A

Abduction: Movement of limbs outward away from the body.
Acute: Having rapid onset, short severe course, severe symptom.
Adduction: Movement of of the limbs toward the midline of the body (Opposite of abduction).
Adhesions: The union of two or more tissue surfaces as a result of a wound or inflammation.
Amyotrophic: Complete loss in activity of muscles.
Anomaly: Something different, pecular or abnormal. Anything with deviation from usual such as presence of an extra finger or absence of a limb or congenital malformation.
Anterior: Pertaining to the front part of the of the body.
Antiemetics: Medication taken to prevent nausea or vomiting.
Apnea: A period of time during which breathing stops or is reduced. Can be noticed by color changes, pallor and/or cyanosis, and lack of chest wall movement.
Arachnoid: The delicate membrane that covers brains and spinal cord (arachnoid mater).
Arachnoiditis: Pain disorder caused by inflammation of the arachnoid membrane.
Arnold Chiari Malformation (CM): Malformation of the brain.
Ascending Tracts: Groups of nerve fibers in the spinal cord that functions to transmit sensory impulses to the brain.
Aseptic: Sterile, without bacteria (living pathogenic organisms are completely absent).
Aseptic Meningitis: A condition caused due to Inflammation of the membranes (meninges) that cover the brain and spinal cord.
Aspiration: The act of drawing a fluid from the body by a suction device. Inspiratory sucking into the of the fluid or foreign body, such as vomit.
Astrocytes: A type of neuroglial cell that connect neurons to blood vessels.
Asymptomatic: Infection without any symptoms.
Ataxia: Inability to coordinate the muscles in voluntary muscular movements.
Atrophy: Wasting away or demunition of the tissues, causing decrease in size of a part of the body because of disease or other influences.
Atypical: Not typical.
Autonomic Nervous System: The part of nervous system that key functions of the body including the activity of the heart muscle.
Axon: A long nerve fiber that transmits the nerve impulse away from a neuron cell body.

B

Barium Swallow: An X ray that uses barium to view the act of swallowing, the esophagus or stomach; can be shown if a person may be aspirating.
Basal Ganglion: Mass of gray matter located deep within a cerebral hemisphere of the brain. Performs important functions in automatic movements of the limbs and in the control of muscle tonus.
Basilar Impression: An invagination (place one part of a structure within the same structure) of the base of the skull into the posterior fossa through compression of the brainstem and cerebellar structure into the foramen magnum.
Bilateral: Something that can be found on the both sides. A patient with bilateral strength means that the patient has equal strength on both sides of his body.
Brain Stem: The lower part of the brain that comprises of the midbrain, pons and medulla, thalamus and hypothalamus.

