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• 10th Cranial Nerve: The vagus nerve, also called cranial nerve X, is the tenth of twelve paired cranial nerves, and is the only nerve that starts in the brainstem. The vagus nerve is responsible for such varied tasks as heart rate, gastrointestinal peristalsis, sweating, and quite a few muscle movements in the mouth, including speech and keeping the larynx open for breathing
• 11th cranial nerve: The eleventh of twelve pairs of cranial nerves. The eleventh cranial nerve is associated with voluntary muscles of the neck - the sternomastoid and trapezius muscles. Also known as the Accessory nerve.
• 12th cranial nerve: Hypoglossal nerve. Important for swallowing (bolus formation) and speech articulation. Located in hypoglossal canal
• 1st cranial nerve: The olfactory nerve, or cranial nerve I, is the first of twelve cranial nerves, and transmits the sense of smell.
• 3-D conformal radiation therapy: With the use of CAT scans, the images are used to develop three-dimensional reconstructions of a patients anatomy. This allows better visualization of the cancer and surrounding normal tissue in three-dimensions which was not feasible with traditional radiation therapy. With this comprehensive ability to identify in three-dimensions the "target" and surrounding normal tissues, radiation beams can be customized for each patient and more precisely aim the radiation beams while avoiding the surrounding normal tissues as much as possible.
• 3rd cranial nerve: The oculomotor nerve is the third of twelve paired cranial nerves. It controls most of the eye's movements, constriction of the pupil, and maintains an open eyelid. (Note: cranial nerves IV and VI also participate in control of eye movement.)
• 3rd ventricle: Of the four connected cavities or ventricles in the brain through which spinal fluid flows, there are two lateral ventricles, one in each cerebral hemisphere. The third ventricle is beneath the corpus callosum and surrounded by the thalamus.
• 4th cranial nerve: (noun) : TROCHLEAR NERVE
• 4th ventricle: See: Fourth Ventricle
• 5th cranial nerve: Also known as the Trigeminal Nerve, it is the fifth of twelve pairs of cranial nerves. The fifth cranial nerve is associated with facial sensation.
• 6th nerve Palsy: Paralysis (palsy) of the abducens nerve, or either of the sixth pair of cranial nerves which are motor nerves, that arise beneath the floor of the fourth ventricle, and supply the lateral rectus muscle of each eye -- called also abducent nerve, sixth cranial nerve.
• 7th cranial nerve: Either of the seventh pair of cranial nerves that supply motor fibers especially to the muscles of the face and jaw and sensory and parasympathetic fibers to the tongue, palate, and fauces -- called also seventh nerve.
• 8th cranial nerve: Of the 12 pairs of cranial nerves present in the brain, the eighth cranial nerve is the vestibulocochlear nerve. The vestibulocochlear nerve has two branches. The cochlear branch is concerned with hearing. The vestibular, with equilibrium
• A-V malformation: A haemangioma or arteriovenous malformation is a tangle of abnormal vessels that forms an abnormal communication between the arterial and venous systems. Most are developmental (congenital). If large enough, they may produce a shunt of sufficient magnitude to raise the cardiac output. AVM's may occur in the brain, brainstem and spinal cord, where they may cause headaches, seizures or bleeding (subarachnoid haemorrhage).
• AAIII: See anaplastic astrocytoma.
• abducens: Either of the sixth pair of cranial nerves which are motor nerves, arise beneath the floor of the fourth ventricle, and supply the lateral rectus muscle of each eye -- called also abducent nerve, sixth cranial nerve.
• abscess: A localized collection of pus buried in tissues, organs or confined spaces.
• absence seizures: A milder type of epileptic activity, occuring throughout the entire brain, causing unconsciousness without causing convulsions. After the seizure, there is no memory of it. An absence seizure begins abruptly and without warning, consists of a period of unconsciousness with a blank stare, and ends abruptly. There is no confusion after the seizure, and the person can usually resume full activity immediately. An absence seizure may be accompanied by chewing movements, rapid breathing, or rhythmic blinking. Absence seizures are short, usually lasting only 2-10 seconds. They are very mild, and may go unnoticed.
• acalculia: The lack or loss of the ability to perform simple arithmetic tasks.
• ACC: Agenesis of the corpus callosum: A congenital abnormality (a birth defect) in which there is partial or complete absence (agenesis) of the corpus callosum, the area of the brain which connects the two cerebral hemispheres (the two halves of the brain). Agenesis of the corpus callosum can occur as a severe syndrome in infancy or childhood, as a milder condition in young adults, or as an asymptomatic incidental finding. If there are symptoms, the first ones are usually seizures followed by feeding problems and delays in holding the head erect, sitting, standing, and walking. The seizures may constitute a very common disorder called infantile spasms. There may also be retardation in mental and physical development and impairment of hand-eye coordination and visual and auditory memory. Hydrocephalus is also a complication. In mild cases, symptoms (such as seizures, repetitive speech, and/or headaches) may not appear for years. Girls with agenesis of the corpus callosum may have a specific condition called Aicardi's syndrome in which there is severe mental retardation, infantile spasms and chorioretinal lacunae. Agenesis of the corpus callosum can occur as an isolated condition or in association with other cerebral anomalies (such as the Arnold-Chiari malformation and Dandy-Walker syndrome, Andermann syndrome with progressive neuropathy, schizencephaly, holoprosencephaly, and migrational anomalies). Agenesis of the corpus callosum is also associated with several chromosome anomalies, including trisomy 13 and trisomy 18. There is no standard course of treatment for agenesis of the corpus callosum. Treatment usually involves management of signs and symptoms such as hydrocephalus and seizures if they occur. The prognosis (outlook) with agenesis of the corpus callosum is variable. The condition does not cause death in the majority of patients. Although many children with the disorder lead normal lives and have average intelligence, careful neuropsychological testing reveals subtle differences in higher cortical function compared to individuals of the same age and education without ACC. Children with agenesis of the corpus callosum accompanied by developmental delay and/or seizure disorders should be screened for metabolic disorders. The mental retardation associated with agenesis of the corpus callosum is not progressive
• accessory nerve: See: 11th cranial nerve
• Accutane: A drug used mainly for acne, however, some think it has anti-angiogenesis capabilities.
• acoustic: relating to the sense or organs of hearing, to sound, or to the science of sounds
• acoustic neuroma: A progressively enlarging, benign tumor, usually within the internal auditory canal. Symptoms, which vary with size and location of the tumor, may include hearing loss, headache, disturbances of balance and gait, facial numbness or pain and tinnitus.
• acoustic schwannoma: See schwannoma.
• acromatopsia: See: Cerebral Achromatopsia
• ACTH: Also known as, corticotropin, a hormone that plays a major role in controlling the body's response to stress
• acuity: Clarity or clearness, especially of the vision.
• adeno carcenoma : See: adenocarcinoma
• adeno carcinoma: See: adenocarcinoma
• adenocarcenoma: See: adenocarcinoma
• adenocarcinoma: Adenocarcinoma is a cancer that originates in glandular tissue.
• adenoma: A benign tumor of a glandular structure or of glandular origin.
• adenoma hypophysis: See: Adenoma. Hypophysis may refer to the Pituitary gland, adenoma is a benign tumor of glandular origin.
• adenomyoma: : a benign tumor composed of muscular and glandular elements
• adenosquamous: adenosquamous carcinoma: A type of cancer that contains two types of cells: squamous cells (thin, flat cells that line certain organs) and gland-like cells.
• adhesion: A condition in which bodily tissues, that are normally separate, grow together. For example, a fibrous band of scar tissue that binds together normally separate anatomical structures. Adhesions sometimes occur after surgery.
• adhesions: Fibrous bands that form between tissues and organs, often as a result of injury during surgery. They may be thought of as internal scar tissue. Adhesions form as a natural part of the body’s healing process after surgery. As part of the process, the body deposits fibrin onto injured tissues. The fibrin acts like a glue to seal the injury and encourage deposition of cellular matrix, but may also cause tissues that should be separate to adhere to one another, held together by an adhesion. Over time, as part of the healing process, the body will either break down the adhesion and replace it with normal tissue or form a permanent adhesion.
• adiadokokinesis: Inability to make movements exhibiting a rapid change of motion (as in quickly rotating the wrist one way and then the other) due to cerebellar dysfunction -- compare DYSDIADOCHOKINESIA
• adipose: Fat or tissue containing fat cells.
• adjuvant : A treatment used in addition to or accompanying another treatment
• aetiology: refers to the causes of diseases or pathologies.
• Agenesis: The failure of an organ to develop during embryonic growth and development. Many forms of agenesis are referred to by individual names, depending on the organ affected. Agenesis of the corpus callosum- failure of the Corpus callosum to develop. See also: ACC
• ageusia: The loss of taste functions of the tongue, particularly the inability to detect sweetness, sourness, bitterness, saltiness, and umami (the taste of monosodium glutamate). Tissue damage to the nerves that support the tongue can cause ageusia. Local damage and inflammation that interferes with the taste buds or local nervous system such as that stemming from radiation therapy, glossitis, tobacco abuse, and denture use also cause ageusia. Other known causes include loss of taste sensitivity from aging (causing a difficulty detecting salty or bitter taste), anxiety disorder, cancer, renal failure and liver failure.
• aicardi syndrome: A rare genetic malformation syndrome characterized by the partial or complete absence the corpus callosum, the presence of retinal abnormalities, and seizures in the form of infantile spasms. Aicardi syndrome is theorized to be caused by a defect on the X chromosome as it has thus far only been observed in girls or in boys with Klinefelter's syndrome. Confirmation of this theory awaits the discover of the gene which causes Aicardi syndrome. Symptoms typically appear before a baby reaches about 5 months of age. Around 500 cases of Aicardi syndrome have been reported worldwide, and almost all reported cases of Aicardi syndrome have been in females.
• alkaloid: Any of numerous usually colorless, complex, and bitter organic bases (as morphine or codeine) containing nitrogen and usually oxygen that occur especially in seed plants.
• alkyl group: (adjective) : having a monovalent organic group with a chemical valence of one and esp. one (as methyl) derived from an alkane (as methane)
• alkylating agent: One of the four main families of chemotherapeutic drugs. Alkylating agents are compounds that by definition replace a hydrogen atom with an alkyl group under physiological conditions and react with DNA to form covalent bonds. These chemical bonds with DNA produce defects in the normal helical structure of the DNA molecule. This process interferes with the regular performance of DNA which ultimately leads to the cell's death.
• alopecia: Absence of the hair from skin areas where it normally is present. In cancer patients, hair loss as a result of chemotherapy or radiation therapy administered to the head. Hair loss from chemotherapy is temporary. Hair loss from radiation is usually permanent.
• alpha-fetoprotein analysis: Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a molecule produced in the developing embryo and fetus. In humans, AFP levels decrease gradually after birth, reaching adult levels by 8 to 12 months. Normal adult AFP levels are low, but detectable; however, AFP has no known function in normal adults. AFP is measured in pregnant women, using maternal blood or amniotic fluid, as a screening test for a subset developmental abnormalities, principally open neural tube defects. It is also measured in pregnant women, other adults, and children, serving as a biomarker to detect a subset of tumors, principally hepatocellular carcinoma and endodermal sinus tumors.
