Neurology Reference

COMMONLY USED PREFIXES, SUFFIXES, AND COMBINING FORMS

a- not, no epi- above, on, upon -oma – tumor or mass

affer/o- bringing toward
the center
alges/o- excessive
sensitivity to pain
-algia – pain
an- not, no
angi/o- vessel
arachn/o- spider, spider
web
caus/o- burning
cephal/o- head
cerebell/o- cerebellum
cerebr/o- brain, cerebrum
comat/o- deep sleep
crani/o- skull
cry/o- cold
dendro/o- branching
structure
dur/o- dura mater
dys- bad, painful, difficult
-eal – pertaining to
effer/o- go out from the
center
encephal/o- brain
-esthesia – nervous para- near, beside,
sensation abnormal
esthesi/o- feeling -paresis – slight paralysis
gli/o- glue, neuroglial -phasia – speech
tissue phobia- fear
hemi- half phob/o- fear
hydr/o- fluid, water poly- many, much
hyper- above, excessive pont/o- pons
hypo- below, deficient -praxia – action
radicul/o- nerve root pre- before
-ia - condition quadri- four
-iac - pertaining to recept/o- receive
intra- within, in -sthenia – strength
kines/o- movement sub- under
-kinesis – movement syncop/o- to cut off or cut
-lepsy – seizure short
lept/o- thin, slender tax/o- coordination
lex/o- word, phrase thalam/o- thalamus
mening/o- membranes, thec/o- sheath
meninges -tome – cutting instrument
micro- small -tomy – cutting process
myel/o- spinal cord vag/o- vagus nerve
my/o- muscle vertebr/o- vertebrae,
neur/o- nerve backbones

COMMON ABBREVIATIONS

ADL: activities of daily living CTS: carpal tunnel syndrome

AFP: alpha fetoprotein
ALS: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
AMR: abnormal muscle response
AVM: arteriovenous malformation
BAEP: brainstem auditory evoked potential
BAER: brainstem auditory evoked
response
CNS: central nervous system
CP: cerebral palsy
cps: cycles per second
CRPS: chronic regional pain syndrome
CSF: cerebrospinal fluid
CT: computed tomography
Copyright © 2015 Nuance. All Rights Reserved. Rev 01/14/2015
CVA: cerebrovascular accident
DSA: digital subtraction angiography
DVT: deep venous thrombosis
EEG: electroencephalography
END: electroneurodiagnostic (technician)
GCS: Glasgow Coma Scale (or Score)
HNP: herniated nucleus pulposus
Hz: hertz
ICEDP: intracranial epidural pressure
ICP: intracranial pressure
LOC: level of consciousness
LP: lumbar puncture
MCI: mild cognitive impairment

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MRA: magnetic resonance angiography
MRI: magnetic resonance imaging
MS: multiple sclerosis
NICU: neurologic intensive care unit
NPH: normal pressure hydrocephalus
PEG: pneumoencephalography
PET: positron emission scan
RIND: reversible ischemic neurological
deficit
SCI: spinal cord injury
SLI: speech and language impaired
SSEP: somatosensory evoked potential
SSER: somatosensory evoked response
TENS: transcutaneous electrical nerve
stimulation (unit)
TIA: transient ischemic attack
TR: transitional sleep
VEP: visual evoked potential
VER: visual evoked response

