Medical terms - Letter N | MedicalVocabulary.org

N-Hexane

>Teach children and teenagers the dangers of inhaling products that contain n-hexane. >Keep products containing n-hexane (quick-drying glues and cements) out of the reach of children. >Maintain proper ventilation when…
N-nitroso-fenfluramine

A variant of fenfluramine. See: Fenfluramine
Na (sodium)

Na is the chemical symbol for sodium. From natrium, a synonym for sodium. Sodium is the major positive ion (cation) in fluid outside of cells. The chemical notation for sodium is Na+. When combined with chloride (Cl)…
Nadir

The lowest point as, for example, the lowest blood count after chemotherapy, the lowest concentration of a drug in the body, etc
Naegleria fowleri

A protozoa that is a pathogenic free-living ameba. Infection with Naegleria fowleri causes primary amebic meningoencephalitis
Naegleria infection

Naegleria infection: Infection from an ameba called Naegleria fowleri that is commonly found in the environment, in water and soil. It is found worldwide, most commonly in warm bodies of fresh water, such as lakes…
Nail

In medicine, there are two types of nails. One is just a plain old metal nail used to hold 2 or more pieces of bone together, for example, after a fracture. The other type of nail is the horny plate on the end of the…
Nail care

Care of the fingernails and toenails. Many nail problems are due to poor nail care. Recommendations for maintaining nail health include keeping nails clean and dry to keep bacteria and other infectious organisms from…
Nail cross furrows

See: Beau's lines
Nail dysgenesis and hypodontia

A genetic disorder characterized by abnormalities of the nails (nail dysgenesis) and the absence of several teeth (hypodontia) at birth. The disorder is also known as Witkop syndrome or as the tooth and nail syndrome…
Nail furrows

See: Beau's lines
Nail grooves

See: Beau's lines
Nail infection, fungal

The most common fungus infection of the nails is onychomycosis. Onychomycosis makes the nails look white and opaque, thickened, and brittle. Those at increased risk for developing onychomycosis include: > >People with…
Nail lines

See: Beau's lines
Nail-patella syndrome

An hereditary condition characterized by abnormally formed or absent nails and underdeveloped or absent kneecaps (patellae). Other features include: > >Iliac horns >Abnormality of the elbows interfering with full range…
Nails, jogger's

Very small semi-circular white spots on the nails. These spots may be found on the fingernails and, particularly, the toenails. The white spots on the nails reflect injury to the base (matrix) of the nail. The matrix is…
Nails, ringworm of the

Ringworm of the: The most common fungus infection of the nails, also called onychomycosis. Onychomycosis makes the nails look white and opaque, thickened, and brittle. Those at increased risk for developing…
Nails, white spots on the

Very small semi-circular white spots on the nails. These spots may be found on the fingernails and, particularly, the toenails. The white spots on the nails reflect injury to the base (matrix) of the nail. The matrix is…
Naloxone

A drug that antagonizes morphine and other opiates. Naloxone is a pure opiate antagonist and prevents or reverses the effects of opioids including respiratory depression, sedation and hypotension. Sold under the brand…
Naltrexone

A derivative of naloxone used as an orally active and long-acting potent pure narcotic antagonist. Naltrexone is an alternative to methadone in the treatment of addiction to heroin and other opiates. See also…
Naltrexone treatment program

Treatment of opiate addicts with naltrexone, a long-acting synthetic opiate antagonist with few side effects that is taken orally either daily or three times a week for a sustained period of time. Naltrexone treatment…
NAME syndrome

Acronym for Nevi, Atrial myxoma, Myxoid neurofibroma, and Ephelides. Now included in the Carney complex. See: Carney complex
Named reporting

In public health, named reporting is the reporting of infected persons by name to public health departments. This is standard practice for the surveillance of many infectious diseases such as syphilis, gonorrhea, and…
Naming diseases

See: Disease nomenclature
Nanism

Once known as dwarfism, this condition is now correctly called short stature.
Nanny

