A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
| Term | Description |
| A | |
| Abduction | Movement of a limb or eye away from the midline |
| Aberrant | Deviating from the normal |
| ACDF | Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion |
| Acoustic | Sound or sense of hearing |
| Acoustic Neuroma | Benign tumour arising from the 8th cranial (vestibule-cochlear) nerve. Also called a vestibular schwannoma |
| Adenoma | Benign tumour made of epithelial (lining) cells |
| Adduction | Movement of a limb or eye toward the midline |
| Adjuvant | Aiding or assisting: usually refers ti radiotherapy or chemotherapy treatment after surgery for tumour removal |
| Aetiology | Cause |
| Afebrile | No fever |
| Alarotomy | Small incision at side of nostril |
| ALIF | Anterior Lumber Interbody Fusion |
| Aneurysm | Localised abnormal swelling of a blood vessel due to congenital defect or weakness in the wall of the vessel |
| Anaesthetist | A doctor specialising in sedation, pain control and local, spinal and general anaesthetics for an operation |
| Analgesic | Pain control medication |
| Angiogram | Special x-ray which outlines blood vessels using dye injected into a vein in the arm or groin |
| Anulus Fibrosus | Lining or wall of an intervertebral disc. Composed of fibrocartilage bundles arranged spirally |
| Annulotomy | Opening into the lining of an intervertebral disc |
| Anterior | In front of |
| Antero-lateral | In front and to the outside |
| Anterolisthesis | Forward slip of one vertebra on another |
| Anticoagulant Drugs | Blood thinning mediation to prevent clots, e.g. Warfarin |
| Anticonvulsant Drugs | Used to treat epilepsy or neuropathic pain, e.g. Tegretol, Phenytoin and Lyrica |
| Anti-platelet Drugs | Inhibit platelet action in the blood preventing clots, e.g. Aspirin and Plavix |
| Aphasia | Absence of speech |
| Apnoea | Temporary cessation of breathing |
| Artificial | Not natural |
| Astrocytoma | Tumour arising from the supporting or ‘scaffolding’ cells of the brain called glial cells. Grades 1 (pilocystic), II (astrocytoma), III (anaplastic) and IV (glioblastoma multiforme) range from relatively benign to highly malignant |
| Ataxia | Defective muscular condition |
| Atypical | Deviating from the normal |
| Autologous | Originating from an individual |
| Axial | Plane which separates the structure into upper and lower parts. |
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| B | |
| Benign | Not cancer, slow growing, no invasion or spread |
| Bicortical | Both surfaces of bone or brain |
| Bifrontal | Both frontal lobes of brain |
| Bilateral | Both sides |
| Bone Density Scan | A special scan used to check the thickness of bones – also called DEXA scan |
| Bone Graft | Additional bone taken from either the front or back of the iliac crest pelvis bone for fusion at an operation |
| Bone Morphogenic Proteins | Chemicals that improve and speed up the healing of bone (fusion). Two available called BMP-2 (Infuse) and BMP-7 (OP-1) |
| Bowel Sounds | Normal sounds associated with movement of the intestinal contents forward through the bowel |
| Brachialgia | Pain in the arm |
| Braistem | The stemlike part of the brain that connects the cerebral hemispheres with the spinal cord |
| Bruit | A noise heard by a stethoscope in the narrowed blood vessel |
| Buttocks | Muscle prominences posterior to the hips formed by gluteal muscles and underlying structures |
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| C | |
| Calcification | When tissues or vessels become hardened by the deposition of calcium salts in the tissues |
| Carcinoma | A malignant tumour that occurs in epithelial tissue and may infiltrate local tissues or produce metastases (spread by direct extension through lymphatics or through the bloodstream) |
| Carotid | Main arteries in the neck which supply blood to the front of the brain |
| Carpal Tunnel Syndrome | Pain, numbness and weakness in the hand from the median nerve being compressed in its tunnel at the wrist |
| Catheter | A small tube which allows fluids to drain from the body or for injecting dye or medicines into the body |
| Cauda Equina | Nerve roots below spinal cord in lumbar region (resemble the ‘tail of a horse’) supplying lower limbs, bladder, bowel and genital region |
| Caudal | Means ‘tail’ or lower |
| Cell Saver | Machine used during the operation where any blood loss from the patient is filtered and returned to the patient. |
| Cerebral Angiography | Special x-rays using dye to outline the blood vessels of the brain |
| Cerebellum | Part of the base of brain controlling coordination. Means ‘little brain’. |
| Cerebrospinal | The brain and spinal cord |
| Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) | The glucose-rich clear fluid that bathes the brain and spinal cord |
| Cerebrovascular | The blood vessels of the brain |
| Cerebrum | The thinking part of the brain consisting of two hemispheres. Means ‘main brain’. |
| Cervical | Neck |
| Cervicogenic | Arising from the neck |
| Cervicothoracic | Lower cervical spine and upper thoracic spine |
| Chemotherapy | Drug therapy used to treat cancers |
| Chiari Malformation | Type 1 – condition where the lower parts of the cerebellum protrude through the foramen magnum causing headaches – usually in adults Type 2 – is where the brainstem also protrudes through the foramen magnum. Associated with hydrocephalus and other abnormalities – usually in children |
| Claudication | Means ‘to limp’ – problems with walking, either due to pressure on nerves (neurogenic claudication) or from narrowed blood vessels (vascular claudication) |
| Coccygeal | Region of the coccyx |
| Coccyx | A small triangular bone at the end of the tailbone. Means ‘cuckoo’s bill’. |
| Co-Morbidities | Associated medical conditions or problems |
| Complication | Something going wrong or the condition worsening |
| Contra- | Prefix indicting against |
| Contra-Indication | Any circumstance that makes an operation or treatment with a drug or device unsafe or inappropriate |
| Conus Medullaris | Lower end of spinal cord – conical shaped |
| Convulsion | Involuntary muscular contractions and relaxations. Also called seizure |
| Coronal | Plane which separates the body into front and back parts |
| Corticosteroid | Steroid hormones secreted by the adrenal gland or manufactured synthetically for use as a drug |
| Cortisone | A hormone from the adrenal gland or made synthetically. It regulates the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, sodium, potassium and proteins. Also used as an anti-inflammatory agent |
| Cosmesis | The effect the procedure will have on the appearance of the patient |
| Craniectomy | Opening of bone window in skull for surgical access or pressure release and leaving the bone flap out. The bone flap can be replaced later (see cranioplasty) if needed |
| Craniocaudal | Direction from head to foot |
| Craniocerebral | Relating to the skull and brain |
| Craniocervical | Relating to the head and neck |
| Craniofacial | Concerning the head and face |
| Cranioplasty | Correction of a bone defect in the skull by a bone, acrylic or titanium plate |
| Craniotomy | Opening of bone window in skull for surgical access and then replacing the bone flap and securing this with small titanium plates |
| Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) | Central nervous system disease that causes rapidly progressive dementia and death |
| CT | Computerised tomography |
| CUSA | Cavitron Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator |
| Cyst | Fluid filled ‘balloon-like’ lump |
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| D | |
| Debulking | Surgery to remove large portion of a tumour when complete removal is not safe or possible |
| Deficit | A reduction or loss of neurological function |
| Definitive | Final result |
| Degeneration | Wear and tear deterioration by age or an injury; or impairment by a disease of an organ or structure |
| Dementia | A progressive irreversible decline in mental function, marked by memory impairment |
| Demyelination | The process of destruction or removal of the myelin sheath (a segmented fatty lamination composed of myelin that wraps the axons of many nerves in the body) from a nerve or nerve fibre |
| Denervation | Damage to a nerve |
| Dermatome | The area of skin supplied by a nerve |
| Dexamethasone | Special brain steroid used to reduce swelling and inflammation |
| Diabetes Mellitus | A condition where the blood sugar is too high, which is controlled by either diet or insulin |
| Diagnosis | The name given to condition or disease a person has or is believed to have |
| DIAM | Dynamic Interspinous Assisted Motion – a ‘shock-absorber’ prosthesis between the spinous processes |
| Diffuse | Widespread |
| Diplopia | Double vision |
| Discectomy | Removal of part of or all of intervertebral disc |
| Discogenic | Pain arising from an intervertebral disc |
| Discography | Injection to determine whether a disc is ruptured or painful |
| Dissection | The separation of tissue parts or structures for exposure or analysis |
| Distal | Furthest from the centre of the body |
| Dorsal | Back or posterior |
| Dorsiflexion | Flexion or lifting up of the foot at the ankle |
| Dura | The lining of the braor spinal cord |
| Durotomy | Opening of the dura |
