Glossary

Terms and Words Used in Spinal Cord Injury

Term Definition
Autonomic dysreflexia Most frequently experienced by people whose SCI is at T6 or higher. Usually triggered by a painful or unpleasant stimulus, AD is massive response by the sympathetic nervous system. Symptoms include elevated blood pressure, intense headaches, profuse sweating, facial redness, goose bumps, nasal congestion, and a feeling of apprehension and doom. It requires prompt response, and the removal of the stimulus.
Cervical spine The vertebrae and section of the spinal cord that starts directly below the skull, and includes the neck. “Cervix” is the Latin word for neck. The vertebrae are designated C-1 through C-7.
Deep vein thrombosis DVT The formation of a blood clot, or thrombus in a vein buried deep in a muscle. DVT most frequently occurs in the leg veins and the deep veins of the pelvis. The risk is that a clot could dislodge and travel to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism.
Degenerative Disc Disease Deterioration in the intervertebral discs, the small fleshy pads between the vertebrae discs which function as shock absorbers. Deterioration can cause pain and loss of function.
Dorsal Referring to the back, or posterior side of the body
Intercostal Between the ribs (costae=ribs)
Lumbar The vertebrae and section of the spinal cord below the thoracic spine, in the low back. Lumbus is the Latin word for loin. The vertebrae are designated L-1 through L-5
Methylprednisolone A steroid administered within 8 hours of a spinal cord injury. Clinical trials have shown that treatment methylprednisolone increases recovery by about 20% when given within 8 hours after injury but does not help when started more than 8 hours after injury.
Motor Refers to muscle movement
Physiatrist A medical doctor who is trained and specializes in physical rehabilitation
Pulmonary embolism Blockage of the pulmonary artery (or one of its branches), usually when a blood clot from a vein becomes dislodged from its site of formation, is transported to the lungs, and blocks the arterial blood supply of one of the lungs.
Sacral spine The bottommost section of the spine, behind the pelvis, sometimes called the tailbone.
Sensory Refers to the ability to feel touch, pressure, pain, heat, etc.
Tetraplegia Tetraplegia is replacing quadriplegia as the term for the condition in which a person experiences paralysis of both arms and legs. The paralysis may be partial or complete
Thoracic spine The vertebrae and section of the spinal cord below the cervical spine, in the region of the chest, ribs, and stomach. Thorax is the Latin word for chest. The vertebrae are designated T-1 through T-12
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