Abnormal: Not normal. Deviating
from the usual structure, position,
condition, or behavior. In referring to a
growth, abnormal may mean that it is
cancerous or premalignant (likely to become
cancer ).
See the entire
definition of Abnormal
Absence seizure: A seizure that
takes the form of a staring spell. The
person suddenly seems to be "absent." An
absence seizure involves a brief loss of
awareness, which can be accompanied by
blinking or mouth twitching. Absence
seizures have a very characteristic
appearance on an electroencephalogram ( EEG
).
See the entire
definition of Absence seizure
Acquired: Anything that is not
present at birth but develops some time
later. In medicine, the word "acquired"
implies "new" or "added." An acquired
condition is "new" in the sense that it is
not genetic (inherited) and "added" in the
sense that was not present at birth.
See the entire
definition of Acquired
Acute: Of abrupt onset, in
reference to a disease. Acute often also
connotes an illness that is of short
duration, rapidly progressive, and in need
of urgent care.
See the entire
definition of Acute
Analysis: A psychology term for
processes used to gain understanding of
complex emotional or behavioral issues.
See the entire
definition of Analysis
Anesthesia: Loss of feeling or
awareness. A general
anesthetic puts the person to
sleep. A local anesthetic causes loss of
feeling in a part of the body such as a
tooth or an area of skin without affecting
consciousness. Regional anesthesia numbs a
larger part of the body such as a leg or
arm, also without affecting consciousness.
The term "conduction anesthesia" encompasses
both local and regional anesthetic
techniques. Many surgical procedures can be
done with conduction anesthesia without
significant
pain. In many situations, such as a
C-section, conduction anesthesia is
safer and therefore preferable to general
anesthesia. However, there are also many
types of surgery in which general anesthesia
is clearly appropriate.
Arms: An appendage in
anatomy and in
clinical trials. See:
Arm.
Atonic: Without normal muscle tone
or strength. An atonic seizure is one in
which the person suddenly loses muscle tone
and strength and cannot sit or stand upright
and, unless supported, falls down.
See the entire
definition of Atonic
Blood pressure: The blood pressure
is the pressure of the
blood within the arteries. It is
produced primarily by the
contraction of the
heart muscle. It's measurement is
recorded by two numbers. The first (systolic
pressure) is measured after the
heart contracts and is highest. The
second (diastolic
pressure) is measured before the heart
contracts and lowest. A blood pressure cuff
is used to measure the pressure. Elevation
of blood pressure is called "hypertension".
Brain: That part of the central
nervous system that is located within the
cranium ( skull ). The brain functions as
the primary receiver, organizer and
distributor of information for the body. It
has two (right and left) halves called
"hemispheres."
See the entire
definition of Brain
Cerebral: Pertaining to the brain,
the cerebrum or the intellect.
See the entire
definition of Cerebral
Cerebral cortex: A thin mantle of
gray matter about the size of a formal
dinner napkin covering the surface of each
cerebral hemisphere. The cerebral cortex is
crumpled and folded, forming numerous
convolutions ( gyri ) and crevices ( sulci
). It is made up of six layers of nerve
cells and the nerve pathways that connect
them. The cerebral cortex is responsible for
the processes of thought, perception and
memory and serves as the seat of advanced
motor function, social abilities, language,
and problem solving.
See the entire
definition of Cerebral cortex
Chest: The area of the body
located between the neck and the abdomen .
The chest contains the lungs , the heart and
part of the aorta . The walls of the chest
are supported by the dorsal vertebrae , the
ribs , and the sternum .
See the entire
definition of Chest
Clonic seizure: A
seizure in which there are generalized
clonic contractions with the entire body
jerking, but without a preceding tonic
phase.
Complication: In medicine, an
additional problem that arises following a
procedure, treatment or illness and is
secondary to it. A complication complicates
the situation.
See the entire
definition of Complication
Computed tomography: An x-ray
procedure that uses the help of a computer
to produce a detailed picture of a cross
section of the body. Also called a CT scan
or
CAT scan.
Congenital: Present at birth. A
condition that is congenital is one that is
present at birth. There are numerous uses of
"congenital" in medicine. There are, for
example, congenital abnormalities. (For more
examples, see below.)
