A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
Acoustic neuroma - Benign tumor of the hearing nerve
(eighth nerve).
Acromegaly - Chronic disorder that is characterized
by a gradual and permanent enlargement of the lower jaw, hands,
feet, abdominal organs, nose, lips, and tongue that is due to
the excessive secretion of the growth hormone.
Action tremor - A type of tremor that occurs during
voluntary movements, such as lifting a cup to one's mouth.
Activa Tremor Control Therapy - The therapy uses an
implanted device to deliver mild electrical stimulation to block
the brain signals that cause tremor. The therapy stimulates the
target nuclei in the thalamus via an insulated wire lead with
electrodes that are surgically implanted in the brain and connected
to a pulse generator that is implanted near the collarbone. The
stimulation level can be adjusted to get the most possible tremor
control with minimal side effects.
Acute - Severe, for a short time.
Adenocarcinoma - Cancer arising from secretory cells,
often in a gland. Breast and pancreatic cancers are usually adenocarcinomas.
AEDs - Antiepileptic drugs.
Afferent Neuron - Transmitting impulses to the central
nervous system.
Allograft Bone - Sterile bone derived from another
human which is used for grafting procedures.
Analgesia - Loss of sensibility to pain, loss of response
to a painful stimulus.
Anesthetics - Modern anesthetics are designed to keep
the patient comfortable and pain free during surgery. Local anesthetics
are injections near the procedure site. Locals work by blocking
the pain signals sent to the brain. General anesthetics temporarily
affect the nervous system by disabling nerve impulses. In other
words, the patient is asleep and pain free. For open back procedures,
general anesthetics are primarily used.
Anesthesiologist - Physician who administers pain-killing
medications during surgery.
Aneurysm - An abnormal blood-filled dilation of a blood
vessel resulting from disease of the vessel wall.
Angiogram - A study which shows the blood vessels leading
to, and in the brain, by injecting a dye or contrast substance
through a catheter placed in the artery in the leg..
Anterior - The front portion of the body. It is often
used to indicate the position of one structure relative to another.
Annulus Fibrosus - The outer, fibrous, ring-like portion
of an intervertebral disc.
Anterolateral - Situated or occurring in front of and
to the side.
Aphasia - A loss or impairment of the power to use
or comprehend words resulting from a brain lesion.
Arachnoid - Delicate, web-like middle layer of membranes
that cover the brain and spinal cord.
Arachnoiditis - Infrlammation of the arachnoid membrane.
Arteriovenous malformation - An anatomical abnormality
in the arteries or veins in or around the brain which may cause
hemorrhage or seizures.
Arthralgia - Joint pain.
Arthritis - Inflammation of a joint usually characterized
by swelling, pain and restriction of motion.
Arthrodesis - The fusion of bones across a joint space,
thereby limiting or eliminating movement. It may occur spontaneously
or as a result of a surgical procedure, such as fusion of the
spine.
Arthropathy - Any disease or disorder involving a joint.
Arthroplasty - The surgical remodeling of a diseased
or damaged joint.
Arthroscope - An instrument inserted into it joint
cavity to view the interior of a joint and correct certain abnormalities.
An arthroscope is an endoscope for use in a joint.
Arthroscopy - The procedure of visualizing the inside
of a joint by means of an arthroscope.
Articular - Pertaining to a joint.
Astrocyte - A star-shaped cell, comparatively large
which supports the nerve cells (neurons) of the brain and spinal
cord.
Ataxia - An inability to coordinate voluntary muscle
movements.
Atonic seizure - Seizures that are characterized by
a sudden loss of muscle tone, causing the individual to instantly
drop to the floor, commonly known as "drop attacks."
Aura - Warning sign that people with epilepsy often
experience prior to the onset of a seizure, which may consist
of a strange taste, bad feeling, or tingling sensation.
Autogenous Bone - Bone originating from the same individual;
i.e., an individual's own bone.
Autograft Bone - Bone transplanted from one part to
another part of the body in the same individual.
Autonomic Nervous System - The involluntary nervous
system that also innervates smooth and cardiac muscle and glandular
tissues.
Axon - The part of a nerve cell that transmits signals
to other structures or nerves.
Back to Glossary
B
Backbone - See Spine.
