Pressure
Pressure
Pressure (pronunciation: /ˈprɛʃər/) is a fundamental concept in the field of Physics and Medicine. It is defined as the force applied perpendicular to the surface of an object per unit area. In medical terms, pressure is often used to describe the force exerted by fluids in the body, such as blood pressure.
Etymology
The term 'pressure' originates from the Latin word 'pressura', meaning pressing hard. It was first used in the English language in the late 14th century.
Medical Context
In the medical field, pressure is a crucial concept in understanding various physiological and pathological conditions. Some of the key medical terms related to pressure include:
- Blood Pressure: The force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels. It is one of the principal vital signs.
- Intraocular Pressure: The fluid pressure inside the eye, an important aspect in diseases such as Glaucoma.
- Intracranial Pressure: The pressure inside the skull and thus in the brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid.
- Pulmonary Artery Pressure: The pressure exerted by the blood in the main pulmonary artery.
Measurement
Pressure is measured in units of force per unit area. In the International System of Units (SI), the standard unit of pressure is the Pascal (Pa), equivalent to one newton per square meter (N/m²). In medicine, blood pressure is typically measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
Related Terms
- Hypertension: A condition characterized by consistently high blood pressure.
- Hypotension: A condition characterized by consistently low blood pressure.
- Pressure Ulcer: A localized injury to the skin and/or underlying tissue usually over a bony prominence, as a result of pressure, or pressure in combination with shear.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Pressure
- Wikipedia's article - Pressure
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