| intermediolateral cell column of spinal cord | The cell column that forms the lateral horn of the spinal cord's gray matter. Extending from the first thoracic through the second lumbar segment, the column contains the autonomic motor neurons that give rise to the preganglionic fibres of the sympathetic system. Synonym: intermediolateral cell column of spinal cord, nucleus intermediolateralis. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| thoracic part of spinal cord | The part of the spinal cord which consists of the twelve thoracic segments of the spinal cord from which the twelve pairs of thoracic nerves originate. Synonym: pars thoracica medullae spinalis, segmenta medullae spinalis thoracica. (05 Mar 2000) |
| lateral column of spinal cord | A slight protrusion of the gray matter of the spinal cord into the lateral funiculus of either side, especially marked in the thoracic region where it encloses preganglionic motor neurons of the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system; it corresponds to the lateral horn appearing in transverse sections of the spinal cord. See: gray columns. Synonym: columna lateralis, lateral column of spinal cord. (05 Mar 2000) |
| lateral funiculus of spinal cord | The lateral white column of the spinal cord between the lines of exit and entrance of the anterior and posterior nerve roots. Synonym: funiculus lateralis, anterolateral column of spinal cord, lateral funiculus of spinal cord. (05 Mar 2000) |
| lumbar enlargement of spinal cord | A spindle-shaped swelling of the spinal cord beginning at the level of the tenth thoracic vertebra and tapering into the medullary cone, with maximum thickness opposite the last thoracic vertebra, consequential to the innervation of the lower limb. Synonym: intumescentia lumbalis, lumbar enlargement of spinal cord. (05 Mar 2000) |
| lumbar part of spinal cord | Portion of spinal cord which consists of the five lumbar segments (L1-L5) and from which five pairs of lumbar spinal nerves originate; in the adult it is located in the T10-L1 portion of the vertebral canal, and is enlarged relative to other parts of the cord due to its involvement in innervation of the lower limb. (05 Mar 2000) |
| lumbar segments of spinal cord | The five lumbar segments of the spinal cord which give rise to the five pairs of lumbar spinal nerves and constitute the lumbar part of the spinal cord. Synonym: segmenta medullae spinalis lumbaria. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cardiac decompression | Incision into the pericardium or aspiration of fluid from pericardium to relieve pressure due to blood or other fluid in the pericardial sac. Synonym: pericardial decompression. (05 Mar 2000) |
| rapid decompression | Sudden severe expansion of gases due to a reduction in ambient pressure. Synonym: explosive decompression. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cerebral decompression | Removal of a piece of the cranium, usually in the subtemporal region, with incision of the dura, to relieve intracranial pressure. (05 Mar 2000) |
| pericardial decompression | Incision into the pericardium or aspiration of fluid from pericardium to relieve pressure due to blood or other fluid in the pericardial sac. Synonym: pericardial decompression. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Heyns' abdominal decompression apparatus | A vacuum chamber enclosing the abdomen of the pregnant woman, creating pressure during the first stage of labour. (05 Mar 2000) |
| nerve decompression | Release of pressure on a nerve trunk by the surgical excision of constricting bands or widening of a bony canal. (05 Mar 2000) |
| suboccipital decompression | Decompression of the posterior fossa by occipital craniectomy and opening of the dura. (05 Mar 2000) |
| subtemporal decompression | Decompression of the brain by temporal craniectomy and opening of the dura over the inferolateral surface of the temporal lobe. (05 Mar 2000) |