limb

[lim]

1. one of the paired appendages of the body used in locomotion and grasping; see arm and leg. Called also member, membrum, and extremity.

2. a structure or part resembling an arm or leg.

anacrotic limb ascending limb (def. 2).

artificial limb a replacement for a missing limb; see also prosthesis.

ascending limb

1. the distal part of Henle's loop.

2. the ascending portion of an arterial pulse tracing; called also anacrotic limb.

catacrotic limb descending limb (def. 2).

descending limb

1. the proximal part of Henle's loop.

2. the descending portion of an arterial pulse tracing; called also catacrotic limb.

lower limb the limb of the body extending from the gluteal region to the foot; it is specialized for weight-bearing and locomotion. See also leg.

pectoral limb the arm (upper limb), or a homologous part.

pelvic limb the leg (lower limb), or a homologous part.

phantom limb the sensation, after amputation of a limb, that the absent part is still present; there may also be paresthesias, transient aches, and intermittent or continuous pain perceived as originating in the absent limb.

residual limb stump.

thoracic limb pectoral limb.

upper limb the limb of the body extending from the deltoid region to the hand; it is specialized for functions requiring great mobility, such as grasping and manipulating. See also arm.

phan·tom limb pain

the painful sensations experienced in an amputated (phantom) limb, most often the upper extremity; typically comprises burning or aching pain, exacerbated by attempted movement of the phantom limb and by emotional stimuli.

Synonym(s): phantom limb, pseudesthesia (3) , pseudoesthesia (3) , stump hallucination

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

phantom limb

1. A limb that is felt to be present as part of the body after having been amputated.

2. The often painful sensation of the presence of such a limb.

phan·tom limb

, phantom limb pain (fan'tŏm lim, pān)

The sensation that an amputated limb is still present, often associated with painful paresthesia.
Synonym(s): pseudesthesia (3) .

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

phantom limb

A powerful sense that a limb which has been amputated is still present. The effect is due to nerve impulses arising in the cut nerves in the stump. These can only be interpreted as coming from the original limb.

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

Phantom limb

The perception that a limb is present (and throbbing with pain) after it has been amputated.

Mentioned in: Electrical Nerve Stimulation

Mentioned in

References in periodicals archive

Through a principle known as 'Hebb's Law' -- 'neurons that fire together, wire together' -- neurons in the sensorimotor and pain perception networks become entangled, resulting in phantom limb pain.

New Theory of Phantom Limb Pain

Just as phantom limb phenomenon causes anxiety amongst amputee so we believe that phantom larynx phenomenon may also be a cause of delayed/difficult rehabilitation in total laryngectomies.

THE GHOSTLY PHENOMENON OF PHANTOM LARYNX IN TOTAL LARYNGECTOMY PATIENTS

Kristoffersen et al., "Phantom motor execution facilitated by machine learning and augmented reality as treatment for phantom limb pain: a single group, clinical trial in patients with chronic intractable phantom limb pain," The Lancet, vol.

Do Robotics and Virtual Reality Add Real Progress to Mirror Therapy Rehabilitation? A Scoping Review

For example, reorganization in the primary sensory cortex is not only correlated with PLP but also with the experience of a telescopic distortion (e.g., [115]), that is, the perception that the phantom limb shortens or, in extreme cases, retracts into the residual limb over time.

Psychological Factors Associated with Phantom Limb Pain: A Review of Recent Findings

Reilly, "Primary motor cortex changes after amputation correlate with phantom limb pain and the ability to move the phantom limb," NeuroImage, vol.

Sensorimotor Cortical Neuroplasticity in the Early Stage of Bell's Palsy

As regards the contraindications, phantom limb pain is commonly seen after amputation surgery.

The importance of rehabilitation concerning upper extremity amputees: A Systematic Review

The study indicates that interventional radiologists applying cryoablation therapy, a minimally invasive targeted treatment using cold blasts, show promise in improving the quality of life for patients suffering phantom limb pain.

Study Finds that Minimally Invasive Treatment Could "Freeze Out" Phantom Limb Pain in Amputees

The analysis of the clinical parameters in relation to the classification of sEMG signals revealed interesting significant relationships between the capability to recognize movements in subjects with amputation and remaining forearm percentage, phantom limb sensation, and time since amputation.

Effect of clinical parameters on the control of myoelectric robotic prosthetic hands

The limitations of our study were that long-term follow-up to study the role of perineural/epidural analgesia in preventing phantom limb pain was not done.

Perineural catheter technique for prevention of post-amputation stump pain

Previously, memantine had been shown to be effective in other pain conditions such as complex regional pain syndrome and phantom limb pain.

What matters: memantine for pain control in fibromyalgia

A TEENAGER who had her leg amputated after being injured in a rollercoaster crash at Alton Towers has spoken of the "burning" pain she still feels in her phantom limb.

Phantom leg pains of Alton Towers crash teen; In Brief

Does a patient have more phantom limb pain from an elective or a traumatic amputation?

UNR Orvis student evidence--based poster presentations