internal fixation

internal fixation

n.

The stabilization of fractured bony parts by direct fixation to one another with surgical wires, screws, pins, or plates.

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internal fixation,

any method of holding together the fragments of a fractured bone without the use of appliances external to the skin. After open reduction of the fracture, smooth or threaded pins, Kirschner wires, screws, plates attached by screws, or medullary nails may be inserted through an appropriate incision to stabilize the fragments. In some instances the device is removed at a later operation, but it may remain in the body permanently. Compare external pin fixation.

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internal

situated or occurring within or on the inside; in anatomy, many structures formerly called internal are now termed medial.

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internal abdominal abscess

see retroperitoneal abscess.

internal carotid artery arteritis

parasitic arteritis of the external carotid artery as it courses around the edge of the guttural pouch may lead to copious nasal bleeding in horses when the artery ruptures.

internal elastic membrane

a condensation of elastic fibers separating the tunica intima from the tunica media.

internal environment

within the animal; includes blood pressure, circulating blood volume, tissue fluid volume, blood sugar level, tidal air volume, glomerular filtration rate.

internal fixation

immobilization of fractured bones by internal appliances as distinct from casts or external fixation. Includes intramedullary pins which run the length of the medullary cavity, transfixing pins that penetrate across the medullary cavity and are maintained in position by external bars or casts, and compression plating based on the use of special screws and plates.

internal hernia

see hernia.

internal inguinal ring

see abdominal ring (internal).

internal layer

unshelled eggs are free in the peritoneal cavity, thought to have been delivered there by reverse peristalsis in the oviduct.

internal laying

eggs are deposited in the peritoneal cavity and become walled off.

internal limiting membrane

a persistent fibrillar condensation of the vitreous body of the eye; it covers the retina and ciliary body.

internal parasitic mites

poultry cutaneous mites in a number of families are found in the trachea, air sacs and subcutaneous tissues. Includes Cytodites, Epidermoptes, Laminosioptes, Pneumonyssus, Rivoltsia and Sternastoma spp.

internal rate of return

the interest rate needed to discount future income in order to equate it with the present investment in a program.

internal repeat

repetitive base sequences within DNA which may be inverted (indirect) or non-inverted (direct).

internal root sheath

connective tissue sheath around the hair follicle; this part of the sheath extends only to the opening of sebaceous glands into the follicle. See also root sheath cuticle.

turkey internal hemorrhage

see dissecting aneurysm.

internal vomiting

any reflux of intestinal contents which does not reach the mouth, e.g. abomasal reflux into the rumenoreticulum.

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internal fixation

Intraosseous fixation Orthopedics Open reduction and stabilization of fractured bone fragments by direct binding to each other with IF devices–eg, screws, plates, wires, pins, intramedullary rods, nails, spinal fixation devices. Cf External fixation.