• ameloblastoma: a tumor of the jaw derived from remnants of the embryonic rudiment of tooth enamel -- called also adamantinoma
• amygdala: Amygdala are almond-shaped groups of neurons located deep within the medial temporal lobes of the brain. Shown in research to perform a primary role in the processing and memory of emotional reactions, the amygdalae are considered part of the limbic system.
• anaphase: Chromosome separation stage of mitosis. Chromosomes are aligned at the metaphase plate, the two halves of each chromosome are pulled apart by the spindle apparatus and migrate to the opposite spindle poles.
• anaplasia: A loss of differentiation of cells and of their orientation to one another and to their framework and blood vessels, a characteristic of tumor tissue.
• anaplastic: The condition of having anaplasia.
• anaplastic astrocytoma: A malignant to highly malignant form of astrocytoma that often degenerates into a glioblastoma multiforme, variously classified as a Grade II or Grade III astrocytoma.
• Anaplastic Ependymoma: See: Ependymoma
• anaplastic glioastrocytoma: See anaplastic astrocytoma
• anaplastic medulla blastoma: See: medulla blastoma
• anaplastic neurocytoma: See neurocytoma, anaplastic
• anaplastic oligo-astrocytoma: See mixed glioma and oligo-astrocytoma.
• anaplastic oligodendroglioma: A faster growing form of oligodendroglioma. These tumors arise from the oligodendroglial cells which make up the myelin that insulates nerve fibres. Symptoms of these tumors may include seizures, headache and vision problems. Treatment usually involves surgical removal along with a course of radiation and/or chemotherapy if sub-totally (incompletely) removed.
• anastomosis: An anastomosis is a network of streams that both branch out and reconnect, such as blood vessels or leaf veins. The term is used in medicine, biology, and geology. Pathological anastomosis results from trauma or disease and may involve veins, arteries, or intestines. These are usually referred to as fistulas. In the cases of veins or arteries, traumatic fistulas usually occur between artery and vein.
• anencephalic: Born with an absence of the brain and cranial vault, with the cerebral hemispheres completely missing or greatly reduced in size.
• anencephaly: Anencephaly is a congenital disorder that results from a neural tube defect that occurs when the cephalic (head) end of the neural tube fails to close, usually between the 23rd and 26th day of pregnancy. The result is the absence of a major portion of the brain, skull, and scalp. Children with this disorder are born without a forebrain, the largest part of the brain consisting mainly of the cerebral hemispheres (which include the isocortex, which is responsible for higher level cognition, i.e., thinking). The remaining brain tissue is often exposed - not covered by bone or skin. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) describes the presentation of this condition as follows: A baby born with anencephaly is usually blind, deaf, unconscious, and unable to feel pain. Although some individuals with anencephaly may be born with a main brain stem, the lack of a functioning cerebrum permanently rules out the possibility of ever gaining consciousness. Reflex actions such as breathing and responses to sound or touch may occur.
• aneurism: See: Aneurysm
• aneurysm: A sac formed by the dilatation of the wall of an artery, a vein, or the heart; it is filled with fluid or clotted blood, often forming a pulsating tumor.
• angioblast: 1. A cell in the embryo which develops into blood vessel tissue. 2. An embryonic mesenchymal tissue which differentiates into the blood cells and blood vessels.
• angioblastoma: Hemangioblastoma. See that definition.
• angiogenesis: the growth of new blood vessels from surrounding tissue into growing tissue (anti-angiogenesis: prevention or slowing of such growth)
• angiogenic: Inflected Form(s): plural an·gio·gen·e·ses /-"sEz/ : the formation and differentiation of blood vessels - an·gio·gen·ic /-'jen-ik/ adjective
• angiogenisis inhibitors: Drugs or substances used to prevent the formation of new blood vessels in a tumor, thus cutting off it's blood supply.
• angioglioma: Low grade astrocytoma with hemangioblastoma.
• angiogram: A diagnostic procedure done in the X-ray department to visualize blood vessels following introduction of a contrast material into an artery.
• angiography: The imaging of the blood vessels after injection of a radiopaque substance.
• angioma: Angiomas are benign tumors that are made up of small blood vessels. They usually appear at or near the surface of the skin.
• angiomas: See angioma
• angiosarcoma: a rare malignant vascular tumor (as of the liver or breast)
• anisicoria: See: anisocoria.
• anisocoria: Inequality in the size of the pupils of the eyes
• Annurism: See aneurysm.
• anomaly: Something different, abnormal, peculiar, or not easily classified.
• anosmia: loss or impairment of the sense of smell
• anoxia: (noun) : hypoxia esp. of such severity as to result in permanent damage
• anterior: (adjective) 1 : relating to or situated near or toward the head or toward the part in headless animals most nearly corresponding to the head 2 : situated toward the front of the body : VENTRAL -- used in human anatomy because of the upright posture of humans -- an*te*ri*or*ly (adverb)
• anterior cranial fossa: See: cranial fossa
• anterior pituitary: One of two primary lobes of the pituitary also known as adenohypophysis, the other is known as the posterior lobe(neurohypophysis). The anterior division has about seven cell types, each type producing, generally, a different pituitary hormone, such as growth hormone.
• anti-angiogenesis : Anti-angiogenesis drugs: These drugs, which include angiostatin and Endostatin, halt the process of developing new blood vessels (angiogenesis). Angiostatin is a piece of a larger and very common protein, plasminogen, that the body uses in blood clotting. Endostatin is a piece of a different protein, collagen 18, that is in all blood vessels. Both angiostatin and Endostatin are normally secreted by tumors. It is hoped that they will provide the basis for a new class of agents to treat cancer
• anticardiolipin: : an antibody that is directed against phospholipids and especially cardiolipin and is associated with increased risk for recurring arterial and venous thromboses -- called also anticardiolipin
• anticardiolipin antibodies: Antibodies found in association with systemic lupus erythematosus, antiphospholipid syndrome, and in a variety of other diseases as well as in healthy individuals.
• anticoagulant: Preventing blood clottng or any substance that prevents blood clotting.
• anticonvulsant: anticonvulsants are a diverse group of pharmaceuticals used in controlling seizures.
• antigen: An antigen is a substance that prompts the generation of antibodies and can cause an immune response.
• antineoplastic: 1. Inhibiting or preventing the development of neoplasms. 2. An agent having such properties.
• antineoplastin: See antineoplastic.
• antineoplaston: Antineoplaston (ANP) is a name coined by Stanislaw Burzynski for a group of peptides, derivatives, and mixtures for which he claims anti-cancer activity. For legal reasons Burzynski currently sells his treatments only in the context of clinical trials. Many insurance companies consider antineoplaston therapy to be investigational and unproven and do not cover the cost.
• Anvirzel: An herbal extract purpoted to have general anti-cancer and anti-AIDS effects. Anvirzel is made by Ozelle Pharmaceuticals of Texas.
• aortic dissection: Aortic dissection is a tear in the wall of the aorta that causes blood to flow between the layers of the wall of the aorta and force the layers apart. Aortic dissection is a medical emergency and can quickly lead to death, even with optimal treatment.
• AP: Abbreviation for apothecaries.
• apathy: lack of feeling or emotion
• apex: a narrowed or pointed end of an anatomical structure: as a : the narrow somewhat conical upper part of a lung extending into the root b : the lower pointed end of the heart situated in humans opposite the space between the cartilages of the fifth and sixth ribs on the left side c : the extremity of the root of a tooth
• apex petrous bone on the right side: Petrous...of, relating to, or constituting the exceptionally hard and dense portion of the human temporal bone that contains the internal auditory organs and is a pyramidal process wedged in at the base of the skull between the sphenoid and occipital bones with its lower half exposed on the surface of the skull and pierced by the external auditory meatus.
• aphasia: A defect or loss of the ability to speak or write, loss of ability to understand spoken or written language, due to injury or disease of the brain centers.
• aplastic: Not exhibiting growth or change in structure.
• apoplexy: Apoplexy is an out-dated medical term, which can be used to mean 'bleeding'. It has been used has been used as a synonym for "stroke".
• apoptosis: Apoptosis. Programmed cell death as signalled by the nuclei in normally functioning human and animal cells when age or state of cell health and condition dictates. An active process requiring metabolic activity by the dying cell, often characterised by cleavage of the DNA into fragments that give a so called laddering pattern on gels. Cells that die by apoptosis do not usually elicit the inflammatory responses that are associated with necrosis, though the reasons are not clear. Cancerous cells, however, are unable to experience the normal cell transduction or apoptosis-driven natural cell death process.
• APP: Amyloid precursor protein (APP) is an integral membrane protein expressed in many tissues and concentrated in the synapses of neurons. Its primary function is not known, though it has been implicated as a regulator of synapse formation and neural plasticity. APP is best known and most commonly studied as the precursor molecule whose proteolysis generates amyloid beta, a 39- to 42-amino acid peptide whose amyloid fibrillar form is the primary component of amyloid plaques found in the brains of Alzheimer's disease patients.
• apraxia: The loss or impairment of the ability to execute complex coordinated movements where impairment of the muscles or senses is not the cause.
• aqueduct: a canal or passage in a part or organ
• arachnoid: (noun) : a thin membrane of the brain and spinal cord that lies between the dura mater and the pia mater
• arachnoid brain tumor right rear: See arachnoid.
• arachnoid cyst: Arachnoid cysts are cerebrospinal fluid covered by arachnoidal cells and collagen that may develop between the surface of the brain and the cranial base or on the arachnoid membrane. Arachnoid cysts often are an incidental finding on imaging, and usually, patients are asymptomatic even if the cyst is quite large. The most commonly associated clinical features are headache, calvarial bulging, and seizures. The exact cause of arachnoid cysts is not known, but researchers believe that most cases of arachnoid cysts are developmental malformations that arise from the unexplained splitting or tearing of the arachnoid membrane. According to the medical literature, cases of arachnoid cysts have run in families (familial cases) suggesting that a genetic predisposition may play a role in the development of arachnoid cysts in some individuals. Controversy surrounds the treatment of arachnoid cysts.
• arachnoid granulatin: See Arachnoid Granulations.
• arachnoid granulations: Arachnoid granulations (or arachnoid villi) are small protrusions of the arachnoid (the thin second layer covering the brain) through the dura (the thick outer layer). They protrude into the venous sinuses of the brain, and allow cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to exit the brain, and enter the blood stream. The largest granulations lie along the superior sagittal sinus, a large venous space running from front to back along the centre of the head (on the inside of the skull). They are, however, present along other dural sinuses as well. Smaller granulations are called villi, large calcified ones are referred to as pacchionian bodies. The arachnoid granulations act as one-way valves. Normally, the pressure of the CSF is higher than that of the venous system, so CSF flows through the villi and granulations into the blood. If the pressure is reversed for some reason, fluid will not pass back into the subarachnoid space (of the brain). The reason for this is not known. It has been suggested that the endothelial cells of the venous sinus create vacuoles of CSF, which move through the cell and out into the blood. The importance of arachnoid granulations for the drainage of CSF is controversial. By some accounts, a large portion (perhaps the majority) of CSF is drained through lymphatics associated with extracranial segments of the cranial nerves. A large proportion of CSF is believed to leave the cranial vault through the axons of CN I (olfactory nerve) through their extension through the cribiform plate.
