A-B | C-D | E-G | H-K | L-M | N-P | R-U | V-Z


V

VAGUS NERVE - The vagus nerve is tenth of twelve paired cranial nerves and is the only nerve that starts in the brainstem (somewhere in the medulla oblongata) and extends all the way down past the head, right down to the abdomen. The vagus nerve is arguably the single most important nerve in the body, and affects many areas such as: the heart, lungs, stomach, ears, pharynx, larynx, trachea, esophagus, the majority of the autonomic functions and internal organs.

VALVE – A device placed in a shunt system to regulate the rate and direction of the cerebrospinal fluid flow.

VASOCONSTRICTION – A decrease in the diameter of blood vessels.

VASODILATATION – An increase in the diameter of blood vessels. VASOPRESSOR – An agent that constricts the arteries and raises blood pressure.

VASOSPASM - Refers to a condition in which blood vessels spasm, leading to vasoconstriction. Vasospasm is a major contributor to post-operative stroke and death after brain injury, aneurysm repair and any other source bleeding within the brain. Vasospasm may not appear until 4 to 8 days after injury.

VENTRICLES – The two lower chambers of the heart. The right ventricle sends blood to the lungs and the left ventricle passes blood while carrying oxygen to the rest of the body.

VENTRICULAR DRAINAGE – The insertion of a small tube into the ventricles to drain cerebrospinal fluid, usually when pressure is increased. VERMIS – The middle part of the cerebellum between the two hemispheres. VERTEBRAE – Referring to more than one vertebra.

VERTEBRAL ARCH – The posterior segment of a typical vertebra. The vertebral arch is formed by a foramen, a pair of pedicles and a pair of laminae, and supports seven processes (four articular, two transverse, and one spinous).

VERTEBRAL BODY – The anterior segment of a typical vertebra. When articulated with the vertebral arch, the bodies form a strong pillar for the support of the head.

VERTEBRAL COLUMN (Also called Spine or Backbone)– Refers to the column of vertebrae in the dorsal torso: thirty-three individual bones of the spine, sizes and shapes of which correspond to functional needs and location. In all, there are seven cervical, twelve thoracic, and five lumbar vertebrae. The sacrum typically consists of five vertebrae that are fused into one bone and four coccygeal bones.

VERTEBRAL FRACTURES – The most common vertebral fractures of the spine occur in the thoracic (mid-back) and lumbar (lower-back) region and are usually associated with major trauma.  Fractures can cause spinal cord damage that result in nerve damage.  Minor fractures (of the transverse processes of the vertebrae, spinous processes, and pars interarticularis) do not usually result in associated neurological compromise and are considered mechanically stable.  Osteoporosis can also cause fractures of the vertebrae.

VERTIGO – A dizzying or spinning sensation.

VESSEL – A tube in the body that carries fluids, like a blood or lymph vessel.

W

WERNICKE’S AREA - Wernicke’s area lies in the temporal lobe and is most typically found in the left hemisphere, as this is where the majority of people have brain areas specialized for language skills. The German neurologist Karl Wernicke discovered in 1874 that damage to this area could cause a type of aphasia, resulting in a pronounced impairment of language comprehension and speech. One theory of language production holds that Wernicke’s area is responsible for individual words, while Broca’s area is responsible for grammar.

WHITE MATTER – Nerve tissue that is paler in color than gray matter because it contains nerve fibers with large amounts of insulating material (myelin). In the brain, the white matter lies within the gray layer of the cerebral cortex.


X

X-RAY –The application of electromagnetic radiation to produce a film or picture of a bone or soft-tissue area of the body.

X-STOP (EXTENSION STOP)® – A titanium implant, used in IPD procedures, that is fitted between the spinous processes in order to relieve symptoms of patients when they bend forward or flex their spines.


<<BACK R-U | DOWNLOAD PDF OF GLOSSARY | A-B NEXT>>