| DVT | Deep vein thrombosis – blood clots in veins of legs and pelvis which may embolise (break off and spread) to the lungs |
| Dysaesthesia | Unpleasant ‘burning’ feeling |
| Dysarthria | Distorted enunciation of speech from incoordination of the lip and tongue muscles – content of speech is normal |
| Dysfunction | Abnormal or impaired action of a part |
| Dysphagia | Difficulty in swallowing |
| Dysphasia | Difficulty in forming (expressive) or understanding (receptive) speech |
| Dysphonia | Hoarse voice |
| Dysuria | Painful or burning urination indicating infection or inflammation |
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| E | |
| ECG | Electrocardiogram (electrical heart tracing) |
| EEG | Electroencephalogram (electrical brain tracing) |
| Ejaculation | Ejection of the seminal fluid from the penis |
| Electrophysiology | The electrical testing of brain, nerve and muscle function |
| Embolism | Sudden obstruction of an artery by a blood clot. Also spread of cancer cells around the body |
| Embolus | A lump of blood clot or cancer cells spreading by blood or lymphatic vessels |
| EMG | Electromyogram (electrical muscle testing) |
| Eminence | A prominence or projection |
| Encephalitis | Inflammation/infection of the brain |
| Encephalocele | A protrusion of the brain through an opening. A ‘brain hernia’. |
| Endocrinology | The science of the endocrine glands, hormones and their functions |
| Endotracheal | Inside the trachea (breathing tube) |
| Endovascular | Inside a blood vessel |
| Epidural | Located above or outside the dura |
| Epilepsy | A disorder marked by recurrent seizures |
| Epileptic | Concerning epilepsy |
| Epileptiform | Having the form or appearance of epilepsy |
| Erythema | Reddening of the skin |
| Exacerbation | Aggravation of symptoms or increase in the severity of a disease |
| Extraocular | Outside the eye, as in extraocular eye muscles that move the eyes |
| Extubation | Removal of an endotracheal breathing tube |
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| F | |
| Facet Joint | One of the zygapophyseal joints at the back of the spine between the articulating facets of each pair or vertebrae |
| Fascia | A thin fibrous sheet covering and separating muscles |
| Fasting | Going without food |
| Febrile | Feverish |
| Fibroma | A benign fibrous (encapsulated connective tissue) tumour |
| Fissure | A cleft or deep depression in the brain |
| Flatus | Passing wind |
| Flavum | Yellow |
| Flexion | Bending or decreasing angle of a joint |
| Flexor Retinaculum | Ligament forming the roof of the carpal tunnel |
| Foot Drop | Weakness of ankle elevation (dorsi flexion) |
| Foramen | A hole or passage |
| Foraminotomy | Widening of a foramen |
| Fracture | Breaking of a bone |
| Fragment | A small piece of a larger part |
| Frontal | Anterior |
| Frontoparietal | Frontal and parietal bones (bones forming the side of the cranium) |
| Frontotemporal | Frontal and temporal bones (large bones forming part of the lower cranium and containing various cavities and recesses associated with the ear) |
| Fusion | Joining and healing together of bones |
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| G | |
| Gait | Manner of walking |
| GBM | Glioblastoma Multiforme |
| Gelfoam | A blood clotting or haemostatic dissolvable foam |
| General Anaesthetic | Anaesthetic where you are asleep with a breathing tube protecting your airway |
| Glioblastoma Multiforme | A grade IV malignant astrocytoma. An invasive, rapidly growing solid and/or cystic tumour of the brain or spinal cord |
| Gyrus | One of the winding convolutions of the surface of the brain separated from each other by sulci (grooves) |
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| H | |
| Haemangioma | A benign tumour of dilated blood vessels |
| Haemorrhage | Bleeding |
| Haemostasis | Stop bleeding |
| Haematoma | Blood clot |
| Hemiplegia | Weakness of one side of the body |
| Hemisphere | Either half of the cerebrum or cerebellum |
| Hernia | The protrusion of an anatomical structure through the wall that normally contains it |
| Histopathology | The microscopic study of diseased tissues |
| Hoffman’s Reflex | An abnormal reflex found in patients with damaged pyramidal tracts of the brain. Flexion of the distal interphalangeal joint of the middle finger makes the thumb of the same hand flex and adduct |
| Horner’s Syndrome | Damage to the sympathetic nerve supply to the eye resulting in a small pupil (miosis) and drooped eyelid (ptosis) |
| Hydrocephalus | The accumulation of excessive amounts of cerebrospinal fluid within the ventricles of the brain |
| Hydrotherapy | Walkign and exercising in water |
| Hyperextension | Extreme or abnormal extension |