Bell's Palsy - Paralysis of the facial nerve producing
distortion on one side of the face..
Bioabsorbable Polymer - A substance, such as some plastics,
which the human body can break down and absorb.
Biocompatibility - A characteristic of some materials
that when they are inserted into the body do not produce a significant
rejection or immune response.
Biodegradation - The breakdown of organic materials
into simple chemicals commonly found in the body.
Blood-Brain Barrier - A barrier that exists between
the blood and the cerebrospinal fluid which prevents the passage
of various substances from the bloodstream to the brain.
Bone - The hard tissue that provides structural support
to the body, It is primarily composed of hydroxyapatite crystals
and collagen. Individual bones may be classed as long, short,
or flat.
Bone Derivative - One of the substances extracted from
bone, such as bone morphogenic proteins (BMP).
Bone Graft - Bone which is harvested from one location
in an individual and placed in another individual (allograft
bone) or in a different location in the same individual (autogenous
bone).
Bone Marrow - The tissue contained within the internal
cavities of the bones. A major function of this tissue is to
produce red blood cells.
Bone Plate - Usually a relatively thin metal device
which is affixed to bone via screws. Bone plates are used to
immobilize bones or bone fragments such that healing can occur.
Bone Screw - A threaded metal device which is inserted
into bone. The functions of bone screws are to immobilize bones
or bone fragments or to affix other medical devices, such as
metal bone plates, to bones.
Bradykinesia - Slowness in movement.
Back to Glossary
C
Cadaver - A term generally applied to a dead human
body preserved for anatomical study,
Cancellous Bone - The spongy or honeycomb structure
of some bone tissue typically found at the ends of long bones.
Carcinoma - Type of tumor that arises from cells which
ocver on line body surfaces of internal organs and passageway
of the body. Skin, intestinal, uterine and lung cancers are carcinomas.
Cartilage - The hard, thin layer of white glossy tissue
that covers the end of bone at a joint. This tissue allows motion
to take place with a minimum amount of friction.
Carotid Artery - Large artery on both sides of the
neck which supply most of the blood supply to the brain.
Carpal Tunnel - Passage under a ligament at the wrist
through which the median nerve enters the palm of the hand.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - A condition caused by compression
of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel, characterized especially
by discomfort and disturbances of sensation in the hand.
Cauda Equina - A bundle of spinal nerve roots arising
from the end of the spinal cord and filling the lower part of
the spinal canal.
Central Nervous System - Part of the nervous system
which consists of the brain and spinal cord, to which sensory
impulses are transmitted and from which motor impulses pass out,
and which supervises and coordinates the activity of the entire
nervous system.
Centrum - The body of a vertebra.
Cerebellum - The lower part of the brain located beneath
the posterior portion of the cerebrum which controls the body's
equilibrium and unconscious movement.
Cererebral - Relating to the brain or intellect.
Cerebral Cortex - Surface layer of gray matter of the
cerebrum that functions chiefly in coordination of higher nervous
activity; called also pallium.
Cerebral Palsy - Disability resulting from damage to
the brain before or during birth and outwardly manifested by
muscular incoordination and speech disturbances.
Cerebrospinal Fluid - Water-like fluid produced in
the brain that circulates and protects the brain and spinal cord,
known as CSF.
Cerebrum - An enlarged portion of the brain, located
in the front and upward area, which consists of cerebral hemispheres
that control conscious movement, sensation and thought.
Cervical - The neck region of the spine containing
the first seven vertebrae.
Chemonucleolysis - A treatment of an intervertebral
disc that consists of an injection of chymopapain, a drug that
dissolves part of the disc.
Choroid Plexus - A vascular portion of the brain in
the ventricles that secretes cerebrospinal fluid.
Clinical Studies - A process of strictly controlled
evaluations involving patients. Some of these studies are required
by the FDA prior to general release of a device or compound for
use in humans.
Cobalt-Chrome - A term that is used in referring to
cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloy, a mixture of metals used in
many surgical implants.
Coccyx - The region of the spine below the sacrum.
It is also known as the tailbone.
Collagen - A fibrous protein which is a major constituent
of connective tissue. Such as skin, tendons, ligaments, cartilage,
and bones.