• arachnoid villus: See Arachnoid Granulations
• Aricept: Aricept, or Donepezil, is a acetylcholinesterase inhibitor used to treat patients with Alzheimer's Dementia. Side effects include nausea, diarrhea, muscle cramps, weight gain, insomnia and depression.
• arnold chiari malformation II and bells palsy: Agenesis of the corpus callosum: A congenital abnormality (a birth defect) in which there is partial or complete absence (agenesis) of the corpus callosum, the area of the brain which connects the two cerebral hemispheres (the two halves of the brain). Agenesis of the corpus callosum can occur as a severe syndrome in infancy or childhood, as a milder condition in young adults, or as an asymptomatic incidental finding. If there are symptoms, the first ones are usually seizures followed by feeding problems and delays in holding the head erect, sitting, standing, and walking. The seizures may constitute a very common disorder called infantile spasms. There may also be retardation in mental and physical development and impairment of hand-eye coordination and visual and auditory memory. Hydrocephalus is also a complication. In mild cases, symptoms (such as seizures, repetitive speech, and/or headaches) may not appear for years. Girls with agenesis of the corpus callosum may have a specific condition called Aicardi's syndrome in which there is severe mental retardation, infantile spasms and chorioretinal lacunae. Agenesis of the corpus callosum can occur as an isolated condition or in association with other cerebral anomalies (such as the Arnold-Chiari malformation and Dandy-Walker syndrome, Andermann syndrome with progressive neuropathy, schizencephaly, holoprosencephaly, and migrational anomalies). Agenesis of the corpus callosum is also associated with several chromosome anomalies, including trisomy 13 and trisomy 18. There is no standard course of treatment for agenesis of the corpus callosum. Treatment usually involves management of signs and symptoms such as hydrocephalus and seizures if they occur. The prognosis (outlook) with agenesis of the corpus callosum is variable. The condition does not cause death in the majority of patients. Although many children with the disorder lead normal lives and have average intelligence, careful neuropsychological testing reveals subtle differences in higher cortical function compared to individuals of the same age and education without ACC. Children with agenesis of the corpus callosum accompanied by developmental delay and/or seizure disorders should be screened for metabolic disorders. The mental retardation associated with agenesis of the corpus callosum is not progressive.
• arterial: : of or relating to an artery 2 : relating to or being the bright red blood present in most arteries that has been oxygenated in lungs or gills -- compare VENOUS 3
• arterial venous malformation: See: A-V malformation
• Arterial Venus Malformations: See: A-V malformation
• arteriogram: See: angiogram
• arteriolosclerotic leukoencephalopathy: See: leukoencephalopathy
• artifact: Artifact--Medical Imaging: misrepresentations of tissue structures seen in medical images, distortion or other data error caused by the instrument of observation. Physicians learn to recognize these artifacts to avoid confusing them with real pathology. Can be caused by something as simple as patient movement.
• ASA: acetylsalicylic acid aspirin
• aseptic technique: A method used by microbiologists and clinicians to keep cultures, sterile instruments and media, and people free of microbial contamination.A method used by microbiologists and clinicians to keep cultures, sterile instruments and media, and people free of microbial contamination.
• aster: Aster (cell biology), a star-shaped structure with fibers surrounding the centrosome, formed in the cytoplasm of a cell during mitosis
• astro blastoma: See: astroblastoma
• astroblastoma: An astrocytoma of Grade II; its cells resemble astroblasts with abundant cytoplasm and two or three nuclei.
• astroblastoma multiforme: Astroblastoma. A rare form of cancer characterised by tumours made up of large cells with two or three nuclei.
• astrocyte : (noun) : a star-shaped cell; esp : any comparatively large much-branched neuroglial cell
• astrocytes: A neuroglial (supporting structure of nervous tissue) cell of ectodermal origin (derived from the ectoderm). They are star shaped cells.
• astrocytic neoplasm: Neoplasm. A new growth of tissue serving no physiological function.
• astrocytoma: A tumor composed of astrocytes; it is the most common type of primary brain tumor and is also found throughout the central nervous system.
• astrocytosis: Astrocytosis (astrogliosis) is an abnormal increase in the number of astrocytes due to the destruction of nearby neurons, typically because of hypoglycemia or oxygen deprivation (hypoxia).
• astrogliosis: See: astrocytosis
• asymptomatic: Asymptomatic: Without symptoms. For example, an asymptomatic infection is an infection with no symptoms.
• ataxia: (noun) : an inability to coordinate voluntary muscular movements that is symptomatic of some nervous disorders
• athetosis: athetosis - A derangement marked by ceaseless occurrence of slow, sinuous, writhing movements, especially severe in the hands and performed involuntarily, it may occur after hemiplegia and is then known as posthemiplegic chorea.
• athropathy: Any disease that affects joints.
• ativan: used for a preparation of lorazepam
• atpical: not typical : not like the usual or normal type
• atrophy: A wasting away, a diminution in the size of a cell, tissue, organ or part.
• attenuation: a decrease in the pathogenicity or vitality of a microorganism or in the severity of a disease
• atypia: Atypia is a clinical term for abnormality in a cell.
• atypical: (adjective) : not typical : not like the usual or normal type
• auditory: Of or relating to hearing.
• aura: An aura is the telltale sensation experienced by some people before a seizure. It often manifests as the perception of a strange light, an unpleasant smell or confusing thoughts or experiences. When occurring, auras allow epileptics time to prevent injury to themselves. Auras can also be confused with sudden onset of panic, panic attacks or anxiety attacks creating difficulties in diagnosis. The differential diagnosis of patients who experience symptoms of paresthesias, derealization, dizziness, chest pain, tremors, and palpitations can be quite challenging.
• autonomic: (adjective) 1 a : acting or occurring involuntarily <' reflexes> b : relating to, affecting, or controlled by the autonomic nervous system <' ganglia> 2 : having an effect upon tissue supplied by the autonomic nervous system <' drugs>
• autonomic epilepsy: A form of a simple partial epileptic seizure. Autonomic seizures are accompanied by autonomic symptoms or signs, such as abdominal discomfort or nausea which may rise into the throat (epigastric rising), stomach pain, the rumbling sounds of gas moving in the intestines (borborygmi), belching, flatulence and vomiting. This has sometimes been referred to as abdominal epilepsy. Other symptoms may include pallor, flushing, sweating, hair standing on end (piloerection), dilation of the pupils, alterations in heart rate and respiration, and urination. A few people may experience sexual arousal, penile erection, and orgasm.
• autosomal : (noun) : a chromosome other than a sex chromosome -- au*to*so*mal (adjective)
• av malformation: See: A-V malformation
• avascular: (adjective) : having few or no blood vessels <' necrosis>
• avastin: Bevacizumab (trade name Avastin) drug used in treatment of cancer that targets the angiogenesis pathway. Bevacizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody, and was the first commercially available angiogenesis inhibitor. It stops tumor growth by preventing the formation of new blood vessels by targeting and inhibiting the function of a natural protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) that stimulates new blood vessel formation.
• AVM: See A-V malformation
• axial: Position as it relates to the central nervous system (CNS). Intra-axial is within the CNS, extra-axial is outside the CNS.
• axon: An axon or nerve fiber is a long, slender projection of a nerve cell, or neuron, that conducts electrical impulses away from the neuron's cell body. As bundles, they help make up nerves.
• axonal: Having to do with an usually long and single nerve-cell process that usually conducts impulses away from the cell body.
• Babinski reflex: A reflex movement in which when the sole of the foot is tickled the great toe turns upward instead of downward. This reflex is normal in infancy but indicates damage to the central nervous system (as in the pyramidal tracts) when occurring later in life. Also called Babinski, Babinski sign, Babinski's sign.
• bacterial meningitis: Meningitis is inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. In most of the developed world, the most common bacterial organisms involved are Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis. Staphylococci and gram-negative bacilli are common infective agents in patients who have just had a neurosurgical procedure. Bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency and has a high mortality rate if untreated.
• basal ganglia: The basal ganglia (or basal nuclei) are a group of nuclei in the brain interconnected with the cerebral cortex, thalamus and brainstem. Basal ganglia are associated with a variety of functions: motor control, cognition, emotions, and learning.
• basil ganglia: See: Basal Ganglia
• basil ganglia tumor: See: basal ganglia
• basilar: Of, relating to, or situated at the base, for example, basilar fractures of the skull.
• basilar artery: The basilar artery is one of the arteries that supplies the brain with oxygen-rich blood.
• basophilic: (adjective) : staining readily with or being a basic stain
• BCNU: Also known as carmustine, a lipid-soluble nitrosourea used as a single antineoplastic agent or with other approved chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of cancer. Click here for more information.
• Bell's palsy: Paralysis of the facial nerve producing distortion on one side of the face. An acute weakening of the muscles on one side of the face.
• benigh: See Benign.
• benign: Not cancerous; does not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body.
• benign intracranial hypertension: An abnormal condition that is characterized by increased intracranial pressure, headaches of varying intensity, and papilledema without any demonstrable intracranial lesion and that tends to occur in overweight women from 20 to 50 years of age -- see pseudotumor cerebri.
• benign tumor: A non-cancerous tumor.
• Bevacizumab: See: Avastin
• bilateral: 1 : of, relating to, or affecting the right and left sides of the body or the right and left members of paired organs
• bilateral choroid plexus cyst: A cyst affecting or in the area of both the right and left portions of the choroid plexus.
• biofeedback: Biofeedback is a form of alternative medicine that involves measuring a subject's quantifiable bodily functions such as blood pressure, heart rate, skin temperature, sweat gland activity, and muscle tension, conveying the information to the patient in real-time. This raises the patient's awareness and conscious control of their unconscious physiological activities. By providing the user access to physiological information about which he or she is generally unaware, biofeedback allows users to gain control of physical processes previously considered an automatic response of the autonomous nervous system.
• biopsy: The removal and examination of tissue, cells, or fluids from the living body.
• black tumor: A direct translation of the Latin word, melanoma. See melanoma.
• blastoma: A blastoma is a type of cancer that is caused by malignancies in precursor cells, often called blasts.
• blood brain barrier: An anatomic-physiologic feature of the brain thought to consist of walls of capillaries in the central nervous system and surrounding glial membranes. The blood-brain barrier prevents or slows the passage of some drugs and other chemical compounds, radioactive ions, and disease-causing organisms such as viruses from the blood into the central nervous system.
• blood platelet: Blood platelets. Non-nucleated disk-shaped cells formed in the megakaryocyte and found in the blood of all mammals. They are mainly involved in blood coagulation.
• blue cell tumor: Small blue round cell tumours is a heterogeneous group of malignant neoplasms. These tumors tend to occur in childhood and are very similar in their histologic appearance. Typically, they are undifferentiated, uniform, small round cells with big, hyperchromatic nuclei; hence the name of this group of tumors (hyperchromatic nuclei contain big amounts of DNA, which is dark blue in H-E stain).
• bone scan: Bone scan: A technique to create images of bones on a computer screen or on film. A small amount of radioactive material is injected and travels through the bloodstream. It collects in the bones, especially in abnormal areas of the bones, and is detected by special instrument called a scanner. The image of the bones is recorded on a special film for permanent viewing. Bone scans are used for the detection and monitoring of disorders affecting the bones, including Paget's disease, cancer, infections, and fractures. Bone scanning is also helpful in evaluating joint diseases. Bone scanning can be used to determine the detect and measure the activity of joint disease.