| Hyper intensity | Bright signal |
| Hypertension | Abnormally high blood pressure |
| Hypothenar | Little finger |
| Hypothenar eminence | The muscle prominence in the palm at the base of the little finger |
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| I | |
| ICD | Intercostal drain or chest drain |
| ICU | Intensive Care Unit |
| IDET | Intradiscal Electrothermal herapy |
| Idiopathic | Condition of unknown cause |
| IDUC | Indwelling or Urethral Catheter |
| Iliac Crest | The hip or upper free margin of the ilium |
| Ilium | The uppermost of the three bones that make up the hipbone |
| Image Guidance | Frameless intraoperative computer guidance system. Two main systems – ‘Brainlab’ and ‘Stealth’ |
| Impingement | Compression or narrowing |
| Incise | To cut |
| Incontinence | Loss of sphincter control, usually of bladder or bowel |
| Infarct | ‘Stroke’ in brain or ‘heart attack’ in heart |
| Infection | A disease caused by bacteria, fungi or a virus |
| Inferior | Below or lower |
| Inflammation | Localised area of heat, swelling, redness and pain as a reaction to injury or infection |
| Infundibulum | A ‘funnel-shaped’ passage. The tube connecting the frontal sinus with the middle nasal meatus. The stalk of the pituitary gland. |
| Innervation | Nerve supply |
| Instability | Abnormal movement |
| Instrumentation | Titanium screws, rods and plates |
| Interarticular | Between two joints |
| Intermittent | Coming and going |
| Intermuscular | Between muscles |
| Interosseous | Between bones |
| Interscapular | Between the shoulder blades (scapulae) |
| Intubation | The insertion of a tube usually into the trachea to maintain a safe airway |
| Invasive | Tending to spread |
| Ischaemia | A temporary deficiency of blood flow to an organ or tissue |
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| J | |
| Jerk | A sudden muscular movement. Certain reflex action resulting from tapping a muscle tendon |
| Joint | The point of juncture between two bones |
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| K | |
| Kyphosis | Forward curve (concave anteriorly) of the spine |
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| L | |
| Lamina | The flattened part of either side of the vertebral arch |
| Laminectomy | Removal of the laminae |
| Laminotomy | Small opening made in a lamina |
| Lateral | To the side |
| Lavage | Washing out of a cavity |
| Leg | The portion of the lower limb between the knee and ankle |
| Lhermitte’s sign | A sudden electric shock down through the body produced by flexion or extension of the neck – indicates cervical cord pathology |
| Ligamentous | Relating to a ligament |
| Ligamentum flavum | Yellow ligament |
| Local anaesthetic | Anaesthetic where you are awake but the area being operated on is made numb by an injection |
| Lordosis | Backward curve (concave posteriorly) of the spine |
| Loupes | Special magnifying glasses used for operating |
| Lower limb | The lower extremity from the hip to the toes |
| Lumbar | The part of the back between the thorax and pelvis |
| Lumbosacral | Of the lumbar vertebrae and the sacrum |
| Lymphoma | A malignant tumour of the lymph nodes |
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| M | |
| Macro Adenoma | A glandular tumour more than 10mm in diameter |
| Malignant | Cancer |
| Mane | Morning |
| Mechanical | Movement |
| Medial | To the middle |
| Medulloblastoma | A soft infiltrating malignant tumour of the roof of the fourth ventricle and cerebellum |
| Melanoma | A malignant tumour of melanocytes that often begins in a darkly pigmented mole and can metastasise widely |
| Meninges | The three membranes enclosing the brain and spinal cord |
| Meningioma | A slow growing tumour that grows from the lining of the brain or spinal cord |
| Meningitis | Inflammation and infection of the membranes of the brain or spinal cord |
| Meralgia | Pain in the thigh |
| Metastasis | Spread of bacteria or cancer cells from one part of the body to another |
| Microdiscectomy | ‘Keyhole’ surgery to remove the prolapsed damaged part of the intervertebral disc |
| Microscope | Optical instrument that greatly magnifies small objects |
| Microsurgery | Fine surgery using magnification, specialised instruments, fine sutures and meticulous techniques to repair tissues |
| Micturate | To pass urine from the bladder |
| Middle Fossa | The bony floor of the side of the skull forming the roof of the inner and middle parts of the ear |
| Migraine | A familial disorder marked by periodic, usually unilateral, pulsatile headaches that begins in childhood or early adult life and tend to recur regularly |
| Miosis | Small pupil |
| Mobility | Being mobile |
| Morbidity | Disease or sickness |
