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ACQUIRED BRAIN INJURY(ABI)
An injury that is required rather than developed.
ANEURYSM
A balloon-like swelling in the wall of the artery, due to disease or
congenital deficiency.
ANGIOGRAM
X-Ray examination of blood vessels.
ANOXIA
Describes the failure of oxygen supply to a specific organ.
ANXIETY
The natural reaction to doubts about ones future health.
APHASIA
The inability to use and/or understand language.
ARTERIO VENOUS MALFORMATION (AVM)
An abnormal tangle of blood vessels that alters the regular flow of
oxygenated blood to the affected area of the brain.
ATAXIA
Unsteadiness of gait resulting from defective muscular control of muscles.
BROCA'S AREA
The part of the brain that is responsible for the production
of speech.
Care Management
The process by which care in the community is organised, paid for and
delivered.
CEREBRAL HEMISPHERES
For the upper and largest part of the brain.
CEREBRO-SPINAL FLUID (CSF)
The clear watery fluid that surrounds and protects the brain
and spinal cord.
COMA
A deep state of unconsciousness.
CT (Computerised Tomography Scan)
DIFFUSE AXONAL INJURY
The widespread and patchy shearing of the axons (nerve cells) which
interconnect areas of the brain.
DISINHIBITION
Any behaviour that is socially inappropriate.
DISORIENTATION
May be used in two different ways : it may mean not being fully
aware of one's location in time and place. it may refer to a confusion
between left and right.
DYSARTHRIA
Impairment of the ability to pronounce words.
DYSMNESIA
Memory impairment involving recent events.
DYSPHASIA
An impairment of the ability to use and/or understand language. A lesser
impairment to aphasia.
DSYPRAXIA
An impairment of the ability to carry out actions such as dressing.
A less severe form of apraxia.
ENCEPHALITIS
Describes the inflammation of the tissues that form the brain.
ENCEPHALOPATHY
A general term to indicate that there is dysfunction of brain
function.
EPILEPSY
Anyone of a group of disorders of brain function of brain function usually
characterised by recurrent attacks of unconscious (fits or seizures).
GLASGOW COMA SCALE (GCS)
Used throughout the western world to measure and compare levels of responsiveness
and to define coma and the severity of head trauma.
GLASGOW OUTCOME SCALE (GOS)
Used throughout the western world and beyond to quantify the outcome
of head injury.
HAEMORRHAGE
The escape of blood from a ruptured blood vessel, externally or internally.
HAEMATOMA
This is where the blood collects, forming a clot, which may prevent
blood getting to a part of the brain or cause pressure leading to damage
of nerve centres.
HYDROCEPHALUS
An abnormal increase in the amount of cerebrospinal fluid within
the brain.
ICP MONITORING - (Intra Cranial Pressure Management)
This is the monitoring of the pressure within the head and corrective
measures taken to reduce this pressure.
INFARCT
This term means that an area of brain tissue is dead or damaged.
INHIBITION
The term used to indicate the damping down of basic reactions so that
socially acceptable behaviour is maintained.
INTRACRANIAL PRESSURE (ICP)
Refers to the pressure within the skull.
ISCHAEMIA
Refers to the diminished supply of blood to an organ.
LOBE
There are four lobes on each side of the brain. Frontal, temporal, parietal
and occipital lobe.
LUMBAR PUNCTURE
A procedure in which cerebrospinal fluid is withdrawn for diagnostic
purposes by means of a hollow needle inserted into the subarachnoid
space in the region of the lower back.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
A procedure which shows a picture, in any plane, of the inside of the
body which is without risk to the patient as it uses magnetic waves.
MAXILLO-FACIAL INJURY
Refers to the damage to the soft tissues and bones of the face.
Neurological
Refers to conditions occurring in the nervous system including the brain
spine and all the peripheral nerves.
NEUROPSYCHOLOGIST
A person involved in identification, analysis and treatment
of the cognitive, behavioural and affective consequences of brain disease.
NEUROPSYCHIATRY
A medically qualified person who is involved in the assessment and management
of people who have psychiatric disorders as a consequence of brain disease.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
The treatment of physical and psychomotor conditions through specific
activities in order to help people reach their maximum level of function
and independence in all aspects of daily life.
PERFUSION
The process by which the brain is supplied with blood and therefore
oxygen.
PERSISTENT VEGETATIVE STATE (PVS)
The name given to the state in which patients remain speechless
and avoid of any meaningful contact with others.
PHYSIOTHERAPY
Treatment that employs physical methods to promote healing, including
the use of light, heat, electrical current, massage manipulation and
remedial exercise.
POST-CONCUSSION SYNDROME
The term given to a group of symptoms that may result following
head injury. These include :- headache, dizziness, poor memory, impoverished
concentration, anxiety.
POST-TRAUMATIC AMNESIA (PTA)
This is the period between the injury and the person regaining
day-to-day memory. The length of PTA can be used to judge the severity
of any underlying brain damage.
MOTOR DISORDERS
A disturbance of the ability to move or control muscle activity.
REHABILITATION
The process after immediate medical and/or surgical care by
which a patient is assisted in achieving his/her full potential.
RETROGRADE AMNESIA
Describes loss of memory for the period before an injury.
SECONDARY BRAIN DAMAGE
A range of complications that may follow the damage resulting
from a primary impact or injury.
SCAN
The examination of the body or part of the body such as the brain using
CT or MRI.
SHUNT
A device which is inserted to remove fluid from the brain.
SKULL FRACTURE
Where the skull is cracked. On occasion this will require surgery.
SPEECH THERAPY
The rehabilitation of patients who are unable to speak coherently.
STROKE
A sudden attack of weakness affecting one side of the body, resulting
from an interruption to the flow of blood to the brain.
VENTRICLES
These are fluid filled spaces within the brain. These contain cerebro-spinal
fluid and can be seen on images.
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