anesthetic

Encyclopedia Article

Article

A substance used in medical procedures to paralyze sensory nerve endings and/or nerve fibers, thus producing loss of sensation. Anesthetic substances enable patients to undergo operations and other invasive procedures that involve severe pain. Local anesthesia is used to numb a specific, small part of the body, while general anesthesia, which is used in major surgeries, affects the whole body and induces a complete loss of consciousness.

Photo Credit: 

"Operating room anesthetic station, February 14, 2013" by Coronation Dental Specialty Group is licensed under CC BY-SA.

Published Works: 
Term Type: