Dictionary

Surgical

Terms from the operating room and the care of surgical clients.

hematomaA collection of blood, often clotted, that has leaked out of the blood vessels into the tissue.

hemorrhageA large loss of blood from a blood vessel, inside the body or out of it.

hemostasisThe stopping of bleeding, either by the body's own clotting process or by medical or surgical methods.

hemostatA clamp with finger rings and a locking ratchet used in surgery to grasp and close off bleeding vessels.

hemostaticStopping bleeding; also, a product or agent used to stop bleeding.

herniaA bulge of an organ or tissue through a weak spot in the muscle or tissue wall that normally holds it in.

hip fractureA break in the upper part of the thigh bone, near the hip joint.

hypothermiaA body temperature that has fallen below the normal range.

hysterectomySurgery to remove the uterus.