Category: F

  • Fovea visuala

    A small depression in the center of the macula, directly opposite the pupil, where the greatest visual acuity lies.  

  • Fourth heart sound

    Sound produced by the heart during late systole due to ventricular atrial systole and decreased ventricular compliances; often associated with ventricular hypertrophy, hypertension, and myocardial infarction.  

  • Fourth cranial nerve

    Trochlear nerve; innervates the sensory and motor function of the superior oblique muscle of the eye. A small mixed nerve exiting from the dorsal surface of the midbrain. It contains efferent motor fibers to the superior oblique muscle of the eye and afferent sensory fibers conveying proprioceptive impulses from the same muscle.  

  • Foley catheter

    A urethrally inserted urine drainage tube with an inflatable retaining balloon. A urinary tract catheter with a balloon attachment at one end. After the catheter is inserted, the balloon is inflated. Thus the catheter is prevented from leaving the bladder until the balloon is emptied. A double-channel retention catheter consists of two channels: one for…

  • Focus charting

    Documentation method using a columnar format to chart data, action, and response. A charting system based on “focus statements.” A focus may be a nursing diagnosis, a patient concern or behavior, a significant change in the patient, or a significant event in therapy. After the nursing assessment is conducted, a column is created with a…

  • Flexor muscles

    Muscles that bend or flex a limb or part.  

  • Fifth cranial nerve

    Trigeminal nerve which stimulates the face and upper neck. The chief sensory nerve of the face; serves as the motor nerve of the muscles that control chewing.  

  • Ferrotherapy

    Treatment of anemia by administration of iron compounds.  

  • Femoris anterior muscle

    Large muscle mass of the upper leg composed of four smaller muscles (rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and vastus intermedius), which work together to extend the leg and are often referred to simply as quadriceps.  

  • Fasciorrhaphy

    Suturing of the fascia that covers the surface of a muscle.