When tissue heating with water-filtered infrared A irradiation (wIRA) is used, an exact terminology and compliance with the International System of Units (SI) are mandatory. In order to avoid misconceptions and confusion of readers/users, a glossary of basic physical terms and SI-based radiometry is presented in this chapter. Recommendations-inter alia-include: (1) terms and tools to characterize the spectrum of infrared irradiation, (2) terms and parameters of wIRA emitted by a device and incident on the surface of an exposed object, (3) terms quantifying absorption, transmittance, scattering, and remittance, (4) terms quantifying propagation of wIRA within tissues, and (5) terms quantifying optical and thermal properties, and thermal responses of tissues. Empirical and basic data for wIRA skin exposures in radiation oncology and physical therapy are also presented. Finally, obsolete and incorrect terms and vocabularies are listed. As a key information, tissue temperature levels characterizing typical wIRA-HT-related sensitizing effects and related tissue penetration depths are outlined.
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