Nitrous
Nitrous
Nitrous (pronounced: /ˈnaɪtrəs/), also known as Nitrous Oxide or N2O, is a chemical compound often used in medicine and dentistry for its anaesthetic and analgesic effects. It is also commonly referred to as "laughing gas" due to the euphoric effects it can have when inhaled.
Etymology
The term "Nitrous" comes from the Greek word "nitron" and the Latin word "nitrum". Both words refer to a naturally occurring mineral form of Potassium Nitrate. The "-ous" suffix is derived from Latin and is used in chemistry to indicate a lower oxidation state.
Usage in Medicine
In the medical field, Nitrous is often used as an anesthetic during certain procedures. It is mixed with oxygen and inhaled through a mask, providing pain relief and a sense of relaxation. This makes it particularly useful in dentistry, where it is used to help patients relax during procedures.
Related Terms
- Anesthetic: A substance that induces insensitivity to pain.
- Analgesic: A drug used to relieve pain.
- Dentistry: The field of medicine that involves the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity.
- Potassium Nitrate: A chemical compound with the formula KNO3. It is a naturally occurring mineral source of nitrogen.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Nitrous
- Wikipedia's article - Nitrous
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski