Fraction, ejection
Fraction, ejection: The percentage of blood that is pumped out of a filled ventricle as a result of a heartbeat. The heart does not eject all the blood in the ventricle. Only about two-thirds of the blood is normally pumped out with each beat, and that fraction is referred to as the ejection fraction. The ejection fraction is an indicator of the heart’s health. If the heart is diseased from a heart attack or another heart condition, the ejection fraction may decrease.
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- Fracture, basilar
Fracture, basilar: A break in bone at the base of the skull. About a half of basilar fractures are caused by bicycle or motor vehicle accidents, about a quarter by falls, and a tenth by recreational activities, particularly by diving accidents. The balance are due to other causes. No matter what cause, the risk of […]
- Fracture, clay-shoveler's
Fracture, clay-shoveler’s: An uncommon breakage of the spine of the vertebrae from the lower neck or upper back as a result of stress. Clay-shoveler’s fracture usually occurs in laborers who perform activities involving lifting weights rapidly with the arms extended. Examples of these activities include shoveling soil, rubble or snow up and over the head […]
- Fracture, compound
Fracture, compound: A fracture in which a bone is sticking through the skin. Also known as an open ‘fracture.
- Fracture, comminuted
Fracture, comminuted: A fracture in which a bone is broken, splintered, or crushed into a number of pieces.
- Fracture, compression
Fracture, compression: A fracture caused by compression, the act of pressing together. Compression fractures of the vertebrae are especially common in elderly people.