• boron neutron capture therapy: Also known as BNCT, an experimental form of radiation therapy. This is delivered in 1 'shot'. A bornon compound is injected IV before the radiation - this boron accumulates in the tumor cells much more than in normal brain. When hit by the radiation, the boron atoms split, releasing more energy, killing the nearby cells. Click here for more information.
• Boswellia: Boswellia or Indian frankincense is an herb that is derived from the resin of the plant. It is used traditionally to treat arthritis, ulcerative colitis, coughs, sores, snakebite, and asthma. Animal studies show that boswellic acid is a potent 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor that has antiinflammatory and antiarthritic effects.
• boswellic acid: Boswellia is a tree found only in the dry, hilly areas of India. Common name is Indian Frankincense. Boswellic acid is found in the resin of the tree. Boswellic acid has been indicated in the programmed cell death (apoptosis) of cancer cells, including brain cancer cells. It also demonstrates anti-inflammatory action.
• brachy: (combining form) : short
• Brachytherapy: Internal radiation therapy using an implant of radioactive material placed directly into or near the tumor.
• bradycardia: (noun) : relatively slow heart action whether physiological or pathological -- compare TACHYCAR
• bradykinesia: Bradykinesia: Slowed ability to start and continue movements, and impaired ability to adjust the body's position. Can be a symptom of neurological disorders, particularly Parkinson's disease, or a side effect of medications. The word bradykinesia is logically derived from two Greek roots: bradys, slow + kinesis, movement = slow movement, slow motion, slow moving
• BRAIN: (noun) : the portion of the vertebrate central nervous system that constitutes the organ of thought and neural coordination, includes all the higher nervous centers receiving stimuli from the sense organs and interpreting and correlating them to formulate the motor impulses, is made up of neurons and supporting and nutritive structures, is enclosed within the skull, and is continuous with the spinal cord through the foramen magnum
• brain abscess: An abscess affecting the brain as a result of extension of an infection from an adjacent area or through blood-borne infection.
• brain aneurysm: (noun) : a complete ring of arteries at the base of the brain that is formed by the cerebral and communicating arteries and is a site of aneurysms Willis, Thomas (1621-1675), British physician.
• brain blood barrier: An anatomic-physiologic feature of the brain thought to consist of walls of capillaries in the central nervous system and surrounding glial membranes. The blood-brain barrier prevents or slows the passage of some drugs and other chemical compounds, radioactive ions, and disease-causing organisms such as viruses from the blood into the central nervous system.
• brain calcification: See: Calcification
• brain cancer: Brain cancer is the abnormal growth of tissue found inside the skull. There are two types of malignant brain tumors: A primary brain tumor is that which originates in the brain. A metastatic (secondary) brain tumor occurs when cancer cells from other parts of the body - such as the lungs, kidneys, breasts and skin - spread to the brain.
• brain cyst: (noun) 1 : an epidermoid cyst usu. in the brain appearing as a compact shiny flaky mass 2 : a tumor usu. growing in a confined space (as the middle ear) and frequently constituting a sequel to chronic otitis media
• brain gliosis: See: astrocytosis
• brain hygromas: See: Subdural hygroma
• brain lesion: See: Lesion
• brain mapping: The purpose and goal of brain mapping is to advance the understanding of the relationship between structure and function in the human brain. All neuroimaging can be considered part of brain mapping. Brain mapping can be conceived as a higher form of neuroimaging, producing brain images supplemented by the result of additional (imaging or non-imaging) data processing or analysis, such as maps projecting (measures of) behaviour onto brain regions.
• brain mets: See metastasis. Tumors that have metastatized to the brain from another type of cancer in the body.
• brain shunt: (noun) : surgical establishment of a shunt to drain cerebrospinal fluid (as in hydrocephalus) from a ventricle of the brain to the right atrium
• brain stem: The lowest part of the brain, which merges with the spinal cord. It consists of the medulla oblongata, midbrain and pons.
• brain stem angioma: See: Cavernous hemangioma
• brain stem glioma: The brain stem consists of the midbrain, pons, and medulla located deep in the posterior part of the brain. Tumors that arise along these structures are called brain stem gliomas. Most brain stem gliomas occur in the pons (pontine gliomas). Pontine brain stem tumors affect the cranial nerves, causing symptoms related to the nerves that supply the muscles of the eye and ace, and muscles involved in swallowing. These symptoms include double vision, inability to close the eyelids completely, dropping of one side of the face, and difficulty chewing and swallowing. The tumor also affects the "long tracks" of the brain, with resultant weakness of the arms or legs and difficulty with speech and walking. Symptoms usually worsen rapidly because the tumor is fairly aggressive (rapidly growing). Tumors arising in the midbrain usually affect only the nerves supplying the eye muscles. They also block the flow of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, causing headaches and vomiting. Tumors involving the medulla usually cause swallowing problems and weakness of the arms and legs.
• brain tumor: A tumor in the brain. There are too many to generalize to just brain tumor. There are many different types and locations.
• brain tumor amygdala: See: Amygdala
• brain tumor calcification: See: Calcification
• brain tumor calcifications: See: Calcification
• brain tumor classifications: See: WHO Classification
• brain tumor hereditary: See: heredity
• brain tumor symptoms: Some of the symptoms may include headache, blurred vision, vomiting, mental dulling, seizures. Localizing signs of brain dysfunction can occur when when vital areas of the brain that regulate specific functions such as language or motor control are affected.
• brain tumour calcification: See calcification.
• brain ventricle: See: Ventricular system
• brainstem : (noun) : either of the 4th pair of cranial nerves that arise from the dorsal aspect of the brainstem just below the inferior colliculus and supply the superior oblique muscle of the eye with motor fibers
• broca: a brain center associated with the motor control of speech and usually located in the left but sometimes in the right inferior frontal gyrus -- called also Broca's convolution, Broca's gyrus, convolution of Broca
• Bromocriptine: (noun) : a polypeptide alkaloid that is a derivative of ergot and mimics the activity of dopamine in selectively inhibiting prolactin secretion
• BUL BAR PALSY: Progressive weakness and atrophy of the muscles of the tongue, lips, palate, pharynx and larynx, usually occurring in later life; most often caused by motor neuron disease.
• bulbar: of or relating to a bulb ; specifically : involving the medulla oblongata
• bulbar paralysis: Destruction of nerve centers of the medulla oblongata and paralysis of the parts innervated from the medulla with interruption of their functions (as swallowing or speech)
• Burkitt's lymphoma: Also known as undifferentiated lymphoma, it is one type of a group of malignant diseases know as the Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas NHL. These lymphomas are not the same as Hodgkin's Disease and in fact are very similar to the leukemias. The signs and symptoms for a child with Burkitt's usually depends on the site affected by the disease. Often these children have a large abdominal mass with fluid accumulating in their abdomens (called ascites). They usually have pain and vomiting. While this is the more common scenario, the child may have the B-cells present in his bone marrow along with other sites of involvement.
• burkitts: also Burkitt tumor (noun) : BURKITT'S LYMPHOMA
• burkitts lymphoma: Burkitt's lymphoma. A malignant lymphoma that affects primarily the upper and lower jaws, orbit, retroperitoneal tissues situated near the pancreas, kidneys, ovaries, testes, thyroid, adrenal glands, heart, and pleura, that occurs especially in children of central Africa, and that is associated with Epstein-Barr virus.
• butterfly: See: butterfly tumor
• butterfly brain tumor: See: butterfly tumor
• butterfly glioma: See: butterfly glioma astrocytoma
• butterfly glioma astrocytoma: Butterfly glioma. Butterfly refers to the anatomical aspect of the tumor. A "butterfly" glioma (of any grade or type) is one which crosses the corpus callosum from one side to the other and then grows out into the hemisphere on both sides. Robert A. Fink, M. D., F.A.C.S., P. C.
• butterfly tumor: A brain tumor that crosses the corpus callosum to the opposite side yielding a butterfly wing-like appearance.
• butterfly tumour: See: butterfly tumor
• c-1: The first of the seven vertebrae of the neck.
• C. V. A.: Function: abbreviation cerebrovascular accident
• Cabergoline: A drug used to treat different types of medical problems that occur when too much of the hormone prolactin is produced. It can be used to treat certain menstrual problems, fertility problems in men and women, and pituitary prolactinomas (tumors of the pituitary gland).
• calcifed brain tumer: See calcification.
• calcification: Calcification is the process in which the mineral calcium builds up in soft tissue, causing it to harden.
• calcification brain tumor: See: calcification
• calcified : See: Calcification
• calcified brain cyst: See: calcification
• calcified brain mass: See Calcification.
• calcified brain tumor: See calcification.
• calcified brain tumour: See calcification.
• calcified cyst: See: Calcification
• calcified lesion: See: Calcification
• calcified lesion in the brain: See Calcification
• calcified mass: See Calcification.
• calcified mass tumor: See calcification.
• calcified meningioma: See: calcification
• calcified meningiomas: See: meningioma, calcification
• calcified primary brain tumors: See Calcification.
• calcified spot: See: Calcification
• calcified tumor: See Calcification.
• calcified tumors: See Calcification.
• calcinosis: A condition marked by the deposition of calcium salts in various tissues of the body.
• calicified: See: Calcification
• calisfied brain tumor: See calcification.
• calvarium: One of the bones that makes up the vault of the skull (in humans these are the frontal, 2 parietals, occipital and 2 temporals).
• calvarium tumor: Calvarium. One of the bones that makes up the vault of the skull (in humans these are the frontal, 2 parietals, occipital and 2 temporals). A tumor in the area of the calvarium.
• Camptosar: See: Irinotecan
• cancer: A general term referring to the abnormal reproduction of cells in the body. The term covers many malignant tumors affecting many parts of the body.
• carbo platnim chemotherapy: A chemotherapy sometimes used to treat certain types of brain tumors. It is usually administered as an infusion (drip) into the vein through a cannula (a fine tube inserted into the vein). It may also be given through a central line which is inserted under the skin into a vein near the collarbone.
• carboplatin: An alkylating-like chemotherapy agent that contains platinum in its structure. Also called Paraplatin.
• carcinoid: A small yellow tumor derived from argentaffin cells in the gastrointestinal mucosa that secrete serotonin and other catecholamines. Carcinoid tumors spread slowly locally but may metastasize widely.
• carcinoid + white brain disease: Carcinoid. A benign or malignant tumor arising especially from the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract (as in the stomach or appendix).
• carcinoid syndrome: (noun) : a syndrome that is caused by vasoactive substances secreted by carcinoid tumors and is characterized by flushing, cyanosis, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and valvular heart disease
• carcinoma: (noun) : a malignant tumor of epithelial origin -- compare CANCER 1, SARCOMA
• Carmustine: See BCNU.
• carotid: Of, situated near, or involving a carotid artery -- either of the two main arteries that supply blood to the head.
• carotid Duplex: Carotid Duplex. Same as carotid ultrasound. A noninvasive test which uses high-frequency sounds waves to determine extent of blood flow through the carotid arteries in the neck. Used in the evaluation of stoke and TIA symptoms.
• CAT or CT scan: Computerized Axial Tomography. This is an x-ray device linked to a computer that produces an image of a predetermined cross-section of the brain. A special dye material may be injected into the patient's vein prior to the scan to help make any abnormal tissue more evident.
