Neurology Care Center

 

S

sciatic nerve

Large nerve in the lumbar-sacral spinal region that is composed of multiple nerve roots that supply the lower extremities

seizure

Abnormal electrical discharge of brain cells (neurons) that results in a transient disturbance in brain function

SEP (somatosensory evoked response)

Measures function of the central nervous system, including pathways from the extremities

serotonin

Important neurotransmitter (communicates information chemically between brain cells) that is involved in pain sensation and emotional perceptions

silhouette sign

Observance of one type of tissue over another; x-ray

spasticity

Stiffness of the body involving the limbs that results from dysfunction of the corticospinal tracts

sphincter

Ring of muscle fibers located around an opening in the body that regulates the passage of substances through the opening

spinal stenosis

Narrowing of the spinal canal due to disc disease, bony changes, ligamentous thickening, and congenital factors

status epilepticus

Seizures that continue for more than 20 minutes without an intervening period of responsiveness

stenosis

Condition that develops when any of the four major valves that regulate blood flow through the heart and lungs thickens, becomes damaged, or is diseased

stress test

Test that monitors the heart during exercise in order to identify the presence of heart disease or the risk of developing cardiac problems during strenuous activity; also, diagnostic test that requires patients to lift something or perform an exercise to determine if there is urine loss when stress is placed on bladder muscles

stroke

Medical event that occurs when a blood clot blocks the blood and oxygen supply to the brain; brain attack

systemic

Involving the entire body or multiple body systems

systolic pressure

Arterial pressure measured as the heart contracts

back to top

 

 

T

talus

Most superior bone of the foot that provides the primary connection between the leg and the foot and that articulates with the calcaneus to make up the subtalar joint

tarsal tunnel syndrome

Entrapment and compression of the tibial nerve that causes pain, burning, and tingling on the sole of the foot

TEE

See transesophageal echo

tendon

Structure formed when a muscle condenses into a smaller complex before it attaches to a bone

tensilon test

Diagnostic test that is used to confirm myasthenia gravis

thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)

Hormone that stimulates hormonal secretion of the thyroid gland; thyrotropin

TIA

See transient ischemic attack

tibialis posterior dysfunction

Condition in which the tibialis posterior muscle and tendon weaken and tear often, causing muscle imbalance

tibialis posterior

Muscle in the leg that condenses to become a tendon in the foot; contributes to the arch of the foot and works with the Achilles tendon to allow people to stand on their toes with their heels off the ground

tinnitus

Ringing in the ears or head noises

titration

Process of determining the proper concentration of a dissolved substance needed to produce a desired effect; in positive airway pressure, the proper amount of air pressure needed to prevent airway collapse (occlusion)

torticollis

Involuntary turning of the neck to one side, seen in disorders of the basal ganglia

toxoplasmosis

Common parasitic disease that presents as swollen "glands" (enlarged lymph nodes); when disease occurs in immunosuppressed people, it may cause encephalitis or brain abscesses

transesophageal echo (TEE)

Diagnostic procedure in which a transducer is passed down into the esophagus to a location behind the heart, where sound waves are sent and delivered to image the heart

transient ischemic attack (TIA)

Neurological symptoms that result from transient interruption of blood flow to the brain

tremor

Uncontrollable shaking

trigeminal neuralgia

Disorder of the fifth cranial nerve that causes episodes of intense, stabling electric shock-like pain in the areas of the face where the nerve is distributed - jaw, lips, eyes, nose, scalp, and forehead

tuberous sclerosis

Genetic disorder that causes benign tumors to form in many different organs, but primarily in the brain, eyes, heart, kidney, skin, and lungs

tumor

Abnormal mass of tissue that results from excessive cell division, either benign or malignant; large and deep solid growth of skin or subcutaneous fat

back to top