Medical Dictionary: Glossary (F)

What is facial nerve

The facial nerve is the seventh cranial nerve. It supplies the muscles of facial expression.

What is factor X

A coagulation factor, a substance in blood essential to the normal clotting process. Production of factor X takes place in the liver and requires vitamin K.

What is fascia

A flat band of tissue below the skin that covers underlying tissues and separates different layers of tissue. Fascia also encloses muscles.

What is fat embolism

A process by which fat tissue passes into the bloodstream and lodges within a blood vessel and blocks it.

What is fibula

The smaller of the two bones in the lower leg. The end of the fibula forms the bony prominence of the outer ankle.

What is flail chest

A condition that occurs when enough ribs are broken (usually from a crush injury) .On breathing in, the chest wall moves inward instead of outward, and it does the opposite on breathing out.

What is foramen

A natural opening. Although a foramen is usually through bone, it can be an opening through other types of tissue, as with the foramen ovale in the heart.

What is fugue state

An altered state of consciousness in which a person may move around and even speak, but is not fully aware.