C

Calamus Sciptorius: Arantius' ventricle, The narrow lower end of the floor of the fourth ventricle of the brain; inferior part of the rhomboid fossa. Located between the restform bodies, it has typical shape of pen.
Canalization Neurulation: Formation of canals or passages at an early stages of embryonic development.
Catheter: A tube specifically designed for insertion into vessels, canals, passageways or body cavities. This tube permit the injection or withdrawal of fluids for test samples. It is also used to keep a passageway open.
Caudal: Pertaining to the tail or hind part.
Central Nervous System (CNS): The part of the nervous system that coordinates the entire nervous system of the body.
Cerebellar Cortex: The outer most layer of the cerebellum.
Cerebellar Speech: An abnormal speech patterns observed in people suffering from diseases of cerebellum.
Cerebellar Tonsils: Two bulges formed at the bottom of the cerebellum.
Cerebellomedullary: Refers to the point, where the cerebellum and the medulla are contained in the brainstem.
Cerebellum: Portion of the brain in the posterior fossa. It functions to coordinate skeletal muscle movement.
Cerebral Aqueduct: A narrow conduit (tube) located between the third and the fourth ventriclesin the midbrain.
Cerebral Cortex: A thin mantle of gray matter covering the surface of each cerebral hemisphere.
Cerebral Hemisphere: One of the large, paired structures that comprises of the cerebrum of the brain.
Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF): Fluid found in the ventricles of the brain, subarachnoid space of the meninges, and the central canal of the spinal cord.
Cerebrum: The largest part of the brain that occupies the upper part of the cranial cavity.
Cervical: Related to the area of the neck, where there are seven cervical vertebrae.
Charcot Joint: A type of infected joint associated with varied conditions; syringomyelia among them, which involves disease or injury to the spinal cord.
Choroid Plexi: An interjoining or network; a vascular proliferation or fringe of the tela choridea (the pia mater brain membrane which covers part of the roof of the fourth ventricle) in one of the cerebral ventricles.
Choroid Plexus: Group of capillaries that lines the ventricles in the brain, these capillaries secrete cerebral spinal fluid.
Chronic: A disease having a long course; not acute.
CINE MRI: A test performed by MRI scanner that looks at the flow of CSF around the cerebellum and into the spinal canal.
Cisterna Magnum: A cavity, dilation of the subarachnoid space located between the cerebellum and the medulla. It is supplied with CSF from the fourth ventricle through the medial foramen of Magendie.
Clonus: A consclusive spasm caused by a series of alternating muscle contractions and partial relaxations.
CM: Chiari malformation.
Coele or Cele: Pertaining to the related to a cavity or space. Generally refered to swelling tumor protrusion.
Congenital: Present at birth, A condition that is congenital is one that is present at birth.
Contraindicated: A practice of medication or procedure that is not advisable. i.e., tetracycline is contraindicated during pregnancy.
Contrast: The visible difference between two areas in an image; it enables the radiologist to observe the details.
Conus medullaris: The lowest end or tail of the spinal cord.
Cranial nerves: Group of 12 nerves in the brain responsible for controlling motor and sensory functions, including swallowing, heart rate, eye movement and smell.
Craniectomy: A procedure that involves excision or removal of part of the skull. CSF: Cerebral spinal fluid.
CT scan: A specialized X ray that captures images around the body that are reconstructed by a computer to give a more detailed view compared to standard X-ray.
Cyanosis: A bluish color of the skin and the mucous membranes caused due to lack of oxygen in the blood.

D

Dandy Walker: A syndrome affecting the infants by hydrocephalus. It is associated with an abnormal closure of the passage at the foramina of Luschka and Magendie.
Decompression: Relieve pressure or to take pressure off.
Diencephalon: Portion of the brain in the third ventricle that comprises of thalamus and hypothalamus.
Diplopia: Double vision; this condition is caused when the two eyes are unable to fix (look at) the same point.
Dissociation of Sensation: The simultaneous preservation of light touch sensation and loss of pain and temperature sensation.
Distal: Movement away from the midline of the body.
Dorsal: Pertaining to the back of the body, same as posterior.
Dura Mater: Tough outer layer of the membranes that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.
Dysarthria: Poorly articulated speech caused by damage to a motor nerve.
Dysequilibrium: Inability to maintain balance.
Dyesthesia: Loss of feeling or sensation. Relieves from sensation of pins and needles, pain experience due to any sensation.
Dysmetria: An inability to fix the range and speed of movement in muscular activity. Rapid and brisk movements are made with more force than required. A symptom of cerebellar disorders.
Dysphagia: Experiencing difficulty in swallowing.
Dysplastic Tonsil: Abnormal development of a cerebellar tonsil.
Dyspnea: Difficulty in breathing that results in air hunger.

E

Ectopia: Malposition or displacement of any organ or structure, congenital or acquired.
Edema: An excessive accumulation of fluid between the tissue spaces.
Elongated: To make or to grow longer.
Enuresis: Involuntary passage of urine, usually during sleep.
Epidural Space: The space between the dura and the bone of the vertebral canal.
Esophagus: A muscular tube that extends from the back of the throat from the pharynx to the stomach.
Excision: To remove or cut away a portion.
Extremity: A limb; an arm or leg.

