Medical Glossary
- LONGISSIMUS COLLI
- Long muscle immediately anterior to the cervical spine.
- LORDOSCOLIOSIS
- Lateral curvature of the spine associated with backward bending of the spine.
- LORDOSIS
- Curvature of the spine with the convexity Not a disease state, but the normal anterior concavity of the neck or low back.
- LOUGHHEED and WHITE
- For drainage of lower abdominal abscess; coccygectomy and drainage from space anterior to sacrum.
- LUMBAGO
- A non-medical term signifying pain in the lumbar region. Archaic term meaning back pain.
- LUMBAR
- The lower part of the spine between the thoracic and the sacrum. The lumbar spine consists of five vertebrae. The five moveable spinal segments of the lower back and largestof the spinal segments.
- LUMBAR CURVE
- Curve with apex between the first and the fourth lumbar vertebrae.
- LUMBAR DRAIN
- A device (usually a long, thin, flexible tube) inserted through the skin into the cerebrospinal fluid space of the lower back; provides a method of draining cerebrospinal fluid.
- LUMBAR KYPHOSIS
- Reverse of the normal curve of the back.
- LUMBAR LORDOSIS
- Angle made by lines drawn from the superior surface of the first and fifth lumbar vertebra.
- LUMBAR MICRODISCECTOMY
- an operation on the lumbar spine performed using a surgical microscope and microsurgical techniques.
- LUMBARIZATION
- Partial or complete formation of a free-moving first sacral segment so that it looks like a lumbar vertebra.
- LUMBOSACRAL CURVE
- A lateral curve with its aspect at or between the fifth lumbar vertebra.
- LUMBOSACRAL JOINT ANGLE
- Angle between the inferior of the fifth lumbar vertebra and the top of the sacrum.
- LUQUE INSTRUMENTATION
- A posterior method of fixation.
- LUQUE ISF
- For posterolateral fusion fixation; a pedicle screw and plate device.
- LUXATION
- Dislocation.
- MACCARTHY PROCEDURE
- For sacral tumor; a method of excision of the sacrum.
- MAGERL
- Transarticular facet screw fusion for posterior C-1 on C-2 with the use of bilateral screws directed from inferior posterior lateral mass to anterior superior C-1.
- MAGNETIC RESONANCE ANGIOGRAPHY (MRA)
- A non-invasive study which is conducted in a Magnetic Resonance Imager (MRI). The magnetic images are assembled by a computer to provide an image of the arteries in the head and neck. No contrast material is needed, but some patients may experience claustrophobia in the imager.
- MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING (MRI)
- Diagnostic test that produces three-dimensional images of body structures using powerful magnets and computer technology rather than x-rays.
- MALIGNANT
- resistant to treatment; occurring in severe form, and frequently fatal; tending to become worse and leading to an ingravescent course.
- MARGINAL OSTEOPHYTES
- Excess bone formation at the margin of the vertebral body; spondylosis.
- MARIE-STR?MPELL d
- Inflammation of the spine, occurring as a rheumatoid-tyoe disease in children.
- MASSAGE
- A method of manipulation of the body by rubbing, pinching, kneading, tapping, etc.
- MCAFFEE
- Anterior retropharyngeal approach to upper cervical spine; often used for fusion, allowing excision of tumor.
- MEDIAL
- Situated closer to the midline of the body.
- MEDIAN NERVE
- The nerve formed from the brachial plexus that supplies muscles in the anterior forearm and thumb, as well as, sensation of the hand. It may be compressed or trapped at the wrist in carpal tunnel syndrome.
- MEDICAL DEVICE REPORT (MDR)
- The required reporting of' medical device complaints involving a patient death, serious injury, or device malfunction.
- MEDICATION
- The act of medicating. A medical substance, or medicament.
- MEDULLA OBLONGATA
- The lower portion of the brain stem.
- MEDULLOBLASTOMA
- Tumor composed of medulloblasts which are cells which develop in the roof of the fourth ventricle (medullary velum).
- MENINGES
- The three membranes covering the spinal cord and brain termed dura mater, arachnoid mater and pia mater.
- MENINGIOMA
- A firm, often vascular, tumor arising from the coverings of the brain. Does not recur if totally removed.
- MENINGISMUS
- Apparent irritation of brain or spinal cord in which symptoms simulate meningitis but in which no actual inflammation of the membranes is present; meningism.
- MENINGITIS
- An infection or inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Caused by infectious agents such as bacteria, fungi, or viruses.
- MENINGOCELE
- A protrusion of the coverings of the spinal cord or brain through a defect in the skull or vertebral column. May be congenital or acquired.
- MENINGOENCEPHALITIS
- An inflammation or infection of the brain and spinal cord and their membranes.
- MENINGOENCEPHALOCELE
- A protrusion of both the meninges and brain tissue through a skull defect
- MENINGOMYELITIS
- Inflammation of spinal cord, its enveloping arachnoid and pia mater, and sometimes the dura mater..
- MESENCEPHALIC
- Relating to that part of the brain stem known as the mesencephalon.
- MEYER
- For C-1 to C-2 instability, posterior fusion using vertical strut grafts and wires.
- MINIMAL ACCESS DISCECTOMY
- an operation performed on the upper spine to relieve pressure on one or more nerve roots.
- MINIMALLY INVASIVE LUMBAR LAMINECTOMY/DISCECTOMY
- an operation performed on the lower spine to relieve pressure on one or more nerve roots. The term is derived from the words lumbar (low back), and discectomy (remove a portion of the intervertebral disc).
- MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERY
- Surgery requiring small incision(s), usually performed with endoscopic visualization.
- MODIFIED FRANKEL CLASSIFICATION
- Scale for spinal cord damage due to any cause.
- MORBIDITY
- the frequency of the appearance of complications following a surgical procedure or the other treatment.
- MRA
- Magnetic Resonance Angiography. A non-invasive study which is conducted in a Magnetic Resonance Imager (MRI). The magnetic images are assembled by a computer to provide an image of the arteries in the head and neck. No contrast material is needed, but some patients may experience claustrophobia in the imager.
- MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Scanning technique for views of the brain or spinal cord. No radiation is involved, but rather pulsed magnetic waves are used to delineate the structures within the brain.
- MUSCULATURE
- The arrangement of the muscles in a part or in the body as a whole.
