| aortic nerve | <anatomy, nerve> A branch of the vagus which ends in the aortic arch and base of the heart; composed entirely of afferent fibres; its stimulation elicits a brainstem reflex which causes slowing of the heart, dilation of the peripheral vessels, and a fall in blood pressure. Synonym: Cyon's nerve, depressor nerve of Ludwig, Ludwig's nerve. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| area of facial nerve | <anatomy, nerve> The area in the fundus of the internal acoustic meatus superior to the transverse crest through which the facial nerve passes to enter the facial canal. Synonym: area nervi facialis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Arnold's nerve | <anatomy, nerve> A branch of the superior ganglion of the vagus, supplying the back of the pinna and the external acoustic meatus. Synonym: ramus auricularis nervi vagi, Arnold's nerve. (05 Mar 2000) |
| artery to sciatic nerve | <anatomy, nerve> Origin, inferior gluteal; distribution, sciatic nerve; anastomoses, branches of profunda femoris. Synonym: arteria comitans nervi ischiadici, companion artery to sciatic nerve. (05 Mar 2000) |
| articular nerve | <anatomy, nerve> A branch of a nerve supplying a joint. Synonym: nervus articularis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| auditory nerve | <anatomy, neurology> Cranial nerve VIII is responsible for the sense of hearing and balance (body position sense). Lesions of the eighth nerve can result in deafness, tinnitus, dizziness, vertigo and vomiting. (27 Sep 1997) |
| auricular branch of vagus nerve | <anatomy, nerve> A branch of the superior ganglion of the vagus, supplying the back of the pinna and the external acoustic meatus. Synonym: ramus auricularis nervi vagi, Arnold's nerve. (05 Mar 2000) |
| auriculotemporal nerve | <anatomy, nerve> A branch of the mandibular, usually arising by two roots embracing the middle meningeal artery; it passes through the parotid gland conveying post-synaptic parasympathetic secretomotor fibres from the otic ganglion, and continuing to terminate in the skin of the temple and scalp; also sends branches to the external acoustic meatus, tympanic membrane, and auricle as well as a communicating branch to the facial nerve. Synonym: nervus auriculotemporalis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| auriculotemporal nerve syndrome | <syndrome> Localised flushing and sweating of the ear and cheek in response to eating. Synonym: Frey's syndrome, gustatory sweating syndrome. (05 Mar 2000) |
| autonomic nerve | <anatomy, nerve> A bundle of nerve fibres outside of the central nervous system belonging or relating to the autonomic nervous system. (05 Mar 2000) |
| autonomic nerve block | Interruption of sympathetic pathways, by local injection of an anaesthetic agent, at any of four levels: peripheral nerve block, sympathetic ganglion block, extradural block, and subarachnoid block. (12 Dec 1998) |
| axillary nerve | <anatomy, nerve> Arises from the posterior cord of the brachial plexus in the axilla, passes laterally and posteriorly through quadrangular space with the posterior circumflex artery, winding round the surgical neck of the humerus to supply the deltoid and teres minor muscles, terminating as the superior lateral brachial cutaneous nerve. Synonym: nervus axillaris, circumflex nerve. (05 Mar 2000) |
| axillary nerve injury | <neurology> A condition involving dysfunction of the axillary nerve which normally supplies the deltoid and teres minor muscles and sensation to the lateral aspect of the shoulder. This condition is a type of peripheral neuropathy that may manifest as the result of a variety of disease processes or injuries. Conditions associated with axillary nerve dysfunction include mononeuritis multiplex, fracture of the humerus, abduction injury to the shoulder, pressure to the armpit from a cast, splint or crutches. Symptoms include numbness over the outer portion of the shoulder, shoulder weakness and difficulty lifting arm or objects over your head. An EMG, nerve conduction study or muscle biopsy can be helpful in making the diagnosis. Recovery is generally spontaneous if the underlying cause can be corrected and shoulder mobility is preserved. Corticosteroid injections may be indicated in some instances. (02 Jan 1998) |
| baroreceptor nerve | <anatomy, nerve> A nerve composed of afferent fibres the endings of which are sensitive to increases in mechanical pressure; the term specifically refers to sensory nerve's innervating the walls of hollow organs. Synonym: baroreceptor nerve. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Bell's respiratory nerve | <anatomy, nerve> Arises from the fifth, sixth, and seventh cervical nerves (roots of brachial plexus), descends the neck behind the brachial plexus, and is distributed to the serratus anterior muscle; it is somewhat unusual in that it courses on the superficial aspect of the muscle is supplies; its paralysis results in "winged scapula". Synonym: nervus thoracicus longus, Bell's respiratory nerve, external respiratory nerve of Bell, posterior thoracic nerve. (05 Mar 2000) |