Letter: l

To cause or undergo lysis; to break up, to disintegrate, to effect lysis; a process of disintegration or dissolution (as of cells).

Ruptured or broken open.

The five bones of the spine supporting the lower back.

Enteral nutrition that is required for greater than 3 to 4 weeks.

The space in the interior of a tubular structure, such as an artery or the intestine; the volume enclosed within the membranes of a mitochondrion or of the endoplasmic reticulum; the bore of a catheter or hollow needle.

Abnormally increased inward (anteriorly convex) curvature of the lower region of the spine (vertebral column) resulting in a concave back as viewed from the side; the normal lordosis of the cervical and lumbar regions are secondary curvatures of the vertebral column, acquired postnatally — compare kyphosis.

The impedance (resistance) encountered. Lung resistance is due to nonelastic resistance caused by the combined effect of airway resistance, tissue viscous resistance, scaring and progression of interstitial or lung disease.

A technique for determining when a needle has entered the epidural space. As the needle passes through the ligamentum flavum, the resistance to injection suddenly drops, signifying entrance into the epidural space. For this technique, a special syringe with low resistance to plunger movement is used.

A complex phospholipid substance in the lung that regulates the amount of surface tension of the fluid lining the alveoli. Exogenous lung surfactant from natural and artificial sources is available for treating patients with respiratory distress syndrome. Premature infants often have insufficient amount of this fluid. SYN pulmonary surfactant.

Describes an enteral feeding device (port and closure very close to the skin) used for patients who would benefit from not having a tube extend out of their abdomen.