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calcified disk
An intervertebral disk whose soft, gelatinous center (nucleus pulposus) has hardened and mineralized due to degeneration; see intervertebral disk disease.
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cancer
A tumor whose cells, unlike benign tumor cells, continue to divide uncontrollably, invade normal tissue, and can spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body through the bloodstream and lymphatic system; divided into three broad categories: carcinoma, sarcoma and lymphoma.
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capnograph
Purpose: Instrument used to measure the carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration in exhaled breath and rate of breathing. It is a real time objective assessment of the effectiveness of breathing by directly reflecting the elimination of CO2 by the lungs to an anesthesia device. Indirectly, it reflects the production of CO2 by tissues and the circulatory transport of CO2 to the lungs. How Works: Measures the absorption of infrared light, which is absorbed particularly well by gases of molecules that contain at least two dissimlar atoms, such as carbon dioxide. The amount of infrared radiation absorbed is proportional to the number of CO2 molecules present in a chamber. Carbon dioxide concentration is measured continuously throughout the respiratory cycle to give a graph of expiratory CO2 plotted against time. When expired CO2 is related to expired volume rather than time, the area beneath the curve represents the volume of CO2 in the breath, and thus over the course of a minute, this method can yield the CO2 minute elimination, an important measure of metabolism. If breathing stops, the CO2 monitor will immediately flat line, whereas the pulse oximeter will appear normal for several minutes. Example of Uses: - detemine adequacy of ventilation
- confirm esophageal intubation and endotracheal tube placement
- indicate disconnection from ventilator
- confirm elimination of CO2 from anesthesia circuit and ventilator
- determine respiratory patterns, pulomonary perfusion, alveolar ventilation
- CO2 is also a vasodilator and high levels could further increase intracranial pressure in neurologic patients who already have high intracranial pressure (due to tumor, inflammation, etc.).
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carcinoma
Malignant neoplasia composed of epithelial cells.
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cataplexy
Sudden onset of muscular weakness, often triggered by an emotional stimulus and resulting in falls to the floor; associated with narcolepsy.
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cauda equina syndrome
See lumbosacral stenosis.
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caudal fossa
Cavity in the back part of the skull containing the brainstem and cerebellum.
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caudal occipital malformation syndrome (COMS)
Condition where part of the the cerebellum descends through an opening at the base of the skull, putting pressure on both the cerebellum and spinal cord. Normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow is disrupted and extreme pressure gradients result in fluid accumulations (hydromyelia and/or syringomyelia) within the spinal cord. Also called Chiari-like malformation.
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cell body
A region of a neuron which contains most of the cytoplasm, the nucleus, and other organelles. It relays impulses from the dendrites to the axon.
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central cord syndrome
Spinal cord injury syndrome associated with damage to the central portion of the spinal cord. It is characterized by bilateral weakness of distal and proximal muscles in the legs, bladder dysfunction, and a variable degree of sensory loss below the level of injury.
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central nervous system (CNS)
The brain and spinal cord. In vertebrates, the brain is protected by the skull and the spinal cord is protected by vertebrae and both are covered by meninges.
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cephalic
Relating to the head.
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cerebellar abiotrophy
A disease resulting in premature degeneration of the cells in the cerebellum and leading to balance and coordination problems; likely caused by a metabolic defect.
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cerebellar hypoplasia
A congenital disorder where the cerebellum does not form or mature normally before birth, causing signs related to poor balance and incoordination.
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cerebellitis
Inflammation of the cerebellum.
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cerebellomedullary cistern
The opening in the subarachnoid space of the brain created by a separation of the arachnoid and pia mater. This large space is filled with cerebrospinal fluid and located between the cerebellum and medulla. This is where the needle is inserted and cerebrospinal fluid withdrawn during a cervical spinal tap.
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cerebral hemisphere
Symmetrical right and left halves of the cerebrum divided by the longitudinal fissure and falx cerebri.
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cerebral sinuses
See dural venous sinuses.