See the entire
definition of Congenital
Contraction: The tightening and
shortening of a muscle.
Contraindication: A condition
which makes a particular treatment or
procedure inadvisable. A contraindication
may be absolute or relative.
- An absolute contraindication is a
situation which makes a particular
treatment or procedure absolutely
inadvisable. In a baby, for example,
aspirin is absolutely contraindicated
because of the danger that aspirin will
cause Reye syndrome .
- A relative contraindication is a
condition which makes a particular
treatment or procedure somewhat
inadvisable but does not rule it out.
For example, X-rays in pregnancy are
relatively contraindicated (because of
concern for the developing fetus )
unless the X-rays are absolutely
necessary.
See the entire
definition of Contraindication
Contrast: Short for "contrast
media." Contrast media are
X-ray dyes used to provide contrast, for
example, between blood vessels and other
tissue.
Corpus: The body of the uterus
(womb).
See the entire
definition of Corpus
Corpus callosotomy: The corpus
callosum is a band of nerve fibers
connecting the two halves (hemispheres) of
the brain . A corpus callosotomy is an
operation in which all or part of this
structure is cut, disabling communication
between the hemispheres and preventing the
spread of seizures from one side of the
brain to the other. This procedure,
sometimes called split-brain surgery, is for
patients with extreme forms of
uncontrollable epilepsy who have intense
seizures that can lead to violent falls and
potentially serious injury.
See the entire
definition of Corpus callosotomy
Cortex: The outer portion of an
organ.
See the entire
definition of Cortex
Cortical: Having to do with the
cortex, the outer portion of an organ.
See the entire
definition of Cortical
Cranium: The upper portion of the
skull, which protects the brain. The
bones of the cranium include the
frontal,
parietal,
occipital, temporal, sphenoid, ethmoid,
lacrimal, and
nasal bones; the concha nasalis; and the
vomer.
CT scan: Computerized tomography
scan. Pictures of structures within the body
created by a computer that takes the data
from multiple X-ray images and turns them
into pictures on a screen. CT stands for
computerized tomography.
See the entire
definition of CT scan
Cyanosis: A bluish color of the
skin and the mucous membranes due to
insufficient oxygen in the blood. For
example, the lips may show cyanosis.
Cyanosis can be evident at birth, as in a
"blue baby" who has a heart malformation
that permits blood that is not fully
oxygenated to enter the arterial
circulation. Cyanosis can also appear at any
time later in life.
See the entire
definition of Cyanosis
Diagnosis: 1 The nature of
a disease ; the identification of an
illness. 2 A conclusion or decision
reached by diagnosis. The diagnosis is
rabies . 3 The identification of any
problem. The diagnosis was a plugged IV.
See the entire
definition of Diagnosis
Dilatation: The process of
enlargement or expansion.
See the entire
definition of Dilatation
EEG: Electroencephalogram, e
technique for studying the electrical
current within the brain. Electrodes are
attached to the scalp. Wires attach these
electrodes to a machine which records the
electrical impulses. The results are either
printed out or displayed on a computer
screen. Electroencephalogram is abbreviated
EEG.
See the entire
definition of EEG
Encephalitis: Inflammation of the
brain. Encephalitis occurs, for example, in
1 in 1,000 cases of measles . It may start
(up to 3 weeks) after onset of the measles
rash and present with high fever ,
convulsions, and coma. It usually runs a
blessedly short course with full recovery
within a week. Or it may eventuate in
central nervous system impairment or death.
See the entire
definition of Encephalitis
Epilepsy (seizure disorder): When
nerve cells in the brain fire electrical
impulses at a rate of up to four times
higher than normal, this causes a sort of
electrical storm in the brain, known as a
seizure. A pattern of repeated seizures is
referred to as
epilepsy. Known causes include head
injuries, brain tumors, lead poisoning,
maldevelopment of the brain, genetic and
infectious illnesses. But in fully half of
cases, no cause can be found. Medication
controls seizures for the majority of
patients.
fMRI:
Functional magnetic resonance imaging.
Focal: Pertaining to a focus which
in medicine may refer to:
1. The point at which rays converge
as, for example, in the focal point.
2. A localized area of disease. A
focal cancer is limited to one specific
area.
