C
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Cardiac
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Cardiovascular System
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Caudal
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Causalgia
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Central Canal
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Central Nervous System
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Central Pain
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Central Sleep Apnoea
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Cephalad
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Cephalgia
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Cerebellar Tonsils
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Cerebellum
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Cerebrospinal Fluid
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Cervical
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Cervicomedullary Syndrome
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Chiari 0
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Chiari I
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Chiari II
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Chiari 1.5
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Chiari III
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Chiari IV
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Chiari Malformation
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Chronic
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Chronic Fatigue
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Circulatory System
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Cisterna Magna
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CINE MRI
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Clivio-axial angle
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Clivus
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Complete Spinal Cord Injury
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Complex Chiari
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Complex Sleep Apnoea
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Condyles
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Connective Tissue
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CPAP
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Cranial Nerves
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Cranial Settling
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Craniocervical Junction
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Medical Terminology
Acute
Abrupt onset, with a short duration.
Acute Pain
Pain that typically lasts less than 3-6 months. Relatively short pain experience, usually directly after an injury
Adrenal Gland
Found above each kidney the endocrine glands that produce a variety of hormones including adrenaline and the steroids aldosterone and cortisol.
Allodynia
Pain in response to something that should not cause pain. Like clothing or a light touch.
Amygdala
Part of the brain located deep in the temporal lobe. Has a primary role in memory, decision-making and emotional responses. Part of the limbic system.
Anaesthetics
Are drugs used to block/prevent pain, typically used in surgery and medical procedures. A wide variety of drugs are used to achieve this.
Anaesthetist
A medical professional specialising in administering anaesthetic techniques. Typically administration of general anaesthetics during an operation.
Analgesia
The absence of pain in response to something that is painful. (i.e. painkillers have an analgesic effect)
Analogus
Performing a similar function but having a different evolutionary origin. Usually in reference to synthetic or donor dura patch types.
Anaphylaxis
A very severe allergic reaction that can close off the airway and lead to death if untreated.
Ankylosing Spondylitis
A type of arthritis where there is long-term inflammation of the joints in the spine.
Anterior
Anatomical Orientation: To the front of something, the front of the body.
Apnoea
Temporary cessation of breathing (e.g. Sleep Apnoea)
Arachnoid Mater
The arachnoid mater is the middle of three layers that make up the lining of the spinal cord and brain
A disorder where the parts of the cerebellum called "cerebellar tonsils" herniate outside of the skull into the spinal canal. Also called Chiari, some people reserve "Arnold Chiari" to refer to Chiari Type 2.
Arteries
Muscular-walled tubed that are part of the circulatory system where oxygenated blood goes from the heart to the body.
Aspiration
When fluids, liquids, vomit and/or saliva is inhaled into the airways.
Asymptomatic
When no symptoms are present.
ASV - AdaotiveServo Ventilation
A piece of medical technology used in types of sleep apnoea such as central sleep apnoea or Cheyne Stokes. Has a different pressure when breathing in and out that adapts with each breath.
Ataxia
A neurological sign with the lack of voluntary coordination of movements, gait abnormality, Frequently caused by dysfunction from the cerebellum.
Atlas
The atlas (C1) is the most superior cervical vertebrae. Named after Atlas of Greek Mythology, because it supports the globe of the head
Arachnoid Granulations
Also known as Pacchionian granulations, are projections (villi) of the arachnoid membrane into the dural sinuses that allow the CSF entrance from the subarachnoid space into the venous system.
Atlanto-Axial Joint
Is a joint in the upper cervical spine between the first (C1) and second (C2) vertebrae. It is the pivot joint.
Atlanto-Occipital Joint
Is a synovial joint that consists of a pair of condyloid joints.
Atrium
Upper chambers of the heart where blood enters.
Atrophy
Wasting away, decrease in size or body part, tissue, cell.
Autologous
Tissue or cells obtained from the same individual. Most commonly used to refer to dura patches that are harvested from your own body.
Autonomic Nervous System
Control system that regulates unconscious actions like heart rate, digestion respiration rate, urination etc. Autonomic dysfunction can also be called Dysautonomia.
Axial View
Anatomical orientation. Axial view in MRI's is the view looking down the head to the toes.
Axis
The second cervical vertebrae (C2) of the spine. Part of the atlanto-axial joint, which allows rotation of the head. The most distinctive characteristics of the axis are the odontoid process called the dens.
Axon
A long slender projection of a nerve cell/Neuron that conducts electrical impulses aware from the nerve cell body.
A
B
Basal Ganglia
Group of nuclei in the brain associated with a variety of functions such as voluntary motor movement, procedural learning, routine behaviours, "habits" and emotion
Basilar Impression/Invagination
An abnormality of the craniocervical junction where the tip of the odontoid process projects above the foramen magnum into the skull area.
Basion
A radiological landmark in the skull. Used to measure the Basion-dens interval, basion-axial interval and McRae Line.
Basion Dens Interval (BDI)
The distance between the basion and tip of the dens. Used in the measurement of instability. Normal distance is <12mm
Benign
Does not have a harmful effect.
Benign Intracranial Hypertension
BiPAP/Bilevel
Machines used to treat more complex sleep apnoea issues. Has an inspiratory pressure and expiratory pressure (breathing in and out). That keeps the airways open and making it easier to inhale. Use in central sleep apnoea, complex sleep apnoea and severe cases of obstructive sleep apnoea not controlled by CPAP.