| Mortality | Death |
| MRA | Magnetic Resonance Angiogram – using the MRI to show fine detail of blood vessels of the brain |
| MRI | Magnetic Resonance Imaging – images using a magnet to align water which shows fine details of soft tissues such as brain, spinal cord, nerves, discs, ligaments, muscles and internal organs |
| Multislice | Multiple very fine slice images using a CT scanner (same as multidetector) |
| Myalgia | Tenderness or pain in the muscles |
| Mydriasis | Dilated pupil |
| Myelogram | A special x-ray where dye is injected by a lumbar puncture to outline the spinal cord and its nerve roots in lying and standing positions |
| Myeloma | A malignant tumour of bone marrow |
| Myelomalacia | Abnormal thinning of the spinal cord |
| Myelopathy | Compression or pathology of the spinal cord |
| Myocardial Infarction | Heart Attack |
| Myopathy | Muscle disease marked by muscular weakness and wasting |
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| N | |
| Neoplasm | Tumour – Can be benign or malignant |
| Nerve | A fibre that transmits electrical and chemical signals between the brain and spinal cord to muscles and skin |
| Nerve Conduction Studies | Electrical test to determine the degree and timing of any nerve damage |
| Nerve entrapment | Compressive of a nerve(s) resulting in nerve damage. May cause numbness, pain or weakness |
| Neuralgia | Severe pain occurring along the course of a nerve |
| Neuritis | Inflammation of a nerve |
| Neuroblastoma | A malignant haemorrhagic tumour composed principally of cells resembling neuroblasts that give rise to cells of the sympathetic system |
| Neurofibroma | A fibrous tumour of a nerve causing a growth in the nerve |
| Neurofibromatosis | Type 1 and type 2 genetic disorder associated with multiple different tumours |
| Neurogenic | Arising from nerves |
| Neurologist | A specialist in diseases of the nervous system |
| Neurology | The branch of medicine that deals with the nervous system and its diseases |
| Neurolysis | Relieving pressure or ‘loosening’ a nerve to relieve pain and improve function |
| Neuroma | Benign tumour or a nerve |
| Neurosurgeon | A surgeon specializing in surgery of the brain, spinal cord, nerves and spine |
| Neurosurgery | Surgery of the brain, spinal cord, cranial nerves, peripheral nerves and spine |
| Nocte | Night |
| Nociception | The sensation of a nerve to an unpleasant stimulus |
| NSAID | Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drug, e.g. Voltaren |
| Nucleoplasty | A procedure where a thin wire is passed into the damaged disc with heat applied to improve discogenic pain and shrink a contained disc herniation |
| Nucleus Pulposus | Shock absorber gel composed of proteins and water inside an intervertebral disc |
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| O | |
| Occipital | The back part of the skull |
| Occult | Hard to demonstrate |
| Oesophagus | Food pipe |
| Operation | A surgical procedure |
| Osteo | Bone |
| Osteoarthritis | A ‘wear and tear’ type arthritis marked by progressive cartilage deterioration in synovial joints and vertebrae |
| Osteoarthropathy | Any disease involving the joints and bones |
| Osteopenia | ‘Thinning of bones’ – any decrease in the amount of bone tissue |
| Osteophyte | A bony spur from wear and tear |
| Osteoporosis | ‘Thinning of bones’ which predisposes patients to fractures |
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| P | |
| Palmar | Concerning the palm |
| Palpable | Perceptible, especially by touch |
| Palpation | Examination by application of the hands or fingers to the external surface of the body to detect evidence of disease or abnormalities |
| Palsy | Paralysis |
| Paracentral | Located near the centre |
| Paeaesthesia | ‘Pins and needles’ sensation |
| Paralysis | Loss of movement |
| Paplegia | Paralysis of the lower portion of the trunk and of both lower limbs |
| Para Spinal | Adjacent to the spine |
| Parenchymal | The functional tissues of an organ or gland |
| Paresis | Partial or incomplete paralysis |
| Parietal | Forming the wall of a cavity – of the parietal bone, being one of two bones that together form the posterior roof and sides of the skull |
| Parietofrontal | Concerning the parietal or frontal bones or lobes |
| Parieto-occipital | Concerning the parietal and occipital (back of the head) bones or lobes |
| Parietotemporal | Concerning the parietal and temporal (temple) bones or lobes |
| Pars | A part |
| Pars Interarticularis | The region between the superior and inferior articulating facets of a vertebra. A region where fracture frequently occurs with spondylolysis. |
| Patent | Wide open |
