Nervous System Diagnostic Terms
Terms
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- Computed tomography of the brain (CT scan)
- Process that includes the use of a computer to produce a series of images of the tissues of the brain at a desired depth
- Magnetic resonance imaging of brain (MRI scan)
- A noninvasive technique that produces cross-sectional and sagittal images of soft tissues of the brain by magnetic waves
- Positron emission tomography of brain (PET scan)
- An imaging technique with a radioactive substance that permits viewing a slice of the brain to examine blood flow and metabolic activity. Images are projected on a viewing screen.
- Evoked potential studies (EP studies)
- Measures responses in brain waves from stimuli. Visual Evoked response to visual stimuli. Auditory evoked response (AER) to auditory stimuli.
- Lumbar puncture (LP)
- Insertion of a needle into the subarachnoid space usually between the third and fourth lumbar vertebrae
- Afferent
- Conveying toward a center
- Efferent
- Conveying away from the center
- Ataxia
- Lack of muscle coordination
- Cognitive
- Pertaining to the mental process of comprehension, judgment, memory and reason
- Coma
- State of profound unconsciousness
- Concussion
- Jarring or shaking that results in an injury. Brain concussions are caused by slight or severe head injury; symptoms include vertigo and loss of consciousness
- Conscious
- Awake, alert, aware of one’s surroundings
- Seizure
- Sudden attack with an involuntary series of contractions ( as in convulsion)
- Convulsion
- Sudden, involuntary contraction of a group of muscles (as in seizure)
- Dementia
- Loss of cognitive abilities
- Disorientation
- A state of mental confusion as to time, place, or identity
- Gait
- A manner or style of walking
- Incoherent
- Unable to express one’s thoughts or ideas in an orderly, intelligible manner
- Paraplegia
- Paralysis from the waist down caused by damage to the lower level of the spinal cord
- Shunt
- Tube implanted in the body to redirect the flow of a fluid
- Syncope
- Fainting or sudden loss of consciousness caused by lack of blood supply to the cerebrum
- Unconsciousness
- State of being unaware of surrounding and incapable of responding to stimuli as a result of injury, shock or illness