TCAR Education Programs, Stephen Von Weller Ventriculostomy catheter A surgical procedure involving the insertion of a catheter into one of the brain's lateral ventricles to drain cerebral spinal fluid and measure intracranial pressure. PRONUNCIATION: ven-TRIC-u-LOST-o... V 3 June 2026 Glossary
TCAR Education Programs, Stephen Von Weller Verification, trauma center In the U.S., all trauma centers must be approved by state or other governmental regulatory bodies in order to become a designated trauma center. "Verification", conferred by the American College of Su... V 3 June 2026 Glossary
TCAR Education Programs, Stephen Von Weller Vertebra A bony segment of the spinal column.... V 3 June 2026 Glossary
TCAR Education Programs, Stephen Von Weller Vertebral arteries The vertebral arteries run along each side of the posterior neck, connecting the subclavian arteries to the posterior fossa of the cranium where they perfuse the brainstem, cerebellum, and occipital l... V 3 June 2026 Glossary
TCAR Education Programs, Stephen Von Weller Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) A minimally invasive surgical procedure to repair the lungs or thoracic cavity. In trauma patients, VATS is commonly used to remove retained hemothorax blood.... V 3 June 2026 Glossary
TCAR Education Programs, Stephen Von Weller Visceral pleura The membrane that covers the surface of the lungs in the thoracic cavity.... V 3 June 2026 Glossary
TCAR Education Programs, Stephen Von Weller Viscoelastic Jelly-like. The brain has a soft, viscoelastic structure due to its high water content. PRONUNCIATION: VIS-co-e-LAS-tic.... V 3 June 2026 Glossary
TCAR Education Programs, Stephen Von Weller Viscoelastography A method of measuring the coagulation process from start to finish. The two common tests are TEG and ROTEM. Also known as viscoelastic hemostatic assays (VHA). PRONUNCIATION: VIS-co-e-las-TO-graphy.... V 3 June 2026 Glossary
TCAR Education Programs, Stephen Von Weller von Willebrand factor A blood glycoprotein that is necessary for platelets to stick together and form clots... V 3 June 2026 Glossary
TCAR Education Programs, Stephen Von Weller Water seal The mechanism by which a chest drainage system allows fluid and air to drain out while preventing air reentry into the pleural space. Some chest drainage units require water. Newer designs have a syst... W 3 June 2026 Glossary
