What it means
One of the four extremities of the body. The upper limbs are the arms, from shoulder to fingers; the lower limbs are the legs, from hip to toes. Nurses often use the word "extremity" for the same thing. Limb ischemia is a lack of blood flow to an arm or leg; a residual limb is what remains after an amputation.
For the nurse
Compare limbs side to side for color, warmth, pulses, swelling, movement and feeling, especially after a fracture, cast, surgery or arterial procedure.
At a glance
| Spanish | extremidad |
|---|---|
| Also written | limbs |