| Pathology | The study of the nature and cause of disease which involves changes in structure and function. A condition produced by disease |
| PCA | Patient controlled analgesia |
| PE | Pulmonary embolus – a blood clot to the lungs |
| PEEK | Poly-ether-ether-ketone (‘space age plastic’) |
| Pedal | Concerning the foot |
| Pedicle | The bony process that projects backward from the body of a vertebra, connecting with the lamina on each site. It forms the root of the vertebral arch |
| Peduncle | A brachium of the brain |
| Percutaneous | Throught the skin |
| Perianal | Around the anus |
| Perineum | The structures occupying the pelvic outlet and constituting the pelvic floor |
| Peripheral | Located at or relating to the periphery. Occurring away from the centre |
| Peritoneal | Concerning the peritoneum |
| Peritoneum | An extensive serous membrane that lines the entire abdominal wall of the body and is reflected over the internal organs |
| Petrous | Means a rock or stone; the petrous part of the temporal bone |
| Phalen’s Sign | Pain or tingling in the hand after complete wrist flexion (of the fully extended hand) which aids in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome |
| Pilates | A very structured form of muscle conditioning, stretching and exercise |
| Pituitary Adenoma | Benign tumour of the pituitary gland – micro adenoma <10mm and macro adenoma >10mm in size |
| Pituitary Gland | The pea-sized ‘master gland’ controlling the hormones and salt/water balance in the body – located at the base of the brain behind the nose |
| Plantar | Concerning the sole of the foot |
| Plantar Flexion | Extension of the foot at the ankle touching the forefoot to the ground |
| Platysma | Thin superficial muscle lining the front of the neck |
| PLIF | Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion |
| Pneumonia | Infection of thee lungs |
| Posterior | Located behind or towards the back |
| Posterior Column | Back part of the spinal column |
| Posterior Column Injections | Injections with local anaesthetic and steroid into the back part of the spinal column |
| Postoperative | Following surgery |
| Preoperative | Before surgery |
| Prodisc-C | Cervical artificial disc prosthesis |
| Prodisc-L | Lumbar artificial disc prosthesis |
| Prone | Lying face down |
| Prophylactic | Any treatment or drug that aims to prevent an infection or disease |
| Prosthesis | Replacement of a damaged or missing part by an artificial substitute |
| Proximal | Closest to the centre of the body |
| Ptosis | Drooped eyelid |
| Pulmonary | Concerning the lungs |
| Pulmonary Embolus | Blood clots to lungs causing chest pain, difficulty breathing and rarely death |
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| Q | |
| Quadriceps | Thigh muscles |
| Quadriplegia | Paralysis below the neck of all four extremities |
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| R | |
| Radicular | In the distribution of a nerve root |
| Radiculopathy | Damage or disease of a nerve root |
| Radiology | The branch of medicine concerned with imaging investigations – x-rays, CT, MRI, ultrasound, bone scans and cerebral angiography |
| Radiotherapy | The targeted treatment of tumours with radiation, either in a single high does (‘stereotactic radiosurgery’) or in multiple small doses (‘stereotactic radiotherapy’) |
| Recurrence | Relapse |
| Referral | Sending a patient to another practitioner or specialty programme for consultation or treatment |
| Reflex | An involuntary response to a stimulus |
| Rehabilitation | The processes of treatment and education that help patients recover from an operation or injury |
| Re-Incised | Re opened |
| Resect | To cut out or remove |
| Retractor | An instrument for holding back the margins of a wound |
| Retro | Backward or behind |
| Retroauricular | Behind the suricle or ear |
| Retroorbital | Behind the orbit (eye socket) |
| Retrolisthesis | Backward slip of one vertebra onto another |
| Retrosigmoid | Behind the sigmoid (s-shaped) venous sinus |
| RFD | Radio Frequency Denervation – a procedure where an electrical wire is passed through the skin to treat a painful joint with a current of heat to relieve pain |
| Rheumatologist | Physician who specialises in diseases of joints and muscles |
| Rhizolysis | Decompressing or ‘loosening’ a nerve root |
| Risk | Chances something going wrong with a procedure. Same as complication. |
| Rostral | Towards the head or above |
| Rotation | The process of turning on an axis |
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| S | |
| Sacral | Relating to the sacrum |
| Sacroiliac Joint | The joint between the sacrum and ilium (i.e. between the tailbone and hipbone) |
