Glossary

Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

  • Positron

    A particle having the same mass as a negative electron but possessing a positive charge. A consequence of pair production emerges, wherein a free negative electron combines and vanishes, yielding the emergence of two photons carrying an energy equivalent to 0.51 million electron volts. A positron is one of the subatomic particles composing an atom.…

  • Positioner

    An apparatus for holding or placing the body or body part in a certain position.  

  • Unilateral recumbent position

    The position in which the patient lies on the right side is used in acute pleurisy, lobar pneumonia of the right side, and in a greatly enlarged liver; the position in which the patient lies on left side is used in lobar pneumonia, pleurisy on the left side, and in large pericardial effusions.  

  • Tripod position

    A position that may be assumed during respiratory distress to facilitate the use of respiratory accessory muscles. The patient sits, leaning forward, with hands placed on the bed or a table with arms braced.  

  • Tangential position

    In radiology, a position in which the central ray separates the images of anatomical parts by skimming between them.  

  • Subtalar neutral position of the foot

    The middle range of the subtalar joint with no pronation or supination measured. It is usually one third of the way from the fully everted position.  

  • Prone on elbows position

    A position in which the body is lying face down with the upper trunk and head elevated, propped up by the arms, while the lower body is in contact with the supporting surface. The weight of the upper body rests on the elbows and forearms.  

  • Prone position

    A position in which the patient is lying face downward.  

  • Posterior-anterior position

    In radiology, a position in which the central ray enters the posterior surface of the body and exits the anterior surface.  

  • Physiological rest position

    In dentistry, the position of the mandible at rest when the patient is sitting upright and the condyles are in an unstrained position. The jaw muscles are relaxed.  

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