F

Fascialata graft: A graft covering or repair of tissue with fascia. The fibrous membrane that covers and separates muscles, organs.
Fasciculations: Involuntary contractions, or twitching of groups of muscle fibers, a courser form of muscle contractions than fibrillation.
Filum Terminale: A long slender filament located at the base of the spinal cord.
Foramen: An opening usually in a bone or organ of membrane.
Foramen Magnum: The large hole at the base of the skull which allows passage of the spinal cord.
Foramina of Luschka: An opening or passage ? lateral of the fourth ventricle
Fossa: A depression on the surface at the end of a bone.
Fourth ventricle: The ventricle of the brain that lies between the cerebellum and the brainstem. 

G

Gait: Manner of walking.
Giliogenous: Referred to as of the nature of neuroglia, glia ( The tissue that forms the support element of cells and fibers of the nervous system).
Gliosis: Proliferation or growth by reproduction of the neuroglial tissue in the central nervous system.
Greenstick Fracture: A fracture (bone break) in which the bone is bent but broken only on the outside of the bend.
Gyrus: One of the convolutions of the cerebral hemispheres of the brain. The upraised ridges at the cerebrum.

H

Hemiplegia: Paralysis or severe weakness (paresis) of one side of the body, caused due to injury or disease of the brain or spinal cord.
Hemivertebrae: A congenital absence of half of a vertebra.
Horner Syndrome: An abnormal condition with contraction of the pupil, partial drooping of the eyelid, recession of eyeball back into socket, and sometimes loss of sweating over the affected side of the face, due to paralysis of the cervical sympathetic nerve trunk.
Hydro: Water, or collection of fluid containing water.
Hydrocephalus: An increased accumulation of CSF within the ventricles of the brain, caused due to interference with normal circulation and with absorption of the fluid, especially from destruction of the formation of the foramina of Magendie and Lushka. This condition may also result from developmental anomalies, infection, injury, or brain tumors.
Hydromyelia: Fluid accumulation in the enlarged central canal of the spinal cord.
Hyper: Excessive, or beyond.
Hyperreflexia: Overactive neurological reflexes.
Hypo: Less than, below, or under.
Hypoplasia: Defective development of tissue.
Hyporeflexia: A condition caused due to decrease in the action of the reflexes.
Hypotonia: Loss of muscle tone resulting in reduced tension by relaxation of arteries.

I

ICP: Intercranial pressure.
Idiopathic: Pertaining to conditions without clear cause, as of spontaneous origins.
Impulse: A wave of depolarization transmitted along a nerve fiber or muscle fiber.
Increased Intracranial Pressure (ICP): An increase in CSF production or blockage resulting in pressure on the brain. The skull cannot expand to accommodate the pressure which leads to symptoms.
Inferior: Situated below the surface or part.
Insidious: A disease marked by a lack of symptoms. In such diseases patient is unaware of the onset of the disease.
Interpedicular Spaces: Space between the pedicles of the vertebrae.
Invasive Procedures: A medical procedure that requires entrance into the body as part of the action required.
Ipsilateral: On the same side or affecting the same side of the body. Associated with (paralysis) appearing on the same side of the body as the brain or spinal cord lesion producing them.
Ischemia: Deficiency of blood in a part of the body.

K

Klippel Feil Syndrome: Congenital anomaly characterized by a short wide neck, low hairline, reduction in the number of cervical vertebrae, and fusion of the cervical spine.
Kyphosis: Abnormal curvature of the spine resulting in condition commonly known as hunchback.

L

Laminectomy: The removal of the posterior arch of a vertebra by surgical procedure.
Larynx: Structure located between the trachea and pharynx, which houses the vocal cords.
Lateral: Relating to any particular side of the body.
Lumbar: The lower portion of the spine that comprises of 5 vertebrae.