TERMINOLOGY

absence (petit mal) seizure: Impaired consciousness with slight or no muscle activity.
afferent nerves: Nerves that carry sensory nerve impulses from the body to the brain.
ageusia: Impaired sense of taste.
akathisia: Motor restlessness.
alexia: Inability to read.
alpha fetoprotein: Used to diagnose neural tube defect in a fetus before birth.
amaurosis fugax: Temporary loss of vision in one eye due to impairment of blood supply
through the internal carotid artery or the ophthalmic artery.
amnesia: Loss of memory.
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig disease): A progressive, destructive motor
neuron disease resulting in muscular atrophy.
analgesia: Loss of pain sensation.
anencephaly: Rare congenital condition of a newborn where some or all of the cranium and
cerebrum are missing.
anhidrosis: Absence of sweating.
anosmia: Loss of sense of smell.
aphasia: Loss of the ability to communicate through speech, written language, or signs.
aphemia: Inability to speak words despite being able to make other sounds.
aphonia: Loss of the ability to speak.
apraxia: The partial or complete inability to perform purposeful movements in the absence of
motor or sensory impairment.
ataxia: Impairment of the ability to coordinate voluntary muscle movement.
atonia: Loss of muscle tone.
astrocytoma: Malignancy of astrocytes in the cerebrum.
aura: Peculiar sensation appearing before more definite symptoms.
Babinski sign: Upon stimulation of the sole of the foot, the big toe extends and the other toes
fan out.
Battle sign: Discoloration of the skin behind the ear following a bone fracture in the lower
skull.
Bell palsy: Due to inflammation of the facial nerve, weakness, drooping, or actual paralysis of
one side of the face occurs.
Brudzinski sign: Flexion of the hips and knees in response to passive flexion of the neck,
positive sign signals meningeal irritation.
carotid endarterectomy: Procedure to remove plaque from the carotid artery to open the
lumen and restore blood flow.
causalgia: Burning due to inflammation or irritation of nerves.
cephalic: Relating to the head.
cephalgia: Head pain, headache.
cerebral angiogram: Contrast material is injected into the brain and an x-ray is taken.

