Home Glossary of Terms

Glossary of terms used on this site

There are 201 entries in this glossary.
Search for glossary terms (regular expression allowed)
Begins with Contains Exact term Sounds like Tick to search all glossaries
All A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W  
Page:  1 2 Next »
Term Definition
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.

Page:  1 2 Next »
Glossary 2.7 uses technologies including PHP and SQL