First Aid Glossary

ANSI (The American National Standards Institute): A private, non-profit organization that administers and coordinates a voluntary standardization and conformity assessment system across the US. The Institute seeks to enhance both the global competitiveness of U.S. business and the U.S. quality of life by promoting voluntary consensus standards.

Abduction: Moving a limb away from the body.

Acute: A temporary condition that may be severe.

Adduction: Moving a limb toward the body.

Ammonium Nitrate: the active chemical in cold packs.

Arthritis: Inflammation of joints.

Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursa, usually occurring in the shoulder or elbow.

Camphor: Resin from the camphor tree

Cardiorespiratory System: The lungs, and heart and blood vessels in the body.

Cardiovascular System: The heart and blood vessels in the body.

Carpal tunnel syndrome: Compression of the median nerve caused by swelling tendons in the carpal tunnel. Symptoms of CTS include numbness, pain, and tingling in the thumb and middle fingers and diminished strength of grip.

Chronic: As opposed to acute, a chronic condition is prolonged, or slow to heal.

Circulatory System: The system that provides blood to the body. It includes the heart, arteries, arterioles, capillaries, veins, blood, plasma, and lymphatic vessels and fluid.

Citronella: oil derived from lemon grass (Cymbopogon nardus)

Comfrey: European herb with small flowers.

Compression: The act of pressing or squeezing together.

Dehydration: Depletion of body fluids, to the point of illness.

Displacement: To push out of the normal position, such as a shoulder.

Dislocation: A displacement of one or more bones at a joint.

Edema: A condition where fluid accumulates in spaces between cells, swelling tissues.

Endothermic: Drawing heat inward, simultaneously cooling the environment around.

Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow, Golfer's Elbow): Injury from repeated movements in these sports. Symptoms include swelling and pain in tendons and muscles around elbow.

Exothermic: Releasing heat outward.

Extension: Straightening a limb or a joint.

Flexion: Bending a limb at a joint.

Fracture: Any break in rigid body tissue, including bones, cartilage and teeth.

Guayule: A natural substance similar to rubber, produced by plants in the aster or sunflower families.

Grindelia: a large genus of coarse, sticky herbs found across Western North America

Latex: This material is made of the sap of many plants, which coagulates on exposure to air. It is also produced synthetically.

Hematoma: Internal bleeding produced by a broken blood vessel causing a dome under the skin.

Hyperextension: Extend so the angle between bones of a joint is greater than normal.

Immobilize: Reduce or eliminate all motion.

Inflammation: A reaction to injury that may include redness, heat and swelling.

Inversion: Turn inward.

Lateral: To the side.

Ligament: A tough cord of tissue that connects bone to bone or cartilage to bone.

Lumbar: The lower back region.

Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS):
Any sheet that provides both workers and emergency personnel with information and procedures for handling or working with a particular substance (for example, chemical). MSDS's include information on melting point, boiling point, toxicity, first aid, etc. These are of particular use if a spill or other accident occurs.

Moleskin: Soft material that reduces friction and protects skin.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): Medical imaging technique (like X-rays and ultrasound) allowing physicians to see images of tissues. It is often used to examine the brain or spine.

Nitrile: a synthetic rubber co-polymer of acrylonitrile and butadiene.

OSHA: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a federal body that inspects for and enforces federal safety regulations regarding safety in the workplace.

Orthopedics: The branch of medicine dealing with bones and the skeleton.

Orthotics: The science and technology of braces for weak or injured joints and muscles.

Podiatry: The branch of medical science that deals with the feet.

Proprioception: Sensory awareness of any singular part of the body.

Rotation: Turning on an axis.

RSS: Repetitive stress syndrome, caused by any repetitive movement.

Rupture: Tearing apart of a tissue.

Sodium acetate: The active ingredient in hot packs.

Soft Tissue: All tissues in the body except bone.

Splint: Any rigid material meant to immobilize a damaged part of the body.

Sprain: Any injury where fibers of a ligament are stretched or torn.

Strain: Any injury where a muscle or tendon is stretched or torn.

Synovial Fluid: The clear fluid that lubricates and protects a joint and its surface.

Syrup of Ipecac: a vomit inducing agent. It is lowering in esteem in medical circles.

Tendon: The cord of fibrous tissue connecting a muscle with another part (e.g. bone).

Tendonitis: Inflammation of tendons or muscles around a joint.

Trauma: Any wound or injury to living tissue.

Vertebrae: The bony segments of the spinal column.

Witch hazel: A small shrub found in the southern US used for antiseptic properties.