bed

1. In anatomy, a base or structure that supports another structure. 2. A piece of furniture used for rest, recuperation, or treatment.

- b. of breast structures against which the posterior surface of the breast lies; includes mainly the pectoralis major muscle, but also some serratus anterior and external abdominal oblique muscle; extends from second to sixth rib, and from parasternal to anterior axillary lines.

- capillary b. the capillaries considered collectively and their volume capacity for blood.

- fracture b. a narrow, extra-firm b. for treatment of fractures; usually incorporates an overhead frame for traction apparatus.

- Gatch b. a b. with divided sections for independent elevation of a patient's head and knees.

- mud b. a b. in which the mattress consists of semiliquid mud made from special clays, covered with a sheet of plastic material; used to widely distribute the pressure of the body weight over the dependent surface, for patients with burns or large anesthetic areas.

- nail b. SYN: nail matrix.

- parotid b. the structures which surround and contact the parotid, forming the boundaries of the parotid space : anteriorly, the ramus of the mandible flanked by the masseter and medial pterygoid muscles; medially, the pharyngeal wall, carotid sheath and structures originating from the styloid process; posteriorly, the mastoid process, sternocleidomastoid muscle, and posterior belly of the digastric muscle; superiorly, the temporomandibular joint and the tympanic bone and cartilaginous portion of the external acoustic meatus.

- b. of parotid gland SYN: parotid space.

- b. of stomach the structures against which the posteroinferior surface of the stomach lies, and from which it is separated, for the main part, by the omental bursa; includes diaphragm, left suprarenal gland, upper part of left kidney, splenic artery, anterior aspect of pancreatic body and tail, left colic flexure, and transverse mesocolon.

- water b. a mattress in the form of a closed rubber bag filled with water; used to prevent or treat pressure sores by equalizing the distribution of the patient's weight against the support.

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binge eating disorder; biologically effective dose; biologically equivalent dose [radiation]

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bed 'bed n

1 a) a piece of furniture on or in which one may lie and sleep see HOSPITAL BED

b) the equipment and services needed to care for one hospitalized patient

2) a layer of specialized or altered tissue esp. when separating dissimilar structures see NAIL BED, VASCULAR BED

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(bed) 1. a supporting structure or tissue. 2. a couch or support for the body during sleep.