surface tension

tension /ten·sion/ (ten´shun)

1. the act of stretching.

2. the condition of being stretched or strained.

3. the partial pressure of a component of a gas mixture.

4. mental, emotional, or nervous strain.

5. hostility between two or more individuals or groups.

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arterial tension  blood pressure within an artery.

intraocular tension  (T) see under pressure.

intravenous tension  venous pressure.

surface tension  tension or resistance which acts to preserve the integrity of a surface.

tissue tension  a state of equilibrium between tissues and cells which prevents overaction of any part.

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surface tension

n.

1. A property of liquids arising from unbalanced molecular cohesive forces at or near the surface, as a result of which the surface tends to contract and exhibit properties resembling those of a stretched elastic membrane.

2. A measure of this property.

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Surface tension

The attraction of molecules in a fluid for each other.

Mentioned in: Surfactant

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surface tension,

the tendency of a liquid to minimize the area of its surface by contracting. This property causes liquids to rise in a capillary tube, affects the exchange of gases in the pulmonary alveoli, and alters the ability of various liquids to wet another surface.

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tension

1. the act of stretching or the condition of being stretched or strained.

2. the partial pressure of a component of a gas mixture or of a gas dissolved in a fluid, e.g. of oxygen in blood.

3. voltage.

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arterial tension

blood pressure within an artery.

tension band wires

heavy gauge wire is inserted in fracture fragments and around pins placed in the fragments in order and adjusted to create compression on the fracture site. Suited for treatment of apophyseal or epiphyseal avulsion fractures. See also tension band plate.

intraocular tension

intraocular pressure; intraocular tension, normal intraocular tension being indicated by Tn, while T + 1, T + 2, etc. indicate increased tension, and T − 1, T − 2, etc. indicate decreased tension.

tension line

the direction of pull on the skin in any given region. A map of the body, drawn to show the various lines of pull, or tension, is useful in planning surgical closure of skin incisions, particularly ones with defects, in order to minimize forces that might cause dehiscence.

surface tension

tension or resistance that acts to preserve the integrity of a surface.

tissue tension

a state of equilibrium between tissues and cells that prevents overaction of any part.