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Abdominal Aorta
The abdominal aorta is the final section of the aorta, the largest artery in the body. It is a continuation of the thoracic aorta. It begins at the diaphragm, and runs down to the point where it ends (by splitting in two to form the common iliac arteries). The abdominal aorta supplies oxygenated blood to all of the abdominal and pelvic organs and the legs.
ABO Blood Type
The classification of human blood into four groups: A, B, AB, and O.
Allocation
The system of ensuring that organs and tissues are distributed fairly to patients who are in need.
Allograft
Organ and tissue transplants between genetically different humans of the same species. See Bone Allograft
Antibody
A protein substance made by the body's immune system in response to a foreign substance, for example a transplanted organ, blood transfusion, virus, or pregnancy. Because the antibodies attack the transplanted organ, transplant patients must take powerful anti-rejection (immunosuppressive) drugs.
Antigen
A foreign substance, such as a transplanted organ, that triggers the body to try to destroy it. This response may be the production of antibodies, which try to destroy the antigen (the transplanted organ).
Anti-Rejection Drugs (immunosuppressive drugs)
Drugs that are taken to help the body accept the transplanted organ.
Aortic Valve
One of the four valves in the heart, this valve is situated at exit of the left ventricle of the heart where the aorta (the largest of all arteries) begins. The aortic valve lets blood from the left ventricle be pumped up (ejected) into the aorta but prevents blood once it is in the aorta from returning to the heart.
Apnea Test
The apnea test is completed as part of the evaluation for brain death. It demonstrates the absence of respiration (breathing) and lack of function of the brain stem.
Artificial Kidney
A dialysis machine that removes fluids and toxic waste from the body. Artificial kidneys are used for individuals whose kidneys are not functioning because of disease or trauma. |
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Biologically
Incompatible
Two people are considered biologically incompatible with regard
to transplantation when the organs from one person would be
predictably rejected by the other person; an example of such
incompatibility is when one person is blood type A and the
other is blood type B. Differences in factors other than blood
type can also render two people incompatible.
Blood Vessels
The arteries, veins and capillaries through which blood circulates.
Blood Vessels can be donated and transplanted.
Bone
Dense tissue that forms the skeleton. Bone can be donated
and transplanted.
Bone Allograft
Bone transplant between genetically different humans of the
same species.
Brain Death
Brain death is a diagnosis of death that is both medically
and legally recognized. Brain death occurs when blood flow
to the brain stops for an extended period of time. Without
blood, the brain has no source of oxygen and without oxygen,
the brain begins to die. A brain dead individual has been
defined as one "who has either (1) irreversible cessation
of circulatory and respiratory functions, or (2) irreversible
cessation of all functions of the entire brain, including
the brainstem." (Uniform Determination
of Death Act, promulgated in 1980)
Brain death may be caused by any condition that stops blood
flow to the brain. Examples include acute injuries such as
automobile accidents or when a blood vessel bursts in the
brain. These conditions cause the brain to swell. If this
swelling is not controlled, blood flow to the brain will stop,
permanently resulting in brain death.
For more information about Brain Death, log onto http:// www.braindeath.org .
This site, while it may be helpful in further explaining Brain Death, is not in any way related to the New York Organ Donor Network, and the Donor Network is not responsible for its content
Brain Stem
A stem-like extension of the brain that controls heartbeat and respiration. |
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Cadaveric
Term no longer used by organ and tissue donor families.
See Deceased
Donor or Non-living
Donor
Candidate
A person who is waiting for a transplant.
Cardiac Death
The cessation of all respiratory and cardiac functions.
Cartilage
A translucent elastic tissue that composes most of the skeleton;
cartilage bone, formed by ossification of cartilage.
Catherization
The act of placing a flexible tube or tubular instrument to
allow passage of fluid from or into a body cavity or blood vessel.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
(CMS)
CMS is an agency of the United States Department of Health and
Human Services. CMS administers the Medicare and Medicaid programs,
which provide health care to America's aged and indigent populations,
(about one in every four Americans, including nearly 18 million
children), and nursing home coverage for low-income elderly.
Click
here for more details.
Coalition
on Donation
A nonprofit alliance of health and science professionals, transplant
patients and voluntary health and transplant organizations.
The national coalition works closely with local coalitions to
increase public awareness of the critical organ shortage and
create a greater willingness and commitment to organ and tissue
donation. Click
here for more details.
Cold Ischemia Time
The time interval beginning when an organ is cooled with a perfusion
solution at the organ procurement surgery and ending when the
organ is re-perfused at implantation.
Connective tissue
Forms the supportive and connective structures of the body.
Consent Coordinators
Highly trained New York Organ Donor Network employees who receive
telephone referrals from hospitals about potential tissue donors,
provide information to families regarding the process of tissue
donation, and obtain consent from families for tissue donation.
Cornea
The outer curved transparent tissue covering the iris and pupils
on the outside of the eye. Only the cornea is removed for corneal
transplants.
Costs
See Payment
Cross-matching
A blood test done before the transplant to see if the potential
recipient will react to the donor organ. If the cross-match
is "positive," then the donor and patient are incompatible.
If the cross-match is "negative," then the transplant may proceed.
Cross-matching is routinely performed for kidney and pancreas
transplants.
Cultures
The propagation of microorganisms in a growth medium. Any body
tissue or fluid can be evaluated in the laboratory by culture
techniques in order to detect and identify infectious processes.
Cyclosporine
A drug used to prevent rejection of the transplanted organ by
suppressing the body's defense system. Considered an immunosuppressant.
Cryopreserved
The process of cooling and storing cells, tissues, or organs
at very low temperatures to maintain viability. For example,
the technology of cooling and storing cells at a temperature
below the freezing point (-196 C) permits high rates of survivability
upon thawing. In Greek "kryos" = cold. Cryopreservation is cold
storage for the purpose of preservation. |
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