Brain Glossary
Description
This article is from the Health Articles series.
Brain Glossary
Accessible Tumor
a tumor that can be reached and removed using surgical tools without unreasonable risk of severe damage.
Anaplastic
cancerous, malignant (see below).
Angiography
an imaging technique that provides an X-ray picture of blood vessels.
Benign
non-malignant or non-cancerous. Often used to describe tumor cells that are similar to other normal cells, grow relatively slowly, and are confined to one location. Benign CNS tumors can nevertheless be dangerous.
Biopsy
diagnostic test in which a sample of a patient's tissue is examined for disease.
Blood-brain Barrier
an elaborate meshwork of fine blood vessels and cells that filters blood reaching the central nervous system.
Central Nervous System (CNS)
the brain and spinal cord.
Cerebrospinal Fluid
clear liquid that bathes the brain and spinal cord.
Computed Tomography (CT)
an imaging technique that uses X-rays and computer analysis to create a picture of body tissues and structures.
Congenital Tumor
an abnormal growth present at birth.
Dura Mater
a tough, fibrous membrane covering the brain and spinal cord. The dura mater is located inside the spinal bones and skull.,
Electroencephalogram
a written recording of the brain's electrical activity.
Hydrocephalus
abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the skull.
Inaccessible or Inoperable Tumor
a tumor that cannot be reached surgically without unreasonable risk of severe damage to nearby tissue.
Lumbar Puncture
a diagnostic procedure in which a sample of cerebrospinal fluid is removed from the spinal cord using a needle.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
an imaging technique which uses radiowaves, magnetic fields, and computer analysis to create a picture of body tissues and structures.
Malignant
harmful, cancerous. Often used to describe tumor cells that are very different from normal cells, grow relatively quickly, and can easily spread to other locations.
Meninges
membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord.
Metastatic Tumors
tumors caused by cancerous cells that have spread from other parts of the body.
Myelogram
a diagnostic test that uses injected dye and X-rays to create a picture of the spinal cord.
Neoplasms
new, abnormal growths in the body.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
an imaging technique that provides a visual measure of metabolism, or activity, within body tissues.
Primary Tumors
as opposed to metastatic tumors, these are abnormal growths that originated in the location where they have been diagnosed.
Prognosis
the likely outcome of a situation, especially for an individual with a disease.
Reflexes
automatic movements that the body makes in response to a given stimulus.
Spasticity
abnormal, involuntary stiffness or contraction of the body's muscles.
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