Category: P

A characteristic of the body of a person, e.g. red hair or big feet, which is inherited.  

An examination of someone’s body to see if he or she is healthy. A thorough study of a person’s state of health. The physical examination typically follows history-taking or medical interview. Examination usually includes inspection, palpation (direct feeling with the hand), percussion (striking parts of the body with short, sharp taps and feeling and listening…

The teaching of sports and exercises in school.  

Referring to the body, as opposed to the mind. Relating to the body rather than to the mind. For example, a physical sign is one that a doctor can detect when examining a patient, such as abnormal dilation of the pupils or the absence of a knee-jerk reflex. Having to do with physics, that is,…

An acute infection of the lungs, central nervous system and other organs by a fungus. Any infection caused by fungi or the group Phycomycetes. These fungi inhabit soil and do not usually produce disease in humans. A disease caused by parasitic fungi of the genera Rhizopus, Absidia, and Mucor. The disease affects the sinuses, the…

A louse which infests the pubic region.  

Infestation with the crab louse, Phthirus pubis, which causes intense itching; continued scratching by the patient may result in bacterial infection of the skin. Phthiriasis can be treated with applications containing gamma benzene hexachloride.  

An operation to divide the phrenic nerve. Cutting of the phrenic nerve to immobilize a lung by inducing paralysis of one side. This causes the diaphragm to rise, compressing the lung and diminishing respiratory movement, thus resting the lung on that side. A surgical procedure to cut the phrenic nerve.  

An operation to clamp the phrenic nerve.  

The surgical removal of part of the phrenic nerve in order to paralyse the diaphragm. The surgical removal of a section of the phrenic nerve, which paralyzes the diaphragm. The procedure was used as a means of resting a lung infected with tuberculosis.