Comminuted Fracture - A fracture in which a bone is
broken into more than two pieces. Often internal or external
fixation devices are used to maintain proper alignment of the
fragments.
CT - (Computed Tomography) A computer enhanced x-ray
study to detect structural abnormalities. A three-dimensional
map of soft tissue or bone is imaged.
Concussion - A disruption that results from the stunning,
damaging, or shattering effects of a hard blow.
Contrast Medium - A material used during a radiologic
procedure to define a structure.
Cortex - The outer layer of gray matter covering the
hemispheres of the cerebrum and cerebellum.
Cortical Bone - The dense bone that forms the outer
surface of bone.
Cranium - The part of the skull that encases the brain.
Craniostenosis - Premature closure of cranial sutures,
limiting or distorting the growth of the skull.
Cytology - Study of cells.
Back to Glossary
D
Deep Brain Stimulation - A tremor control therapy for
patients with Parkinson's Disease or essential tremors, who do
not respond effectively to medications. It is a surgical reversible
procedure that involves implanting a device to deliver mild electrical
stimulation to block the brain signals that cause tremor.
De-mineralized Bone - Bone tissue which has been depleted
of its minerals; e.g., calcium and phosphorous.
Dendrite - A nerve cell process that transmits impulses
toward the cell body.
Disc (Intervertebral) - The tough, elastic structure
that is between the bodies of spinal vertebrae. The disc consists
of an outer annulus fibrosus enclosing an inner nucleus pulposus.
Disc Degeneration - The loss of the structural and
functional integrity of the disc.
Discectomy - Surgical removal of part or all of an
intervertebral disc.
Distal - Situated away from the center of the body.
Back to Glossary
E
Endogenous - Arising within or derived from the body.
Endoscope - A medical device for viewing internal portions
of the body. It is usually comprised of fiber optic tubes and
video display instruments.
Endoscopy - Inspection of internal body structures
or cavities using an endoscope.
Epidural - Situated outside the thin, tough dural membrane
that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.
Excision - Removal by cutting away material.
Exogenous - Originating outside of the body.
Back to Glossary
F
Facet - A posterior structure of a vertebra which articulates
with a facet of an adjacent vertebra to form a facet joint that
allows motion in the spinal column. Each vertebra has two superior
and two inferior facets.
Facetectomy - Excision of a facet.
Fatigue Fracture - A fracture that occurs in bone or
in other materials. Including metal, as a result of repeated
stress as opposed to a single injury.
Fibrosis - The replacement of normal tissue with scar
tissue.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - The Federal government
agency that has regulatory authority over the manufacture, distribution,
and labeling of drugs, medical devices, and foods.
Fontanelles - "Soft spots" of the infant's
head, normal unossified areas in the infant skull.
Foramen - A natural opening or passage in bone.
Foraminotomy - Surgical opening or enlargement of the
bony opening transversed by a nerve root as it leaves the spinal
cord.
Fracture - A disruption of the normal continuity of
bone.
Functional Stereotactic Neurosurgery - Surgery intended
to improve the function of the central nervous system. A stereotactic
head frame is used along with imaging techniques to map the brain
and localize the surgical target.
Fusion - Union or healing of bone (see Arthrodesis).
Back to Glossary
G
Galactorrhea - Discharge of milk from the breasts.
Gamma Knive - Equipment that delivers a precise concentrated
dose of radiation to a predetermined target using gamma rays.
Generalized Seizures - Seizures involving widespread
areas on both sides of the brain at the time of onset. The generalized
nature of these seizures accounts for their dramatic manifestations,
which include loss of consciousness or awareness and convulsions.
About 39% epileptics suffer primarily from generalized seizures.
Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) - Most widely used system
of classifying the severity of head injuries or other neurologic
diseases.
Glia - The major support cells of the brain, involved
in the nutrition and maintenance of nerve cells.
Back to Glossary
H
Herniated Disc - Extrusion of part of the nucleus pulposus
material through a defect in the annulus fibrosus.
Heterotopic Bone Formation - The occurrence of bone
growth in an abnormal location.
Hook - For spinal applications, a metallic medical
device used to connect spinal structures to a rod.
