| split brain | A brain in which the corpus callosum and usually the anterior and posterior commissures have been sectioned; usually to treat certain refractory epilepsies. (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| developmental brain tumours | <radiology> 1% of all brain tumours, germ-cell tumours, epidermoid more than dermoid more than > Teratoma, usually midline, craniopharyngioma, colloid cyst, lipoma, hamartoma (12 Dec 1998) |
| diffuse brain atrophy | A form of dementia caused by destruction (atrophy) of the frontal lobes of the brain. This condition leads to the progressive deterioration of mental functioning. Incidence: 9 in 10,000 people in the general population. (27 Sep 1997) |
| dura mater of brain | The intracranial dura mater, consisting of two layers: the outer periosteal layer which normally always adheres to the periosteum of the bones of the cranial vault; and the inner meningeal layer which in most places is fused with the outer. The two layers separate to accommodate meningeal vessels and large venous (dural) sinuses. The meningeal layer is also involved in the formation of the various dural folds, such as the falx cerebri and tentorium cerebelli and is comparable to and continuous with the dural mater of the spinal cord. The cranial epidural space is then a potential space between the bone and the combined periosteum/periosteal layer of the dura mater realised only pathologically and is neither continuous with or comparable to the vertebral epidural space. Synonym: dura mater cranialis, dura mater encephali, cerebral part of dura mater, cranial epidural space. (05 Mar 2000) |
| infantile brain tumours | <radiology> Can be present at birth: choroid plexus papilloma, medulloblastoma, craniopharyngioma, ependymoma, astrocytoma, teratoma (12 Dec 1998) |
| organic brain syndrome | <syndrome> A constellation of behavioural or psychological signs and symptoms including problems with attention, concentration, memory, confusion, anxiety, and depression caused by transient or permanent dysfunction of the brain. Synonym: acute organic brain syndrome, OBS, organic mental syndrome. (05 Mar 2000) |
| enhancing brain nodule | <radiology> Metastases, infection, cysticercosis, histoplasmosis, tuberculosis, non-infectious inflammatory processes, sarcoidosis, multiple sclerosis, primary CNS lymphoma, subacute multiple infarcts see: ring lesions in brain (12 Dec 1998) |
| twixt-brain | <anatomy> The thalamencephalon. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| lateral fossa of brain | The deep depression of the basal surface of the forebrain that corresponds in position to the anterior perforated substance. Bounded medially by the optic tract and rostrally by the orbital surface of the frontal lobe, it extends laterally around the overhanging pole of the temporal lobe into the Sylvian fissure (sulcus lateralis). Synonym: fossa lateralis cerebri, fossa of Sylvius, lateral fossa of brain, vallecula sylvii. (05 Mar 2000) |
| abdominal abscess | <surgery> A localised pus-forming (suppurative) bacterial infection that occurs within the abdominal cavity as the result of a perforated viscus or post operative complication. Treatment requires either percutaneous or open surgical drainage. (27 Sep 1997) |
| abscess | <microbiology, surgery> A localised collection of pus caused by suppuration buried in tissues, organs or confined spaces. Usually due to an infective process. Origin: L. Abscessus, from ab = away, cedere = to go (18 Nov 1997) |
| abscess, peritonsillar | A persistent collection of pus behind the tonsil. (12 Dec 1998) |
| abscess scan | <investigation> This is a nuclear scan that utilises radioactively tagged white blood cells. The patients white blood cells (taken from a small tube of blood) are tagged with radioactive indium. Later, the cells are then reinjected into the bloodstream. The coarse of the white blood cells can then be mapped using a gamma camera (radiation detecting device). The net result is a picture that shows the location of the radioactive white blood cells. The location of the white cells can indicated the presence of infection or inflammation. This test is useful in detecting a hidden source of bacterial infection, such as an abscess. (11 Mar 1998) |
| abscess, skin | Medical term for a common boil. (12 Dec 1998) |
| acute abscess | A recently formed abscess with little or no fibrosis in the wall of the cavity. Synonym: hot abscess. (05 Mar 2000) |