Pseudomeningocele: A collection of cerebrospinal fluid that is due to a dural leak after spine surgery, not a congenital disorder.
Pseudotumor cerebri: Raised intracranial pressure, usually causing only headache and papilledema. No clear underlying structural abnormality.
Pupil: The black part of the eye through which light enters; enlarges in dim light and decreases in size in bright light.
Quadriplegia: The paralysis of all four limbs. More about spinal injury.
Radiation oncologist: A medical doctor who has received advanced training in the treatment of persons receiving x-ray treatment for an illness.
Radiation physicist: A person having a PhD degree who is trained in the science dealing with the properties, changes, and interactions of continuous energy.
Radiculitis: Inflammation of the spinal nerve roots. Accompanied by pain and hyperesthesia.
Radiculopathy: A painful condition caused by pinched nerves in the spine (the upper or cervical spine, the thoracic or middle spine, or the lumbar or lower spine). More about radiculopathy.
Radiologist: A medical doctor who has received specialized training in interpreting x-rays, CTs, MRIs, and performing angiography.
Radiotherapy: Treatment of a lesion with radiation.
Reflex sympathetic dystrophy: A condition characterized by burning pain, abnormal sensitivity to sensory stimuli, poor circulation, and changes in the skin, muscle, bone, and joints.
Revascularization: Reestablishment of blood supply to a part.
Saccular aneurysm: A balloon-like outpouching of a vessel. More about aneurysms.
Sciatic nerve: The largest nerve in the body. It extends from the sacral plexus, emerges from the pelvis, and travels deep within the buttocks. It then descends down the back of the thigh to the back of the knee, at which point it divides into the common peroneal and tibial nerves. The sciatic nerve supplies sensation to the back of the thigh, outer side of the leg, and essentially the whole foot.
Seizure: Upper motor cortex
Shunt: A tube that diverts body fluid from one body cavity or vessel to another.
Spasmodic torticollis: Also known as cervical dystonia, is a form of dystonia characterized by intermittent spasms of the neck muscles resulting in involuntary rotation and tilting of the head. These movements are frequently painful. More about dystonia.
Spina bifida: A congenital defect of the spine marked by the absence of a portion of the spine.
Spinal fusion: Operative method of strengthening and limiting motion of the spinal column. Can be performed with a variety of metal instruments and bone grafts or bone grafts alone.
Spinal instability: Damage to a disc or tearing of the ligament holding the spine, which causes the spine to be unable to carry out its supporting function.
