P
PAPILLEDEMA - Swelling of the optic nerve head. Can be seen in the back of the retina during eye examination.
PARAPLEGIA - Paralysis of the lower part of the body, including the legs.
PARIETAL LOBE - The middle portion of each cerebral hemisphere.
PATHOLOGY - The study of disease states.
PEDICLE -The part of each side of the neural arch of a vertebra. It connects the lamina with the vertebral body.
PERIOSTEUM - A fibrous membrane that covers the surface of bone, except at the end of the bones where it is covered with cartilage as part of a joint. In children periosteum is involved in forming new bone and molding the configuration of bone. In the adult, the periosteum forms new bone secondary to injury or infection.
PERITONEAL CAVITY - Body cavity in which the abdominal organs are situated.
PHYSICAL THERAPY - The treatment consisting of exercising specific parts of the body, such as the legs, arms, hands, or neck, in an effort to strengthen, regain range of motion, relearn movement, and/or rehabilitate the musculoskeletal system to improve function.
PHYSIOLOGY -The science of the functioning of living organisms and of their component systems or parts.
PITUITARY- Gland at base of the brain which secretes hormones into the blood stream. Those hormones then regulate other glands, including the thyroid, adrenals, and gonads. Also known as the "master gland."
POLYNEURITIS - Inflammation of two or more nerves simultaneously.
PORENCEPHALY - Abnormal cavity within brain tissue. Usually resulting from outpouching of a lateral ventricle.
POST-ICTAL - State following a seizure. Often characterized by altered function of the limbs and/or mentation.
POSTERIOR - The back of the body or situated near the back of the body.
POSTERIOR FOSSA - The internal base of the skull.
POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS - Instruments which are powered by compressed air or electricity and are used in surgical procedures to cut, drill, or otherwise remove bone and cartilage, as well as to evacuate fluids.
PRE-CLINICAL STUDIES - Tests occurring prior to clinical studies. Usually in vitro or in vivo involving animals. The purpose of these studies is to determine the safety and efficacy of the test material.
PRE-MARKET APPROVAL (PMA) - A regulatory method for gaining a marketing clearance from the FDA for a Class III medical device. A company submits information to the FDA that documents the safety and effectiveness of the device.
PRE-MARKET NOTIFICATION [510(k)] - A regulatory method for gaining clearance from the FDA to market a device. The FDA is petitioned by a company to determine if a particular medical device is "substantially equivalent" to a device which was commercially available prior to May 28, 1976. This method usually applies to Class I or II medical devices.
PROPRIOCEPTION - Sensation concerning movements of joints and position of the body in space.
PROSTHESIS - An artificial body part, such as an artificial leg or arm. The term prosthesis is also used to describe some of the implants used in the body, such as a hip or knee replacement device.
PROXIMAL - Nearest the center of the body.
PSEUDARTHROSIS - A form of nonunion in which there is the formation of a false joint with some cartilage covering the ends of the bones and a cavity containing fluid that resembles a normal joint.
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.
Q
QUADRANTANOPIA - Defect in vision or blindness in one fourth of the visual field.
QUADRIPLEGIA - Paralysis of all four limbs.
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RADIATION ONCOLOGIST - A medical doctor who has received training in the treatment of persons receiving x-ray treatment for an illness.
RADIATION PHYSICIST - A person who is trained in the science dealing with the properties, changes, and interactions of continuos energy.
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.
RESECTION - The surgical removal of part of a structure, such as bone.
RESORPTION - The removal of bone tissue by normal physiological process or as part of a pathological process, such as an infection.
ROD - In spinal applications, a slender, metal implant which is used to immobilize and alienate the spine.
RUPTURED DISC - See herniated disc.