus producing the loss of sensation of pain. The technique is used in performing surgery. (12 Dec 1998) |
| ambulatory anaesthesia | Anaesthesia provided on an outpatient basis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anaesthesia | <anaesthetics, neurology> The loss of feeling or sensation. Although the term is used for loss of tactile sensibility or of any of the other senses, it is applied especially to loss of the sensation of pain, as it is induced to permit performance of surgery or other painful procedures. Origin: Gr. Aisthesis = sensation (13 Nov 1997) |
| anaesthesia adjuvants | Agents that are administered in association with anaesthetics to increase effectiveness, improve delivery, or decrease required dosage. (12 Dec 1998) |
| anaesthesia, caudal | Epidural anaesthesia administered via the sacral canal. (12 Dec 1998) |
| anaesthesia, closed-circuit | Inhalation anaesthesia where the gases exhaled by the patient are rebreathed as some carbon dioxide is simultaneously removed and anaesthetic gas and oxygen are added so that no anaesthetic escapes into the room. Closed-circuit anaesthesia is used especially with explosive anaesthetics to prevent fires where electrical sparking from instruments is possible. (12 Dec 1998) |
| anaesthesia department, hospital | Hospital department responsible for the administration of functions and activities pertaining to the delivery of anaesthetics. (12 Dec 1998) |
| anaesthesia dolorosa | Severe spontaneous pain occurring in an anaesthetic area. Synonym: painful anaesthesia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anaesthesia, inhalation | Anaesthesia caused by the breathing of anaesthetic gases or vapors or by insufflating anaesthetic gases or vapors into the respiratory tract. (12 Dec 1998) |
| anaesthesia, local | Anaesthesia confined to one part of the body. Infiltration anaesthesia produces local anaesthesia by deposition of a local anaesthesia solution in the area of small, terminal nerve endings. (12 Dec 1998) |
| anaesthesia machine | Equipment used for inhalation anaesthesia, including flowmeters, vaporisers, and sources of compressed gases, but not including the anaesthetic circuit or mechanisms for elimination of carbon dioxide. (05 Mar 2000) |