M

Magnetic Resonance Imagery (MRI): A scanner that uses magnetic energy to give a clear black and white picture of the brain and cervical canal.
Medial: Toward the middle of the body.
Medulla Oblongata: Portion of the brain stem located between the pons and the spinal cord.
Meninges: A group of three membranes which covers the brain and spinal cord.
Meningitis: Infection or swelling of the membrane (meninges).
Meningo: Relates to the meninges, membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
Mesencephalon: The midbrain, one of three primitive cerebral sacs that has been base for development of the copora quadrigemina, the crura cerebri, and the aqueduct of Sylvius.
Microgyri: The smallest cerebral convolutions.
Morvans Chorea type: A condition with irregular and uncontrollable movements.
Myelo: Pertaining to the spinal cord.
Myelodysplasia: Defective formation of the spinal cord.
Myelogram: X-ray inspection of the spinal cord by utilizing radiopaque medium, which is injected into the intrathecal space (area within the spinal cord) of the spine.
Myelomeningocele: Form of spina bifida in which portions of the spinal cord and its membranes protrude through the opening in the vertebral column.
Myelotomy: Surgical severing of nerve fibers of the spinal cord.

N

Necrosis: Death of areas of tissue surrounded by healthy parts that connects the brain and the spinal cord with other parts of the body.
Neurovascular Bundle: Structure comprising of a group of nervous and blood vessel tissues.
Nissen Fundoplication: Asurgical procedure to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hiatus hernia.
Nuchal Rigidity: Muscle stiffness in the back portion of the neck.
Nystagmus: Constant, involuntary and cyclical movement of the eyeball. The movement has no particular direction.

O

Obex: Point in the human brain at which the fourth ventricle narrows to become the central canal of the spinal cord.
Occipital: The back portion of the head.
Occipital Bone: The cup-like bone located at the back of the skull, marked by a large opening known as the foramen magnum.
Opisthotonos: Backward arching of the head, neck or back with stiffness in the complete body.

P

Papilledema: Swelling of the optic nerve at the point from where it enters into the eyeball.
Paraparesis: Partial paralysis affecting the lower limbs.
Paraspinous muscles: Muscles on either side of the spine.
Paresthesia: Abnormal sensation of the skin such as numbness, prickling, and tingling.
Paucity: Lower in number.
Peduncle: A band that connects the part of the brain.
Percutaneous aspiration: Drawing in or out through the skin.
Peritoneum: The membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and covers the visceral organs.
Permeable: Allowing passage for fluid or substances in solution.
Pia Mater: The inner membrane of the meninges which encloses the spinal cord and brain.
Platybasia: An acquired softening of the skull or developmental anomaly of the skull resulting in the floor of the posterior cranial fossa to bulge upward in the region adjacent to the foramen magnum.
Pleural: Thin covering that protects the lungs.
Pleural Space: Space between the lungs and the membranes surrounding the lungs.
Polygyria: Excess of the normal number of convolutions of the brain.
Posterior: Pertaining to the back of the body.
Posterior Fossa: Depression in the back of the skull, where the cerebellum lies.
Posterior Fossa Angiogram: A study of the blood vessel structures located at the back of the brain cerebrum.
Prone: Lying horizontal with face down.
Proprioception: The awareness of posture, movement and changes in equilibrium. It relates to the knowledge of position, weight, and resistance of an object in relation to the body.
Proximal: Closer to the origin or midlin; opposite of distal.
Ptosis: A condition when the upper eyelids droop because of weakness. Often related to the third cranial nerve.

Q

Queckenstedt: A sign used for diagnostic purposes on compression of the veins of the neck, unilaterally or bilaterally. CSF pressure rises rapidly in healthy persons; this disappears when pressure is released.

R

Reflex: An automatic response mediated by the nervous system.
Reflux: A return or backwards flow.
Respiratory Distress: Difficulty breathing and retractions (Noisy congested breathing).
Reticular Formation: Groups of cells and fibers arranged in a diffused network throughout the brain stem.
Rhomboencephalon: A primary division of the embryonic brain that gives rise to the metencephalon and myelencephalon. It comprises of pons, cerebellum, and medullar oblongata. Also known as the hindbrain.

