21 - Chapter 10: Pronunciation (Pathology, Laboratory Tests and Clinical Procedures)

absence seizure (AB-sens SE-zhur)

Form of seizure consisting of momentary clouding of consciousness and loss of awareness of surroundings.

Alzheimer disease (ALZ-hi-mer dih-ZEEZ)

Brain disorder marked by gradual and progressive mental deterioration (dementia), personality changes, and impairment of daily functioning.

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (a-mi-o-TRO-fik LAH-ter-al skleh-RO-sis)

Degenerative disorder of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem.

aneurysm (AN-ur-ih-zim)

Enlarged, weakened area in an arterial wall, which may rupture, leading to hemorrhage and CVA (stroke).

astrocytoma (as-tro-si-TO-mah)

Malignant brain tumor of astrocytes (glial brain cells).

aura (AW-rah)

Peculiar symptom or sensation occurring before the onset (prodromal) of an attack of migraine or an epileptic seizure.

Bell palsy (bel PAWL-ze)

Paralysis on one side of the face, likely caused by a viral infection.

brain tumor (BRAYN TU-mor)

Abnormal growth of brain tissue and meninges.

cerebral angiography (seh-RE-bral an-je-OG-rah-fe)

X-ray imaging of the arterial blood vessels in the brain after injection of contrast material.

cerebral concussion (seh-RE-bral kon-KUH-shun)

Type of traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head.

cerebral contusion (seh-RE-bral kon-TU-shun)

Bruising of brain tissue resulting from direct trauma to the head.

cerebral hemorrhage (seh-RE-bral HEM-or-ij)

Bleeding from a cerebral artery, a type of stroke.

cerebral palsy (seh-RE-bral PAWL-ze)

Partial paralysis and lack of muscular coordination caused by loss of oxygen or blood flow to the cerebrum during pregnancy or in the perinatal period.

cerebrospinal fluid analysis (seh-re-bro-SPI-nal FLU-id ah-NAH-lih-sis)

Samples of CSF are examined.

cerebrovascular accident (seh-re-bro-VAS-cu-lar AK-sih-dent)

Disruption in the normal blood supply to the brain; stroke.

computed tomography (kom-PU-ted to-MOG-rah-fe)

Computerized x-ray technique that generates multiple images of the brain and spinal cord.

dementia (de-MEN-she-ah)

Mental decline and deterioration.

demyelination (de-mi-eh-lih-NA-shun)

Destruction of myelin on axons of neurons (as in multiple sclerosis).

dopamine (DO-pah-meen)

CNS neurotransmitter, deficient in patient with Parkinson disease.

doppler/ultrasound studies (DOP-ler / UL-trah-sound STUD-eez)

Sound waves detect blood flow in the carotid and intracranial arteries.

electroencephalography (eh-lek-tro-en-sef-al-OG-rah-fe)

Recording of the electrical activity of the brain.

embolus (EM-bo-lus)

Clot of material that travels through the bloodstream and suddenly blocks a vessel.

epilepsy (EP-ihep-se)

Chronic brain disorder characterized by recurrent seizure activity.

gait (gate)

Manner of walking.

glioblastoma (gle-o-blah-STO-mah)

Highly malignant brain tumor arising from glial cells; the most malignant form of astrocytoma.

herpes zoster (HER-peez ZOS-ter)

Viral infection affecting peripheral nerves; shingles.

HIV encephalopathy (HIV en-seh-fal-OP-ah-the)

Brain disease and dementia occurring with AIDS.

Huntington disease (HUN-ting-ton dih-ZEEZ)

Hereditary disorder marked by degenerative changes in the cerebrum leading to abrupt involuntary movements and mental deterioration.

hydrocephalus (hi-dro-SEH-fah-lus)

Abnormal accumulation of fluid (CSF) in the brain.

ictal event (IK-tal e-VENT)

Pertaining to a sudden, acute onset, as with the convulsions of an epileptic seizure.

lumbar puncture (LUM-bar PUNK-shur)

CSF is withdrawn from between two lumbar vertebrae for analysis.

magnetic resonance imaging (mag-NET-ik REH-zo-nants IM-aj-ing)

Magnetic field and pulses of radiowave energy create images of the brain and spinal cord.

meningitis (meh-nin-JI-tis)

Inflammation of the meninges; leptomeningitis.

meningocele (meh-NIN-jo-seel)

Congenital defect where the meninges protrude to the outside of the body.

migraine (MI-grane)

Severe, recurring, unilateral, vascular headache.

multiple sclerosis (MUL-tih-pel skleh-RO-sis)

Destruction of the myelin sheath on neurons in the CNS and its replacement by plaques of sclerotic (hard) tissue.

myasthenia gravis (mi-as-THE-ne-ah GRAV-is)

Autoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterized by weakness of voluntary muscles.

occlusion (o-KLU-zhun)

Blockage.

palliative (PAH-le-ah-tiv)

Relieving symptoms but not curing them.

palsy (PAWL-ze)

Paralysis (partial or complete loss of motor function).

Parkinson disease (PAR-kin-sun dih-ZEEZ)

Degeneration of neurons in the basal ganglia, occurring in later life and leading to tremors, weakness of muscles, and slowness of movement.

positron emission tomography (POS-ih-tron e-MIH-shun to-MOG-rah-fe)

Radioactive glucose is injected and then detected in the brain to image the metabolic activity of cells.

shingles (SHING-ulz)

Viral infection affecting peripheral nerves; herpes zoster.

spina bifida (SPI-na BIF-ih-dah)

Congenital defects in the lumbar spinal column caused by imperfect union of vertebral parts (neural tube defect).

stereotactic radiosurgery (steh-re-o-TAK-tik ra-de-o-SUR-jer-e)

Use of a specialized instrument to locate and treat targets in the brain.

thrombus (THROM-bus)

Blood clot that forms in a vessel and remains there, potentially causing occlusion.

tic (TIK)

Involuntary movement of a small group of muscles, as of the face; characteristic of Tourette syndrome.

tonic-clonic seizure (TON-ik-KLON-ik SE-zhur)

Major (grand mal) convulsive seizure marked by sudden loss of consciousness, stiffening of muscles, and twitching and jerking movements.

Tourette syndrome (tur-ET SIN-drohm)

Involuntary spasmodic, twitching movements; uncontrollable vocal sounds; and inappropriate words.

transient ischemic attack (TRAN-ze-ent ih-SKE-mik ah-TAK)

Temporary interference with the blood supply to the brain; TIA.