Volume, stroke
The amount of blood pumped by the left ventricle of the heart in one contraction. The stroke volume is not all the blood contained in the left ventricle; normally, only about two-thirds of the blood in the ventricle is expelled with each beat. Together with the heart rate, the stroke volume determines the output of blood by the heart per minute (cardiac output).
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- Voluntary
Done in accordance with the conscious will of the individual. The opposite of involuntary. The terms “voluntary” and “involuntary” apply to the human nervous system and its control over muscles. The nervous system is divided into two parts — somatic and autonomic. The somatic nervous system operates muscles that are under voluntary control. The autonomic […]
- Voluntary Euthanasia Society (VES)
The first society of its kind in the world — its founders included doctors, lawyers and churchmen — the VES was set up in England in 1935. The announced aim of the VES is to make it legal for a competent adult suffering unbearably from an incurable illness to receive medical help to die at […]
- Volvulus
Abnormal twisting of a portion of the gastrointestinal tract, usually the intestine, which can impair blood flow. Volvulus can lead to gangrene and death of the involved segment of the gastrointestinal tract, intestinal obstruction, perforation of the intestine, and peritonitis. The stomach, small intestine, cecum, and sigmoid colon are all subject to volvulus. Malrotation of […]
- Vomer
A triangular bone in the nasal septum. The bone was so named because it was thought to look like a ploughshare, the part of the plow that cuts the furrow. Vomer is the Latin word for ploughshare.
- Vomit
Matter from the stomach that has come up into and may be ejected beyond the mouth, due to the act of vomiting. When vomit is reddish or the color of coffee grounds, it may mean there is serious internal bleeding. The reddish color may herald fresh blood and dark blood may betoken blood that has […]