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cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
The fluid flowing within the ventricular system that surrounds, cushions, and nourishes the brain and spinal cord. It is formed continuously by the choroid plexus in the ventricles, and is reabsorbed into the blood by the arachnoid villi at approximately the same rate at which it is produced; Examination of CSF for the presence of abnormal or excessive numbers of cells and protein content is an important source of information about the nervous system. ►Learn about CSF Analysis at the VNC
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cervical
Pertaining to the neck; dogs and cats have 7 cervical vertebrae.
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cervical disk disease
See intervertebral disk disease.
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cervical spondylomyelopathy
See wobbler syndrome.
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chemistry panel
A laboratory test to evaluate the general health of a patient by looking at several areas or parts of the blood (e.g. electrolytes). The test is performed on serum.
►click here to learn more-link provided by: www.peteducation.com
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Chiari-like malformation
See caudal occipital malformation syndrome.
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cholinergic
Relating to nerve cells or fibers that employ choline (acetylcholine) as their neurotransmitter, i.e. the parasympathetic nerve endings.
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chronic
Persisting over a long period of time.
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circling
Compulsively walking in a circle; can be a sign of forebrain or vestibular disease.
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cisterna
A cavity or sac serving as a reservoir for fluid such as lymph or cerebrospinal fluid.
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clonic seizure
Generalized seizure characterized by jerking movements on both sides of the body.
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clonus
A series of involuntary muscular contractions due to sudden stretching of the muscle.
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coccyx
The last bones of the vertebral column below the sacrum; the tail.
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cochlea
Structure in the inner ear that converts sound pressure impulses into electrical impulses which are passed on to the brain via the auditory part of the vestibulocochlear nerve.
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coma
State of unresponsiveness to both environment and noxious stimuli.
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compulsive behavior
Repetitive behavior (e.g. animal chasing its tail) often due to neurological disease of the forebrain or a behavioral disorder such as obsessive compulsive disorder.
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computed tomography (CT)
X-ray procedure that uses a computer to produce a detailed picture of a cross section of the body; also called CAT (Computed Axial Tomography) scan.
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concussion
Traumatic closed head injury that results in temporary impairment of neurological function, e.g., transient loss of consciousness.
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congenital
Referring to conditions that are present at birth, regardless of their causation.
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contracture
Inability to move a joint due to a permanent rigidity or contraction of a muscle.
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convulsions
Repeated muscle contraction and relaxation resulting in the body shaking rapidly and uncontrollaby.
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coonhound paralysis
See idiopathic polyradiculoneuritis.
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coronal
As related to a plane of view, see dorsal.
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cortical
Referring to the cerebral cortex, the outermost layer of the cerebrum.
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cranial
Pertaining to the cranium, or to the skull.
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cranial nerve nuclei
Collection of neurons in the brainstem that form synapses associated with one or more cranial nerves. Lesions of the cranial nerve nuclei can lead to signs resembling those associated with the particlular cranial nerve. All the nuclei, except that which supplies the trochlear nerve (CN IV), supply nerves to to the same side of the body.
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cranial sinuses
See dural venous sinuses.
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craniectomy
Surgical removal of a section of bone from the skull for the purpose of operating on the underlying tissues or relieving intracranial pressure, in which the bone is not replaced at the end of the procedure.
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craniotomy
Surgical removal of a section of bone from the skull for the purpose of operating on the underlying tissues, in which the bone is replaced at the end of the procedure.
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Cushing's disease
A condition characterized by abnormally increased activity of the cortex of the adrenal gland resulting in overproduction of steroid hormones; also called hyperadrenocorticism.
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cyanotic
Characterized by bluish discoloration of skin and mucous membranes due to significantly reduced amount of hemoglobin in the blood.
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cyst
A closed sac having a distinct membrane and division on the nearby tissue. It may contain air, fluids, or semi-solid material. Once formed, the cyst will remain in the tissue permanently and can be removed by surgery and by taking medication that will dissolve the "sac".
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