Raccoon eyes (periorbital haematoma)
Bruising around both eyes that looks like a pair of glasses. After head injuries it is a warning sign of a fracture of the anterior skull base.
See also: Battle sign
Radial artery
The artery on the thumb side of the forearm, where the pulse is usually taken at the wrist. It is frequently used for cardiac catheterisation and arterial blood sampling.
See also: Blood gas analysis
Radial recurrent artery
A recurrent branch of the radial artery that runs upwards to the elbow shortly after its origin and connects with branches of the deep brachial artery.
See also: Radial artery, Deep brachial artery
Rapid antigen test
A test that detects protein components of a pathogen within minutes, for example for COVID-19, influenza or streptococci. It is faster but usually less sensitive than PCR.
Recovery room
Monitored area where patients wake up from anaesthesia after surgery.
Renal artery
The artery arising from the abdominal aorta on each side that carries about one fifth of cardiac output to the kidney. Narrowing can cause hypertension that is hard to control.
See also: Aorta
Resin-bonded bridge
A dental bridge whose wings are bonded to the back of the neighbouring teeth, so they hardly need to be ground down. It is suitable mainly for single missing front teeth.
Respiration-stimulating rub
A basal stimulation care technique in which the back is rubbed rhythmically with circular movements. It is intended to promote calmer, deeper breathing and relaxation.
See also: Basal stimulation
Respiratory chain
A series of enzyme complexes in the inner mitochondrial membrane that transfer electrons to oxygen and generate most of the cell’s ATP. Poisons such as cyanide or carbon monoxide block it.
See also: Citric acid cycle
Respiratory depression
A dangerous weakening of the drive to breathe, with breathing that is too shallow or too slow. It is caused mainly by opioids, sleeping pills and sedatives or alcohol, especially in combination.
Respiratory drive
Control of breathing by the respiratory centre in the brainstem, mainly based on carbon dioxide and acid levels in the blood. Opioids, sedatives or diseases can dangerously suppress it.
See also: Respiratory depression
Respiratory rate
The number of breaths per minute; in a resting adult it is about 12 to 20. A raised respiratory rate is an early, often underestimated warning sign of deterioration, for example in sepsis.
Reward system
A network of brain regions, especially the ventral tegmental area and nucleus accumbens, that reinforces pleasant experiences and motivates behaviour via dopamine. Addictive substances overactivate it, which contributes to dependence.
See also: Dopamine
Right colic artery
A branch of the superior mesenteric artery to the ascending colon, which, however, is often absent or arises from neighbouring vessels. Its variability must be considered in bowel cancer surgery.
See also: Superior mesenteric artery, Ileocolic artery
Right coronary artery
The coronary artery that usually supplies the right atrium, right ventricle, sinus and AV nodes and the back wall of the heart. Its occlusion often causes an inferior heart attack with rhythm disturbances.
Right gastric artery
The artery usually arising from the hepatic artery that forms a vascular arch with the left gastric artery along the lesser curvature of the stomach.
See also: Left gastric artery, Proper hepatic artery
Right gastroepiploic artery
An artery along the greater curvature of the stomach arising from the gastroduodenal artery. It is preserved as the main vessel in gastric pull-up operations after oesophagectomy.
See also: Gastroduodenal artery
Rectal tube
Soft tube inserted through the anus into the rectum to release bowel gas, for example in severe bloating after surgery. It is used gently and only for a limited time.
Rhonchi
Low-pitched, snoring breath sounds on listening to the lungs, caused by thick mucus in larger bronchi. They occur, for example, in bronchitis and can change after coughing.
See also: Auscultation, Bronchitis
Right lymphatic duct
Short lymphatic duct that collects lymph from the right upper part of the body and empties it into the right venous angle. The rest of the lymph flows via the thoracic duct.
See also: Thoracic duct
Roseola infantum (sixth disease)
Common viral illness in young children: three days of high fever followed by a brief skin rash.
Rotational vertigo
Dizziness with the feeling that the surroundings or oneself are spinning. It usually indicates a disorder of the balance organ, for example benign positional vertigo.
Rupture of membranes
Rupture of the amniotic sac with leakage of amniotic fluid. It usually occurs during labour; before contractions start, it is called premature rupture of membranes.