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cerebral concussion: Widespread bruising of the cerebral tissue usually caused by impact
from a blunt object due to receiving a direct blow or falling. The brain itself is not impaired.
cerebral contusion: Localized bruising of the tissues along or just beneath the surface of the
brain caused by a blow to the head or the head hitting a hard surface and is often
accompanied by a skull fracture.
cerebral palsy: Can occur during pregnancy or anytime up to about 3 years of age. It occurs
when there is damage to the developing motor control areas of the cerebrum due to lack of
oxygen.
chordotomy: Operation on the spinal cord.
coma: State of unconsciousness from which the patient cannot be aroused.
complex partial seizure: Some degree of impairment of consciousness is present with
involuntary contractions of one or more muscle groups.
corneal reflex: Closure of the eyelid when the cornea is touched.
craniectomy: Removal of part of the skull.
craniotomy: Incision into the cranium to expose brain tissue.
CSF cytology: Test performed on cerebrospinal fluid to diagnose tumor cells and viruses.
CSF fluid analysis: Water, glucose, sodium, chloride, and protein as well as the number of
RBCs and WBCs are measured.
CT of the brain: Cross-section images of the brain using a computerized machine are
obtained.
cerebrovascular accident (CVA): Stroke, damage to the brain due to sudden disruption in
blood supply to part of the brain or bleeding inside the head.
degenerative disk disease: Deterioration of the intervertebral disk due to continual rubbing on
the disk involved causing pain due to the nerve being trapped in the foramen as it leaves the
spinal canal.
delirium: Disorientation to place and time, may also experience hallucinations.
dementia: Mental deterioration and decline.
diplopia: Double vision.
diskectomy: Excision of part or all of an HNP from a disk.
dysesthesia: Discomfort or pain in response to stimulus that would not be expected to cause
pain.
dysgeusia: Distorted taste perception.
dyslexia: Visual acuity intelligence is normal but there is difficulty in reading and writing
words.
dysphagia: Difficulty swallowing.
dysphasia: Impairment of speech.
dyspraxia: A partial loss of the ability to perform skilled, coordinated movements in the
absence of any associated defect in motor or sensory functions.
EEG: Records the electrical activity of the brain.
efferent nerves: Nerves that carry motor nerve impulses from the brain to the body.
eidetic memory: Photographic memory.
encephalitis: Inflammation of brain tissue.
ependymoma: Benign tumor of the cells lining the ventricles.
epidural hematoma: A collection or mass of blood that forms between the skull and the dura
mater.
epilepsy (convulsion): Dysfunction of the impulses to the neurons causing altered
consciousness and abnormal muscle movements.
evoked potential testing: An EEG is used to record changes in the brain waves following
various forms of stimulation.
flaccid: Absence of muscle tone and reflexes.
floccillation: Purposeless picking at clothing or bedding seen in delirium.
gag reflex: Elicited by touching the soft palate or the back of the pharynx.
gait: Manner of walking.
Glasgow Coma Scale: Measurement to assess a patient’s coma status.
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graphesthesia: Ability to recognize letters drawn on the palm.
Guillain-Barre syndrome: An autoimmune disorder where the body makes antibodies against
the myelin resulting in loss of nerve conduction.
hemicraniectomy: Removal of the skull to expose half of the brain (preparation for surgery).
hemiparesis: Paralysis or muscle weakness affecting only one side of the body.
hemiplegia: Paralysis of one side of the body.
hemisphere: One-half of the cerebrum.
herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP): Slipped disk, rupture of the nucleus pulposus through
the annular disk wall into the spinal canal caused by trauma, poor posture or aging.
Huntington chorea: A hereditary, degenerative disease of the cerebral cortex and basal
ganglia causing progressive atrophy of the brain.
hydrocephalus: Excess cerebrospinal fluid within the brain’s ventricles.
intracranial pressure (ICP): Pressure created by cerebrospinal fluid in the subarachnoid
space between the skull and brain.
Kernig sign: Refers to the resistance and pain from the hamstring muscle when an examiner
attempts to extend the patient’s knee while the hip and knee are both flexed 90 degrees.
laminectomy: Excision of the lamina to relieve pressure on the dorsal nerve root and relieve
pain from an HNP.
lobectomy: Removal of a lobe of the brain.
lobotomy: Incision into the frontal lobe of the brain.
meningitis: Inflammation of the meninges.
migraine: Vascular headache associated with dilation and constriction of arteries within the
brain.
miosis: Pupillary constriction.
multiple sclerosis (MS): Chronic, progressive autoimmune disorder in which there is an acute
inflammation of the myelin causing loss in nerve conduction to the brain and spinal cord.
myelitis: Inflammation of the spinal cord.
myelogram: Contrast medium is injected into the subarachnoid space and x-ray images of the
spinal cord are obtained.
narcolepsy: Brief involuntary episodes of falling asleep during the day while doing normal
activities.
nerve conduction study: Measures the speed at which electrical impulses travel along a
nerve.
neuralgia: Severe nerve pain.
neurectomy: Removal of part of a nerve.
neurofibromatosis: Hereditary disease where multiple benign tumors develop from the
peripheral nerves.
neuron: Nerve cell.
neuroplasty: Surgical repair of a nerve.
occlusion: Blockage.
palsy: Paralysis (complete or partial loss of motor function).
paralysis: Complete loss of muscular function.
paraplegia: Loss of nerve functions below the waist with paralysis of the lower trunk and
extremities.
paresis: Muscle weakness.
peripheral neuritis: Inflammation and degeneration of the peripheral nerves.
PET scan: Radioactive glucose or oxygen is injected and images of the brain obtained.
Phalen maneuver: The patient is asked to flex his wrists for 1 minute while extending
forearms horizontally. If pain is present, carpal tunnel is present.
photophobia: Sensitivity to light.
pia mater: Delicate thin inner membrane of the meninges.
poliomyelitis: A viral infection of the anterior horn cells of the gray matter in the spinal cord
that causes selective destruction of the motor neurons.

