Glossary

Anterior-posterior.  This abbreviation typically is used to define a direction, such as a direction of a x-ray beam in an image (e.g., AP chest x-ray is an image where the patient stands facing a xray beam source with the film being placed behind them.

Atrial Septal Defect. A hole in the septum or wall that separates the right from left atria or upper chambers of the heart.

Acute ischemic stroke.  A stroke due to blockage of blood supply to an region of the body such as a part of the brain.

Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor – A rare, fast growing tumor arising in the central nervous system of young children. Roughly 50% will occur in the brainstem or cerebellum.

A group of movement disorders that affect muscle control resulting in poor coordination,  balance and altered speech pattern.

A specific type of involuntary, abnormal muscle contraction characterized by a slow, complicated, writhing pattern 0f movement.

Advanced Trauma Life Support.  Guidelines developed by the Committee on Trauma of the American College of Surgeons for managing trauma in the acute setting.

Advanced Trauma Life Support – A program developed by the American College of Surgeons for the assessment, resuscitation and stabilization of individuals who have traumatic injuries. This program was introduced in the 1980s and is in use globally.

Adenosine triphosphate – a critical molecule in the energy metabolism cycle in living beings. It is a storage molecule for energy required in a body’s metabolism giving off phosphate to supply energy when it is called for. When a phosphate group is separated from the molecule it becomes ADP or adenosine diphosphate.

AKA autologous graft – a transplantation of tissue or organs from one part of a patient’s body to another in same person.