Blood Pressure
Is the pressure of circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels. Blood pressure is frequently measured vital sign. Blood pressure is made up of two number. The first being Systolic and the Second Being Diastolic. Normal blood pressure is between 90/60 and 120/80. With any blood pressure below these values called Hypotension and above Hypertension.
Blood Sugar
Is the measure of the amount of glucose in the blood. High levels of blood sugar are called Hyperglycemia and low levels Hypoglycemia.
Bradycardia
Abnormally slow heart, usually below 60bpm.
Brainstem
Posterior part of the brain adjoining to the spinal cord. Made up of the midbrain, pons and medulla oblongata. Provides the main motor and sensory innervation to the face and neck via cranial nerves. Can be compressed in Chiari and/or cervical instability. Has an important role in respiration, sleep cycles, cardiac function, consciousness.
Broca's Area
A region in the frontal lobe of the dominant hemisphere (usually left). Linked to speech production
C
Cardiac
Pertaining to the heart, and vessels.
Cardiovascular System
Also called the circulatory system or vascular system. An organ system that permits blood to circulate and transport nutrients to and from the cells in the body.
Carotid
The two main arteries which carry blood to the head and neck
Cataplexy
Sudden and transient episodes of muscle weakness. Usually triggered by strong emotions. Seen in some people with Narcolepsy.
Cauda Equina
Bundle of spinal nerves and nerve rootlets and finishes above the conus medullaris.
Caudal
At or near the posterior or tail end of the body
Causalgia
Severe burning pain in a limb/s caused by injury to the peripheral nerve.
Central Canal
Also called the ependymal canal. It is a cerebrospinal fluid-filled space that runs the length of the entire spinal cord from the ventricular space. Transports nutrients to the spinal cord and cushions against force.
Central Nervous System (CNS)
The part of the nervous system that consists of the brain and spinal cord.
Central Pain Syndrome
A neurological condition caused by damage to dysfunction of the central nervous system.
Central Sleep Apnoea
A condition where respiration ceases during sleep for at least 10 seconds. Caused usually by lack of signal from the brain to breathe. Commonly associated with Chiari malformation when brainstem compression is present.
Cephalad
Towards the head or anterior of the body
Cephalgia
A headache: Pain in the head can be caused by dilation of cerebral arteries, blockage of cerebrospinal fluid or muscle contractions or drugs.
Cerebellar Ectopia
The herniation of the cerebellar tonsils outside of the skull into the spinal canal.
Cerebellar Hemisphere
The two hemispheres that make up the cerebellum on either side of the vermis. They are functionally subdivided into lateral and medial portions
Cerebellar Hypoplasia
Reduced volume of the cerebellum.
Cerebellar Peduncles
Connect the cerebellum to the brainstem. There are 6 peduncles with 3 on each side. The superior cerebellar peduncle connects the cerebellum to the midbrain. The middle cerebellar peduncle connects the cerebellum to the pons. And finally the inferior cerebellar peduncles to the medulla oblongata.
Cerebellar Ptosis
Also called cerebellar slumping, a complication from the Chiari decompression surgery when too much bone is removed and the cerebellum slumps down due to lack of support.
Cerebellar Tonsils
Rounded lobule on the underside of each cerebellar hemisphere. When herniated out of the skull is called cerebellar ectopia or Chiari Malformation.
Cerebral Arteries
The anterior cerebral artery (ACA) is one of a pair of arteries on the brain that supplies oxygenated blood to most midline portions of the frontal lobes and superior medial parietal lobes.
Cerebral Cortex
The outer layer of the cerebrum composed of folded grey matter and playing an important role in consciousness
Cerebrocerebellum
Lateral parts of the cerebellum hemispheres involved in planning movement and evaluating sensory information for action.
Cervicogenic Headache
A type of headache with referred from the cervical spine or soft tissues within the neck.
Cerebellum
The lower part of the brain under the cerebrum. Also known as the "little brain" or hindbrain. Has an important role in motor control, and has been considered (but not established) to have a role in cognitive functions such as attention, language, fear and pleasure. Disorders of the cerebellum produce issues with fine movement, equilibrium, posture and motor learning. It is made up of three lobes from top to bottom: the anterior lobe, posterior lobe and flocculonodular lobe. It is also made up of three layers: the Granular layer, Purkinje Layer and the molecular layer.
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)
Is a clear, colourless fluid found in the brain and spinal cord. it is produced in the choroid plexuses of the ventricles of the brain and absorbed in the arachnoid granulations.
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Leak
When the fluid contained within the spinal cord escapes through a tear or hole in the dura.
Cerebrum
The cerebrum makes up the largest part of the brain and is made up of two cerebral hemispheres. Contains the frontal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe, and temporal lobe. Sits above the brainstem and cerebellum.
Cervical Instability
The structural degeneration in the cervical (upper) region of the spine, which can lead to pain and impaired movement.
Cervicomedullary Junction
The junction between the base of the skull and brainstem and the cervical spine and spinal cord. Where the skull meets the spine.
Cervicomedullary Syndrome
A syndrome that occurs from ventral brainstem compression, Symptoms can include a Chiari-type headache, dysautonomia, syncope, delayed gastric emptying, neck pain, central or mixed sleep apnoea, facial pain or numbness, balance and coordination issues, muscle weakness, vision problems, reduced gag reflex, dysphagia, tinnitus, hearing loss, nausea and vomiting, paralysis, non-epileptic seizures, and neck pain.