V
VAGUS NERVE - The tenth cranial nerve, which is a mixed nerve that has both motor and sensory functions.
VAGUS NERVE STIMULATION (VNS) - Therapy for epilepsy that applies small electrical pulses to the vagus nerve in the neck which regulates internal organs. This therapy is used in patients suffering from partial epilepsy who have failed traditional drug therapy.
VALVE - Device placed in a shunt system to regulate the rate and direction of CSF flow.
VASOCONSTRICTION - A decrease in the diameter of blood vessels.
VASODILATION - An increase in the diameter of blood vessels.
VASOPRESSIN - A hormone secreted by the hypothalamus and stored in the posterior pituitary which raises blood pressure and increases reabsorption of water by the kidneys.
VASOPRESSOR - An agent which constricts the arteries and raises blood pressure.
VASOSPASM - Spasm of blood vessels, decreasing their diameter.
VENTRICLE - The cavities or chambers within the brain which contain the cerebrospinal fluid. There are two lateral ventricles and midline third and fourth ventricles.
VENTRICULAR DRAINAGE - Insertion of a small tube into the ventricles to drain cerebrospinal fluid, usually when pressure is increased.
VENTRICULITIS - Inflammation and/or infection of the ventricles.
VENTRICULOGRAM - An x-ray study of the ventricles.
VENTRICULOSTOMY - The surgical opening in a ventricle of the brain to drain cerebrospinal fluid, especially in hydrocephalus.
VERMIS - Middle part of the cerebellum between the two hemispheres.
VERTEBRA - One of the 33 bones of the spinal column. A cervical, thoracic, or lumbar vertebra has a cylindrically-shaped bony anterior and a neural arch posterior (composed primarily of the laminae and pedicles as well as the other structures in the posterior aspect of the vertebra) that protects the spinal cord. The plural of vertebra is vertebrae.
VERTIGO - An abnormal sensation of rotation or movement of one's self, or the environment.
W
WIRE - Metal thread available in various diameters and various degrees of stiffness. Generally used in surgery to transfix fractured bone.
X
XENOGRAFT - A graft derived from one species for use in another species.
Y - Z
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