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polysomnogram: Positioning of electrodes on the face and head with other monitors applied
to diagnosis insomnia, sleep apnea, or narcolepsy.
postictal state: Sleepiness and confusion following a seizure.
quadriplegia: Loss of nerve functions below the neck with paralysis of the upper and lower
extremities and trunk.
radiculopathy: Can be acute or chronic. It occurs when a HNP of the disk is forced out
through a weak area in the disk wall and puts pressure on the spinal nerve roots.
reflex: Involuntary muscle reaction controlled by the spinal cord.
rhizotomy: Incision to cut spinal nerve roots to relieve severe pain.
Romberg test: A test where the patient stands with feet together and eyes closed to assess
balance.
schwannoma: Benign tumor of the Schwann cells near the cranial or spinal nerves.
simple partial seizure: No impairment of consciousness. The patient is aware of the event
but unable to stop the involuntary contractions.
spasm: A sustained contraction of a voluntary muscle.
spinal stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal canal with compression on the spinal cord and spinal
nerve roots.
status epilepticus: Prolonged continuous seizure activity or frequently repeated single
seizures that occur without the patient regaining consciousness.
stereotactic neurosurgery: Three-dimensional excision of a deep cerebral tumor.
subarachnoid hemorrhage: Intracranial hemorrhage into the subarachnoid space.
subdural hematoma: A collection or mass of blood that collects through the dura mater and
the subarachnoid membrane.
sympathectomy: Resection of a sympathetic nerve or ganglion.
syncope: Fainting.
TENS: Electrical device used to control chronic pain.
tetany: Hyperexcitability of muscles and nerves caused by low calcium levels.
thrombus: Blood clot.
thymectomy: Removal of the thymus gland.
tic: A rapid involuntary muscle twitch.
transient ischemic attack (TIA): Mini-stroke, temporary episodes of impaired neurologic
function caused by inadequate flow of blood to a portion of the brain. It is most commonly
caused when plaque breaks away and floats into the brain.
Tinel sign: On light percussion, tingling over the median nerve occurs. This is an indicator of
carpal tunnel syndrome.
tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizure: Unconsciousness with excessive motor activity.
transient ischemic attack (TIA): Recurrent neurologic episode lasting less than 1 hour, no
permanent or long-lasting neurologic deficit. It is a warning sign for impending stroke.
vagotomy: Transection of the vagus nerve.
VP shunt: Insertion of a plastic tube to connect the ventricles of the brain to the peritoneal
cavity to remove excess CSF associated with hydrocephalus.

COMMON DRUGS

Abstral (fentanyl) Aleve (naproxen)

acetaminophen amantadine
Actiq (fentanyl) ambenonium
Adderall (amphetamine/ Ambien (zolpidem)
dextroamphetamine) Amerge (naratriptan)
dextroamphetamine Ampyra (dalfampridine)
Advil (ibuprofen) Amrix (cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride)
Aggrenox (ASA/extended-release Anexsia (acetaminophen/hydrocodone)
dipyridamole) Apokyn (apomorphine hydrochloride)

