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largest portion of the brain, divided into left and right hemispheres. The cerebrum controls the skeletal muscles, interprets general senses (such as temperature, pain, and touch), and contains centers for sight and hearing. Intellect, memory, and emotional reactions also take place in the cerebrum. |
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spaces within the brain that contains a fluid called the cerebrospinal fluid. The CSF flows through the subarachnoid space around the brain and spinal cord. |
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located under the posterior portion of the cerebrum. Its function is to assist in the coordination of skeletal muscles and to maintain balance (hindbrain) |
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stemlike portion of the brain that connects with the spinal cord. Ten of the 12 cranial nerves originate in the brain stem |
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literally means the bridge. It connects the cerebrum with the cerebellum in the brainstem |
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located between the pons and spinal cord. It contains centers that control the respiration, heart rate, and the muscles in the blood vessel walls, which assist in determining blood pressure |
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most superior portion of the brainstem |
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cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) |
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Definition
clear, colorless fluid contained in the ventricles that flows through the subarachnoid space around the brain and spinal cord. It cushions the brain and spinal cord from shock, transports nutrients, and clears metabolic waste. |
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passes through the vertebral canal extending from the medulla oblongata to the level of the second lumbar vertebra. The spinal cord conducts nerve impulses to and from the brain and initiates reflex action to sensory information without input from the brain. |
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three layers of the membrane that cover the brain and spinal cord |
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tough outer layer of the meninges |
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delicate middle layer of the meninges. The arachnoid membrane is loosely attached to the pia mater by weblike fibers, which allow for the subarachnoid space |
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thin inner layer of the meninges |
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cordlike structure that carries impulses from one part of the body to another. There are 12 pairs of cranial nerves and 31 pairs of spinal nerves. |
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group of nerve cell bodies located outside the central nervous system |
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radic/o, radicul/o, rhiz/o |
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nerve root (proximal end of a peripheral nerve, closest to the spinal cord) |
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sensation, sensitivity, feeling |
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specialist, physician (-logist also means specialist)
(suffix) |
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treatment, specialty
(suffix) |
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slight paralysis
(suffix) |
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inflammation of the cerebellum |
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abnormal condition of a clot, pertaining to the cerebrum (blood clot in a blood vessel of the brain) |
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inflammation of the dura mater |
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inflammation of the brain |
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encephalomyeloradiculitis |
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inflammation of the brain, spinal cord, and nerve roots |
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inflammation of a ganglion |
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inflammation of the meninges |
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protrusion of the meninges (through a defect in the skull or vertebral column) |
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protrusion of the meninges and spinal cord (through the vertebral column) (myelomeningocele) |
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nerve weakness (nervous exhaustion, fatigue, and weakness) |
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disease of nerves and joints |
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tumor made up of nerve (cells) |
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inflammation of the gray matter of the spinal cord. (This infectious disease, commonly referred to as polio, is caused by one of three polio viruses) |
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inflammation of many nerves |
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inflammation of the nerve roots |
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inflammation of the nerve root, meninges, and spinal cord |
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blood tumor, pertaining to below the dura mater (hematoma means blood tumor; however, a hematoma is a blood mass or collection of blood) |
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disease characterized by early senility, confusion, loss of recognition of persons or familiar surroundings, restlessness, and impaired memory |
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amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) |
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progressive muscle atrophy caused by hardening of nerve tissue of the lateral columns of the spinal cord (Lou Gehrig disease) |
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paralysis of muscles on one side of the face, usually a temporary condition. Symptoms include a sagging mouth on the affected side and nonclosure of the eyelid. |
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condition characterized by lack of muscle control and partial paralysis, caused by brain defect or lesion present at birth or shortly after |
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cerebrovascular accident (CVA) |
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interruption of blood supply to the brain caused by a cerebral thrombosis, cerebral embolus, or cerebral hemorrhage. The patient may experience mild to sever paralysis (stroke, brain attack) |
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disorder in which the main symptom is recurring seizures |
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increased amount of CSF in the ventricles of the brain, which can cause enlargement of the cranium |
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degenerative disease characterized by sclerotic patches along the brain and spinal cord |
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emotional disorder that involves an ineffective way of coping with anxiety or inner conflict |