Hydroxyapatite (HA) - The lattice-like structure of
bone composed of calcium and phosphorous crystals which deposits
on collagen to provide the rigid structure of bone.
Back to Glossary
I
Iliac Bone - A part of the pelvic bone that is above
the hip joint and from which autogenous bone grafts are frequently
obtained.
Iliac Crest - The large, prominent portion of the pelvic
bone at the belt line of the body.
Immobilization - Limitation of motion or fixation of
a body part usually to promote healing.
Intervertebral Disc - See Disc (Intervertebral).
In vitro - Describing biological phenomena that are
made to occur outside the living body traditionally in a test
tube). In vitro is Latin for in glass.
In vivo - Within a living body. In vivo is Latin for
in life.
Inferior - Situated below or directed downward.
Informed Consent - Consent of the patient who has received
sufficient information to have surgery, receive medication, or
participate in a clinical study.
Institutional Review Board (IRB) - A committee designated
by an institution, Such as a hospital, to review and approve
research projects; e.g., clinical studies in that institution.
Internal Fixation - The immobilization of bone fragments
or joints with implants in order to promote healing or fusion.
Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) - A FDA regulatory
status which permits the human use of an unapproved medical device
for the purposes of collecting clinical data under strictly controlled
conditions.
Back to Glossary
J
Joint - The junction or articulation of two or more
bones that permits varying degrees of motion between the bones.
Back to Glossary
K
Kyphosis - An abnormal increase in the normal kyphotic
curvature of the thoracic spine.
Back to Glossary
L
Lamina - An anatomical portion of a vertebra. For each
vertebra, two lamina connect the pedicles to the spinous process
as part of the neural arch.
Laminectomy - An operation for removal of part or all
of the lamina of a vertebra. Commonly performed in order to be
able to remove an intervertebral disc protrusion or to decompress
a nerve root.
Laser - Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission
of Radiation. The device that produces a focused beam of light
at a defined wavelength that can vaporize tissue. In surgery,
lasers can be used to operate on small areas without damaging
delicate surrounding tissue.
Lateral - Situated away from the midline of the body.
Ligament - A band of flexible, fibrous connective tissue
that is attached at the end of a bone near a joint. The main
function of a ligament is to attach bones to one another, to
provide stability of a joint, and to prevent or limit some joint
motion.
Lordosis - An abnormal increase in the normal lordotic
curvature of the lumbar spine.
Lumbago - A non-medical term signifying pain in the
lumbar region.
Lumbar - The lower part of the spine between the thoracic
region and the sacrum. The lumbar spine consists of five vertebrae.
Back to Glossary
M
Medial - Situated closer to the midline of the body.
Medical Device Report (MI)R) - The required reporting
of' medical device complaints involving a patient death, serious
injury, or device malfunction.
Minimally Invasive Surgery - Surgery requiring small
incision(s), usually performed with endoscopic visualization.
Back to Glossary
N
Neurosurgery - The surgical specialty involved in the
treatment of disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral
nerves.
Nerve Root - The portion of a spinal nerve in close
proximity to its origin from the spinal cord.
Neural Arch - The bony arch of the posterior aspect
of a vertebra that surrounds the spinal cord, also referred to
as the vertebral arch.
Non-Union - Failure of the fragments of a fractured
bone to heal or to obtain bony fusion following an arthrodesis.
Nucleus Pulposus - The semi-gelatinous tissue in the
center of an intervertebral disc. It is surrounded and contained
by the annulus fibrosus which prevents this material from protruding
outside the disc space.
Back to Glossary
O
Orthopaedics (also Orthopedics) - The medical specialty
involved in the preservation and restoration of function of the
musculoskeletal system that includes treatment of spinal disorders
and peripheral nerve lesions.
Orthopaedic Implants - Medical devices used to replace
or provide fixation of bone or to replace articulating surfaces
of a joint.
Ossification - The process of forming bone in the body,
Osteoporosis - A disorder in which bone is abnormally
brittle, less dense, and is the result of a number of different
diseases and abnormalities.
Back to Glossary
P
Pathology - The study of disease states.
Pedicle -The part of each side of the neural arch of
a vertebra. It connects the lamina with the vertebral body.
