Neurology Care Center

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Achilles tendon

Tendon formed by the union of two muscles, the gastrocnemius and the soleus, which join in the mid-calf area and are known as the gastroc-soleal complex; prominent at the back of the ankle

Achilles tendonitis

Painful and often debilitating inflammation of the Achilles tendon

alternative therapy

Therapy that is not standard, including herbal medicines, accupuncture, and accupressure, as well as medicinal therapies, such as shark cartilage, maitake mushroom, etc

Alzheimer's disease

Most common form of dementia in older persons that affects many areas of cognitive function, including memory

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Degenerative disorder affecting the motor neuron cells and the motor tracts in the brain and spinal cord; Lou Gehrig's disease

anemia

Deficiency in red blood cell count, in hemoglobin, or in total blood volume

angina

Discomfort and pain felt when a blockage in a coronary artery prevents oxygen-rich blood from reaching part of the heart

angiogram

Invasive diagnostic test whereby a dye is injected into the arteries through a catheter in order to observe the blood vessels

angioplasty

Procedure for treating blockages and blood clots in which a small balloon is inflated to open clogged arteries

ankle joint

Joint made by the two leg bones (the tibia and the fibula) and the most superior bone in the foot (the talus)

antiarrhythmic agents

Drugs that slow or eliminate rapid contraction of the ventricle

anti-inflammatory agents

Drugs that reduce inflammation and its effects

anxiety

Generalized feeling of apprehension, fear, or worry that interferes with normal life functions

aortic valve

One-way valve that allows blood to flow only out of the left ventricle and into the aorta

aphasia

Acquired abnormality in the production or comprehension of language

apnea

Condition of sleep in which the upper airway tends to collapse repeatedly

arrhythmia

Irregular heartbeat that features either very rapid ventricular contractions (tachycardia), an excessively slow heartbeat (bradychardia) or, most commonly, extra or "premature" beats

arteries

Blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the organs

articulate

Process by which two adjacent bones form a joint and slide upon each other

artifact

Various types of image distortion and interference found in x-ray film

ataxia telangiectasia (AT)

Progressive, degenerative genetic disease, which causes degeneration of the nervous system, cancer, and immunodeficiency

atherosclerosis

Condition in which lipids (fats) collect under the inner lining of damaged artery walls, eventually narrowing or blocking the artery and obstructing blood flow

atony

Lack of muscle tone, usually leading to temporary weakness

atopy

Hereditary presence of antibodies associated with allergic reactions

atria (sing., atrium)

Right and left upper chambers of the heart

atrial fibrillation

Abnormal rhythm of the heart that can result in an increased risk of stroke due to the formation of emboli (blood clots) in the heart

atrophy

Wasting of tissue, cell, or organ

aura

Warning symptoms like disturbances in vision, strange smells, or hallucinations that occur prior to a particular neurological event, such as seizure or migraine

autism

Lifelong developmental disability that occurs by itself or in association with other disorders that affect the function of the brain, such as viral infections, metabolic disturbances, mental retardation, epilepsy, and fragile X syndrome; characterized by severely impaired social interaction and communication skills and restrictive or repetitive movements, interests, and behaviors

AV node (atrioventricular node)

Patch of electrical-wire-like specialized heart tissue located between the atria and the ventricles that conducts contractile impulses from the atria to the ventricles

axon

Inner core of peripheral nerves

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