anesthetic

(noun)

A substance administered to reduce the perception of pain or to induce numbness. An anesthetic may or may not render the recipient unconscious, depending upon the type used.

Related Terms

  • inferior alveolar nerve anesthesia
  • lidocaine
  • analgesic
  • opioid

Examples of anesthetic in the following topics:

  • Dental Anesthesia

    • Other local anesthetics in current use include articaine, septocaine, marcaine (a long-acting anesthetic), and mepivacaine.
    • An injection of local anesthetic directly into this nerve blocks sensation.
    • Several non-dental nerves are usually anesthetized during an inferior alveolar block.
    • For example, the lingual nerve can be anesthetized to produce a numb tongue.
    • The facial nerve lies some distance from the inferior alveolar nerve, but in rare cases anesthetic can diffuse far enough posteriorly to anesthetize that nerve.
  • Intubation During Anesthesia

    • It is frequently performed in critically injured, ill, or anesthetized patients to facilitate ventilation of the lungs, and to prevent the possibility of asphyxiation or airway obstruction.
    • Perhaps the most common indication for tracheal intubation is for the placement of a conduit through which nitrous oxide or volatile anesthetics may be administered.
    • General anesthetic agents, opioids, and neuromuscular-blocking drugs may diminish or even abolish the respiratory drive.
  • Epidural Anesthesia

    • The catheter is a fine plastic tube, through which anesthetics may be injected into the epidural space .
  • Surgical Sterilization

    • This generally involves a general anesthetic and a laparotomy or laparoscopic approach to cut, clip, or cauterize the fallopian tubes.
  • Cystoscopy

    • Typically, a topical anesthetic, most often xylocaine gel (common brand names are Anestacon and Instillagel), is employed.
  • Laryngitis and Cancer of the Larynx

    • Local anesthetic spray may be used.
    • If there is a suspicion of cancer, biopsy is performed, usually under general anesthetic.
  • Analgesia: Relief from Pain

    • They are distinct from anesthetics, which reversibly eliminate sensation.
    • In this technique, a catheter is inserted 4-6cm into the epidural space (the outermost part of the spinal canal, outside the dura matter), allowing analgesics (typically opioids) and anesthetics to be injected directly into the nervous system.
  • Complete Antigens and Haptens

    • This also appears to be the mechanism by which the anesthetic gas halothane can cause a life-threatening hepatitis, as well as the mechanism by which penicillin-class drugs cause autoimmune hemolytic anemia.
  • Episiotomy

    • The incision, which can be midline or at an angle from the posterior end of the vulva, is performed under local anesthetic (pudendal anesthesia), and is sutured closed after delivery.
  • Bone Repair

    • Generally, bone fracture treatment consists of a doctor reducing (pushing) dislocated bones back into place via relocation with or without anesthetic, stabilizing their position, and then waiting for the bone's natural healing process to occur.
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