Research Consent Glossary

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

N

Nail - Tough plate of tissue covering the top of the end of each finger and toe

Narcotic - Strong habit-forming drug that stops pain and depresses the central nervous system

Nasal - Having to do with the nose

Nasal Septem - Wall that divides the nose into two sides

Nasogastric - Having to do with the nose and the stomach

Nasogastric Tube - Tube that goes through the nose and into the stomach; used for feeding liquid food to a patient

Nasolacrimal Duct - Tube that drains tears from the eye into the nose; tear duct

Nasopharyngeal - Having to do with the nasopharynx

Nasopharyngitis - Inflammation of the nasopharynx

Nasopharynx - Area where the nasal passages meet the back of the throat

Natal - Having to do with childbirth

Nausea - Feeling of wanting to vomit

NCI - The National Cancer Institute

Nebulizer - Device used to turn liquids into mists for breathing treatments

Necrosis - Death of tissue of skin

Needle Holder - Tool used to hold a surgical needle

Neonate - Newborn infant

Neonatology - The study of disorders of newborn infants

Neopathy - New Disorder

Neoplasia - Tumor, may be benign or malignant

Nephrectomy - Surgery to remove a kidney

Nephritis - Kidney inflammation

Nephroblastoma - Type of malignant kidney tumor

Nephrogram - X-ray of the kidney

Nephronhypertrophy - Overgrowth of the kidney

Nephrolithiasis - Stones in the kidney

Nephrolysis - Separating the kidney from where it is stuck to other tissue

Nephroma - Growth in the kidney

Nephropexy - Surgery to tie down a kidney

Nephroptosis - Sagging kidney

Nephrosonography - Use of ultrasonography to look at the kidney

Nerve - String-like tissue that carries messages to and away from the brain and spinal cord and tells muscles to move

Nervous Tissue - Type of tissue that makes up the central nervous system and nerves

Neuralgia - Nerve pain

Neurectomy - Surgery to remove part of a nerve

Neuritis - Inflammation of a nerve

Neuroarthropathy - Disorder of the joints and the central nervous system and nerves

Neuroblast - Cell that will develop into a nerve

Neuroblastoma - A cancer of nerve tissue

Neurohypophysis - Part of the brain that discharges hormones including oxytocin and vasopressin

Neuroid - Like a nerve

Neurologist - Doctor who treats disorders of the central nervous system and nerves

Neurolysis - Surgery to open the covering of a nerve or to destroy a nerve

Neuroma - Growth made up of nerve tissue

Neuropathy - A disturbance in the function of the brain or spinal cord that may affect the nerves and muscles of the body

Neuropharmacologic - Drug that acts on the nervous system Drug

Neuroplasty - Surgery to fix a nerve

Neurorraphy - Stitching a cut nerve

Neurosis - Mental and emotional disorder

Neurotomy - Surgery to make a break in the nerve

Neutopenia - Disease in the main part of the white blood cells

Nevus - Mole; birthmark

NIB - The National Institute of Health

Nocturia - Too much urination at night

Non-Invasive - Not breaking, cutting or entering the skin

Norepinephrine - Hormone discharged from the nerves, the brain, and the adrenal glands that helps the body deal with stress and low blood pressure

Nosocomial - Pneumonia acquired in the hospital Pneumonia

Nucleus - Center of a cell

Nulligravida - Woman that has never given birth

Nullipara - Woman that has never given birth to an infant that lived

Nyctalopia - Difficulty seeing at night

Nystagmus - Random movement of the eye