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Aptiom (eslicarbazepine acetate) Extavia (Interferon beta-l b)
Aricept (donepezil hydrochloride) Fentanyl
aspirin Fetzima (levomilnacipran)
Avinza (morphine sulfate) fluoxetine
Avonex (interferon beta 1-A) Focalin (dexmethylphenidate HCl)
Axert (almotriptan malate) Frova (frovatriptan succinate)
Axona (caprylidene) Fycompa (perampanel)
Banzel (rufinamide) gabapentin
Bayer (aspirin) galantamine
Bayer Extra Strength Aspirin Gralise (gabapentin)
Belsomra (suvorexant) Halcion (triazolam)
benztropine Hetlioz (tasimelteon)
Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) Horizant (gabapentin enacarbil)
Butrans (buprenorphine) ibuprofen
Cambia (diclofenac potassium) Imitrex (sumatriptan)
capsaicin Intermezzo (zolpidem tartrate)
Carbaglu (carglumic acid) Intuniv (guanfacine)
carbamazepine Invega (paliperidone)
Carbatrol (carbamazepine) Kapvay (clonidine hydrochloride)
Cialis (tadalafil) Kadian (morphine)
clonazepam Kapavay (clonidine)
clorazepate Keppra (levetiracetam)
Cogentin (benztropine) Klonopin (clonazepam)
Cognex (tacrine) Lamictal (lamotrigine)
Comtan (entacapone) lamotrigine
Copaxone (glatiramer) Lazanda (fentanyl citrate)
Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate) Lemtrada (alemtuzumab)
Cylert (pemoline) Levitra (vardenafil)
Darvon (propoxyphene) Lidoderm Patch (lidocaine patch 5%)
Decadron (dexamethasone) Luminal (phenobarbital)
Deltasone (prednisone) Lunesta (eszopiclone)
Demerol (meperidine) Lusedra (fospropofol disodium)
Depakote (valproic acid) Lyrica (pregabalin)
Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) Maxalt (rizatriptan)
dexamethasone memantine
Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine) meperidine
dextroamphetamine Merrem IV (meropenem)
Dilantin (phenytoin) Metadate CD (methylphenidate)
donepezil methylphenidate
Duopa (carbidopa/levodopa) Meticorten (prednisone)
Duragesic (fentanyl) Migranal (dihydroergotamine)
Durezol (difluprednate) Mirapex (pramipexole dihydrochloride)
Dyloject (diclofenac sodium) morphine
Edluar (zolpidem tartrate) Motrin (ibuprofen)
edrophonium MS Contin (morphine)
Embeda (morphine sulfate/naltrexone Myobloc (rimabotulinumtoxinB)
hydrochloride) Mytelase (ambenonium)
Empirin (aspirin) Namenda (memantine)
entacapone Namzaric (memantine/donepezil)
ethosuximide Naprosyn (naproxen)
Exalgo (hydromorphone hydrochloride) naproxen
Excedrin Migraine Neupro (rotigotine)
Exelon (rivastigmine tartrate) Neurontin (gabapentin)
Exparel (bupivacaine liposome)
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Norco tablets (Hydrocodone Stavzor (valproic acid)
Bitartrate/Acetaminophen) Strattera (atomoxetine HCl)
Northera (droxidopa) Subsys (fentanyl)
Novantrone (mitoxantrone hydrochloride) Symmetrel (amantadine)
Nucynta (tapentadol) Tacrine
Nuedexta (dextromethorphan Targiniq ER (oxycodone/naloxone)
hydrobromide/quinidine sulfate) Tasmar (tolcapone)
Nuvigil (armodafinil) Tegretol (carbamazepine)
Nymalize (nimodipine) Tegretol XR (carbamazepine)
Onfi (clobazam) temazepam
Onsolis (fentanyl buccal) Tensilon (edrophonium)
oxcarbazepine Tivorbex (indomethacin)
Oxecta (oxycodone HCl) Topamax (topiramate)
oxycodone Tranxene (clorazepate)
OxyContin (oxycodone) triazolam
Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine) Tridione (trimethadione)
phenobarbital Trileptal (oxcarbazepine)
phenytoin trimethadione
Plegridy (peginterferon beta-1a) Trokendi XR (topiramate)
Potiga (ezogabine) Tylenol (acetaminophen)
prednisone Tysabri (natalizumab)
pregabalin Ultracet (acetaminophen/ tramadol HCl)
propoxyphene valproic acid
Prozac (fluoxetine) Versed(midazolam HCI)
Quadramet (samarium SM 153 lexidronam) Viibryd (vilazodone hydrochloride)
Qudexy XR (topiramate) Vimpat (lacosamide)
Quillivant XR (methylphenidate) Visipaque (iodixanol)
Qutenza (capsaicin) Vivitrol (naltrexone)
Razadyne (galantamine) Vpriv (velaglucerase alfa)
Rebif (interferon beta-1a) Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate)
Relpax (eletriptan hydrobromide) Xartemis XR (oxycodone/acetaminophen)
Reminyl (galantamine hydrobromide) Xenazine (tetrabenazine)
Requip (ropinirole hydrochloride) Xifaxan (rifaximin)
Restoril (temazepam) Xyrem (sodium oxybate)
Rilutek (riluzole) Zanaflex (tizanidine hydrochloride)
Ritalin (methylphenidate) Zarontin (ethosuximide)
rivastigmine Zipsor (diclofenac potassium)
ropinirole Zohydro ER (hydrocodone)
Rozerem (ramelteon) zolpidem
Rytary (carbidopa/levodopa) Zomig (zolmitriptan)
Sabril (vigabatrin) Zonegran (zonisamide)
Silenor (doxepin) zonisamide
Sprix (ketorolac tromethamine) Zubsolv (buprenorphine/naloxone)