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chronic degenerative disease of the CNS. Symptoms include resting tremors of the hand and feet, rigidity, expressionless face, and shuffling gait. It usually occurs after the age of 50. |
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major mental disorder characterized by extreme derangement, often with delusions and hallucinations |
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disease of the brain and other organs such as the liver. Affects children and adolescents. The cause is unknown, but it typically follows a viral infection. |
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inflammation of the sciatic nerve, causing pain that travels form the thigh through the leg to the foot and toes. Can be caused by injury, infection, arthritis, herniated disk, or from prolonged pressure on the nerve from sitting for long periods. |
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viral disease that affects the peripheral nerves and causes blisters on the skin that follow the course of the affected nerves (herpes zoster) |
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transient ischemic attack (TIA) |
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sudden deficient supply of blood to the brain lasting a short time. The symptoms may be similar to those of CVA, but with TIA the symptoms are temporary and the usual outcome is complete recovery. |
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excision of a ganglion (gangliectomy) |
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separating a nerve (from adhesions) |
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surgical repair of a nerve |
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incision into a nerve root |
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x-ray imaging of the blood vessels in the brain (after an injection of contrast medium) |
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process of recording (scan) the spinal cord (after an injection of a contrast agent into the subarachnoid space. Size, shape, and position of the spinal cord and nerve roots are demonstrated) |
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echoencephalography (EchoEG) |
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process of recording the brain (structures) by sound (ultrasonography of the brain) |
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electroencephalogram (EEG) |
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record of the electrical impulses of the brain |
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instrument used to record the electrical impulses of the brain |
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process of recording the electrical impulses of the brain |
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computed tomography of the brain (CT scan) |
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process that includes the use of a computer to produce a series of images of the tissues of the brain at any desired depth. The procedure is noninvasive, painless, and particularly useful in diagnosing brain tumors. |
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magnetic resonance imaging of the brain (MRI scan) |
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a noninvasive technique that produces cross-sectional and sagittal images of soft tissues of the brain by magnetic waves. Unlike CT scan, this produces images without the use of radiation. It is used to visualize tumors, edema, MS, and herniated disks |
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positron emission tomography of the brain (PET scan) |
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Definition
an imaging technique with a radioactive substance that permits viewing a slice of the brain to examine blood flow and metabolic activity. Images are projected on viewing screen. |
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evoked potential studies (EP studies) |
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Definition
a group of diagnostic tests that measure changes and responses in brain waves elicited by visual, auditory, or somatosensory stimuli. Visual evoked response (VER) is a response to visual stimuli. Auditory evoked response (AER) is a response to auditory stimuli. |
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Definition
insertion of a needle into the subarachnoid space usually between the third and fourth lumbar vertebrae. It is performed for many reasons, including the removal of CSF for diagnostic purposes. |
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without (loss of) feeling or sensation |
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condition of without speaking (loss or impairment of the ability to speak) |
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pain in the head (headache) (cephalgia) |
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pertaining to the cerebrum |
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pertaining to the cranium and cerebrum |
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condition of difficulty speaking |
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slight paralysis of half (right or left side of the body) |
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paralysis of half (right or left side of the body); (CVA is the most common cause) |
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excessive sensitivity (to stimuli) |
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(occurring) between seizures or attacks |
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pertaining to within the cerebrum |
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slight paralysis of one (limb) |
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softening of the spinal cord |
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physician who studies and treats diseases of the nerves (nervous system) |
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study of the nerves (branch of medicine dealing with diseases of the nervous system) |
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total paralysis (pamplegia) |
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(occurring) after a seizure or attack |
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(occurring) before a seizure or attack |
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a physician who studies and treats disorders of the mind |
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speciality of the mind (branch of medicine that deals with the treatment of mental disorders) |
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study of the mind (a profession that involves dealing with the mind and mental processes in relation to human behavior) |
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(any) disease of the mind |
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pertaining to the mind and body (interrelations of) |
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paralysis of four (limbs) |
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pertaining to below the dura mater |
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paralysis of four (limbs) (synonymous with quadriplegia) |
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conveying toward a center (for example, these nerves carry impulses to the CNS) |
