| A | B |
|---|
| ulna | Bone forming the medial side of the forearm |
| umbilical | Structure that connects the fetus to the placenta; contains arteries and veins responsible for the exchange of materials between fetal and maternal circulations |
| unilateral | On one side fo the body |
| urgent moves | Techniques for moving a patient whose condition is life-threatening; cervical spine procedures are taken |
| uterus | Female reproductive organ in which menstruation and fetal development occue; also womb |
| uvula | The small structure that hangs from the roof of the mouth just in front of the oropharynx; made of connective tissue |
| vagina | female genital structure; the lower protion of the birth canal |
| vagus nerve | Tenth cranial nerve; controls smooth muscles of the lungs, heart, and abdominal viscera |
| valves | Structures within the heart and circulatory system that prevent backflow of blood |
| veins | Vessels carrying blook back to the heart |
| vena cava | Inferior and superior; the final vein of the systemic circulation; it empties into the right atrium of the heart |
| ventilation | Exchange of air between lungs and ambient air |
| ventral | Front of the body; also called anterior |
| ventricles | The two lower chambers of the heart |
| ventricular fibrillation | Rapid, uncoordinated movements of the entricle walls that replace the normal contraction; treated with defibrillation methods |
| venules | The smallest branches on the veins |
| vertebrae | Plural of vertebra; block-like bones that stack upon one another to form the spinal column |
| vest-type extrication device | A flexible device used to help immobilize the spine in confined spaces |
| vital signs | Pulse rate and quality, breathing rate and quality, blood pressure, skin color, skin temperature, skin condition, pupil size and qualityl and capillary refill in children |
| voluntary muscles | Muscles that are under conscious control |
| wheeled stretcher | Most commonly used ambulance stretcher; may be rolled on smooth surfaces; adjustable height |
| white blood cells | Cells in the blood responsible for controlling disease conditions, such as infections caused by microorganisms |
| wind chill | The combined cooling effect of wind speed and ambient temperature |
| wire basket stretcher (stokes litter) | Carrying device used for patient transport over rough or irregular terrain |
| xiphoid process | The inferior tip of the sternum; it is prominent and easy to palpate |
| zygomatic bones | The cheek bones |