WORD LIST

10-20 International System for electrode abulia

placement acalculia
21-channel recording accessory nerve
abducens nerve accumulation
abduct acephalic migraine
ablation acetylcholine
absence seizure Achilles tendon reflex

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action potential athetosis
action tremor atonia
adduct atrophy
afferent nerves auditory
ageusia aura
agnosia autism
agraphia AVM embolization
akathisia axon
akinesia axons
alexia Babinski reflex
alpha fetoprotein background rhythm
alpha range Balint syndrome
alpha rhythm basal ganglia
alpha waves basilar artery
altered level of consciousness basilar migraine
Alzheimer disease Battle sign
amaurosis fugax Bell palsy
amblyopia Bell phenomenon
amnesia Benedikt syndrome
amplitude berry aneurysm
amygdala beta rhythms
amyloid beta-protein precursor test Binswanger disease
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Biot respiration
analgesia bisynchronous
anencephaly blepharospasm
anesthesia blood-brain barrier
angiography blow
anhidrosis brachial
anisocoria brachioradialis
anomia brachycephaly
anosmia brachytherapy
anosognosia bradykinesia
anteroposterior bradylalia
antibiotics bradyphrenia
anticonvulsants brain abscess
Anton syndrome brain damage
aphasia brain death
aphemia brain injury
aphonia brain tumor
apnea brainstem
apraxia Broca aphasia
arachnoid membrane Brudzinski sign
arachnoiditis bruxism
arteriovenous malformation bulbar
artifact burr hole
asomatognosia burst fracture
association Canavan disease
astasia-abasia cannula
asterixis carpal tunnel disease
astrocyte catalepsy
astrocytoma catamenial
ataxia cataplexy
ataxia telangiectasia cauda equina
ataxic speech caudal
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causalgia coprolalia
central pain syndrome corneal reflex
central pontine myelinolysis corpus callosum
central sleep spindles cortical blindness
cephalgia corticosteroid drugs
cephalic corticosteroids
cerebellar cranial nerves
cerebellar stimulator implant craniectomy
cerebellopontine craniotomy
cerebellospinal cranium
cerebellum Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
cerebral aneurysm crick in the neck
cerebral angiography CSF analysis
cerebral arteriosclerosis decerebrate posturing
cerebral atrophy decorticate posturing
cerebral cortex decussate
cerebral edema deep tendon reflexes
cerebral gigantism degenerative
cerebral palsy delirium
cerebral peduncle delta brush
cerebral perfusion pressure delta spikes
cerebral salt wasting delta waves
cerebral vasculitis dementia
cerebritis demyelination
cerebrospinal fluid dendrite
cerebrum dendrites
Chaddock reflex denervation
Charcot-Bouchard aneurysm dermatome
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease diabetes insipidus
chordotomy diastematomyelia
chorea diencephalon
chronic pain diffuse axonal injury
Circle of Willis diplegia
clonus diplopia
cluster headache discrimination
Coffin-Lowry syndrome diskectomy
coma disturbances
comatose diuresis
complex regional pain syndrome dizziness
complex seizure dolichocephaly
complex tic doll’s eye sign
compression neuropathy doll’s phenomenon
computed tomography dopamine
concussion dorsal nerve roots
congenital Down syndrome
congenital spinal defect drug therapy
connective tissue dura mater
conscious dysarthria
constricting dysconjugate
constriction dysdiadochokinesia
contractions dysequilibrium
contusion dysesthesia
convulsions dysgeusia
coordination dysgraphia
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dyskinesia finger-to-nose test
dyslexia Fisher scale
dysmetria fissure
dysphagia flaccid
dysphasia flaccid paralysis
dysphonia flaccidity
dyspraxia flash visual evoked potentials
dysraphism flashing lights
dyssomnia flexor posturing
dystonia flexor spasm
echoencephalography floccillation
echoes flocculus
echolalia fluent aphasia
echopraxia fluid-filled
efferent folic acid
efferent nerves fontanel
