local anaesthetic
Definition
- Noun:
- A type of anesthetic that causes loss of sensation only in a specific, limited area of the body: A "local anaesthetic" is a drug that blocks nerve signals in a particular region, allowing medical or dental procedures to be performed without causing general unconsciousness or pain in the patient.
Usage
- Noun:
- A "local anaesthetic" is administered via injection, spray, or topical application directly to the target site.
- It is used for minor surgeries, dental work, suturing wounds, or diagnostic procedures.
- The effect is temporary, wearing off after a period of time.
Examples
- Noun:
- The dentist administered a local anaesthetic before filling the cavity.
- For the skin biopsy, the doctor used a local anaesthetic to numb the area.
- Lidocaine is a common local anaesthetic.
Advanced Usage
- "under local anaesthetic": Describes a procedure performed while the patient is numbed in a specific area but remains conscious.
- The surgery was performed under local anaesthetic, so the patient was awake but felt no pain.
Variants and Related Words
- Local anesthetic (noun): The standard American English spelling.
- Local anaesthesia (noun): The state or process of numbing a local area.
- The procedure requires local anaesthesia.
- Topical anaesthetic (noun): A type of local anaesthetic applied to the surface of skin or mucous membranes.
- A topical anaesthetic gel was used before the injection.
Synonyms
- Regional anesthetic: Often used interchangeably, though it can sometimes refer to numbing a larger region (e.g., an entire limb).
- Numbing agent: A more general, non-technical term.
Related Phrases
- Local anaesthetic agent: A more formal term for the drug substance.
- The pharmacist prepared the local anaesthetic agent.
Notes
- The spelling "anaesthetic" is standard in British English, while "anesthetic" is used in American English. The word "local" is crucial as it distinguishes this from a general anaesthetic, which renders the patient completely unconscious.
Noun
-
anesthetic that numbs a particular area of the body
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