Gene: The basic biological unit of
heredity . A segment of deoxyribonucleic
acid (DNA) needed to contribute to a
function.
See the entire
definition of Gene
Genetic: Having to do with genes
and genetic information.
Gestation: Period of time from
conception to birth.
Grand mal: A form of epilepsy
characterized by tonic-clonic seizures.
involving two phases -- the tonic phase in
which the body becomes rigid, and clonic
phase in which there is uncontrolled
jerking. Tonic-clonic seizures may or may
not be preceded by an aura , and are often
followed by headache , confusion, and sleep
. They may last for mere seconds, or
continue for several minutes. If a
tonic-clonic seizure does not resolve or if
such seizures follow each other in rapid
succession, seek emergency help. The person
could be in a life-threatening state known
as status epilepticus . Treatment is with
antiseizure medications.
See the entire
definition of Grand mal
Heart: The muscle that pumps blood
received from veins into arteries throughout
the body. It is positioned in the chest
behind the sternum (breastbone; in front of
the trachea, esophagus, and aorta; and above
the diaphragm muscle that separates the
chest and abdominal cavities. The normal
heart is about the size of a closed fist,
and weighs about 10.5 ounces. It is
cone-shaped, with the point of the cone
pointing down to the left. Two-thirds of the
heart lies in the left side of the chest
with the balance in the right chest.
See the entire
definition of Heart
Heart rate: The number of heart
beats per unit time, usually per minute. The
heart rate is based on the number of
contractions of the ventricles (the lower
chambers of the heart). The heart rate may
be too fast ( tachycardia ) or too slow (
bradycardia ). The pulse is bulge of an
artery from the wave of blood coursing
through the blood vessel as a result of the
heart beat. The pulse is often taken at the
wrist to estimate the heart rate.
See the entire
definition of Heart rate
Hoarseness:
Hoarseness is a term referring to
abnormal voice changes. Hoarseness may be
manifested as a voice that sounds breathy,
strained, rough, raspy, or a voice that has
higher or lower pitch. There are many causes
of hoarseness, including viral
laryngitis,
vocal cord nodules, laryngeal
papillomas,
gastroesophageal reflux-related laryngitis,
and environmental irritants (such as
tobacco smoking). An accumulation of
fluid in the vocal cords associated with
hoarseness has been termed Reinke's
edema. Reinke's edema may occur as a
result of cigarette smoking or voice abuse
(prolonged or extended talking or shouting).
Rarely, hoarseness results from serious
conditions such as cancers of the head and
neck region.
Hydrocephalus : Hydrocephalus is
an abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid
(CSF) in the ventricles of the brain. The
fluid is often under increased pressure and
can compress and damage the brain.
See the entire
definition of Hydrocephalus
Implant: 1. To embed; to
set in firmly. In embryology, the fertilized
egg implants in the
uterine lining 6 or 7 days after
conception (fertilization).
In medicine today, many things may be
implanted.
2. That which is embedded. For
example: lens implants, breast implants,
cochlear implants,
defibrillator implants,
pacemaker implants, etc.
Implantation: The act of setting
in firmly.
See the entire
definition of Implantation
Indicate: In medicine, to make a
treatment or procedure advisable because of
a particular
condition or circumstance. For example,
certain medications are indicated for the
treatment of
hypertension during
pregnancy while others are
contraindicated.
Indication: 1. In medicine,
a condition which makes a particular
treatment or procedure advisable.
CML (chronic myeloid
leukemia) is an indication for the use
of Gleevec (imatinib mesylate). 2. A
sign or a circumstance which points to or
shows the cause,
pathology, treatment, or outcome of an
attack of disease. The presence of the
Philadelphia chromosome in peripheral
blood cells is an indication of a
relapse in CML.
Infection: The growth of a
parasitic organism within the body. (A
parasitic organism is one that lives on or
in another organism and draws its
nourishment therefrom.) A person with an
infection has another organism (a "germ")
growing within him, drawing its nourishment
from the person.
See the entire
definition of Infection
Intracranial: Within the cranium ,
the bony dome that houses and protects the
brain.
See the entire
definition of Intracranial
Intractable: Unstoppable. For
example, intractable
diarrhea or intractable pain.