| Sacrum | The triangular ‘tail bone’ below the lumbar spine |
| Saddle Area | The portion of the buttocks, perineum and upper posterior thighs that comes into contact with the seat of the saddle. (Altered saddle area sensation indicates a cauda equina or conus lesion) |
| Sagittal | Plane which separates the body into right and left parts |
| Sarcoma | A cancer arising from connective tissue such as muscle or bone |
| Scapula | The shoulder blade bone |
| Scar | A mark left in the skin or an internal organ by the healing of a wound or injury |
| Schwann Cells | The lining cells of a nerve |
| Schwannoma | A benign tumour arising from the lining cells of a nerve |
| Sciatica | ‘Leg pain’ – pain emanating from the low back that is felt along the distribution of the sciatic nerve into the lower limb |
| Scoliosis | An abnormal lateral curvature of the spine |
| Sedation | The process of allying nervous excitement. A minimally depressed level of consciousness during which the patient retains the ability to maintain a patent airway and respond appropriately to physical or verbal commands |
| Seizure | A convulsion, episode of sensory disturbance or loss of consciousness caused by a sudden discharge of electrical activity in the brain |
| Sensation | A feeling or awareness |
| Septum | A wall dividing two cavities |
| Sequelae | A condition following and resulting from a disorder or disease |
| Sequential | Occuring in order |
| Sequestrated | Fragment of nucleus pulposus broken off from the intervertebral disc |
| Shunt | An artificial tube to divert flow from one area to another |
| Sign | An objective physical finding on examining a patient |
| Skull | The bony framework of the head |
| Spasm | An involuntary sudden movement or muscular contraction that occurs as a result of some irritant or trauma |
| Spasticity | A motor disorder that demonstrates velocity dependent increased muscle tone, exaggerated tendon jerks and clonus |
| Specialist | A professional who has advanced education and training in one clinical area of practice |
| Sphenoid | Wedge shaped |
| Sphenoid Bone | The large bone at the base of the skull that has the ethmoid bone in front of it, the occipital bone behind it and the parietal and temporal bones at the sides |
| Sphincter | A circular muscle constricting an orifice, such as the bladder or anus |
| Spinal Cord | Tube of nervous tissue connecting the brain to the body. Extends from the foramen magnum to the upper lumbar region |
| Spinal Fusion | Operation to join together or fuse adjacent vertebrae. Performed using anterior, posterior or combined (both) approaches |
| Spine | Backbone (vertebral column) |
| Spondylo- | Means vertebra |
| Spondylolisthesis | The slipping (subluxation) of one vertebra onto another |
| Spondylolysis | Defect in the pars interarticularis. If bilateral, can result in ‘isthmic or lytic’ spondylolisthesis |
| Spondylosis | ‘Wear and tear’ degenerative disease in the spine |
| Stabilization | The act of making something more rigid |
| Stenosis | Narrowing |
| Stereotactic | Localising a tumour or lesion by precise three dimensional spatial coordinates using a CT or MRI scan |
| Stroke | A sudden loss of consciousness or neurological function caused by interruption of blood flow to the brain by a clot or bleed |
| Subarachnoid | Below the arachnoid membrane (thin, delicate membrane enclosing the brain and the spinal cord, interposed between the pia mater and the dura mater) |
| Subarticular | Below a joint |
| Subdural | Located below the dura (the outermost and most fibrous of the three membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord) |
| Subluxation | A partial or incomplete dislocation |
| Sulcus | A groove or slight depression, especially of the brain |
| Superior | Above or higher |
| Supinate | To turn the forearm and hand so that the palm faces upward |
| Supinator | Muscle producing supination of the forearm |
| Supra- | Above |
| Surgeon | A medical practisioner who specialises in surgery |
| Surgicell | A blood clotting or haemostatic dissolvable mesh |
| Suture | The thread, wire or other material used to stitch parts of the body together |
| Symptom | Any subjective change in the body or its functions as reported by the patient |
| Symptomatic | Of or concerning a symptom |
| Syndrome | A collection of symptoms, signs, laboratory and radiological findings |
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| T | |
| Tachycardia | An abnormally fast heart rate |
| TCP | Tri-Calcium Phosphate (bone substitute) |
| TED Stockings | ‘Thromboembolic Disease Stockings’ – elastic calf stocking to prevent blood clots in veins |
| Temporal | In relation to the temple |