eidetic memory foramen
electrical impulses foramen magnum
electrodes forebrain
electroencephalography fornix
embolization Foster-Kennedy syndrome
empty sella frontal lobe
encapsulated frontal sharp transient
encephalitis gag reflex
encephalocele gait
encephalomalacia ganglion
encephalopathy ganglionectomy
endomysium generalized seizure
endoneurium generalized tonic-clonic seizure
endorphins Glasgow Coma Scale
enlarged head glioblastoma multiforme
ependyma glioma
ependymoma gliomas
ephaptic glossopharyngeal nerve
epidural grand mal seizure
epidural hematoma graphesthesia
epidural probe gray matter
epilemma Guillain-Barre syndrome
epilepsy gustatory cortex
epileptic gyri
esotropia gyrus
evoked potential testing hangman’s fracture
excessive movement head trauma
exophthalmos headache
exotropia heel-to-shin test
expressive aphasia hematoma
extensor posturing hematomas
extra-axial hemianopia
extrapyramidal hemicraniectomy
facial masking hemiparesis
facial nerve hemiplegia
fainting hemiplegic
fasciculations hemisphere
febrile seizure hemorrhage
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herpes zoster lateralizing focus
hobble lead placements
Hoffman sign Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
Horner syndrome leptomeninges
hot and cold testing leptomeningitis
Huntington disease leukodystrophy
hydranencephaly Levin-Critchley syndrome
hydrocephalic levodopa
hydrocephalus Lewy body dementia
hyperactivity life-threatening
hyperesthesia light touch test
hyperkinesia lipohyalinosis
hyperkinesis lobe
hypertensive hemorrhage lobectomy
hyperventilation lobotomy
hypesthesia loss of consciousness
hypoglossal nerve Lou Gehrig disease
hypothalamus lumbar puncture
hypotonicity lymphoma
ICP monitoring magnetoencephalography
immunosuppressive agents manometer
inadequate flow medulla oblongata
induced barbiturate coma memory
induced coma meningeal
infectious meninges
intention tremor meningioma
internal capsule meningitis
interspace meningocele
intracranial abscess meningomyelocele
intracranial hematoma aspiration metabolic activity
intracranial hemorrhage metabolic rate
intracranial pressure microcephaly
intrathecal microglia
intrathecal injection midbrain
intraventricular hematoma midfrontal
involuntary midline
ipsilateral midoccipital
ischemia midparietal
Jefferson fracture migraine
jerking mild cognitive impairment
jitter Millard-Gubler syndrome
Kernig sign Moro reflex
Kernohan notch motor neglect
ketogenic diet moyamoya syndrome
kindling mu pattern
knee-jerk reflex muscle atrophy
Korsakoff syndrome muscular weakness
Krabbe disease mutism
lambda rhythm myasthenia gravis
Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome mycotic aneurysm
lamina mydriasis
laminectomy myelin
lateral myelin sheath
lateral ventricle myelitis
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myelogram paraplegic
myelography parenchyma
myelomeningocele paresis
myoclonic seizure paresthesia
myoneural parietal bone
narcolepsy Parkinson disease
narcotic drugs parkinsonism
neoplastic paroxysmal
neural tube defect paroxysms
neuralgia partial seizure
neurasthenia pathologic reflexes
neurectomy pattern visual evoked potentials
neuritic plaque peculiar sensation
neuritis perception
neuroanastomosis percussion
neurofibrillary tangles petit mal seizure
neurofibromatosis Phalen sign
neuroglia photic stimulation
neuroglial cells photophobia
neuroma pia mater
neuromuscular activity pituitary gland
neuromuscular disease plantar flexed
neuron plaques
neurons plasmapheresis
neuropathy plexus
neuroplasty pneumoencephalography
neurotransmitter poliomyelitis
night terror polyethylene
noncommunicating polyneuritis
norepinephrine polysomnography
normal pressure hydrocephalus pons
Nothnagel syndrome porencephaly
notochord postictal state
nuchal rigidity posturing
numbness presenile dementia
obtundation prickling
occipital bone proprioception test
