Glossary of terms used on this site
There are 201 entries in this glossary.Term | Definition |
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Acoustic neuroma |
Benign tumor of the hearing nerve (eighth nerve). |
Acromegaly |
Chronic disorder that is characterized by a gradual and permanent enlargement of the lower jaw, hands, feet, abdominal organs, nose, lips, and tongue that is due to the excessive secretion of the growth hormone. |
Action tremor |
A type of tremor that occurs during voluntary movements, such as lifting a cup to one's mouth. |
Activa Tremor Control Therapy |
The therapy uses an implanted device to deliver mild electrical stimulation to block the brain signals that cause tremor. The therapy stimulates the target nuclei in the thalamus via an insulated wire lead with electrodes that are surgically implanted in the brain and connected to a pulse generator that is implanted near the collarbone. The stimulation level can be adjusted to get the most possible tremor control with minimal side effects. |
Acute |
Severe, for a short time. |
Adenocarcinoma |
Cancer arising from secretory cells, often in a gland. Breast and pancreatic cancers are usually adenocarcinomas. |
AEDs |
Antiepileptic drugs. |
Afferent Neuron |
Transmitting impulses to the central nervous system. |
Allograft Bone |
Sterile bone derived from another human which is used for grafting procedures. |
Analgesia |
Loss of sensibility to pain, loss of response to a painful stimulus. |
Anesthesiologist |
Physician who administers pain-killing medications during surgery. |
Aneurysm |
An abnormal blood-filled dilation of a blood vessel resulting from disease of the vessel wall. |
Angiogram |
A study which shows the blood vessels leading to, and in the brain, by injecting a dye or contrast substance through a catheter placed in the artery in the leg. |
Annulus Fibrosus |
The outer, fibrous, ring-like portion of an intervertebral disc. |
Anterior |
The front portion of the body. It is often used to indicate the position of one structure relative to another. |
Anterolateral |
Situated or occurring in front of and to the side. |
Aphasia |
A loss or impairment of the power to use or comprehend words resulting from a brain lesion. |
Arachnoid |
Delicate, web-like middle layer of membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. |
Arachnoiditis |
Inflammation of the arachnoid membrane. |
Arteriovenous malformation |
An anatomical abnormality in the arteries or veins in or around the brain which may cause hemorrhage or seizures. |
Arthralgia |
Joint pain. |
Arthritis |
Inflammation of a joint usually characterized by swelling, pain and restriction of motion. |
Arthrodesis |
The fusion of bones across a joint space, thereby limiting or eliminating movement. It may occur spontaneously or as a result of a surgical procedure, such as fusion of the spine. |
Arthropathy |
Any disease or disorder involving a joint. |
Arthroplasty |
The surgical remodeling of a diseased or damaged joint. |
Arthroscope |
An instrument inserted into it joint cavity to view the interior of a joint and correct certain abnormalities. An arthroscope is an endoscope for use in a joint. |
Arthroscopy |
The procedure of visualizing the inside of a joint by means of an arthroscope. |
Articular |
Pertaining to a joint. |
Astrocyte |
A star-shaped cell, comparatively large which supports the nerve cells (neurons) of the brain and spinal cord. |
Ataxia |
An inability to coordinate voluntary muscle movements. |