• cataracts: (noun) : a clouding of the lens of the eye or its surrounding transparent membrane that obstructs the passage of light
• catecholamine: Catecholamines are chemical compounds derived from the amino acid tyrosine. The most abundant catecholamines are epinephrine (adrenaline), norepinephrine (noradrenaline) and dopamine. Catecholamines cause general physiological changes that prepare the body for physical activity (fight-or-flight response).
• catheter: (noun) : a tubular medical device for insertion into canals, vessels, passageways, or body cavities usu. to permit injection or withdrawal of fluids or to keep a passage open
• caudate: The one of the four basal ganglia in each cerebral hemisphere that comprises a mass of gray matter in the corpus striatum, forms part of the floor of the lateral ventricle, and is separated from the lentiform nucleus by the internal capsule. Also called caudate nucleus.
• cavernoma: See cavernous hemangioma.
• cavernous: (adjective) 1 : having caverns or cavities 2 of tissue : composed largely of vascular sinuses and capable of dilating with blood to bring about the erection of a body part
• cavernous hemangioma: Cavernous hemangiomas are benign blood vessel tumors which are characterized by slow flow of blood through them. It is typically raised and red or purplish. Occasionally they bleed into the surrounding brain tissue. Cavernomas are readily visible on MRI studies. Not all cavernomas have to be removed. Surgery may be needed if they bleed into the brain or cause seizures which are difficult to control medically.
• cavernous hemangioma of the brain: See: cavernous hemangioma
• cavernous sinus: (noun) : either of a pair of large venous sinuses situated in a groove at the side of the body of the sphenoid bone in the cranial cavity and opening behind into the petrosal sinuses
• cavum: An anatomical recess or hollow: as a) the lower part of the concha of the ear adjoining the origin of the helix b) the nasal cavity
• cavum septum pellucidum: Space enclosed within the laminae of the septum pelludicum, the membranous partition that seperates the frontal horns of the ventricle.
• CCNU: An anticancer drug that belongs to a family of drugs called alkylating agents. Also known as lomustine.
• CCV: Three chemotherapeutic drugs, CCNU (lomustine), cyclophosphamide and vincristine.
• CD68: An antigen (a protein or carbohydrate substance, such as a toxin or enzyme), capable of stimulating an immune response. Dendritic cells are commonly CD68 negative while granulocytic precursors and mast cells may exhibit CD68 positivity.
• CDX-110: CDX-110 is an immunotherapy that targets the tumor specific molecule called EGFRvIII, a functional variant of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a protein that has been well validated as a target for cancer therapy. Unlike EGFR, EGFRvIII is not present in normal tissues, suggesting this target will enable the development of a tumor-specific therapy for cancer patients.
• CELEBREX: used for a preparation of celecoxib
• celecoxib: Celecoxib is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It is a highly selective COX-2 inhibitor. Many studies are ongoing to determine whether celecoxib might be useful in cancer treatment.
• cellularity: The state of a tissue or other mass as regards the number of constituent (component parts) cells.
• centigrade: A measurement of temperature (Celsius or Centigrade) that is commonly used in Europe. Normal body temperature is considered to be 37 degrees Celsius or 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Body temperature can vary 1/2 degree Celsius above or below 37 C and still be considered normal. Body temperature varies with many factors including level of activity. To convert a Fahrenheit temperature to Celsius use: C = (F-32) x 5/9. To convert a Celsius temperature to Fahrenheit use: F = (C x 9/5) + 32.
• central: (adjective) 1 : of or concerning the centrum of a vertebra 2 : of, relating to, or comprising the brain and spinal cord; also : originating within the central nervous system
• Central nervous system: The central nervous system (CNS) contains the majority of the nervous system and consists of the brain and the spinal cord.
• central neuro cytoma: Central neurocytoma. A rare tumor of the spinal cord.
• central neurocytoma: Central neurocytoma is a rare central nervous system tumor typically found in the lateral ventricles and at the septum pellucidum. Central neurocytomas are genetically distinct from oligodendrogliomas and neuroblastomas. Its molecular process of malignant transformation leading to the formation of a tumor is not known.
• centromere: The centromere is a region, often found in the middle of the chromosome, involved in cell division and the control of gene expression. Gene expression is the process by which inheritable information from a gene, such as the DNA sequence, is made into a functional gene product, such as protein or RNA.
• cephalic: Of or pertaining to the head.
• cerebal atrophy: Decrease in size or wasting away of the brain or of the cerebrum.
• cerebal cavernoma: See: cavernous hemangioma
• cerebellar: 1 : of, relating to, or affecting the cerebellum 2 : caused by disease of the cerebellum
• cerebellar hemangioblastoma: A hemangioblastoma of the cerebellum, often cystic.
• Cerebellar Hypoplasia: Cerebellar hypoplasia is a developmental disorder characterized by the incomplete or underdevelopment of the cerebellum. It may be genetic or occur sporadically. There is no standard course of treatment for cerebellar hypoplasia, treatment is symptomatic and supportive. Cerebellar hypoplasia is a progressive disorder.
• cerebellar tumor: A tumor of the cerebellum.
• cerebellopontine angle: (noun) : a region of the brain at the junction of the pons and cerebellum that is a frequent site of tumor formation
• cerebellum: This part of the brain coordinates body movements.
• cerebellum blastoma: Cerebellum: The portion of the brain in the back of the head between the cerebrum and the brain stem. Blastoma: A tumor thought to arise in embryonic tissue. The term "blastoma" is commonly used as part of the name for a tumor as, for examples, in glioblastoma and medulloblastoma (types of brain tumors), hepatoblastoma (a liver tumor), nephroblastoma ( Wilms tumor of the kidney), neuroblastoma (a childhood tumor of neural origin), osteoblastoma (a bone tumor) and retinoblastoma (a tumor of the retina).
• cerebellum tumor: See Cerebellum. See Tumor.
• Cerebral Achromatopsia: Cerebral achromatopsia is a form of acquired color blindness that is caused by damage to the cerebral cortex of the brain, rather than abnormalities in the cells of the eye's retina. It is most frequently caused by physical trauma, hemorrhage or tumor tissue growth.
• cerebral anurysm: Cerebral. Of or pertaining of the cerebrum or the brain. Aneurysm. A sac formed by the dilatation of the wall of an artery, a vein or the heart. The physical signs of arterial aneurysm are the formation of a pulsating tumour and often a bruit (aneurysmal bruit) heard over the swelling. Sometimes there are symptoms from pressure on contiguous parts.
• cerebral aqueduct: channel connecting the third and fourth ventricles of the brain -- called also cerebral aqueduct, sylvian aqueduct Du·bois \d(y)üb-'wä\, Latin (Jacques Jacobus Sylvius) (1478-1555), French anatomist. The teacher of Andreas Vesalius and later his steadfast opponent, Dubois attempted to reconcile the best of classical teachings, principally those of Galen, with contemporary observations. Confident that Galen was omniscient in all matters medical, Dubois published in 1555 a systematic account of anatomy based on Galen's writings. He presented a relatively modern method of numbering branches of vessels, structures, and relationships. One of the structures described therein was the channel connecting the third and fourth ventricles of the brain; although his description was not original, the passage became known as the aqueduct of Sylvius, after Dubois's latinized professional name.
• cerebral atrophy: Cerebral atrophy is a common feature of many of the diseases that affect the brain. Atrophy of any tissue means loss of cells. In brain tissue, atrophy describes a loss of neurons and the connections between them. Atrophy can be generalized, which means that all of the brain has shrunk; or it can be focal, affecting only a limited area of the brain and resulting in a decrease of the functions that area of the brain controls.
• Cerebral Cortex: Cerebral cortex: The outer portion of the cerebrum, a key part of the brain, consisting of layers of nerve cells and the nerve pathways that connect them. The cerebral cortex is responsible for the processes of thought, perception and memory. Nerve cells in the cerebral cortex die in Alzheimer's disease and in a number of other brain disorders. The word "cortex" is Latin for the bark of a tree. The plural of cortex is cortices. The adjective is cortical
• cerebral cysts: A cyst in the cerebrum.
• cerebral edema: An abnormal excess accumulation of serous fluid.
• cerebral hemorrhage : : the bleeding into the tissue of the brain and especially of the cerebrum from a ruptured blood vessel
• cerebral infarction: An area of necrosis in cerebral tissue resulting from obstruction of the local circulation by a thrombus (a clot of blood formed within a blood vessel and remaining attached to its place of origin) or embolus (an abnormal particle ((as an air bubble)) circulating in the blood).
• cerebral neoplasm: See: Neoplasm
• cerebral palsey: A disability resulting from damage to the brain before, during, or shortly after birth and outwardly manifested by muscular incoordination and speech disturbances.
• cerebral palsey athetosis: A nervous disorder that is marked by continual slow movements especially of the extremities and is usually due to a brain lesion.
• cerebral psedu tumor: See pseudo tumor. See cerebral tumor
• cerebral septum pellucidum: See: septum pellucidum
• cerebral tumor: A tumor in the main portion of the brain occupying the upper part of the cranial cavity.
• Cerebri: The brain.
• cerebritis: Cerebritis: Inflammation of the brain
• cerebrospinal fluid: (CSF) The entire surface of central nervous system is bathed by a cerebrospinal fluid, a clear, colorless fluid. The CSF is contained within a system of fluid-filled cavities called ventricles. The Cerebral Spinal fluid has several functions: 1. Protection: the CSF protects the brain from damage by "buffering" the brain. The CSF acts to cushion a blow to the head and lessen the impact. 2. Buoyancy: because the brain is immersed in fluid, the net weight of the brain is reduced from about 1,400 gm to about 50 gm. Therefore, CSF reduces pressure at the base of the brain. 3. Excretion of waste products: the one-way flow from the CSF to the blood takes potentially harmful metabolites, drugs and other substances away from the brain. 4. Endocrine medium for the brain: the CSF serves to transport hormones to other areas of the brain. Hormones released into the CSF can be carried to remote sites of the brain where they may act.
• cerebrovascular accident: sudden diminution or loss of consciousness, sensation, and voluntary motion caused by rupture or obstruction (as by a clot) of a blood vessel of the brain -- called also apoplexy, brain attack, cerebral accident, cerebrovascular accident, -- see LITTLE STROKE
• cerebrovascular disorders: A disorder of or involving the cerebrum and the blood vessels supplying it.
• cerebrum: The main portion of the brain occupying the upper part of the cranial cavity.
• cerenx: Cerenex. Pharmaceutical company which produces Imitrex (sumatriptan), a migraine headache treatment.
• cheilitis: (noun) : inflammation of the lip
• chemosensitivity testing: A lab test in which a piece of the tumor is sent to the lab to be grown in a test tube. It is exposed to many drugs, in an attempt to find the drug that works the best on your particular tumor type. Click here for more information.
• chemotherapeutic: (noun) : an agent used in chemotherapy
• chemotherapeutic index: The ratio of the maximum tolerated dose of a chemical agent used in chemotherapy to its minimum effective dose.
• chemotherapy: Treatment with anticancer drugs. There are many different types and classifications.
• chemotherapy BCNU: See BCNU.