occipital driving protrude
occipital lobe protruding
oculocephalic reflex pseudobulbar palsy
oculomotor ptosis
oculomotor nerve pupillary reflex
olfactory pyogenic meningitis
olfactory nerve quadriplegia
oligodendroglia quadriplegic
oligodendroglioma rabies
osmophobia radiculitis
osmotic diuretics radiculopathy
oxycephaly radioactive
pain test reabsorption
palliative receptor
palsy reflex
paralysis response
paraplegia resting tremor
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Reye syndrome spinous process
rhizotomy spondylosis
rhombencephalon Standard International lead placements
rhythmic activity Station test
rigidity status epilepticus
Romberg test stereognosis test
rooting reflex stereotactic surgery
saclike Stereotaxic neuroradiography
sagittal plane stimuli
scaphocephaly strabismus
schizencephaly subarachnoid hemorrhage
Schwann cells subarachnoid screw
schwannoma subarachnoid space
sciatica subdural
scintillating scotoma subdural hematoma
sclerotic sulcus
scotoma superficial reflexes
seizure symmetrical activity
sella turcica sympathectomy
senile plaque sympathetic nerve
sensations synapse
sensitivity to light synchronous
sensory syncopal episode
serotonin syncope
sharp elements tandem walking test
sharp wave tangles
sharp waves temporal bone
shearing forces temporal lobe
shingles tentorial herniation
Shy-Dager syndrome tetanus
sialorrhea tetany
simple seizure tetraplegia
Sjogren syndrome thalamic
sleep spindles thalamus
sleep study theta activity
slipped disk theta frequency
slow transients thrombosis
slow waves thrombus
somatosensory thymectomy
somesthesia thymus gland
spasm tic
spastic paralysis tic douloureux
spasticity Tinel sign
spike tinnitus
spike and dome complex titubation
spike and wave pattern Todd postepileptic paralysis
spikes Tolosa-Hunt syndrome
spina bifida occulta tomography
spina bifida with meningocele tonic-clonic seizure
spina bifida with myelomeningocele Tourette syndrome
spinal nerves transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator
spinal tap transection
spinal traction transverse plane
spindles transverse process
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trauma ventricular catheter
traumatic ventriculoperitoneal shunt
tremor vergence
trephination vertebra
trigeminal nerve vertex
trigeminal neuralgia vertex waves
trigger vertigo
trochlear nerve vestibulocochlear nerve
twitching vibratory sense test
two-point discrimination test viral infection
unconsciousness viral meningitis
unresponsive voltage
unsteadiness volumetric interstitial brachytherapy
unsteady gait voluntary
vacant facial expression Wallenberg syndrome
vagal Wallerian degeneration
vagotomy Waters projection
vagus nerve watershed infarct
vascular wave bursts
vasospasm Weber syndrome
ventral nerve roots white matter
ventricles xanthochromia

TRANSCRIPTION TIPS

Spine Terminology
Use hyphens not slashes when referring to the space or disk between 2 vertebrae of the spine.

L1-L2 diskorL1-2 NOTL1/2

Repeat the letter before each numbered vertebra in a list.

C4, C5, and C6

Disk
Use the term disk for all anatomical terms other than ophthalmology terminology.

Cranial Nerves
Use arabic or roman numerals for cranial nerve designations. Be consistent. (Defer to
client/facility preference). (See the AHDI Book of Style, 3rd edition, rule18.2.1, Cranial Nerves,
pages 390-391.)

Cranial Nerves English Name

1 olfactory
2 optic
3 oculomotor
4 trochlear
5 trigeminal
6 abducens
7 facial
8 vestibulocochlear
9 glossopharyngeal
10 vagus

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 11 accessory
12 hypoglossal

REFERENCES

AHDI Book of Style, Chapter 18

YouTube Video - Nerve Cells and Nerve Impulse
Glossary of Neurological Terms
Neurology Sample Reports
Radiofrequency Ablation – Kidney
Radiofrequency Ablation - Spine
Nervous System Anatomy
Nervous System - Functions

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