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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 nucleuspulposus.
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.
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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 tube sand 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.
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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. Astereotactic 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).
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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 a reason 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.
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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.
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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.
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Joint - The junction or articulation of two or more bones that permits varying
degrees of motion between the bones.
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Kyphosis - An abnormal increase in the normal kyphotic curvature of the thoracic
spine.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Quadriplegia - Paralysis of all four limbs.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - Government agency that regulates
all medical devices and drugs.
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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.
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Wire - Metal thread available in various diameters and various degrees of
stiffness and is generally used in surgery to transfix fractured bone.
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Xenograft - A graft derived from one species for use in another species.
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