EMT Notes

Double Circulation

The circulation system in mammals with two separate loops for oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood.

Pericardium

The thin membrane surrounding the heart, consisting of fibrous, parietal serous, and visceral serous layers.

Myocardium

The muscular layer of the heart located in the ventricles.

Apex

The tip of the heart, where the left ventricle extends to.

Coronary Artery

Blood vessel supplying fresh blood to the heart muscle, branching from the aorta.

Pulmonary Artery

Blood vessel carrying blood to the lungs for oxygenation, curving out of the right ventricle.

Ventricles

Lower chambers of the heart - right ventricle and left ventricle.

Major Blood Vessels

Aorta, Pulmonary Trunk, Superior Vena Cava, Inferior Vena Cava.

Valves

Tricuspid Valve, Mitral Valve, Pulmonary Valve, Aortic Valve.

Active Rewarming

Application of an external heat source to rewarm the body of a hypothermic patient

Air Embolism

Gas bubble in the bloodstream

Central Rewarming

Application of heat to the lateral chest, neck, armpits, and groin of a hypothermic patient

Conduction

The transfer of heat from one material to another through direct contact

Convection

Carrying away of heat by currents of air, water, or other gases or liquids,

Decompression Sickness

A condition resulting from nitrogen trapped in the body’s tissues, caused by coming up too quickly from a deep, prolonged dive. A symptom is “the bends”, or deep pain in the muscles and joints.

Drowning

The process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion/immersion in liquid, which may result in death morbidity (illness or adverse effects), or no morbidity

Evaporation

The change from liquid to gas. When the body perspires or gets wet, this change of sweat or other liquid into the air has a cooling effect on the body.

Hyperthermia

An increase in body temperature above normal, which is a life-threatening condition in its extreme.

Hypothermia

Generalized cooling that reduces body temperature below normal, which is a life-threatening condition in its extreme.

Local cooling

Cooling or freezing of particular (local) parts of the body

Passive rewarming

Covering a hypothermic patient and taking other steps to prevent further heat loss and help the body rewarm itself.

Radiation

Sending out energy, such as heat, in waves into space.

Respiration

Breathing. Body heat is lost as warm air is exhaled from the body

Toxins

Substances produced by animals or plants that are poisonous to humans

Venom

A toxin produced by certain animals

Water Chill

Chilling caused by conduction of heat from the body when the body or clothing is wet

Wind Chill

Chilling caused by convection of heat from the body in the presence of air currents.

Multiple Trauma

More than one serious injury

Multisystem Trauma

One or more injuries that affect more than one body system.

Trauma Score

A system of evaluating trauma patients according to a numerical rating system to determine the severity of the patient’s trauma.

Air embolism

A bubble of air in the bloodstream

Ataxic Respirations

A pattern of irregular and unpredictable breathing commonly caused by brain injury

Autonomic Nervous System

Controls involuntary functions

Central Nervous System

The brain and spinal cord

Central Neurogenic Hyperventilation

A pattern of rapid and deep breathing caused by injury to the brain

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

The fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.

Cheyne-Stokes Breathing

A distinct pattern of breathing characterized by quickening and deepening respirations followed by period of apnea.

Concussion

Mild closed head injury without detectable damage to the brain. Complete recovery is usually expected but effects may linger for weeks, months, or even years.

Cranium

The bony structure making up the forehead, top, back and upper sides of the skull.

Dermatome

An area of the skin that is innervated by a single spinal nerve

Foramen Magnum

The opening at the base of the skull through which the spinal cord passes from the brain.

Hematoma

In a head injury, a collection of blood within the skill of brain.

Herniation

Pushing of a portion of the brain downward toward the foramen magnum as a result of increased intracranial pressure.

Intracranial Pressure (ICP)

Pressure inside the skill

Laceration

In brain injuries, a cut to the brain.

Malar

The cheekbone. Also called the zygomatic bone.

Mandible

The lower jawbone

Maxillae

The two fused bones forming the upper jaw.

Nasal bones

The bones that form the upper third, or bridge, of the nose.

Nervous System

Provided overall control of thought, sensation, and the body’s voluntary and involuntary motor functions. The components of the nervous system are the brain and the spinal cord, as well as the nerves that enter and exit the brain and spinal cord and extend to the various parts of the body.

Neurogenic Shock

A state of shock (hypoperfusion) caused by nerve paralysis that sometimes develops from spinal cord injuries.

Orbits

The bony structures around the eyes; the eye sockets

Peripheral Nervous System

The nerves that enter and exit the spinal cord between the vertebrae, the 12 pairs of cranial nerves that travel between the brain and organs without passing through the spinal cord, and all of the body’s other motor and sensory nerves.

Pulmonary air embolism

A blockage in the blood circulation of the lung caused by a blood clot or air bubble.

Spinal motion restriction

Limiting the movement of the spine to prevent additional injury

Spinous process

The bony bump on a vertebra

Temporal bones

Bones that form part of the side of the skill and floor of the cranial cavity. There are right and left of these.

Temporomandibular joint

The moveable joint formed between the mandible and the temporal bone, also called the TMJ

Vertebrae

The bones of the spinal column

Large Intestine (colon)

absorbs fluids and creates fecal waste (hollow)

RLQ

Appendix

Large Intestine

Female Reproductive

Bladder

Collects urine from kidneys (hollow)

Espophagus

The structure that carries food from the mouth and pharynx to the stomach (hollow)

joint is twisted or stretched beyond normal range

sprain

stretching or tearing of muscles or tendons

retroperitoneal

kidneys!!

treatment for an evisceration

never place the bowel or organ back into the skin

cover wirh a moist sterile gauze with an outer cover that is an occlusive dressing

Spleen

removes abnormal cells and is involved in immune response

ataxic respirations

a pattern of irregular and unpredictable breathing caused by brain injury

LLQ

large intestine (sigmoid colon)

female reproductive