CH. 15: Diagnostic Terms

Question 1

cerebral angiography

Answer 1

process of recording (scan of) the blood vessels of the cerebrum (after an injection of a contrast agent)

Question 2

CT myelography

Answer 2

process of recording (scan of) the spinal cord (after an injection of a contrast agent into the subarachnoid space by lumbar puncture, size, shape, and position of the spinal cord and nerve roots are demonstrated)

Question 3

electroencephalogram

Answer 3

record of electrical activity of the brain

Question 4

electroencephalograph

Answer 4

instrument used to record electrical activity of the brain

Question 5

electroencephalography

Answer 5

process of recording the electrical activity of the brain

Question 6

positron emission tomography (PET) scan

Answer 6

nuclear medicine procedure creating computerized images of chemical changes, such as sugar metabolism in brain tissue. Radioactive materials called tracers are bound to molecules used in metabolism. Areas that are more active, such as cancers, will use more of these molecules, and the PET scan will detect higher activity there. PET is usu. combined with CT imaging, which shows precise anatomic location of the abnormality.

Question 7

evoked potential studies (EP studies)

Answer 7

group of diagnostic tests that measure changes and responses in brain waves elicited by visual, auditory, or somatosensory stimuli

Question 8

deep tendon reflexes (DTR)

Answer 8

portion of the physical examination where gentle strikes at specific locations are performed to assess the possibility of potential neurological abnormalities (also called muscle stretch reflexes [MSR])

Question 9

lumbar puncture (LP)

Answer 9

diagnostic procedure performed by insertion of a needle into the subarachnoid space usu. between the third and fourth lumbar vertebrae; performed for many reasons, including the removal of cerebrospinal fluid (also called spinal tap).