Labor: Childbirth, the aptly-named
experience of delivering the baby and
placenta from the uterus to the vagina to
the outside world. There are two stages of
labor. During the first stage (called the
stage of dilatation), the cervix dilates
fully to a diameter of about 10 cm. In the
second stage (called the stage of
expulsion), the baby moves out through the
cervix and vagina to be born.
See the entire
definition of Labor
Leg: In popular usage, the leg
extends from the top of the thigh down to
the foot. However, in medical terminology,
the leg refers to the portion of the lower
extremity from the knee to the ankle.
See the entire
definition of Leg
Lesion: Pronounced "lee-sion" with
the emphasis on the "lee," a lesion can be
almost any abnormality involving any tissue
or organ due to any disease or any injury.
See the entire
definition of Lesion
Lips: Aside from the lips of the
mouth, there are two pairs of lips at the
entrance to the
vagina. They are the
labia majora (the larger outside pair)
and the
labia minora (the smaller inside pair).
Together they form part of the
vulva (the
female external
genitalia).
Lobe: Part of an organ that
appears to be separate in some way from the
rest. A lobe may be demarcated from the rest
of the organ by a fissure (crack), sulcus
(groove), connective tissue or simply by its
shape. For example, there are the frontal,
parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes of
the brain.
See the entire
definition of Lobe
Lobectomy: An operation done to
remove a lobe of an organ such as the lobe
of a lung or a lobe of the thyroid gland.
See the entire
definition of Lobectomy
Lungs: The lungs are a pair of
breathing organs located with the chest
which remove carbon dioxide from and bring
oxygen to the blood. There is a right and
left lung.
Memory: 1. The ability to
recover information about past events or
knowledge. 2. The process of
recovering information about past events or
knowledge. 3. Cognitive
reconstruction. The brain engages in a
remarkable reshuffling process in an attempt
to extract what is general and what is
particular about each passing moment.
See the entire
definition of Memory
Meningitis: Inflammation of the
meninges, usually due to a bacterial
infection but sometimes from viral,
protozoan, or other causes (in some cases
the cause cannot be determined).
See the entire
definition of Meningitis
Mesial: 1. Toward the
middle. As, for example, a mesial temporal
lobe structure.
2. In dentistry, toward the middle of
the front of the jaw.
See the entire
definition of Mesial
Metabolic: Relating to metabolism,
the whole range of biochemical processes
that occur within us (or any living
organism). Metabolism consists of anabolism
(the buildup of substances) and catabolism
(the breakdown of substances).
See the entire
definition of Metabolic
Mortality: A fatal outcome or, in
one word, death. The word "mortality" is
derived from "mortal" which came from the
Latin "mors" (death). The opposite of
mortality is, of course, immortality.
Mortality is also quite distinct from
morbidity (illness).
See the entire
definition of Mortality
Motor: In medicine, having to do
with the movement of a part of the body.
Something that produces motion or refers to
motion. For example, a motor neuron is a
nerve cell that conveys an impulse to a
muscle causing it to contract. The term
"motor" today is also applied to a nerve
that signals a gland to secrete. Motor is as
opposed to sensory.
Mouth: 1. The upper opening
of the digestive tract, beginning with the
lips and containing the teeth, gums, and
tongue. Foodstuffs are broken down
mechanically in the mouth by chewing and
saliva is added as a lubricant. Saliva
contains amylase, an enzyme that digests
starch. 2. Any opening or aperture in
the body. The mouth in both senses of the
word is also called the os, the Latin word
for an opening, or mouth. The o in os is
pronounced as in hope. The genitive form of
os is oris from which comes the word oral.
MRI: Abbreviation and nickname for
magnetic resonance imaging. For more
information, see:
Magnetic Resonance Imaging;
Paul C. Lauterbur;
Peter Mansfield.
Muscle: Muscle is the tissue of
the body which primarily functions as a
source of power. There are three types of
muscle in the body. Muscle which is
responsible for moving extremities and
external areas of the body is called
"skeletal muscle." Heart muscle is called
"cardiac muscle." Muscle that is in the
walls of arteries and bowel is called
"smooth muscle."
Neck: The part of the body joining
the head to the shoulders. Also, any narrow
or constricted part of a bone or organ that
joins its parts as, for example, the neck of
the femur bone.
