| spinal accessory nerve | <anatomy, nerve> The eleventh cranial nerve enervates the sternocleidomastoid muscles and the trapezius muscles. Lesions of the eleventh result in drooping of the shoulder and inability to rotate the head away from the affected side. (27 Sep 1997) |
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| spinal anaesthesia | A form of regional anaesthesia that involves the injection of an anaesthetic into the epidural space (in the spinal canal), at predetermined location along the spine, to produce anaesthesia in all body regions that are supplied by nerves that arise below the anatomic region of the block. Often used for obstetrical procedures. Origin: Gr. Aisthesis = sensation (27 Sep 1997) |
| spinal anaesthetic | A local anaesthetic agent producing loss of sensation when injected into the subarachnoid space. (05 Mar 2000) |
| spinal analgesia | Euphemism for spinal anaesthesia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| spinal apoplexy | Stroke involving the spinal cord. (05 Mar 2000) |
| spinal arteries | Branches of the following arteries which supply the meninges, the roots of the spinal nerves, and in some cases, the spinal cord: 1) vertebral, 2) ascending cervical, 3) dorsal branch of posterior intercostal I to XI, 4) dorsal branch of subcostal, 5) dorsal branch of lumbar arteries, 6) lumbar branch of iliolumbar, 7) lateral sacral; all spinal arteries give rise to radicular arteries supplying dorsal and ventral roots of spinal nerves, but some (4-9), are large enough to reach and anastomose with the anterior and posterior spinal arteries. Synonym: rami radiculares. See: medullary spinal arteries, arteria radicularis magna. Synonym: rami spinales. (05 Mar 2000) |
| spinal ataxia | Ataxia due to spinal cord disease, as in tabes dorsalis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| spinal bifida | A congenital defect in which the neural arches fail to close, so exposing the contents of the spinal canal posteriorly. Usually occurring in the lumbosacral region (lower back) of the spine. (27 Sep 1997) |
| spinal block | An obstruction to the flow of cerebrospinal fluid in the spinal subarachnoid space; used inaccurately to refer to spinal anaesthesia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| spinal canal | The canal that contains the spinal cord, spinal meninges, and related structures. It is formed by the vertebral foramina of successive vertebrae of the articulated vertebral column. Synonym: canalis vertebralis, spinal canal, tubus vertebralis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| spinal column | The series of vertebrae that extend from the cranium to the coccyx, providing support and forming a flexible bony case for the spinal cord. Synonym: columna vertebralis, backbone, dorsal spine, rachis, spina dorsalis, spina, spina, spinal column, spine, vertebrarium. (05 Mar 2000) |
| spinal concussion | Injury to the spinal cord due to a blow to the vertebral column with transient or prolonged dysfunction below the level of the lesion. Synonym: spinal concussion. (05 Mar 2000) |
| spinal cord | <anatomy> Elongated, approximately cylindrical part of the central nervous system of vertebrates that lies in the vertebral canal and from which the spinal nerves emerge. (18 Nov 1997) |
| spinal cord compression | A condition in which pressure is exerted on the spinal cord, as by a tumour, spinal fracture, etc. Its manifestations, which vary with location and degree of pressure, may include pain, paresthesias, and sensory and motor disturbances. (12 Dec 1998) |
| spinal cord concussion | Injury to the spinal cord due to a blow to the vertebral column with transient or prolonged dysfunction below the level of the lesion. Synonym: spinal concussion. (05 Mar 2000) |