A woman employed full-time to take care of one or more children in a family home. Nanny is the diminutive of Ann or Anne and a nanny is also a female goat but the origin of the term nanny as a woman caring for children…
Nanny cam

A camcorder (a video camera and video recorder in one unit) that displays a live feed so that parents can monitor their babysitters. Also known as a nanny-cam or nannycam
Nanny-cam

See: Nanny cam
Nannycam

See: Nanny cam
Napiform

A little-used but useful adjective meaning turnip-shaped. Large and round at the top and tapering down sharply and becoming exceedingly slender toward the bottom tip. 'A napiform root is one when much swollen at the…
Naprelan

See: Naproxen
Naprosyn

See: Naproxen
Naproxen

Naproxen: A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used for the management of mild to moderate pain, fever, and inflammation. Naproxen blocks the enzyme cyclooxygenase that makes prostaglandins, resulting in lower…
Narcan

Brand name for naloxone
Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy: A neurological disorder marked by a sudden recurrent uncontrollable compulsion to sleep. Narcolepsy is often associated with cataplexy (a sudden loss of muscle tone and paralysis of voluntary muscles…
Narcotic

1. A drug that causes insensibility or stupor. A narcotic induces narcosis, from the Greek 'narke' for 'numbness or torpor.'2. A drug such as marijuana which is subject to regulatory restrictions comparable to those for…
Narcotic antagonist treatment

Treatment of narcotic addiction by using a medication that is an antagonist to opiates or any other drug to which a person is addicted. See: Methadone treatment program; Naltrexone treatment program
Nares

The nostrils or nasal passages. Nares is the Latin plural of naris, meaning nostril. Nares shares the same root with nose, nostril, nasal, pince-nez, and Nez Perce
Naris

One of the two nares, the openings to the nasal cavities that allow air to flow in and out or, more simply, a nostril. Naris is the Latin singular of nares and is less used in medicine than nares
NARP

>MELAS -- which stands for Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathy, Lactic Acidosis and Stroke:isease with migraine-like attacks of headache & vomiting, hemiplegia (weakness on one side of the body), visual defect, hearing…
Nasal

Having to do with the nose. Nasal drops are intended for the nose, not (for example) the eyes. The word 'nasal' came from the Latin 'nasus' meaning the nose or snout
Nasal decongestant

A drug that shrinks the swollen membranes in the nose, making it easier to breath. Decongestants can be taken orally or by nasal drops or spray. Nasal decongestants should not be used for more than five days in a row…
Nasal flu vaccine

A live attenuated (weakened) influenza virus vaccine that is administered as a nasal spray. The brand name for this vaccine is FluMist. The nasal flu vaccine is recommended only for healthy people between 5 and 49 years…
Nasal mucus

A slippery fluid produced by the membranes lining the nose. Excessive nasal mucus is the basis of a runny nose. Mucus is the Latin word for 'a semifluid, slimy discharge from the nose.
Nasal passage

The walls of the nasal passages are coated with respiratory mucous membranes which contain innumerable tiny hair-like cells that act to move waves of mucus toward the throat. Dust, bacteria, and other particles inhaled…
Nasal prosthesis

An artificial device to replace part or all of a missing nose
Nasal septum

The dividing wall within the nose. The nasal septum runs down the middle of the nose creating two sides to the nose, each containing a passageway that ends in a nare (nostril). The nasal septum is not as simple a…
Nasal septum deviation

Failure of the nasal septum to be in the midline where it is supposed to be. (The nasal septum is the wall inside the nose that runs down the middle dividing it into two sides.) Deviation of the nasal septum may be…
Nasal septum hematoma

An accumulation of blood within the nasal septum, the wall inside the nose that runs down the middle dividing it into two sides. Most nasal septum hematomas are due to trauma. Treatment is incision (to drain the blood…
Nasal septum perforation

A hole in the nasal septum, the wall inside the nose that runs down the middle dividing it into two sides. The hole provides a direct communication between the two normally-separate sides of the nose. Perforation of the…