| Temporal bone | A bone on both sides of the skull at its base |
| Temporalis | The muscle in the temporal fossa that elevates the mandible |
| Theca | A sheath of investing membrane around the lumbar nerves |
| Thenar | Thumb |
| Thenar Eminence | The muscle prominence at the base of the thumb |
| Thigh | The proximal portion of the lower limb between the hip joint and the knee |
| Thoracotomy | Opening into the chest wall |
| Thorax | Chest |
| Thrombosis | The formation or presence of a blood clot within blood vessels |
| Thrombus | Blood clot |
| Tinel’s Sign | Pain or tingling in the hand produced by tapping over the median nerve at the wrist which aids in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome |
| Titanium | Extremely strong but light metal used for surgical implants. MRI compatible and will not activate security x-ray machines |
| TLIF | Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion |
| Torsion | A twisting movement |
| Torticollis | Stiff and twisted neck associated with muscle spasm |
| Tract | A group of nerve fibres within the spinal cord or brain that act together as an anatomical and functional unit |
| Trachea | Breathing pipe |
| Traction | The process of pulling |
| Transforaminal | Through a foramen (an opening in a bone) |
| Translabyrinthine | Through the bony part of the ear |
| Transsphenoidal | Through the sphenoid sinus |
| Transverse | Across at right angles to the long axis of the body |
| Trapezius | A flat, triangular muscle covering the posterior surface of the neck and shoulder |
| Trauma | A physical injury or wound caused by external force or violence; a distressing or emotionally disturbing experience |
| Triceps | Muscle on the back of the arm for extending the elbow |
| Trigeminal Nerve | The fifth cranial nerve supplies sensation to the face and moves the chewing muscles |
| Trigger Point | An area of tissue (usually muscle) that is tender when compressed and gives rise to referred pain |
| Trunk | The body exclusive of head and limbs |
| TURP | Transurethral resection of prostate |
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| U | |
| Ulna | The inner and larger bone of the forearm between the wrist and elbow |
| Ultrasound | Non-invasive scan using sound waves to detect muscle/ligament injuries, hernias or swelling/narrowing of blood vessels |
| Uncovertebral Joint | The joint formed between the lateral parts of two cervical vertebral bodies |
| Unilateral | One side |
| Upper Limb | Upper extremity between shoulder and hand |
| Urinary Retention | Inability to empty the bladder, treated by a urinary catheter |
| UTI | Urinary Tract Infection |
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| V | |
| Vascular | Composed of blood cells |
| Vasogenic | Arising from blood cells |
| Vein | A vessel carrying deoxygenated blood back to the heart (except for pulmonary veins which carry oxygenated blood) |
| Venous | Relating to veins |
| Ventilation | The movement of air into and out of the lungs |
| Ventilator | A machine for artificial breathing |
| Ventral | Front or anterior |
| Ventricle | One of the fluid cavities of the brain |
| Ventriculomegaly | Enlarged vebtricles |
| Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt | Shunt tubing draining excess CSF from the lateral ventricles of the brain to the peritoneal cavity of the abdomen |
| Vertebra | Bone segments of the spine |
| Vertebral Arch | Bony ring formed by the pedicles and laminae enclosing and protecting the spinal cord and cauda equina |
| Vestibular Schwannoma | Acoustic neuroma |
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| W | |
| Warfarin | Blood thinning tablet to prevent clots |
| Weakness | Lack of strength or power |
| Whiplash Injury | A term for injury to the cervical vertebrae and adjacent soft tissues. Produced by a sudden jerking backward or forward of the head |
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| X | |
| X-Ray | An image formed by high frequency electromagnetic radiation to view bones |
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| Y | – |
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| Z | |
| Zygapophyseal joint | One of the paired facet joints at the back of the spine providing stability to the vertebrae |
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CONTACT DETAILS
Prof. Malham’s Private Consulting Rooms
Suite 8.3
89 Bridge Rd,
Richmond VICTORIA 3121
Phone: (03) 9866 6650
Fax: (03) 9866 6681
Email: info@gregmalham.com.au
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Epworth Private Richmond
89 Bridge Rd,
Richmond VICTORIA 3121
Phone: (03) 9426 6666
Fax: (03) 9427 0353
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