Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

developmental disorder, specific
A disorder
that affects only one area of development. For exam-
ple, dysgraphia is a specific developmental disor-
der; it is a specific impairment of the ability to write
legibly. See also 
developmental disorder; develop-
mental disorder, pervasive; dysarthria; dyscalcu-
lia; dyslexia
.
developmental dysplasia of the hip
See 
con-
genital hip dislocation.
developmental dyspraxia
A pattern of delayed,
uneven, or aberrant development of gross or fine
motor skills during childhood development.
Developmental dyspraxia may be seen alone or in
combination with other developmental problems,
particularly apraxia or dyspraxia of speech.
Treatment is via early intervention, using physical
therapy to improve gross motor skills and occupa-
tional therapy to assist in fine motor development
and sensory integration. See also 
apraxia of
speech; dyspraxia of speech.
deviated septum
See 
nasal septum, deviated.
device, assistive
Any device that is designed,
made, and/or adapted to assist a person to perform
a particular task that might otherwise be difficult.
For example, canes, crutches, walkers, wheelchairs,
and shower chairs are all assistive devices. See also
assistive technology; augmentative communica-
tion device; device, medical.
device, intrauterine
See 
intrauterine device.
device, medical
Broadly defined, any physical
item used in medical treatment, from a heart pace-
maker to a wheelchair. In insurance parlance, med-
ical device is usually synonymous with assistive
device, although it may include items more fre-
quently thought of as medical supplies, such as
dressings needed for wound care at home or
syringes for self-administration of insulin. Medical
devices are not covered by most insurance policies,
although they may be available through supplemen-
tal insurance or, in some cases, on an inexpensive
rental basis through hospitals, clinics, or pharma-
cies. See also 
assistive device.
dextro-
Prefix from the Latin word dexter, mean-
ing “on the right side.” For example, a molecule
that shows dextrorotation is turning or twisting to
the right. The opposite of levo-.
dextrocardia
Reversal of the anatomic location
of the heart, placing it in the right side of the chest
rather than in its normal location on the left. This is
a true anatomic reversal, in which the apex (tip) of
the heart points to the right instead of the left.
Dextrocardia occurs in Kartagener syndrome, an
abnormal condition that is present at birth. See also
dextroposition of the heart; Kartagener syndrome.