• chiari: (noun) : a condition usu. occurring postpartum and characterized by amenorrhea, galactorrhea, obesity, and atrophy of the uterus and ovaries Chiari, Johann Baptist (1817-1854), German surgeon. Frommel, Richard Julius Ernst (1854-1912), German gynecologist.
• chiari 1 Malformation: The Chiari Malformations are a group of defects of posterior fossa anatomy (a type of defect to the back of the brain stem where it grow in a tapered fashion,growing down the center of the spinal cord), ranging from minor displacement of cerebellar tissue to gross bony defects or cerebellar hypoplasia. While some of these disorders are obvious at birth, others may present to a clinician late in life. In Type I the cerebellar tonsils protrude into the cervical spinal canal without any significant displacement of the brainstem; there is no elongation of the midline cerebellar structure. The upper cervical rami course caudad to exit the spinal column;
• chiari 1 malformations and developmentaldelays: Also known as Arnold Chiari Malformation, this is a benign structural problem affecting the cerebellum. Most children with these malformations who do not have spina bifida will have the form known as type I. Essentially there is extra cerebellum crowding the outlet of the brainstem/spinal cord from the skull on its way to the spinal canal.
• Chiari malformation: Agenesis of the corpus callosum: A congenital abnormality (a birth defect) in which there is partial or complete absence (agenesis) of the corpus callosum, the area of the brain which connects the two cerebral hemispheres (the two halves of the brain). Agenesis of the corpus callosum can occur as a severe syndrome in infancy or childhood, as a milder condition in young adults, or as an asymptomatic incidental finding. If there are symptoms, the first ones are usually seizures followed by feeding problems and delays in holding the head erect, sitting, standing, and walking. The seizures may constitute a very common disorder called infantile spasms. There may also be retardation in mental and physical development and impairment of hand-eye coordination and visual and auditory memory. Hydrocephalus is also a complication. In mild cases, symptoms (such as seizures, repetitive speech, and/or headaches) may not appear for years. Girls with agenesis of the corpus callosum may have a specific condition called Aicardi's syndrome in which there is severe mental retardation, infantile spasms and chorioretinal lacunae. Agenesis of the corpus callosum can occur as an isolated condition or in association with other cerebral anomalies (such as the Arnold-Chiari malformation and Dandy-Walker syndrome, Andermann syndrome with progressive neuropathy, schizencephaly, holoprosencephaly, and migrational anomalies). Agenesis of the corpus callosum is also associated with several chromosome anomalies, including trisomy 13 and trisomy 18. There is no standard course of treatment for agenesis of the corpus callosum. Treatment usually involves management of signs and symptoms such as hydrocephalus and seizures if they occur. The prognosis (outlook) with agenesis of the corpus callosum is variable. The condition does not cause death in the majority of patients. Although many children with the disorder lead normal lives and have average intelligence, careful neuropsychological testing reveals subtle differences in higher cortical function compared to individuals of the same age and education without ACC. Children with agenesis of the corpus callosum accompanied by developmental delay and/or seizure disorders should be screened for metabolic disorders. The mental retardation associated with agenesis of the corpus callosum is not progressive
• chiasm: See Optic Glioma
• chiasma: A crossing or decussation of parts. The optic chiasm refers to the crossing of fibers of the optic nerve, forming the optic tract, that lies on the ventral surface of the brain.
• chiasmal: Of or pertaining to the chiasma.
• chiasmi: See optic chiasm.
• childhood glioma: See glioma.
• chlorophyll: 1 : the green photosynthetic coloring matter of plants found in chloroplasts and made up chiefly of a blue-black ester C55H72MgN4O5 and a dark green ester C55H70MgN4O6 -- called also respectively chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b 2 : a waxy green chlorophyll-containing substance extracted from green plants and used as a coloring agent or deodorant
• cholesteatoma: A skin cyst or pouch that develops from the eardrum and invades the deeper areas of the ear and mastoid bone. While they represent a benign or nonmalignant condition, cholesteatomas are locally invasive and erode the surrounding structures of the ear. They have the potential to erode the bones of hearing (ossicles) behind the eardrum and commonly cause hearing loss.
• cholesteatoma verum: See cholesteatoma.
• cholesterol granuloma: Cholesterol granulomas are a bening condition involving the ear and are not really tumors. Rather, they are a mass of gelatinous material which fills the mastoid and middle ear as the result of hemorrhage of blood into the mastoid and middle ear.
• cholinesterase inhibitor: These are substances which which act to inhibit acetylcholinesterase, the enzyme which breaks down acetylcholine and thus enhance and subsequently prevent transmission of nerve impulses from one nerve cell to another or to a muscle.
• chondrosarcoma: (noun) : a sarcoma containing cartilage cells
• chondrosarcoma): A sarcoma containing cartilage cells rarely arising as a primary neoplasm but more frequently developing as a secondary growth by malignant degeneration of a chondroma.
• chordma: Please see that entry.
• chordoma: Chordoma is a primary malignant bone cancer that occurs in the skull base and spine. Chordomas occurring in the head are sometimes called brain tumors, however they do not actually form from brain cells. Chordomas grow out of the bone but because of their location in the skull, they often touch, compress, or invade critical nearby structures such as the nerves, arteries, dura and brainstem.
• chordoma tumor: See: Chordoma
• Chordomas: See: Chordoma
• chorea: Any of various nervous disorders of infectious or organic origin marked by spasmodic movements of the limbs and facial muscles and by incoordination -- called also Saint Vitus' dance.
• choroid: (noun) : a vascular membrane containing large branched pigment cells that lies between the retina and the sclera of the eye --called also choroid coat
• choroid cyst: Choroid plexus cysts (CPCs) occur within this structure and come from fluid trapped within this spongy layer of cells, much like a soap bubble or a blister. A choroid plexus cyst does NOT cause learning problems or mental retardation and are not cancer. Although it can be scary to hear the two words “cyst” and “brain” in the same sentence, these cysts are not known to cause any problems.
• choroid fissure cyst: See choroid plexus cyst.
• choroid plexis: a highly vascular portion of the pia mater that projects into the ventricles of the brain and is thought to secrete the cerebrospinal fluid
• choroid plexis carcinoma: Choroid Plexus Carcinoma. This tumor, which occurs primarily in children, is the malignant form of the choroid plexus papilloma. It comprises about 10% of all choroid plexus tumors and typically occurs in one of the lateral ventricles.
• choroid plexis cyst: See Choroid Plexis See Cyst
• choroid plexus: Infoldings of blood vessels of the pia mater covered by a thin coat ependymal cells that form tufted projections into the 3rd, 4th and lateral ventricles of the brain. They secrete the cerebrospinal fluid.
• choroid plexus cyst: A pocket of fluid that develops in the Choroid Plexus of, which are bilateral cavities located at the base of the brain near the ventricles. These cavities contain fluid which bathes the spinal cord (via the ventricles) and the brain itself. During a sonogram, a technician will look for any dark spots in the choroid plexus, which indicates a dense mass of fluid or a cyst. Any cyst above 10mm in the second trimester of a pregnancy is cause for concern. About ninety percent of cases of CPCs resolve themselves by the 26th week of pregnancy.
• choroid plexus papilloma: A Choroid plexus papilloma (CPP) is a rare, slow-growing, histologically benign tumor that is commonly located in the ventricular system of the choroid plexus. It may obstruct the cerebrospinal fluid flow, causing increased intracranial pressure. It most commonly affects young children under the age of 5. If it undergoes malignant transformation it is called if is called a choroid plexus carcinoma.
• choroid plexus papiloma: See: Choroid plexus papilloma
• choroidea: a fold of pia mater roofing a ventricle of the brain
• chromatin: Chromatin is the complex combination of DNA, RNA, and protein that makes up chromosomes.
• CI: Abbreviation. Chemotherapeutic index.
• cingulate: See: Cingulate gyrus
• cingulate gyrus: Cingulate gyrus is a ridge in the medial part of the brain. It partially wraps around the corpus callosum. It functions as an integral part of the limbic system, which is involved with emotion formation and processing, learning, and memory.
• cingulate gyrus lesion: See: cingulate gyrus
• circle of willis: (noun) : a complete ring of arteries at the base of the brain that is formed by the cerebral and communicating arteries and is a site of aneurysms Willis, Thomas (1621-1675), British physician.
• cisplatin: Alkylating antineoplastic (chemotherapy drug).
• cistana magna: See cisterna magna.
• cisterna: one of the interconnected flattened vesicles or tubules comprising the endoplasmic reticulum
• cisterna magna: Cisternae. Membrane bounded saccules of the smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi appartus. Operationally might almost be considered as an extra cytoplasmic compartment since substances in the cisternal space will eventually be released to the exterior. The cisterna magna (or cerebellomedullary cistern) is one of three principal openings in the subarachnoid space between the arachnoid and pia mater layers of the meninges surrounding the brain. The openings are collectively referred to as cisterns. The cisterna magna is located between the cerebellum and the dorsal surface of the medulla oblongata. Cerebrospinal fluid produced in the fourth ventricle drains into the cisterna magna via the lateral apertures and median aperture. The two other principal cisterns are the pontine cistern located between the pons and the medulla, and the interpeduncular cistern located between the cerebral peduncles.
• cisternogram: A nuclear scan test using small amounts of radioactive material (radioisotope) injected into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pathway to detect disorders of CSF circulation. Alternative names are radionuclide cisternogram; intrathecal scan; spinal cord scan; CSF flow scan.
• CLA: Conjugated linoleic acid, a compound found in many animal fats and is purported to enhance the immune system, prevent cancer, and burn fat.
• clavicle: bone of the pectoral girdle that links the scapula and sternum, is situated just above the first rib on either side of the neck, and has the form of a narrow elongated S -- called also collarbone
• clinical testing: The stage in the development of a drug product or device that encompasses all human testing. It follows the research and development phase (laboratory testing) and preclinical (animal testing) phase. It is the final step before FDA approval is sought.
• clinical trial: An experimental treatment. There are various types - click here for details. the advantage to brain tumor patients is that some of the most promising treatments are only available in clinical trials.
• CLINOID: As in clinoid process. Any of several processes of the sphenoid bone.
• Clinoid processes: (noun) : any of several processes of the sphenoid bone
• clivus: (noun) : the smooth sloping surface on the upper posterior part of the body of the sphenoid bone supporting the pons and the basilar artery
• clivus bone: The smooth sloping surface on the upper posterior part of the body of the sphenoid bone supporting the pons and the basilar artery.
• Clone: (noun) 1 : the aggregate of the asexually produced progeny of an individual 2 : an individual grown from a single somatic cell of its parent and genetically identical to it -- clon*al (adjective) -- clon*al*ly (adverb)
• clonus: (noun) : a series of alternating contractions and partial relaxations of a muscle that in some nervous diseases occurs in the form of convulsive spasms -- compare TONUS 2
• clot: (noun) : a coagulated mass produced by clotting of blood
• CMS: cm (abbreviation) centimeter
• CNS: Acronym for central nervous system.
• Cofactor: A substance that acts with another substance to bring about certain effects.
• collid: See colloid tumor.
• collid tumor: Also known as myxoma. It is a benign tumor composed of primitive connective tissue cells.
• collimator helmet: A device for obtaining a beam of focused radiation of limited cross section.
• Colloid cyst: A colloid cyst is a cyst containing gelatinous material in the brain. These cysts account for approximately 1% of all intracranial tumors. Symptoms can include headache, vertigo, memory deficits, diplopia, behavioral disturbances and sudden death. The developmental origin is unclear.
