Letter: l

Ruptured or broken open.

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

Pertaining to the part of the body between the thorax and the pelvis.

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

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.

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.

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.

The part of the respiratory system that begins with the larynx and continues as several generations of airway branches supplying the alveoli.

Infection of the lower part of the urinary system, including the bladder and urethra; most often it is a bacterial infection.

Agent that destroys all vegetative bacteria (except tubercle bacilli), lipid viruses, some non-lipid viruses, and some fungi, but not bacterial spores.