1: Glossaries

Terminology for Swallowing Disorders

Aspiration: The entrance of food, liquid, or other substance into the airway.

Aspiration pneumonia: Inflammation and/or infection of the lungs caused by inhaling food, liquid, or other substance.

Dysphagia: Difficulty in swallowing.

Esophagus: A portion of the digestive system. A flexible tube or canal that carries food from the throat to the stomach.

Larynx: The organ of the voice. Sound is produced by the vibration of the vocal folds located in the larynx or voice box.

Modified barium swallow: Technique used to trace the passage of substances during a swallow.

Nasogastric tube (NG tube): A feeding tube inserted into the nose and running down the throat into the stomach. Used to feed a person who is unable to take food by mouth.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastronomy tube (PEG): A feeding tube inserted directly into the abdomen leading into the stomach. Used to feed a person who is unable to take food by mouth.

Pharynx: A tube often referred to as the throat, extending from the back of the nasal cavity (nose) down to the level of the voice box. The pharynx is used in breathing and in swallowing.

Reflux: The return of food or liquid to the throat from the stomach.

Silent aspiration: Food or liquid entering the airway or lungs without producing any symptoms of disturbance such as coughing or struggling behavior

Videofluoroscopy: Moving X-ray studies recorded on videotape.

Abbreviations for Physical Rehabilitation

Evaluation Terms

WNL – Within normal limits

WFL – Within functional limits

N/T – Not tested

OOB – Out of bed

BTB – Back to bed

Xfer – Transfer

ROM – Range of motion

AROM – Active range of motion

AAROM – Active assist range of motion

PROM – Passive range of motion

Abd – Abduction

Add – Adduction

ER – External rotation

IR – Internal rotation

/ – Extension

✓ – Flexion

Treatment Terms

PRE – Progressive resistive exercise

SAQ – Short arc quads

SLR – Straight leg raise

ADL – Activity of daily living [mobility,self care, communication]

IADL – Instrumental activities of daily living – home management, shopping, meal planning, community living skills, money and finances, public transportation, health management handling medication, understanding risks, appointments, safety management (e.g., 911, fire)

CPM – Continual passive motion

THA – Total hip arthroplasty

THP – Total hip precautions (see handout)

THR – Total hip replacement

HEP – Home exercise program

ORIF – Open reduction internal fixation

Weight Bearing Terms

FWB – Full weight bearing

NWB – Non weight bearing

WBAT– Weight bearing as tolerated

PWB – Partial weight bearing (specify percent or weight in pounds)

TTWB – Toe touch weight bearing

TDWB – Touch down weight bearing

Adaptive Devices and Regularly Used Orthosis

AFO – Ankle foot orthosis

PRAFO – Pressure relieving ankle foot orthosis

WBQC – Wide based quad cane

NBQC – Narrow based quad cane

FWW – Front wheeled walker

4WW – Four wheeled walker

PUW – Pick up walker

PFW – Platform walker – specify L (left), R (right) or B (bilateral)

SPC – Single point cane

W/C – Wheelchair

// or P Bars – Parallel bars

HHA – Hand Hold assist

Sl bd – Sliding board

WHO – Wrist hand orthosis

TENS – Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation

Other

Jt – Joint

Fx – Fracture

UE – Upper extremity

LE – Lower extremity A&O – Alert and oriented

Terminology for Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

Activities of daily living – Those tasks that are required to function in the home or work environment on a day-to-day basis.

Adaptive equipment – Assistive devices designed to aid in independent performance of self-care skills

Adaptive technique – A method of performing tasks using a modified process.

Grooming – Combing/brushing hair, shaving, applying make-up.

Hygiene – Washing face, brushing teeth/dentures, applying deodorant, toilet hygiene.

Judgment – Knowing limitations and understanding what you must do to safely perform tasks.

Precautions – May include one or more of the following: visual deficits, poor safety awareness, poor judgment, lack of proper safety techniques, medical problems that will impact ADLs (hip replacement, stroke, diabetes, contractures, etc.)

Safety awareness – Understanding own limitations and deficits in relation to ADLs and mobility.

Visual deficits – Difficulty with sight and perception such as: blurred vision, double vision, neglect or limited awareness of one side of visual area, improper perception of things seen, poor eyesight or blindness.

More Definitions

1. Affected side is the weaker side.
2. Contraindicated means advised against.
3. Contracture – Within 24 hours, a joint that has not been moved can begin to stiffen and eventually become inflexible. With longer periods of immobility, the tendons and muscles pull tight, which may result in a fixed position called a contracture.
4. Joint crepitus are noises in the joint.
5. Subluxation is a partial or incomplete dislocation of a joint.
6. Flexion is bending of a joint so that the angle of the joint diminishes.
7. Extension is the return movement from flexion; the joint angle is increased.
8. Abduction is movement away from the midline of the body.
9. Adduction is movement toward the midline of the body.
10. Internal is turning inward toward the center.
11. External is turning outward away from the center.
12. Supination is rotating the forearm so that the palm of the hand is up.
13. Pronation is rotating the forearm so that the palm of the hand is down.
14. Rotation is turning or movement of a part around its axis.
15. Dorsiflexion is flexing or bending the foot toward the face.
16. Plantar flexion is flexing or bending the foot in the direction of the sole.
17. Inversion is the movement that turns the sole of the foot inward.
18. Eversion is the movement that turns the sole of the foot outward.

Terminology for Splinting Program

Arch – A curved or bowlike shape in the palm of the hand and the bottom of the foot.

Bony prominence – Areas on the body that have little or no fat between the bone and the skin.

Contracture – Joint condition of fixed resistance to movement.

Creases – A longitudinal line or straight depression in the fold of a joint or palm of hand or bottom of foot.

D ring – Rectangle or D-shaped device used in the fastening process of a splint on an arm or leg.

Joint alignment – Proper positioning during rest and movement that allows proper coordination of the flexor and extensor tendons.

Prehension – The act of grasping objects with the fingers.

Range of motion – The movement of a joint through space.

Spasticity – An increase of tone of a muscle resulting in a difficulty with movement.

Splint – An appliance used to support a joint in the arm or leg.

Stockinette – Thin stretchy cotton material used under splints to absorb moisture.

Web space – The space between the knuckle of the pointer finger and the thumb.

Velcro – Fastening material made of two pieces, hook and loop or pile, used to keep splint on arm or leg.