• colloidal: 1 : a gelatinous or mucinous substance found in tissues in disease or normally (as in the thyroid) 2 a : a substance consisting of particles that are dispersed throughout another substance and are too small for resolution with an ordinary light microscope but are incapable of passing through a semipermeable membrane b : a mixture (as smoke) consisting of a colloid together with the medium in which it is dispersed
• colonic beta brain tumor: See: Turcot syndrome
• coma: A state of unconsciousnesss from which the patient cannot be aroused even by powerful stimulation.
• commissure: A commissure is the place where two things are joined. The most common usage of the term refers to the brain's commissures, of which there are two: the anterior and the posterior.
• communicating artery: Any of three arteries in the brain that form parts of the circle of Willis: a : one connecting the anterior cerebral arteries -- called also anterior communicating artery b : either of two arteries that occur one on each side of the circle of Willis and connect an internal carotid artery with a posterior cerebral artery -- called also posterior communicating artery.
• communicating hydrocephalus: Hydrocephalus is the condition where the fluid spaces in the brain (Ventricles) become enlarged. One of the three basic types is known as Communicating Hydrocephalus. This is a condition where the Cerebro-Spinal Fluid (CSF) inside of the ventricles communicates or is open to, the fluid spaces surrounding the brain. This type usually occurs as a result of some sort of dysfunction of the absorption channels known as the Arachnoid Villi.
• Compazine: An antiemetic (anti-nausea, anti-vomiting) drug. It is also a tranquilizer.
• complete response: The disappearance of all clinical evidence of disease. Unfortunately, this does not necessarily mean cure, as microscopic metastases may remain undetected, are likely to regrow and become resistant to treatment.
• consciousness: This term is generally used to describe the state or degree of being awake, aware, and responsive to the environment, in contrast to being asleep or in a coma.
• contrast agents: A material comparatively opaque to X rays that is injected into a hollow organ to provide contrast with the surrounding tissue and make possible radiographic and fluoroscopic examination.
• cordoma: See Chordoma
• corona: : the upper portion of a bodily part (as a tooth or the skull
• coronal: (adjective) 1 : of, relating to, or being a corona 2 : lying in the direction of the coronal suture 3 : of or relating to the frontal plane that passes through the long axis of the body
• corpus: noun) 1 : the human or animal body esp. when dead 2 : the main part or body of a bodily structure or organ
• corpus callosum: An arched mass of white matter, found in the depths of the longitudinal fissure, composed of three layers of fibers. The corpus callosum connects the left and right cerebral hemispheres and facilitates communication between the two hemispheres.
• corpus colosum: See corpus callosum.
• cortex: The outer or superficial part of an organ or body structure (as the kidney, adrenal gland, or a hair); especially : the outer layer of gray matter of the cerebrum and cerebellum.
• cortical: Cortical: Having to do with the cortex, the outer portion of an organ. The outer portion of the adrenal gland is called the adrenal cortical part; the outer portion of the cerebrum is the cerebral cortical area (a key part of the brain responsible for higher cortical functions); the outer part of the kidney is the renal cortical portion (it lies just beneath the capsule surrounding the kidney); etc. Cortical is in contrast to the inner portion of the organ which is called the medullary portion. Thus, there is the adrenal medulla; the medulla oblongata of the brain; the renal medulla; etc.
• cortical areas: Often, a cortical area is functionally defined, i.e. its neurons share certain distinguishing functional properties. For example, they are activated by the same category of stimuli or seem to be involved in similar cognitive tasks that are different from the stimuli or tasks that activate neurons in the neighboring areas.
• cortical dysphasia : See: Dysphasia
• cortisol: See Cushing Syndrome
• coumadin: A drug that is used preventing blood clotting (anticoagulant).
• CPT-11: Also known as Irinotecan or Camptosar, it is a topoisomerase inhibitor with anti-tumor activity. Click here for more information.
• CPT-ll: See: Irinotecan
• cranial fossa: Any of the three large depressions in the posterior, middle, and anterior aspects of the floor of the cranial cavity: a : the posterior one that is the largest and deepest of the three and lodges the cerebrum, pons, and medulla oblongata -- called also posterior cranial fossa, posterior fossa b : the middle one that lodges the temporal lobes laterally and the hypothalamus medially -- called also middle cranial fossa, middle fossa c : the anterior one that lodges the frontal lobes -- called also anterior cranial fossa, anterior fossa.
• craniopharyngioma: A tumor arising from cell rests derived from Rathke's Pouch. See also Rathke's pouch.
• craniopharyngiomas: A form of primary brain tumor which develops in the pituitary gland. These tumors often secrete increased quantities of pituitary hormones (e.g. growth hormone) which can result in conditions such as gigantism and acromegaly. They are often benign and rare and comprise less than 5% of childhood brain tumors.
• craniotomy: Any operation on the cranium. Incision into the cranium.
• cranium: (noun) : SKULLspecif : BRAINCASE
• creatine: Creatine is a nitrogenous organic acid that occurs naturally in vertebrates and helps to supply energy to muscle.
• creutzfeldt jacob: Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease. A rare progressive fatal encephalopathy now usually considered to be caused by a prion and marked by the development of porous brain tissue, premature dementia in middle age, and gradual loss of muscular coordination -- called also Jakob-Creutzfeldt disease.
• Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease: A rare, usually fatal, transmissible spongiform encephalopathy occuring in middle life in which there is partial degeneration of the pyramidal and extrapyramidal systems accompanied by progressive dementia and sometimes wasting of the muscles, tremor, athetosis and spastic dysarthria.
• CSF: Cererbrospinal fluid. The fluid that the brain floats in inside the skull.
• CT: Abbreviation. 1 circulation time. 2 coated tablet. 3 ompressed tablet. 4 computed tomography; computerized tomography.
• Cushing's syndrome: A disease caused by an excess of cortisol production or by excessive use of cortisol or other similar steroid (glucocorticoid) hormones. Cortisol excess produces significant and serious change in the appearance and health of affected individuals. Depending on the cause and duration of the Cushing's Syndrome, some people may have more dramatic changes, some might look more masculinized, some may have more blood pressure or weight changes. General physical features include a tendency to gain weight, especially on the abdomen, face (moon face), neck and upper back (buffalo hump); thinning and weakness of the muscles of the upper arms and upper legs; thinning of the skin, with easy bruising and pink or purple stretch marks (striae) on the abdomen, thighs, breasts and shoulders; increased acne, facial hair growth, and scalp hair loss in women; sometimes a ruddy complexion on the face and neck; often a skin darkening (acanthosis) on the neck. Children will show obesity and poor growth in height.
• Cushings Syndrome: See: Cushing's Syndrome
• CVA: cerebrovascular accident
• cyberknife: CyberKnife is the name of a frameless robotic radiosurgery system invented by John R. Adler, a Stanford University Professor of Neurosurgery and Radiation Oncology. The two main elements of the CyberKnife are (1) the radiation produced from a small linear particle accelerator and (2) a robotic arm which allows the energy to be directed at any part of the body from any direction.
• Cyclophosphamide: (noun) : an immunosuppressive and antineoplastic drug used in the treatment of lymphomas and some leukemias -- see CYTOXAN
• cyst: Sac or bladder. Any closed cavity or sac, normal or abnormal, lined by epithelium (the covering of internal and external surfaces of the body), and one that contains a liquid or semisolid material.
• cyst amygdala: See: Amygdala
• cystic: (adjective) 1 : relating to, composed of, or containing cysts 2 : of or relating to the urinary bladder or the gallbladder 3 : enclosed in a cyst
• cystic astrocytoma: An older name for pilocytic astrocytoma. Please see that entry.
• cystic glioma: (adjective) 1 : relating to, composed of, or containing cysts
• cystis hygroma: A very rare condition that can range in its severity. It is a benign tumor which is often congenital ( present at birth ) and probably results from faulty development of the Lymphatic system during the development stages of the unborn baby. More than half of all the cases affect the head and neck region and can extend to the chest and armpit, it can also occur elsewhere in the body. In most cases it requires surgery to keep it under control.
• cystoscopy: a medical procedure involving examination of the urinary tract and possible removal of tissue samples or tumors with a specialized piece of equipment called a cystoscope
• cysts: an enclosed cavity or sac lined by epithelium that often contains fluid or semi-solid material
• cytoma: cell tumor
• cytoplasm: All of the substance of a cell other than the nucleus.
• cytoreductive: Reducing the number of cells as in surgery for a tumor; also known as debulking.
• cytotoxic: Cytotoxicity is the quality of being toxic to cells.
• cytoxan: Trademark name for a preparation of cyclophosphamide, an immunosuppressive and antineoplastic drug C7H15Cl2N2O2P used in the treatment of lymphomas and some leukemias.
• cytoxin: Cytotoxin. Any substance that poisons living cells.
• d and c: D&C (abbreviation) dilation and curettage
• dacryocystorhinostomy: Dacryocystorhinostomy. Surgical opening of the lacrimal sac for external drainage of an obstructed duct in the nose.
• Dandy Walker syndrome: See Agenesis of the corpus callosum
• dandy walker syndrome with hydrocephaly: The Dandy-Walker Malformation involves several abnormalities of brain development. It was first described by Dandy and Blackfan in 1914. The malformation is characterized by incomplete formation of the cerebellar vermis, dilation of the fourth ventricle, and enlargement of the posterior fossa. Hydrocephalus occurs as a result of an abnormal increase in the amount of cerebrospinal fluid within the cranial cavity, and is sometimes caused by the abnormalities seen in Dandy Walker malformation.
• Dandy-walker : Dandy-Walker syndrome (DWS), or Dandy-Walker complex, is a congenital brain malformation involving the cerebellum and the fluid filled spaces around it. The key features of this syndrome are an enlargement of the fourth ventricle, the space containing cerebrospinal fluid between the medulla and the cerebellum, a partial or complete absence of the cerebellar vermis, the posterior midline area of cerebellar cortex responsible for coordination of the axial musculature, and cyst formation near the internal base of the skull. The syndrome can appear dramatically or develop unnoticed. Symptoms, which often occur in early infancy, include slow motor development and progressive enlargement of the skull. In older children, symptoms of increased intracranial pressure such as irritability, vomiting and convulsions and signs of cerebellar dysfunction such as unsteadiness, lack of muscle coordination or jerky movements of the eyes may occur. Other symptoms include increased head circumference, bulging at the back of the skull, problems with the nerves that control the eyes, face and neck, and abnormal breathing patterns.
• DCVax: DCVax®-Brain is an experimental cellular therapy designed to create a specific immune response against a patient’s cancer. DCVax®-Brain utilizes a patient’s own dendritic cells (DC), and an extract of the patient’s own tumor cells to achieve an immune response. DCVax®-Brain is usually manufactured in sufficient quantities for treatment of at least one year, and often for two or more years.
• debulk: Removal of a major portions of the material that composes a lesion, as removal of most of the tumor so that there is less tumor load for subsequent treatment. Also called cytoreductive surgery.
• debulking: See debulk.
• Decadron: A brand name of dexamethasone. Please see that entry. Decadron is made by Merck.
• deep vein thrombosis: The presence of a thrombus in a vein.
