| Apnea | to stop breathing intermittently, may be due to compression on the brainstem. |
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| Arachnoid | one of the three membranes covering the brain, appears to resemble a spider web. There are 3 layers of covering of the brain and spinal cord- the pia, arachnoid and dura. |
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| Arachnoiditis | inflammation of the arachnoid |
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| Aspirate | inhaling fluids into the lungs. (Inability to swallow properly can allow fluid into the lungs.) |
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| Ataxia | inability to coordinate movement. Stumbling when walking, or inability to maintain a fluid gait when asked to walk a straight line. |
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| Atrophic | changes in the muscle that create an appearance of being wasted away |
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| Atrophy | wasting away of the muscle, often due to lack of use or inability to exercise a muscle. |
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| Basilar Invagination | the base of the skull and the first cervical vertebra dent inward, causing pressure on the brainstem or upper cervical spinal cord. |
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| Catheter | small, soft plastic tube used to drain fluid. A Foley catheter is often inserted into the bladder for surgery. A shunt catheter can be inserted into a syrinx or the ventricles of the brain. |
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| Cerebellum | the lower part of the brain that lies in the posterior fossa and is responsible for coordination and fluidity of movement. |
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| Cerebrospinal Fluid | clear, water-like fluid that flows around the brain and spinal cord, and acts to cushion the structures. The total CSF volume in an adult is about 150ml (or about 1 pint). |
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| Cervical | pertaining to the neck |
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| CINE MRI |
or CINE MRI flow-study is a special test that looks at the flow of cerebrospinal fluid around the posterior fossa and into the spinal canal.
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| Clonus | abnormal, uncontrolled jerking of the foot when the ankle is jerked upward. |
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| Cranial nerves | a set of 12 nerves in the brain that control motor and sensory functions. |
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| Diplopia | symptom of seeing double, or double vision |
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| Dura Mater | the tough outer covering of the brain. Lies below the skull. |
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| Dysequilibrium | inability to maintain proper balance. Often noted as stumbling or falling to one side. |
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| Dysesthesia | an unpleasant sensation. A symptom of pins and needles or tingling when skin is touched. |
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| Dysphagia | inability to swallow properly. Often leads to aspiration. |
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| Ectopia | abnormal herniation, displacement or hang down of tissue |
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| Electrocautery | a small instrument that uses heat and is used in many surgeries to stop bleeding. |
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| Hemisphere | one half of the upper portion of the brain. |
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| Herniation | abnormal protrusion (or overhang) of tissue. Some MRI reports will read herniation of the tonsils- this means the tonsils are hanging down too far. |
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| Hoffman's sign | (or reflex) an abnormal reflex that is tested by placing the fingers in a neutral position, and (painlessly) flicking the nail of the middle finger. If positive, the other fingers will abnormally flex in response. |
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