click below
click below
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Chapter 14
Chapter 14 Glossary
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Actigraphy Testing | Measures the movement of a limb; the term actigraphy refers to methods utilizing miniaturized sensors translating physical motion into numeric presentation |
Anastomosis | A surgical connection between two (usually hollow) structures |
Chemodenervation | An interruption of messages sent between nerves and muscles by administration of chemical substance |
Chemonucleolysis | Injection of an enzyme to dissolve the gelatinous cushioning material in an intervertebral dis |
Cranioplasty | Surgical repair of a defect or deformity of a skull |
Decompression | When referring to nerves of the spine: Freeing of a pinched nerve, for instance from between adjacent vertebrae |
Encephalocele (Cephalocele, Menigoencephalocele) | Rare disorder in which the bones of the skull do not close completely, creating a gap through which cerebral spinal fluid, brain tissue and the meninges can protrude into a sac-like formation |
Fossa | Any one of three hollows (anterior, middle, and posterior) in the base of the cranium for the lobes of the brain |
F-Wave | A voltage change observed after electrical stimulation is applied to the skin surface above the distal region of a nerve; often used to measure nerve conduction velocity |
H-Reflex | (Hoffman reflex) A reflectory reaction of muscles after electrical stimulation of sensory fibers in their innervating nerves (for example, those located behind the knee) |
Ligation | To tie off |
Meninges | Collective name for the membranes enveloping the central nervous system. The meninges consist of three layers: the dura mater, the arachnoid mater, and the pia mater. Its primary function (along with cerebrospinal fluid) to protect the brain and spinal co |
Meningocele | Protrusion through a bone defect in the vertebrae column, of the meninges covering the spinal cord |
Myelomeningocele | A birth defect in which the backbone and the spinal canal do not close before birth; a type of spina bifida (a developmental birth defect caused by incomplete closure of the embryonic neural tube). The spinal cord and the meninges protrude |
Neuorlytic Agent | Agent used to destroy nerves; for instance alcohol, phenol, etc |
Osteomyelitis | An acute or chronic bone infection |
Spinal tap | Spinal puncture (CPT 62270-62272); a procedure to withdraw cerebrospinal fluid |
Stereotactic Head Frame | A guiding device, positions the head for precise treatment during stereotactic radiosurgery |
Tentorium Cerebelli (Cerebellar Tentorium) | An extension of the dura mater, separates the cerebrum from the cerebellum |
Transection | To divide by cutting transversely, a cross section along a long axis |
Trephination (Treppanning, Trephining, Burr Hole) | Drilling a hole in the skull to expose to dura matter |
Vasospasm | A condition in which the blood vessels spasm, leading to vasoconstriction and possible stroke or other injury; may arise in the context if subarachnoid hemmorrhage |
Zygapophyseal Joint (Z Joint, Paravertebral Facet Joint, Facet Joint) | Located on the posterior spine on each side of the vertebrae where it overlaps the neighboring vertebrae; the fact joints provide stability and give the spine the ability to bend and twist. They are made up of two surfaces of the adjacent vertebrae that a |