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A selection medical terms related to spinal and brain surgery.
analgesics Medication for pain.
angiogram Radiologic study that provides pictures of blood vessels of the brain and spinal cord using injected dye and x-rays.
aneurysm a "bubble," "blister," or "blind pouch" in an otherwise normal artery of the brain that runs a risk of rupturing and bleeding.
astrocytoma brain/spinal cord tumor that arises from astrocyte cells (one type of glial cell [a glue-like structure or tissue] ).
AVM Arterial Venous Malformation -- a tangle of abnormal blood vessels in the brain that may bleed or cause seizures or both. It can be treated by surgical removal, radiation, or "clotting off" of the vessels (embolization) or a combination of these.
bone bank Facility used to obtain bone for implantation.
bone graft Piece of bone used to take the place of removed tissue.
CAT scan A radiologic study using x rays to provide pictures of the brain, spine, or spinal cord. Can also be used for other parts of the body.
diagnosis Determination of the nature and scope of a medical problem.
epidural nerve block spinal injection to the area of a pinched nerve; used to alleviate pain in the distribution of that nerve.
glioma a tumor of the brain/spinal cord that arises from any of several supporting cells (but not nerve cells) of the brain.
herniated disc displacement of the disc (the shock-absorbing pad of tissue between each vertebra) which then pushes against a nerve causing leg and back pain or arm and neck pain.
instrumentation The use of instruments in surgery that may include plating of screws for stabilization.
lamina part of each vertebra that forms the back of the spinal canal.
lumbar laminectomy Back surgery in the lower back region or lamina of the vertebra. Here is a drawing showing a laminectomy.
lumbar laminotomy Back surgery in the lower back region or lamina of the vertebra. Here is a drawing showing a laminotomy.
MRI Radiologic study that provides pictures of the spine, brain, spinal cord without the use of x-rays. Can also be used for other parts of the body.
myelopathy symptoms related to spinal cord compression; typically involves both arms and/or legs including pain, weakness, and coordination. May also affect bowel/bladder control.
radiculopathy Pain in the distribution of a single nerve. Manifested usually as arm or leg pain. Typically from a herniated disc in the back or neck; aka "pinched nerve."
spine Here is an illustration of the bones of the spine (vertebrae) from the front and side.
spinal cord Major bundle of nerves of the central nervous system located in the vertebral canal (back). Click on the drawing to see an enlarged version.
tumor Abnormal mass of cells.
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