Clinical Definition Quadrantanopia is a partial defect in the visual field. It involves blindness or decreased vision in a quarter section of the visual field. It may occur unilaterally or bilaterally. Quadrantanopia is often due to a stroke, head trauma or a lesion on the occipital lobe. In Our Own Words Quadrantanopia is the loss…
Quadriceps
Clinical Definition The quadriceps is a group of four muscles that covers the femur anteriorly. The four named parts of the quadriceps are vastus lateralis, vastus intermedius, vastus medialis and the rectus femoris. These muscles arise from the proximal femur and ilium, and fuse together at the patellar tendon to insert upon the tibial tuberosity.…
Quadricepsplasty
Clinical Definition Quadricepsplasty is a surgical procedure performed on the quadriceps femoris in order to improve range of motion in the knee. It involves releasing adhesions, which may have developed due to a previous injury. Adhesions may prevent normal flexion of the knee. Once scar tissue is removed, it may increase mobility and improve the…
Quadriplegia
Clinical Definition Quadriplegia is paralysis of both arms and legs, which occurs when motor and/or sensory function in the cervical spinal segments is impaired or lost due to spinal cord damage. The result is paralysis of the upper limbs, lower limbs, trunk and pelvic organs, which may occur after a high spinal cord accident or a…
Quarantine
Clinical Definition Quarantine is a public health practice that involves imposing separation and the restriction of movement on a person who may have a communicable disease. It is done to prevent the transmission of a contagious disease. A quarantine can also be imposed on someone who has been exposed to a contagious disease to determine…
Quiet Sleep
Clinical Definition Non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) sleep is one of two basic states or phases of sleep. Because it is a time of reduced brain activation, its also referred to as quiet sleep. Non-REM sleep includes stages 1 and 2, which are light sleep, and 3 and 4, which are deep sleep. Quiet sleep contrasts…
Quinine
Clinical Definition Quinine sulfate is a prescription medication approved for use as an anti-malarial treatment. It is one of several remedies to treat malaria, an infection transmitted by mosquitoes that carry the parasite Plasmodium falciparum. In Our Own Words In the early 17th century, Spanish Jesuit missionaries learned from Indian tribes about a medicinal tree bark. After…