• deficit: A lack or deficiency.
• degree: A grade or rank within a series. The extent, intensity or scope of something.
• dehiscence: Wound dehiscence is the premature "bursting" open of a wound along surgical suture. It is a surgical complication that results from poor wound healing. Risk factors are age, diabetes, poor knotting/grabbing of stitches and trauma to the wound after surgery.
• Dementia: (noun) : a condition of deteriorated mentality that is characterized by marked decline from the individual's former intellectual level and often by emotional apathy -- compare AMENTIA
• demyelanation: the state resulting from the loss or destruction of myelin ; also : the process of such loss or destruction
• demyelinating: Causing or characterized by the loss or destruction of myelin -- a soft white somewhat fatty material that forms a sheath about the core of a myelinated nerve fiber.
• demyelination: The degeneration of myelin sheaths around the axonal portion of the neuron.
• demylenation: Demyelination. The state resulting from the loss or destruction of myelin; also : the process of such loss or destruction.
• dendrite: Dendrites are the branched projections of a neuron that act to conduct the electrical stimulation received from other neural cells to the cell body.
• dendritic: Any of the usually branching protoplasmic processes that conduct impulses toward the body of a nerve cell.
• dendritic cell : Cells that recognise and act against invading antigens of the lymphoid and hemopoietic systems and skin. They are also called interdigitating, reticular, and veiled cells. They function morphologically and phenotypically by presenting or processing antigens, thereby stimulating cellular immunity.
• dendritic cell immunotherapy: A therapy that uses the manipulation of the dendritic cell to trigger an immune response by helping T-cells recognize and attack particular abnormal cell growth.
• depakote: an antiseizure medication
• depression: (noun) 1 : a displacement downward or inward <' of the jaw> 2 : an act of depressing or a state of being depressed: as a (1) : a state of feeling sad (2) : a psychoneurotic or psychotic disorder marked esp. by sadness, inactivity, difficulty with thinking and concentration, a significant increase or decrease in appetite and time spent sleeping, feelings of dejection and hopelessness, and sometimes suicidal thoughts or an attempt to commit suicide b : a reduction in functional activity, amount, quality, or force <' of autonomic function>
• dermatoid: Skinlike.
• dermatoid cysts: See dermoid cyst.
• dermatoid tumor: See dermoid cyst.
• dermoid: 1 : made up of cutaneous elements and especially ectodermal derivatives 2 : resembling skin
• dermoid cyst: : a cystic tumor often of the ovary that contains skin and skin derivatives (as hair or teeth) -- called also dermoid
• dermoid cyst: A benign developmental anomaly composed of mesoderm and ectoderm and my contain hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and sweat glands. These lesions are midline, painless masses, typically found in the submental region. These may be distinguished from a thyroglossal duct cyst in that they do not elevate with tongue protrusion. Although they are typically located below the mylohyoid muscle, these lesions may be found above this muscle to be seen in the anterior floor of mouth, resembling a ranula. Treatment is surgical excision.
• dermoid tumor: Dermoid: Also called a dermoid cyst of the ovary, this is a bizarre tumor, usually benign, in the ovary that typically contains a diversity of tissues including hair, teeth, bone, thyroid, etc. A dermoid cyst develops from a totipotential germ cell (a primary oocyte) that is retained within the egg sac (ovary). Being totipotential, that cell can give rise to all orders of cells necessary to form mature tissues and often recognizable structures such as hair, bone and sebaceous (oily) material, neural tissue and teeth. Dermoid cysts may occur at any age but the prime age of detection is in the childbearing years. The average age is 30. Up to 15% of women with ovarian teratomas have them in both ovaries. Dermoid cysts can range in size from a centimeter (less than a half inch) up to 45 cm (about 17 inches) in diameter. These cysts can cause the ovary to twist (torsion) and imperil its blood supply. The larger the dermoid cyst, the greater the risk of rupture with spillage of the greasy contents which can create problems with adhesions, pain etc. Although the large majority (about 98%) of these tumors are benign, the remaining fraction (about 2%) becomes cancerous (malignant). Removal of the dermoid cyst is usually the treatment of choice. This can be done by laparotomy (open surgery) or laparoscopy (with a scope). Torsion (twisting) of the ovary by the cyst is an emergency and calls for urgent surgery. Dermoid cysts of the ovary are also called ovarian teratomas
• desmoplastic: carcinoid of small bowel or colon
• desmoplastic tumor: Desmoplastic: This term refers to the growth of fibrous or connective tissue. Some tumors elicit a desmoplastic reaction, the pervasive growth of dense fibrous tissue around the tumor. Scar tissue (adhesion) within the abdomen after abdominal surgery is another type of desmoplastic reaction. "Desmo-" comes from the Greek "desmos" meaning "a fetter or band" and "-plastic" is also borrowed from the Greek, from "plassein" meaning "to form" = to form a band or fetter.
• dexamethasone: A commonly prescribed drug used to decrease the swelling in brain tissue caused by a brain tumor. Dexamethasone is a powerful medication that falls into the class of steroids known as glucocorticosteroids. These drugs differ from anabolic steroids (those sometimes abused by athletes) and sex steroids (such as estrogen or testosterone). Glucocorticosteroids are used to treat many medical conditions, including brain tumors. Decadron is used most frequently for brain tumors because it seems to offer the best balance of benefits versus side-effects and imitates the body’s own production of cortisone. It helps minimize the swelling that can cause headaches, nausea, vomiting or a weakness. Short and Long-term: Increased appetite, weight gain, fluid retention, personality changes that may be noted by the patient or family (feeling of well-being, sadness, meanness, psychosis), stomach pain, stomach and intestinal ulcers, and diabetes. Whenever a doctor places a patient with a brain tumor on Decadron, the goal is to get that patient off the medication as soon as possible. The decision to decrease the dosage gradually is based on the patient’s progress. Some patients are off Decadron within a week of surgery, while others require the medication for years.
• diabetes: (noun) : any of various abnormal conditions characterized by the secretion and excretion of excessive amounts of urine; esp : DIABETES MELLITUS
• diagnosis: 1. The determination of the nature of a case of disease. 2. The art of distinguishing one disease from another.
• diaphragma: (noun) : a small horizontal fold of the dura mater that roofs over the sella turcica and is pierced by a small opening for the infundibulum
• diencephalon: The diencephalon (or interbrain) is the region of the brain that includes the thalamus, hypothalamus, epithalamus, prethalamus or subthalamus and pretectum. The diencephalon is located at the midline of the brain.
• differentiated: (verb) 1 : to constitute a difference that distinguishes 2 a : to cause differentiation of in the course of development b : to undergo differentiation 3 : to sense, recognize, or give expression to a difference (as in stimuli) 4 : to cause differentiation in (a specimen for microscopic examination) by staining
• diffuse: 1. Not definitely limited or localized; widely distributed. 2. To pass through or to spread widely through a tissue or structure.
• diffuse cerebral gliomatosis: See: Gliomatosis cerebri
• diffuse pontine glioma: A diffuse pontine glioma or brainstem glioma is a high-grade, or malignant, tumor. This type of tumor arises in the glial (supportive) tissue of the lowest, stem-like part of the brain, which controls many vital functions. Diffuse pontine gliomas account for 10-15 percent of all childhood central nervous system tumors. The median age at diagnosis is 5 to 9 years old, and these tumors occur with equal frequency in boys and girls. There are no known factors or conditions that predispose an individual to the development of diffuse pontine gliomas. Diffuse pontine gliomas generally have a short duration (median 1 month) of symptoms prior to diagnosis, reflecting the rapid growth of these tumors. The following are the most common symptoms of a diffuse pontine glioma; however, each child may experience symptoms differently. Rapidly developing inability to control eye movements, facial expressions, chewing and swallowing, due to problems in the cranial nerves Weakness in the arms and legs Impaired ability to walk Hydrocephalus (build up of fluid pressure in the brain) Symptoms of increased pressure within the brain such as headache (generally upon awakening in the morning), vomiting, or fatigue.
• Dilantin: A medicine given as an anticonvulsant (helps in controlling seizures).
• dilatation: Dilatation: The process of enlargement or expansion. For example, dilatation of the eye is the process by which the pupil is temporarily enlarged with special (mydriatic) eye drops. This allows the eye care specialist to better view the inside of the eye. The word "dilation" means the same thing as "dilatation". Both come from the Latin "dilatare" meaning "to enlarge or expand."
• diplopia: The perception of two images of a single object.
• disorder: A derangement or abnormality of function, a morbid physical or mental state.
• dissection: The exposure of several parts of an animal for scientific examination.
• DNET: The dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor (DNT) is a rare, recently recognized neoplasm, characterized by a mixed glial-neuronal cell proliferation.
• doctor: (verb) 1 a : to give medical treatment to b : to practice medicine
• dopamine: A monoamine that occurs especially as a neurotransmitter in the brain.
• dorment: Not active.
• dorsal: being or located near, on, or toward the upper surface of an animal (as a quadruped) opposite the lower or ventral surface b : being or located near, on, or toward the back or posterior part of the human body
• dose level: Typically, the amount of a drug or chemotherapy given at a point in time. For example, 400 mg. (dose level) once a day.
• double-vision: When you see 2 of everything. Usually caused by inability of both eyes to point exactly at the same target.
• doxorubicin: An antibiotic obtained from the bacterium Streptomyces peucetius, used as an anticancer drug.
• drainage : (noun) : the act or process of drawing off fluids from a cavity or wound by means of suction or gravity
• dropping: dropped; drop*ping (verb) 1 : to fall in drops 2 of an animal : to give birth to 3 : to take (a drug) orally <' acid>
• dura: The outermost, toughest and most fibrous of the three meninges covering the brain and spinal cord.
• dura mater: (noun) : the tough fibrous membrane lined with endothelium on the inner surface that envelops the brain and spinal cord external to the arachnoid and pia mater, that in the cranium closely lines the bone, does not dip down between the convolutions, and contains numerous blood vessels and venous sinuses, and that in the spinal cord is separated from the bone by a considerable space and contains no venous sinuses -- called also dura
• dural: (adjective) : of or relating to the dura mater
• dx: Abbreviation for the term diagnosis.
• dysarthria: (noun) : difficulty in articulating words due to disease of the central nervous system -- compare DYSPHASIA
• dysdiadochokinesia: (noun) : impairment of the ability to make movements exhibiting a rapid change of motion that is caused by cerebellar dysfunction -- compare ADIADOKOKINESIS
• dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial: Most commonly located in a temporal or frontal lobe of the cerebrum and similar in behavior to the oligodendroglioma, the DNT is a slow-growing, grade I tumor, and occurs in both adults and children.
• dysequilibrum: Disequilibrium. Loss or lack of equilibrium.
• dysphasia: (noun) : loss of or deficiency in the power to use or understand language as a result of injury to or disease of the brain -- compare DYSARTHRIA
• dysplasia: Abnormal growth or development (as of organs or cells); broadly : abnormal anatomic structure due to such growth. The adjective of dysplasia is dysplastic.
• dyspnea: Difficult or labored respiration.
• dysrhythmia: A disturbance of rhythm. It usually refers to an abnormal heart rhythm or it can also mean a disturbance or irregularity in the rhythm of the brain waves.
• dystonia: a state of disordered tone (healthy vigor)of tissues (as of muscle)

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