| spinal muscular atrophy | <radiology> 2nd most common autosomal recessive disease in Caucasians, pathology, degeneration of the spinal anterior horn cells, atrophy and wasting of skeletal muscles, types, SMA I = Werdnig-Hoffman disease: rapidly progressive, SMA II = intermediate form, SMA III = Kugelberg-Welander disease: slowly progressive, uncommon adult forms, usual presentations, floppy baby, arthrogryposis, muscle weakness in infancy, diagnosis, weakness and wasting with areflexia, electrophysiology shows anterior horm cell disease, genetics, linked to chromosome 5q., neuronal apoptosis inhibitory protein (NAIP) gene, survival motor neuron (SMN) gene (12 Dec 1998) |
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| spinal nerves | The 31 paired peripheral nerves formed by the union of the dorsal and ventral spinal roots from each spinal cord segment. The spinal nerve plexuses and the spinal roots are also included. (12 Dec 1998) |
| spinal nucleus of the trigeminus | The long sensory nucleus extending from the caudal border of the pontine sensory nucleus of the trigeminus down through the lateral region of the rhombencephalon into the upper three segments of the spinal cord's dorsal horn; it receives the fibres of the sensory root of the trigeminal nerve which descend along its lateral border as the spinal tract of trigeminal nerve. Synonym: nucleus tractus spinalis nervi trigemini, descending nucleus of the trigeminus, spinal nucleus of the trigeminus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| spinal osteophytosis | Outgrowth of immature bony processes from the vertebrae, reflecting the presence of degenerative disease and calcification. It includes cervical and lumbar spondylosis. (12 Dec 1998) |
| spinal paralysis | Loss of motor power due to a lesion of the spinal cord. Synonym: myeloparalysis, myeloplegia, rachioplegia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| spinal part of arachnoid | That portion of the arachnoid which lies within the vertebral canal and surrounds the spinal cord and the vertebral portion of the subarachnoid space. It extends from the foramen magnum above to the S-2 vertebral level. Since the spinal cord ends at the L-2 vertebral level, a wide separation occurs between the arachnoid and pia mater, the lumbar cistern, filled with cerebrospinal fluid in which the cauda equina is suspended. Synonym: arachnoidea mater spinalis, spinal part of arachnoid. (05 Mar 2000) |
| spinal point | The centre of the root of the anterior nasal spine. Synonym: apophysary point, apophysial point, spinal point. (05 Mar 2000) |
| spinal puncture | Tapping of the subarachnoid space in the lumbar region, usually between the third and fourth lumbar vertebrae. (12 Dec 1998) |
| spinal quotient | The cerebrospinal index when 10 ml of cerebrospinal fluid have been removed. Synonym: Ayala's quotient, spinal quotient. (05 Mar 2000) |
| spinal reflex | A reflex arc involving the spinal cord. See: reflex arc. (05 Mar 2000) |
| spinal shock | Transient depression or abolition of reflex activity below the level of an acute spinal cord injury or transection. (05 Mar 2000) |
| spinal sign | <clinical sign> In pleurisy, the spinal muscles are in a state of tonic contraction on the affected side. (05 Mar 2000) |
| spinal stenosis | An abnormal narrowing of the spinal canal that may be either congenital or acquired. Treatment is generally surgical to widen the spinal canal. Laminectomy may be the indicated surgical procedure to reduce pressure on the spinal cord. (27 Sep 1997) |
| spinal stroke | Abrupt onset of focal spinal cord dysfunction caused by a disturbance in its blood supply. (05 Mar 2000) |
| spinal tap | A diagnostic procedure where a sterile needle is introduced into the lower spine (L2) to collect cerebrospinal fluid for diagnostic purposes. Chemical analysis, cellular analysis and CSF pressure can all be measured with this procedure. This test can aid in the diagnosis of meningitis, subarachnoid haemorrhage and multiple sclerosis. (27 Sep 1997) |