Periosteum - A fibrous membrane that covers the surface
of bone except at the end of the bones where it is covered with
cartilage as part of a joint. In children, periosteum is involved
in forming new bone and molding the configuration of bone; and
in the adult, the periosteum forms new bone secondary to injury
or infection.
Physical Therapy - The treatment consisting of exercising
specific parts of the body such as the legs, arms, hands or neck,
in an effort to strengthen, regain range of motion, relearn movement
and/or rehabilitate the musculoskeletal system to improve function.
Physiology -The science of the functioning of living
organisms, and of their component systems or parts.
Posterior - Located behind a structure, such as relating
to the back side of the human body.
Powered Surgical Instruments - Instruments which are
powered by compressed air or electricity and are used in surgical
procedures to cut, drill, or otherwise remove bone and cartilage,
as well as to evacuate fluids.
Pre-Clinical Studies - Tests occurring prior to clinical
studies, usually in vitro or in vivo involving animals. The purpose
of these studies is to determine the safety and efficacy of the
test material.
Premarket Notification [510(k)] - A regulatory method
for gaining clearance from the FDA to market a device. The FDA
is petitioned by a company to determine if a particular medical
device is "substantially equivalent" to a device which
was commercially available prior to May 28, 1976. This method
usually applies to Class I or II medical devices.
Premarket Approval (PMA) - A regulatory method for
gaining a marketing clearance from the FDA for a Class III medical
device. A company submits information to the FDA that documents
the safety and effectiveness of the device.
Prosthesis - An artificial body part such as an artificial
leg or arm. The term prosthesis is also used to describe some
of the implants used in the body such as a hip or knee replacement
device.
Proximal - Nearest the center of the body.
Pseudoarthrosis (also Pseudarthrosis) - A form of non-union
in which there is the formation of a false joint with some cartilage
covering the ends of the bones and a cavity containing fluid
that resembles a normal joint.
Back to Glossary
Q
Quadriplegia - Paralysis of all four limbs.
Back to Glossary
R
Radiation Oncologist - A physician who specializes
in the use of radiant substances, such as x-rays and radioactive
isotopes to diagnose and treat diseases.
Resection - The surgical removal of part of a structure,
such as bone.
Resorption - The removal of bone tissue by normal physiological
process or as part of a pathological process such as an infection.
Rod - In spinal applications, a slender, metal implant
which is used to immobilize and alien the spine.
Ruptured Disc - See Herniated Disc.
Back to Glossary
S
Sacrum - A part of the spine that is also part of the
pelvis. It articulates with the ilia at the sacroiliac joints
and articulates with the lumbar spine at the lumbosacral joint.
The sacrum consists of five fused vertebrae that have no intervertebral
discs.
Sagittal - Longitudinal.
Sciatica - A lay term indicating pain alone the course
of a sciatic nerve, especially noted in the back of the thigh
and below the knee.
Scoliosis - Lateral (sideways) curvature of the spine.
Sepsis - A state of infection of tissue due to disease-producing
bacteria or toxins.
Skeleton - The rigid framework of bones that gives
form to the body, protects and supports the soft organs and tissues,
and provides attachments for muscles.
Spinal Canal - The bony channel that is formed by the
intravertebral foramen of the vertebrae and in which contains
the spinal cord and nerve roots.
Spinal Column - See Spine.
Spinal Cord - The longitudinal cord of nerve tissue
that is enclosed in the spinal canal. It serves not only as a
pathway for nervous impulses to and from the brain, but as a
center for carrying out and coordinating many reflex actions
independently of the brain.
Spinal Disc - See Disc (Intervertebral).
Spinal Fusion - A surgical procedure to permanently
join bone by interconnecting two or more vertebrae in order to
prevent motion (see Arthrodesis).
Spinal Stenosis - Reduction in the diameter of the
spinal canal due to new bone formation which may result in pressure
on the spinal cord or nerve roots.
Spine - The flexible bone column extending from the
base of the skull to the tailbone. It is made up of 33 bones,
known as vertebrae. The first 24 vertebrae are separated by discs
known as intervertebral discs, and bound together by ligaments
and muscles. Five vertebrae are fused together to form the sacrum
and 4 vertebrae are fused together to form the coccyx. The spine
is also referred to as the vertebral column, spinal column, or
backbone.