See the entire
definition of Neck
Nerve: A bundle of fibers that
uses chemical and electrical signals to
transmit
sensory and
motor information from one body part to
another. See:
Nervous system.
Neurological: Having to do with
the nerves or the nervous system.
Neurosurgeon: A physician trained
in surgery of the nervous system and who
specializes in surgery on the brain and
other parts of the nervous system. Sometimes
called a "brain surgeon."
Occipital: 1. Pertaining to
the
occiput, the back of head.
2. Located near the
occipital bone as, for example, the
occipital lobe of the brain.
Olfactory: Pertaining to
olfaction, the sense of
smell.
Operation: Although there are many
meanings to the word "operation", in
medicine it refers to a surgical procedure.
See the entire
definition of Operation
Oxygen: A colorless, odorless and
tasteless gas that makes up about 20% of the
air we breathe (and at least half the weight
of the entire solid crust of the earth) and
which combines with most of the other
elements to form oxides. Oxygen is essential
to human, animal and plant life.
See the entire
definition of Oxygen
Pain: An unpleasant sensation that
can range from mild, localized discomfort to
agony. Pain has both physical and emotional
components. The physical part of pain
results from nerve stimulation. Pain may be
contained to a discrete area, as in an
injury, or it can be more diffuse, as in
disorders like fibromyalgia . Pain is
mediated by specific nerve fibers that carry
the pain impulses to the brain where their
conscious appreciation may be modified by
many factors.
See the entire
definition of Pain
Paralysis: Loss of voluntary
movement (motor function). Paralysis that
affects only one muscle or limb is partial
paralysis, also known as palsy; paralysis of
all muscles is total paralysis, as may occur
in cases of
botulism.
Pediatric: Pertaining to children.
Petit mal: A form of epilepsy with
very brief, unannounced lapses in
consciousness. A petit mal seizure involves
a brief loss of awareness, which can be
accompanied by blinking or mouth twitching.
Petit mal seizures have a very
characteristic appearance on an
electroencephalogram (EEG).
See the entire
definition of Petit mal
Positron emission tomography: PET.
A highly specialized imaging technique that
uses short-lived radioactive substances to
produce three-dimensional colored images of
those substances functioning within the
body. These images are called PET scans and
the technique is termed PET scanning.
See the entire
definition of Positron emission tomography
Posterior: The back or behind, as
opposed to the anterior.
See the entire
definition of Posterior
Recurrence: The return of a sign,
symptom or disease after a remission. The
reappearance of cancer cells at the same
site or in another location is,
unfortunately, a familiar form of
recurrence.
See the entire
definition of Recurrence
Referral: The recommendation of a
medical or paramedical professional. If you
get a referral to ophthalmology, for
example, you are being sent to the eye
doctor. In HMOs and other managed care
schemes, a referral is usually necessary to
see any practitioner or specialist other
than your primary care physician (PCP), if
you want the service to be covered. The
referral is obtained from your PCP, who may
require a telephone or office consultation
first.
See the entire
definition of Referral
Refractory: Not yielding (at least
not yielding readily) to treatment.
Resection: Surgical removal of
part of an organ.
Resistance: Opposition to
something, or the ability to withstand it.
For example, some forms of staphylococcus
are resistant to treatment with antibiotics.
See the entire
definition of Resistance
Scan: As a noun, the data or image
obtained from the examination of organs or
regions of the body by gathering information
with a sensing device.
See the entire
definition of Scan
Sclerosis: Localized hardening of
skin.
Seizure: Uncontrolled electrical
activity in the brain, which may produce a
physical convulsion, minor physical signs,
thought disturbances, or a combination of
symptoms.
See the entire
definition of Seizure
Seizure disorders: One of a great
many medical conditions that are
characterized by episodes of uncontrolled
electrical activity in the brain (seizures).
Some seizure disorders are hereditary, but
others are caused by birth defects or
environmental hazards, such as lead
poisoning. Seizure disorders are more likely
to develop in patients who have other
neurological disorders, psychiatric
conditions, or immune-system problems. In
some cases, uncontrolled seizures can cause
brain damage, lowered intelligence, and
permanent mental and physical impairment.
