Neurology Care Center

 

G

gadolinium

Contrast agent that is given intravenously during MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to increase visualization of specific abnormalities

gait

Manner of walking

gamma-knife radiation

Radiosurgery used most often to treat brain tumors and vascular lesions

gantry

The doughnut- or bagel-shaped device used for CT or MRI

Gastroesophageal (GE) junction

Important junction between the esophagus and the stomach that normally permits one-way ingestion to the stomach

Guillain-Barré syndrome

Inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nerves characterized by rapid onset of weakness and often paralysis of the legs, arms, breathing muscles, and face.; acute idiopathic polyneuritis

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H

heart attack

See myocardial infarction

hemiparesis

Weakness that affects one side of the body

hospice

Home-based health care and support for terminally ill patients and their families

hypertension, or high blood pressure

Increased resistance to blood flow through small blood vessels (arterioles), which forces the heart to work harder

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I

idiopathic

Without a known cause

immune cells

Cells produced in our bodies that protect us from disease-causing agents by producing antibodies

immune system

Collection of cells, proteins, and lymphatic tissues that help protect the body from potentially harmful, infectious microorganisms

immunity

Insusceptibility that usually results from previous exposure to an infectious agent, either naturally or by vaccination

immunoglobulins

Proteins found in blood and in tissue fluids that are produced by B-lymphocyte cells in the immune system and which bind to foreign substances in the body in order to destroy them; antibodies

immunotherapy

Preventive, incrementally progressive, anti-inflammatory treatment for allergies to substances such as pollens, dust mites, fungi, and insect venom; allergy shots

inflammation

Redness, swelling, heat, and pain in a tissue caused by injury, infection, or hypersensitivity to an allergen

ischemia

Lack of blood flow to a part, often caused by constriction or obstruction of a blood vessel

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L

lacunar

Subtype of stroke that affects the deeper parts of the brain and involves the tiny perforating arteries

lateral

Describes the plane or movement that inclines away from the center or midline; opposite of medial

lateral collateral ligaments

Complex of three ligaments that helps support the lateral side of the ankle joint; consisting of the anterior talofibular, calcaneofibular, and the posterior talofibular ligaments

ligament

Substance made of fibrous tissue that helps connect and stabilize joints, strengthening the gap between two or more bones, cartilage, and/or muscles

lumbar puncture (spinal tap)

Removal and analysis of some of the cerebrospinal fluid from the base of the spine, used to diagnose meningitis or nervous system syphilis

lung

Organ (pair) of the thorax whose contractions and expansions during respiration deliver oxygen to the blood

Lyme disease

Disease that affects the joints, nervous system, and heart that is transmitted by the deer tick and is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi

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