Spinous Process - The portion of the vertebrae that
protrudes posteriorly from the spinal column. The spinous processes
create the "bumps" felt on the midline of the back.
Spondylitis - Inflammation of vertebrae.
Spondylolisthesis - A defect in the construct of bone
between the superior and inferior facets with varying degrees
of displacement so the vertebra with the defect and the spine
above that vertebra are displaced forward in relationship to
the vertebrae below, It Is usually due to a developmental defect
or the result of a fracture.
Spondylolysis - Displacement of one vertebrae over
another with fracture of a posterior portion of the vertebra.
A defect in the neural arch between the superior and inferior
facets of vertebrae without separation at the defect and therefore
no displacement of the vertebrae. It may be unilateral or bilateral
and is usually due to a developmental defect but may be secondary
to a fracture.
Stainless Steel - Iron-based metal containing chromium
that is highly resistant to stain, rust, and corrosion. Certain
grades of stainless steel are commonly used to make surgical
implants and instruments.
Sterile - Free from living organisms.
Sterilization - The method used to render a material
free from living organisms. Usual methods include steam under
pressure, gas, and ionizing radiation.
Superior - Situated above or directed upward toward
the head of an individual.
Back to Glossary
T
Tendon - The fibrous band of tissue that connects muscle
to bone. It Is mainly composed of collagen.
Third Party Payor - The source of reimbursement or
payment of charges for medical services when the patient does
not make direct payment: i.e. payments made by insurance companies,
government agencies or employers. The patient and the doctor
represent the two other parties in third party pay arrangements.
Thoracic - The chest level region of the spine that
is located between the cervical and lumbar vertebrae. It consists
of 12 vertebrae which serve as attachment points for ribs.
Titanium - A metallic element used to make surgical
implants.
Toxicology - The study of the toxic or harmful effects
of substances on the body.
Transplant - The implantation of bone tissue, as in
grafting, from one part of the body to another. Transplant also
refers to the transfer of an organ such as a kidney or heart
from one individual to another.
Back to Glossary
U
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - Government
agency that regulates all medical devices and drugs.
Back to Glossary
V
Vagus Nerve - The tenth cranial nerve, which is a mixed
nerve that has both motor and sensory function.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) - Therapy for epilepsy
which applies small electrical pulses to the vagus nerve in the
neck which regulates internal organs. This therapy is used in
patients suffering from partial epilepsy who have failed traditional
drug therapy.
Ventricle - Chambers within the brain that contain
the cerebrospinal fluid.
Ventriculitis -Inflammation and/or infection of the
ventricles.
Ventriculostomy - The surgical opening in a ventricle
of the brain to drain cerebrospinal fluid, especially in hydrocephalus.
Vertebra - One of the 33 bones of the spinal column.
A cervical, thoracic, or lumbar vertebra has a cylindrically-shaped
bony anteriorly and a neural arch posteriorly (composed primarily
of the laminae and pedicles as well as the other structures in
the posterior aspect of the vertebra) that protects the spinal
cord. The plural of vertebra is vertebrae.
Vertigo - Sensation of movement or rotation of one's
self.
Back to Glossary
W
Wire - Metal thread available in various diameters
and various degrees of stiffness and is generally used in surgery
to transfix fractured bone.
Back to Glossary
X
Xenograft - A graft derived from one species for use
in another species.
Back to Glossary
Bibliography
Viscogliosi, A. A. An Investor's guide to Orthopedic Terms.
In M.R. Viscogliosi (Ed.), New York, NY: Martin Simpson &
Company, Inc., 1992.
Code of Federal Regulations, Food and drug, 21, Parts 800-1299.
Washington: Office of the Federal Register, National Archives
and Records Administration, 1990.
Glossary of Spinal Terminology. Park Ridge, IL: American
Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 1985.
Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary. Philadelphia,
PA: W.B. Saunders Company, 1965.
Webster's Medical Desk Dictionary. Springfield, MA:
Merriam Webster, Inc., 1986.
The Merck Manual. West Point, PA: Merck and Co., Inc.
1997.
American Association of Neurological Surgeons/Congress
of Neurological Surgeons. http://www.neurosurgery.org/pubpages/index.html
1998.
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