Pouch of Douglas
An extension of the peritoneal cavity between the rectum and the back wall of the uterus. Also known as the rectouterine pouch.
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- Pouch, Pavlov
At different points along the dogs’ digestive tracts, the Russian physiologist Ivan Petrovich Pavlov (1848-1936) surgically created pockets (“Pavlov pouches”) from which he could obtain secretions, the aim being to study the physiology of the digestive tract. He did so from the salivary glands down to the stomach, liver and pancreas with considerable success and […]
- Pouch, rectovaginal
Culdoscopy, the introduction of an endoscope through the vagina into the cul-de-sac; Culdoscope, the viewing tube (endoscope) that is used to look into the cul-de-sac; and Culdocentesis, the aspiration (withdrawal) of fluid from the cul-de-sac. In French, “cul-de-sac” literally is “bottom of (a) sack.” As early as the 13th century, a cul-de-sac was a dead-end […]
- Poultice
A soft moist mass about the consistency of cooked porridge that is spread on cloth and applied warm to create moist local heat where applied. Poultices help by increasing blood flow, relaxes tense muscles, soothing inflamed tissues, or drawing toxins from an infected area. The word poultice derives from the Latin pulta and the Greek […]
- Pound
A measure of weight that is equal to 16 ounces or, metrically, 453.6 grams. Abbreviated lb.
- Power of attorney, durable
A type of advance medical directive in which legal documents provide the power of attorney to another person in the case of an incapacitating medical condition. A durable power of attorney allows another person to make bank transactions, sign Social Security checks, apply for disability, or write checks to pay utility bills while an individual […]