Glossary

Category: V

  • Vocal injury

    Abuse of the vocal cords, causing an alteration in the normal manner of speaking such as hoarseness and lowered pitch.  

  • Vocal cords

    Vocal cords

    Pair of membrane covered muscles and ligaments located in the midthroat. They vibrate to produce sound. A fold of mucous membrane in the larynx forming the inferior boundary of the ventricle of the larynx are activated by air passing over them, and their vibrations produce sound which is the voice. A pair of fibrous sheets…

  • Vitamin

    Vitamin

    An essential nutrient. Noncaloric organic nutrients needed in tiny amounts in the diet. Organic substances of plant or animal origin that are essential for normal growth, development, metabolic processes, and energy transformations. An organic compound required in tiny amounts (for the growth, proper biological functioning and maintenance of health of an organism). Vitamins are commonly…

  • Visual learner

    A person who learns primarily through visual input.  

  • Visual cue

    A cue that is received by seeing such as hand signals, eye contact, facial expression, posture, physical demonstration, and body language.  

  • Viscosity

    Refers to the friction between molecules of a liquid or gas, causing the molecules to tend to adhere to each other (cohesion) and, in water, to a submerged body (adhesion). The numerical index of the resistance to flow of a Newtonian fluid. A measure of a liquid’s resistance to flow, as expressed in units called…

  • Visceral muscle

    The smooth or involuntary muscle in the body over which we have no control. A smooth muscle in the wall of the intestine which makes the intestine contract.  

  • Vertebral column

    The backbone or spine of the human skeleton that is made up of 26 bones called vertebrae; divided into five sections. The series of bones and discs linked together to form a flexible column running from the base of the skull to the pelvis. Firm, flexible, bony column that is the longitudinal axis and chief…

  • Vertebrae

    The individual bones that make up the vertebral column or spine. Bony or cartilaginous segments, separated by discs that form the spinal column. Individual bones of the spinal column. Bones that surround and protect the spinal cord and roots. The skeletal elements located in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions of the body, comprising the…

  • Vena cava

    Two large veins that carry blood from the body to the right atrium. The principle vein returning blood to the right atrium. Either of two large veins returning deoxygenated blood from the peripheral circulation to the right atrium of the heart. One of the two largest veins in the body. The superior vena cava starts…