Tachy-brady syndrome
A form of sick sinus syndrome alternating between a slow heartbeat and episodes of atrial fibrillation or other fast rhythms. A pacemaker is often needed so that medicines against the fast rhythm can be given.
Tapering (medication)
Gradually reducing the dose of a medicine before stopping it completely. This helps avoid withdrawal symptoms and relapse, for example with corticosteroids, antidepressants, beta blockers or sedatives.
See also: Withdrawal (discontinuation) syndrome
Temporary medical licence (Germany)
A time-limited permit to practise medicine in Germany, for example for doctors trained abroad during the recognition procedure. It is usually tied to supervised employment.
See also: Medical licence (Approbation)
Testicular artery
The artery arising directly from the abdominal aorta and running in the spermatic cord to the testis. In testicular torsion it is compressed, endangering the testis within hours.
Thickening agents
Starch- or gum-based powders used to make drinks and foods thicker. In swallowing disorders they reduce the risk of fluid entering the windpipe.
See also: Aspiration, Dysphagia
Thoracoacromial artery
A short branch of the axillary artery that divides to the acromion, chest muscles and deltoid. Its branches are used for flaps in reconstructive surgery.
See also: Axillary artery
Thyroid ima artery
An occasional additional thyroid artery, usually arising from the brachiocephalic trunk or the aortic arch. It is a possible source of bleeding during tracheostomy and thyroid surgery.
See also: Inferior thyroid artery
Tidal volume
The volume of air breathed in and out with a normal breath, about half a litre at rest in adults. It is a key parameter in mechanical ventilation.
See also: Mechanical ventilation
Tooth whitening (bleaching)
Lightening the teeth with bleaching agents, at the dentist or at home; it can temporarily cause sensitive teeth.
Transverse cervical artery
An artery from the thyrocervical trunk or subclavian artery that crosses the side of the neck and supplies the trapezius and shoulder blade muscles. In plastic surgery it serves as a recipient vessel.
Traumatic amputation
Accidental severing of a body part, such as a finger. The severed part should be wrapped dry in a clean cloth, placed in a bag and cooled indirectly without direct contact with ice, so that replantation remains possible.
See also: Amputation, Pressure bandage
Treatment care (nursing)
Medically prescribed nursing services such as wound care, injections, giving medicines or compression bandages. It is distinguished from basic personal care and is often provided by home care services.
Trochanteric bursa
A bursa between the greater trochanter and the tendon of the gluteus maximus. Pain at this site is now mostly attributed to irritation of the gluteal tendons.
Team nursing (area-based nursing)
Organisation of care in which a nursing team or nurse is responsible for a fixed group of patients or an area of the ward. It combines clarity with fixed contact persons.
See also: Primary nursing
Temporomandibular disorder (TMD/CMD)
Dysfunction of the jaw joint and chewing muscles with pain, clicking and sometimes headaches.
See also: Bruxism
Thin basement membrane nephropathy
Usually harmless inherited thinning of the glomerular basement membrane that shows as persistent microscopic blood in the urine. It is related to Alport syndrome and should be monitored long term.
See also: Alport syndrome
Third heart sound
Soft, low-pitched sound shortly after the second heart sound, caused by rapid inflow of blood into the ventricle. It can be normal in children and young athletes, but in older people it often indicates heart failure.
See also: Auscultation
Third ventricle
Narrow cavity filled with cerebrospinal fluid in the midline between the two halves of the thalamus. It is connected to the fourth ventricle via the aqueduct; colloid cysts can block CSF flow here.
See also: Cerebral aqueduct
Thirst
Need to drink, triggered mainly by rising salt concentration in the blood or fluid loss. Unusually strong thirst can indicate diabetes mellitus or diabetes insipidus.
See also: Diabetes mellitus, Diabetes insipidus
Thoracic duct
Largest lymphatic vessel of the body, which collects lymph from the legs, abdomen and left upper body and drains it into the blood at the left venous angle. Dietary fats absorbed in the gut also reach the circulation through it.
Three-point gait
Walking pattern in which both forearm crutches are moved forward together with the injured leg, followed by the healthy leg. It allows non-weight-bearing or partial weight-bearing on one leg.
Three-way tap
Valve with three ports on infusion systems through which several infusions or drugs can be given via one access. Unused ports are secured with caps to prevent infection.
Thumb carpometacarpal joint
Saddle joint between the trapezium and the first metacarpal that allows the thumb to be opposed. Osteoarthritis of this joint is called rhizarthrosis.
Thumb sucking
Soothing habit in babies and toddlers. If it continues beyond the age of three to four, it can favour tooth misalignment such as an open bite.
Thumbprinting sign
Wavy indentations of the bowel wall on X-ray or CT due to mucosal oedema or bleeding that resemble thumbprints. It is classic in ischaemic colitis.
Thunderclap headache
Extremely severe headache that starts suddenly and reaches its maximum within a minute. It is an emergency because brain haemorrhage, especially subarachnoid haemorrhage, must be ruled out.
Transient synovitis of the hip
Temporary, non-bacterial inflammation of the hip joint in young children, often after an infection. The child limps or refuses to walk; symptoms usually subside within a few days.
Transverse colon
Section of the large intestine running across the abdomen between the right and left colic flexures. It hangs from its own mesentery and is therefore quite mobile.
See also: Sigmoid colon
Trochanteric bursitis
Inflammation of the bursa over the greater trochanter of the femur with pain on the outer side of the hip, especially when lying on that side. Often the actual cause is tendon irritation of the gluteal muscles.
See also: Trochanteric bursa
Turbinate reduction
Surgical reduction of enlarged nasal turbinates, for example by laser, radiofrequency or incision, to improve nasal breathing. It is often combined with correction of the nasal septum.