Terminology

Medical Terms/Terminology

Bioforming

The reverse of terraforming (the process by which a planet is made suitable for organic life), bioforming involves changing an organic lifeform to make it suitable for life in certain planetary conditions.

Biomemetic Gel

A substance used in genetic experimentation. Strictly controlled by the Federation; a limited supply is available in the galaxy. It is not for sale by the Federation at any price, as it may be used for organic explosives, illegal replications, and biogenic weapons, among other things. Considered extremely hazardous.

Brak'ul

Klingon term for a characteristic redundancy in Klingon physiology.

Cloning

The process of using the cells of one living being to produce another, identical being. The relatively undifferentiated epithelial cells that line the stomach are the best to use.

Cryonics

The placing of organic beings into suspended animation for future reanimation. Considered a fad in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Used only sparingly in modern circles.

Diencephalon

Part of a humanoid brain, posterior to the forebrain. The
hypothalamus, thalamus, and epithalamus are contained in the diensephalon.

DNA

Acronym for deoxyribonucleic acid, a complex chemical chain containing the genetic codes enabling the reproduction of life on many planets.
Virtually every individual lifeform on such planets has a DNA code, which contains information common to that species, as well as distinguishing information unique to that individual. Because of this, DNA sequencing can be used as a means of positively identifying an individual, although it cannot distinguish between the individual and a clone.

Federation Medical Collection Station

A repository for samples of diseases which may be used for the devopment of vaccines and innoculations. One such station is located at planet Odet IX. see also Medical Trustee.

Medical Trustee

The person in charge of a Federation Medical Collection Station. (see also) Often required to personally oversee the delivery of specimens to research facilities.

Microcentrum Cell Membrane

Physical attribute of life forms that are unaffected by triolic waves. These are often seen in shape shifters

Microcircuit Fibers

Part of the Borg devices implanted into Jean-Luc Picard's body when he was abducted and surgically altered by the Borg in 2366. Infiltration of the fibers into healthy tissue around Borg implants causes changes in the cellular DNA around the implants and makes surgical removal
impossible while implants are active.

Mitosis

The ordered process of cell division, whereby one parent bell produces
two genetically identical daughter cells.

Nanite Therapy

The use of nanites -- tiny machines with billions of bytes of memory -- to make repairs to living tissue at the cellular level.

Neurotransmitter

Biochemical associated with the propagation of electrical energy between neurons in humanoid nervous systems.

Nitrogen Narcosis

Also known as the "Rapture of the Deep," or the bends, nitrogen narcosis was a hazard of 20th century Earth deep sea diving. It is
caused by the replacement of oxygen in oxyhemoglobin with nitrogen. The
resultant anoxia produced disorientation, hallucinations, and a lack of judgment in the victims.

The phenomenon is similar to temporal narcosis.

Organic Life

Has the ability to assimilate, respirate, reproduce, grow and develop, move, secrete and excrete.

Peritoneum

Membrane lining the abdominal cavity in many humanoid species, including Bajorans.

Replicative Fading

The deterioration of a clone after many copy generations, caused by subtle errors in the DNA. This occurs when copies are made from copies, not from the original.

Sentience

The state of possessing intelligence, self-awareness and consciousness.

Subnucleonic Radiation

A type of radiation which is particularly harmful to organic tissue. Even brief exposure can be detrimental. Over extended periods of time, machinery may also be affected by this type of radiation.

Medical Staff Positions and Duties

Chief Medical Officer (CMO)

The Chief Medical Officer is responsible for the physical health of the entire crew, but does more than patch up injured crew members. His/her function is to ensure that they do not get sick or injured to begin with, and to this end monitors their health and conditioning with regular check ups. If necessary, the Chief Medical Officer can remove anyone from duty, even a commanding officer. Besides this s/he is available to provide medical advice to any individual who requests it.

Additionally the Chief is also responsible for all aspect of the medical deck, such as the Medical labs, Surgical suites and Dentistry.

S/he also is a department head and a member of the Senior Staff and responsible for all the crew members in her/his department and duty rosters.

Assistant Chief Medical Officer (ACMO)

A starship or facility has numerous personnel aboard, and thus the Chief Medical Officer cannot be expect to do all the work required. The Asst. Chief Medical Officer assists Chief in all areas, such as administration, and application of medical care.

Chief Surgeon, Surgeon. Medical Officer

Medical Officer undertake the majority of the work aboard the ship/facility, examining the crew, and administering medical care under the instruction of the Chief Medical Officer and Asst. Chief.

Medical Officers also run the other Medical areas not directly overseen by the Chief Medical Officer, such as the surgery area.

Head Nurse

The Head Nurse oversees all the Nurses currently aboard. Ensuring they are assigned to task and working as required in there area. Additionally the Head nurse performs the normal duties of the nurse, assisting the Duty Medical Officer in sickbay.

Nurse

Nurses are trained in basic medical care, and are capable of dealing with less serious medical cases. In more serious matters the nurse assist the medical officer in the examination and administration of medical care, be this injecting required drugs, or simply assuring the injured party that they will be ok.

The Nurses also maintain the medical wards, overseeing the patients and ensuring they are receiving medication and care as instructed by the Medical Officer.

EMH (Emergency Medical Hologram)

Two EMH programs are currently available, the longer term Mark II and the short term Mark I. Developed to act as the Chief Medical Officer as and when required, this program can also be activated to provide additional assistance to the real Chief Medical Officer. the EMH is programmed with all current medical knowledge and has the ability to learn as required.

Additionally the EMH can take on any other medical role as required by the ship/facility.

Counselor

Because of their training in psychology, technically the ships'/facility's Counselor is considered part of Starfleet medical. The Counselor is responsible both for advising the CO in dealing with other people and races, and in helping crew members with personal, psychological, and emotional problems.

The Counselor is technically under the authority of the Chief Medical Officer, however the ships Counselor is considered a separate entity and considered a member of the Senior Staff.

Physician's Mate (PM) (NCO)

The Physician¹s Mate trains and supervises Medical crewmen in departmental operations, repairs, and protocols; maintains duty assignments for all Medical personnel; leads triage and emergency medical efforts when necessary; co-ordinates all personnel cross-trained in emergency medical operations; and is qualified to temporarily act as Chief Medical Officer (except where surgical procedures must be performed) if so ordered. The Physician¹s Mate reports to the Chief Medical Officer.