Glossary

Aneurysm - An abnormal bulging sac created in the wall of a blood vessel, especially an artery. This is typically due to a structural weakness in the vessel.

Aneurysms Types: there are two main categories of aneurysms.
• Fusiform: Dilatation of entire circumference of a short segment of vessel.
• Berry: A saccular aneurysm with a narrow or wide neck.

Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) - An abnormal connection between arteries and veins.

Artery - A blood vessel carrying blood from the heart to tissues of the body.

Basilar Artery - A posterior artery that forms from the right and left vertebral arteries, which provide circulation to the posterior portion of the brain.

Brain - A large soft mass of nerve tissue contained within the cranium. The brain is the primary center for regulating and coordinating all of the body's activities.

Brain Attack - a term used to describe the effect and action of a stroke

Carotid Arteries - Provide the main blood supply to the anterior circulation of the brain.

Cerebral Angiography - A radiology procedure using x-ray and opaque dye that helps identify abnormalities of the blood vessels within the brain.

Cerebral Edema - Swelling of the brain.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) - Fluid surrounding the brain that acts as a cushion.

Circle of Willis - An intercommunicating set of arteries derived from the principal arteries supplying blood flow to the anterior and posterior portions of the brain.  
 
Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT) Scan - A procedure where pinpoint radiographic (x-ray) beams are passed through transverse planes of tissue in sections. Then a computerized analysis shows the variance in absorption and produces a precise reconstructed image of the area.

Craniotomy - Surgical procedure with an incision through the skull into the brain.

Cranium - A bony box also known as the skull that encloses and protects the brain.

Embolus - A clot that moves from one area of the body to another.

Endovascular Coiling procedure - Treatment of an aneurysm using tiny coils and working within the blood vessel.

Hemorrhage - Abnormal internal or external discharge of blood. Diagnosis is obvious when bleeding is visible. However when bleeding is internal the diagnosis is made based on the condition of the patient.

Hemorrhagic Stroke - Interruption of the blood supply to an area of the brain caused by a break or rupture of a blood vessel in the brain. About 20% of strokes occur from hemorrhage.

Hypoxia - Insufficient supply of oxygen rich blood.

Infarction - Tissue death resulting from inadequate oxygenation due to reduction or lack of blood flow to the area.

Ischemia - Inadequate tissue oxygenation caused by reduced blood flow to tissue.

Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) - A non-invasive imagining procedure of the cranial vessels.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) - This is a non-invasive radiology procedure that provides fine detailed pictures of the brain anatomy from multiple planes. It can distinguish tumors and other lesions from normal tissue.

Parenchyma - The essential part of an organ concerned with critical function.

Percutaneous - Effected through the skin.

Stenosis - A narrowing of the blood vessel.

Stroke - An interruption of the oxygen supply to a portion of the brain that can result in loss of function to the affected area. The cause is due to a blockage of an artery or bleeding.

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage - Bleeding in the space between the tissues covering the brain, called the pia and the arachnoid.

Thrombus - A blood clot that adheres to the vessel wall.

Vasospasm - Narrowing of the vessel, typically in response to the initial rupture of the aneurysm.

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