Ch 15: surgical and diagnostic terms

ganglionectomy

excision of a ganglion

neurectomy

excision of a nerve

neurolysis

loosening, separating a nerve (to release it from surrounding tissues

neuroplasty

surgical repair of a nerve

neurorrhaphy

suturing of a nerve

neurotomy

incision into a nerve

rhizotomy

incision into a nerve root

cerebral angiography

process of recording (scan of) the blood vessels of the cerebrum (after an injection of a contrast agent)

CT myelography

process of recording (scan of) the spinal cord (after an injection of a contrast agent into the subarachnoid space by lumbar puncture; size, shape, and position of the spinal cord and nerve roots are demonstrated)

electroencephalogram (EEG)

record of electrical activity of the brain

electroencephalograph

instrument used to record electrical activity of the brain

electroencephalography

process of recording the electrical activity of the brain

positron emission tomography (PET) scan

nuclear medicine procedure creating computerized images of chemical changes such as sugar metabolism in brain tissue. radioactive materials called tracers are bound to molecules used in metabolism. areas that are more active, such as cancers, will use more of these molecules, and there will be higher detected activity there

evoked potential studies (EP studies)

group of diagnostic tests that measure changes and responses in brain waves elicited by visual, auditory, or somatosensory stimuli

deep tendon reflexes (DTR)

portion of the physical examination where gentle strikes at specific locations are performed to assess the possibility of potential neurological abnormalities

lumbar puncture (LP)

diagnostic procedure performed by insertion of a needle into the subarachnoid space usually between the third and fourth lumbar vertebrae; performed for many reasons, including the removal of cerebrospinal fluid