Apnea

to stop breathing intermittently, may be due to compression on the brainstem.

 

Arachnoid

one of the three membranes covering the brain, appears to resemble a spider web. There are 3 layers of covering of the brain and spinal cord- the pia, arachnoid and dura.

 

Arachnoiditis

inflammation of the arachnoid

 

Aspirate

inhaling fluids into the lungs. (Inability to swallow properly can allow fluid into the lungs.)

 

Ataxia

inability to coordinate movement. Stumbling when walking, or inability to maintain a fluid gait when asked to walk a straight line.

 

Atrophic

changes in the muscle that create an appearance of being wasted away.

 

Atrophy

 wasting away of the muscle, often due to lack of use or inability to exercise a muscle.

 

Basilar Invagination

the base of the skull and the first cervical vertebra dent inward, causing pressure on the brainstem or upper cervical spinal cord.

 

Catheter

small, soft plastic tube used to drain fluid. A Foley catheter is often inserted into the bladder for surgery. A shunt catheter can be inserted into a syrinx or the ventricles of the brain.

 

Cerebellum

the lower part of the brain that lies in the posterior fossa and is responsible for coordination and fluidity of movement.

 

Cerebrospinal Fluid

clear, water-like fluid that flows around the brain and spinal cord, and acts to cushion the structures. The total CSF volume in an adult is about 150ml (or about 1 pint).

 

Cervical

pertaining to the neck

 

CINE MRI

or CINE MRI flow-study is a special test that looks at the flow of cerebrospinal fluid around the posterior fossa and into the spinal canal.

 

Clonus

abnormal, uncontrolled jerking of the foot when the ankle is jerked upward.

 

Cranial nerves

a set of 12 nerves in the brain that control motor and sensory functions.

 

Diplopia

symptom of seeing double, or double vision.

 

Dura Mater

the tough outer covering of the brain. Lies below the skull.

 

Dysequilibrium

inability to maintain proper balance. Often noted as stumbling or falling to one side.

 

Dysesthesia

an unpleasant sensation. A symptom of pins and needles or tingling when skin is touched.

 

Dysphagia

inability to swallow properly. Often leads to aspiration.

 

Ectopia

abnormal herniation, displacement or hang down of tissue

 

Electrocautery

a small instrument that uses heat and is used in many surgeries to stop bleeding.

 

Hemisphere

one half of the upper portion of the brain.

 

Herniation

abnormal protrusion (or overhang) of tissue. Some MRI reports will read herniation of the tonsils- this means the tonsils are hanging down too far.

 

Hoffman's sign

(or reflex) an abnormal reflex that is tested by placing the fingers in a neutral position, and (painlessly) flicking the nail of the middle finger. If positive, the other fingers will abnormally flex in response.

 

Hydrocephalus

abnormal, over filling of the spinal fluid pockets (ventricles) in the brain. Can cause symptoms such as headache, balance problems, incontinence and memory problems.

 

Hydrosyringomyelia

a fluid cavity in the spinal cord. May also be referred to as syrinx, or syringomyelia.

 

Incidental Finding

a finding that is unexpected, or unrelated to symptoms. May refer to a person who has a finding on MRI, but has no symptoms.

 

Laminectomy

removal of the roof bone (or posterior arch) of a vertebra.

 

Limb ataxia

inability to maintain fluid movement of the arm or leg. Inability to touch finger to nose properly.

 

Lumbar

referring to the lower most part of the spine, the low back.

 

Meninges

the 3 layers of covering that surround the brain and spinal cord. Consists of the pia mater, the arachnoid, and the dura mater.

 

Meningitis

inflammation of the meninges. May be due to bacterial or viral infection.

 

Myelogram

special radiology study that involves injecting contrast dye into the spinal canal and taking x-rays of where the dye travels. The test is often followed by a CAT scan of the area. The test is often done to determine if there is blockage of flow or a nerve root that is being compressed. This test is less commonly used than MRI.

 

Myelomeningocele

herniation or protrusion of the spinal cord through a defect in development of the neural tube- seen in infants. Often associated with Chiari type II.

 

Nystagmus

abnormal bobbing of the eyes. Can be seen when looking to the side or up and down.

 

Parasthesia

abnormal sensation in the extremity.

 

Pericranium

a muscle layer between the skull and scalp.

 

Periosteum

a muscle layer between the skull and scalp. (Called pericranium when on the skull).

 

Posterior Fossa

A general term for the back area of the brain. This is where the brainstem, cerebellum and cerebellar tonsils lie.

 

Shunt

small, soft plastic tube that is used to drain fluid.

 

Sleep apnea

to stop breathing intermittently when sleeping. Symptom can be described as waking up short of breath or gasping for air.

 

Syncope

Spells of passing out, or fainting (loss of consciousness). Different from a seizure.

 

Syringomyelia

the condition of having an abnormal fluid cavity in the spinal cord.

 

Syrinx

abnormal fluid cavity in the spinal cord.

 

Tethered cord

when the spinal cord becomes stuck to the surrounding structures or is pulled down by the band at the end of the cord, a tumor, or other lesion.

 

Thoracic

refers to the area from the shoulder blades, through the ribs, to about the belt-line.

 

Tinnitus

ringing in the ears.

 

Tonsillar ectopia

a small amount of hang down of the tonsil tissue of the cerebellum.

 

Tonsils

a small, often rounded mass of tissue. There are several tonsils in the body, including in the throat, in the intestine, or in the brain. In reference to Chiari, indicates the tissue tucked behind the cerebellum that protrudes downward, causing a plug effect.

 

Ventricle

fluid pocket in the brain (4 in all), that holds spinal fluid. Enlargement of the ventricles can be called hydrocephalus.