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lack of muscle coordination |
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pertaining to the mental processes of comprehension, judgement, memory, and reason |
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state of profound unconsciousness |
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jarring or shaking that results in an injury. Brain concussions are caused by slight or severe head injury; symptoms include vertigo and loss of consciousness |
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awake, alert, aware of one's surroundings |
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sudden, involuntary contraction of a group of muscles (synonymous with seizure) |
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loss of cognitive abilities |
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a state of mental confusion as to time, place, or identity |
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conveying away from the center (for example, these nerves carry information away from the CNS) |
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a manner or style of walking |
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unable to express one's thoughts or ideas in an orderly, intelligible manner |
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paralysis from the waist down caused by damage to the lower level of the spinal cord |
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sudden attack with an involuntary series of contractions |
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tube implanted in the body to redirect the flow of fluid |
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fainting or sudden loss of consciousness caused by lack of blood supply to the cerebrum |
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state of being unaware of surrounding and incapable of responding to stimuli as a result of injury, shock, or illness |
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Definition
an eating disorder characterized by failure to maintain body weight, intensive fear of gaining weight, pronounced desire for thinness, and, in females, amenorrhea |
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an emotional disorder characterized by feelings of apprehension, tension, or uneasiness arising typically from the anticipation of unreal or imagined danger |
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attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) |
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Definition
a disorder of learning and behavioral problems characterized by marked inattention, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity |
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Definition
a major psychological disorder typified by a disturbance in mood. The disorder is manifested by manic and depressive episodes that may alternate or occur simultaneously. |
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Definition
an eating disorder characterized by uncontrolled binge eating followed by purging (induced vomiting) |
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a mood disturbance characterized by feelings of sadness, despair, and discouragement. Depression ranges from normal feelings of sadness (resulting from and proportional to personal loss or tragedy), through dysthymia (depressive neurosis), to major depression. |
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obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) |
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Definition
a disorder characterized by intrusive, unwanted thoughts that result in the tendency to perform repetitive acts or rituals (compulsions), usually as a means of releasing tension or relieving anxiety |
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an episode of acute anxiety, occurring unpredictably, with feelings of acute apprehension, dyspnea, dizziness, sweating, and/or chest pain |
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a marked and persistent fear that is excessive or unreasonable cued by the presence or anticipation of a specific situation or object |
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compulsive eating of nonnutritive substances such as clay or ice. This condition is often a result of an iron deficiency. When iron deficiency is the cause of pica the condition will disappear in 1 or 2 weeks when treated with iron therapy |
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posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) |
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Definition
a disorder characterized by an acute emotional response to a traumatic event or severe emotion stress such as an airplane crash, repeated physical or emotional trauma, or military combat. Symptoms include anxiety, sleep disturbance, difficulty concentrating, and depression. |
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any one of a large group of psychotic disorders characterized by gross distortions of reality, disturbance of language and communication, withdrawal from social interaction, and the disorganization and fragmentation of thought, perception, and emotional reaction. |
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physical symptoms for which no known physical cause exists |
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Alzheimer disease
(abbreviation) |
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Definition
attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder
(abbreviation) |
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Definition
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
(abbreviation) |
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Definition
central nervous system
(abbreviation) |
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cerebral palsy
(abbreviation) |
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cerebrospinal fluid
(abbreviation) |
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Definition
cerebrovascular accident
(abbreviation) |
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Definition
echoencephalography
(abbreviation) |
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Definition
electroencephalogram
(abbreviation) |
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Definition
evoked potential studies
(abbreviation) |
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Definition
lumbar puncture
(abbreviation) |
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Definition
magnetic resonance imaging scan |
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multiple sclerosis
(abbreviation) |
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Definition
obsessive-compulsive disorder
(abbreviation) |
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Definition
Parkinson disease
(abbreviation) |
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Definition
positron emission tomography scan |
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peripheral nervous system
(abbreviation) |
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Definition
posttraumatic stress disorder
(abbreviation) |
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Definition
transient ischemic attack
(abbreviation) |
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