S

Sagittal: A plane or section that divides the body bilaterally.
Scoliosis: A side to side curvature of the vertebral column.
Sensory: Relating to sensation (pain, touch, temperature).
Sheath: A elongated membrane that covers the surface.
Shunt: Passage constructed to divert flow.
Skull Series: X-rays that captures the view of skull from different positions.
Sleep Apnea: Pause of breathing or airflow while sleeping.
SM: Syringomyelia.
Somatosensory Evoked Potentials: A test of the brain performed by electrical stimulation. It helps to observe the reactions of body sensations relating to the body's superficial and deep parts as contrasted to specialized senses such as sight. Responses to these tests is used in evaluations of neurological disorders.
Spasticity: A state of increased tone of a muscle, stiffness.
Spina Bifida: Inability of the spine to close properly during the first month of pregnancy. In severe cases, the spinal cord protrudes through the back.
Stenosis: Narrowing or constriction of a passage.
Stent: A material used for holding tissues in place or provide a support for a grafting or a suturing of two ends of a tissue until healing takes place.
Strabismus: Disorder of the eyes in which the two eyeballs cannot be directed at the same object.
Stridor: A noise or harsh sound made during respiration. It produces a high pitch sound like the howling of the wind. It is caused due to constriction of the air passages.
Subarachanoid Space: The space within the meninges between the arachnoid mater and the pia mater.
Subcutaneous Tissue: Tissue found beneath the skin.
Suboccipital: Areabelow the occipital bone; beneath the back of the head.
Subperiosteal: Beneath the periosteum (the membrane covering of the bones).
Sulcus: A furrow, fissure or depression of the brain.
Supine: Lying with the back or dorsal surface downward.
Sylivan Aqueduct: A narrow canal that passes from the third to the fourth ventricle.
Syncope: A temporary cessation of breathing and circulation (partial or complete ). This condition is due to cerebellar ischemia.
Syringo: Relationship to a tube or fistula (abnormal tube like passage from a normal tube or cavity to a free surface or cavity).
Syringomyelia (SM): A chronic disease of the spinal cord characterized by the development of fluid-filled cavities of surrounding tissues.
Syringotomy: An operation performed to excise a fistula (an abnormal tube-like passage).
Syrinx: A tube, pipe or cavity.

T

Telencephalon: The anterior division or the embryonic endbrain of the prosencephalon from the cerebral hemispheres, corpora striata and the rhinencephalon develop.
Tentorium: A tent-like structure in the brain.
Tethered Cord: A defect in the fusion of the spinal processes and laminas found in the spinal bifida occulta. Sometimes the spinal cord is trapped at the level of the defect and may result in neurologic dysfunction.
Thoracic: Pertaining to the chest.
Tinnitus: A ringing, buzzing or tinkling sound in the ear.
Torticollis: A state of excessive of inadequate muscle tone in the muscles in the neck that control the position of the head. It may be acquired or congenital.
Trachea: A tube-like portion of the respiratory tract that connects the larynx.
Trachea Malasia: Softening of the cartilage of the trachea.
Trophic: Relating to the nourishment; applied to a type of nerve believed to control the growth and nourishment of the parts they enervate (supply).

U

Unilateral: Relating to one side.

V

Ventral: Pertaining to the front or anterior of any structure.
Ventricle: A cavity similar to those of the brain that are filled with cerebrospinal fluid.
Ventriculography: An X-ray used for visualizing the size and shape of the brains ventricles by injecting air to displace the CSF, which normally fills this space.
Ventriculo peritoneal Shunt: A shunt or tube inserted into the ventricles of the brain which us attached to tubing placed into the abdominal or peritoneal cavity to drain excess spinal fluid from the brain.
Ventriculostomy: A neurosurgical procedure performed to establish an opening the third ventricle to relieve hydrocephalus.
Ventriculo-subarachnoid Shunt: A shunt or tube inserted in the space occupied by the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF).
Vermis: Anarrow, wormlike structure between the hemispheres of the cerebellum.
Visceral: Referring to the viscera, the internal organs of the body, specifically those within the chest such as the heart or lungs or abdomen as the liver, pancreas or intestines.

W

Weakness: Lack of strength, also known as muscle fatigue.