Diagnosis is by observation, neurological
examination, electroencephalogram (EEG), and
in some cases more advanced brain imaging
techniques. Treatment is usually by
medication, although in difficult cases a
special diet or brain surgery may be tried.
See the entire
definition of Seizure disorders
Skull: The skull is a collection
of bones which encase the brain and give
form to the head and face. The bones of the
skull include the following: the frontal,
parietal, occipital, temporal, sphenoid,
ethmoid, zygomatic, maxilla, nasal, vomer,
palatine, inferior concha, and mandible.
See the entire
definition of Skull
SPECT: An acronym that stands for
Single Photon Emission
Computed Tomography, a nuclear
medicine procedure in which a gamma camera
rotates around the patient and takes
pictures from many angles, which a computer
then uses to form a tomographic
(cross-sectional) image.
See the entire
definition of SPECT
Status epilepticus: An epileptic
seizure that lasts more than 30 minutes; a
constant or near-constant state of having
seizures. Status epilepticus is a health
crisis, and requires immediate treatment.
See the entire
definition of Status epilepticus
Stomach: 1. The sac-shaped
digestive organ that is located in the upper
abdomen, under the ribs. The upper part of
the stomach connects to the esophagus, and
the lower part leads into the small
intestine.
See the entire
definition of Stomach
Subdural: Below the
dura, the outermost, toughest, and most
fibrous of the three membranes (meninges)
covering the brain and the
spinal cord. An
subdural hematoma is a collection of
blood beneath the dura.
Surgery: The word "surgery" has
multiple meanings. It is the branch of
medicine concerned with diseases and
conditions which require or are amenable to
operative procedures. Surgery is the work
done by a surgeon. By analogy, the work of
an editor wielding his pen as a scalpel is s
form of surgery. A surgery in England (and
some other countries) is a physician's or
dentist's office.
See the entire
definition of Surgery
Sweating: The act of secreting
fluid from the skin by the sweat
(sudoriferous) glands. These are small
tubular glands situated within and under the
skin (in the subcutaneous tissue). They
discharge by tiny openings in the surface of
the skin.
See the entire
definition of Sweating
Temporal: 1. Pertaining to
time, limited in time, temporary, or
transient.
2. Pertaining to the temple region of
the head. The temporal lobe of the brain is
located beneath the temple.
From the Latin tempus which means both time
and the temple of the head.
Temporal lobe: The lobe of the
cerebral hemisphere located down on the side
just forward of the occipital lobe. The
temporal lobe contains the auditory cortex
which is responsible for hearing. It is also
the site of the seizure activity
characteristic of temporal-lobe epilepsy.
Tomography: The process for
generating a tomogram , a two-dimensional
image of a slice or section through a
three-dimensional object. Tomography
achieves this remarkable result by simply
moving an x-ray source in one direction as
the x-ray film is moved in the opposite
direction during the exposure to sharpen
structures in the focal plane, while
structures in other planes appear blurred.
The tomogram is the picture; the tomograph
is the apparatus; and tomography is the
process.
See the entire
definition of Tomography
Trauma: Any injury , whether
physically or emotionally inflicted.
"Trauma" has both a medical and a
psychiatric definition. Medically, "trauma"
refers to a serious or critical bodily
injury, wound, or shock . This definition is
often associated with trauma medicine
practiced in emergency rooms and represents
a popular view of the term. In psychiatry ,
"trauma" has assumed a different meaning and
refers to an experience that is emotionally
painful, distressful, or shocking, which
often results in lasting mental and physical
effects.
See the entire
definition of Trauma
Vagus nerve: A remarkable nerve
that supplies nerve fibers to the pharynx
(throat), larynx ( voice box ), trachea (
windpipe ), lungs , heart , esophagus , and
the intestinal tract as far as the
transverse portion of the colon . The vagus
nerve also brings sensory information back
to the brain from the ear , tongue ,
pharynx, and larynx.
See the entire
definition of Vagus nerve
Vascular: Relating to the blood
vessels of the body. The blood vessels of
the body, as a group, are referred to as the
vascular system.
See the entire
definition of Vascular
Viable: Capable of life. For
example, a viable premature baby is one who
is able to survive outside the womb.
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