Letter: d

Physiological swallowing difficulty that can lead to severe nutritional compromise without treatment.

Gas transfer at the alveolar-capillary membrane that is determined by the diffusing capacity, or conductance properties of the membrane itself, rather than the delivery of pulmonary blood to the membrane.

The rate of diffusion of a gas through a membrane along a partial pressure gradient.

An instrument designed for enlarging a hollow structure or opening; a muscle that pulls open an orifice; a substance that causes dilation or enlargement of opening or the lumen of a hollow structure.

Is the direct physical transfer of infectious microorganisms between an infected or colonized person and a susceptible host.

The process of making a radiograph of an intervertebral disk after injection of a radiopaque substance.

A departure from health or normal function; a dis-ease (e.g. a broken bone, chicken pox, a sprained ankle).

A process that eliminates many microorganisms from inanimate surfaces.

Low: Process capable of killing most bacteria, some viruses, and some fungi, but not Tuberculosis bacilli (Mycobacterium) or bacterial spores. Intermediate: Process capable of killing Tuberculosis bacilli, vegetative bacteria (bacteria that are not in their spore state), most viruses, and most fungi, but not necessarily bacterial spores. High: Process capable of killing all microorganisms with the exception of high numbers of bacterial spores and prions.

Lots of clots resulting from the overstimulation of clotting and anticlotting processes by an injury, infection, endotoxin or other disease.