Glossary V

V

VAGUS NERVE -The tenth cranial nerve, which is a mixed nerve that has both motor and sensory function. The long nerve in the anterior neck traveling with the carotid artery; responsible for many organ functions in the chest and abdomen.

VAGUS NERVE STIMULATION (VNS) - Therapy for epilepsy which 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.

VASCULAR - Relating to or containing blood vessels.

VASOCONSTRICTION - A decrease in the diameter of blood vessels.

VASODILATATION - 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.

VENTRICULITIS - Inflammation and/or infection of the ventricles.

VENTRICULOGRAM - An X-ray study of the ventricles.

VENTRICULOSTOMY - An opening into the ventricles of the brain, such as by inserting a small, thin, hollow catheter.

VENTRICULAR DRAINAGE - Insertion of a small tube into the ventricles to drain cerebrospinal fluid, usually when pressure is increased.

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.

VERMONT (KRAG) - Posteriorly placed internal fixation device.

VERTEBRA - One of the 33 bones of the spinal column. A cervical, thoracic, or lumbar vertebra has a cylindrically-shaped bony anteriorly and a neural arch posteriorly (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.

VERTEBRAL BODY - From a lateral view, it is the main rectangular portion of the spine; from an overview, oval.

VERTIGO - An abnormal sensation of rotation or movement of one's self, or the environment.

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