Motoneuron (motor neuron) - A nerve cell whose cell body is located in the brain and spinal cord and whose axons leave the central nervous system by way of cranial nerves or spinal roots. Motoneuron supply information to muscle. A motor unit is the combination of the motoneuron and the set of muscle fibers it innervates.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) - A high-tech diagnostic tool to display tissues unseen in X-rays or by other techniques.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) - A chronic disease of the central nervous system where myelin, the insulation on nerve fibers, is lost. MS is thought to be an autoimmune dysfunction in which the body turns on itself for some unknown reason.

Occupational Therapist (OT) - The member of the rehabilitation team who helps maximize a person's independence.

Osteoporosis - Loss of bone density, common in immobile bones after SCI.

Ostomy - An opening in the skin to allow for a suprapubic cystostomy (catheter drainage), for elimination of intestinal contents (colostomy or ileostomy) or for passage of air (tracheostomy).

Paraplegia - Loss of function below the cervical spinal cord segments, wherein the upper body retains most function and sensation.

Peripheral Nervous System - Nerves outside the spinal cord and brain (not part of the central nervous system). If damaged, peripheral nerves have the ability to regenerate.

Physiatrist - A doctor whose specialty is physical medicine and rehabilitation.

Physical Therapist (PT) - A physical therapist is a specialist trained using exercise and physical activities to condition muscles and improve level of activity. Physical therapy is helpful in those with physical debilitating illness.

Pressure Release - Relieving pressure from the ischial turberosities (bones on which we sit) every 15 min. in order to prevent pressure sores.

Pressure Sore - Also known as decubitus ulcer. A potentially dangerous skin breakdown due to pressure on skin resulting in infection, tissue death.

Quad Cough - A method of helping a patient with tetraplegia cough by applying external pressure to diaphragm, thus increasing the force and clearing the respiratory tract.

Quadraparesis - Partial loss of function all four (4) extremities of the body.

Quadriplegia - Loss of function of any injured or diseased cervical spinal cord segment, affecting all four body limbs. Outside the U.S. the term tetraplegia is used (which is etymologically more accurate, combining tetra + plegia, both from the Greek, rather than quadri + plegia, a Latin/Greek amalgam).

Range of Motion (ROM) - The normal range of movement of any body joint. Range of Motion also refers to exercises designed to maintain this range and prevent contractures.

Reflex - An involuntary response to a stimulus involving nerves not under control of the brain.

Regeneration - The regrowth of a cell or nerve fiber.

Rehabilitation - Retraining to normal functionality or training for new functionality.

Rhizotomy - The cutting, or interuption, of spinal nerve roots.

Sacral - The fused vertebrae and spinal cord below the lumbar level.

Secondary Injury - The biochemical and physiological changes that occur in the injured spinal cord after the initial trauma has done its damage.

Self-Catheterization - Intermittent catheterization, the goal of which is to empty the bladder as needed, on one's own, minimizing risk of infection.

Shunt - A tube used to drain a cavity. In the spinal cord, a shunt is used to treat a syrinx by equalizing pressures between the syrinx and the spinal fluids. In spinal bifida, it is used to reduce pressure of hydrocephalus.

Spasticity - Hyperactive muscles that move or jerk involuntarily.

Spinal Shock - Similar to a concussion in the brain, spinal shock causes the system shuts down.

Suprapubic Catheter - A catheter surgically inserted into the bladder by incision above the pubis.

Suprapubic Cystostomy - A small opening made in the bladder and through the abdomen, sometimes to remove large stones, more commonly to establish a catheter urinary drain.

Syringomyelia - The formation of a fluid-filled cavity (a syrinx) in an injured area of the spinal cord, which is a result of nerve fiber degradation and necrosis. It sometimes extends upward, extending also the neurological deficit. Treatment often includes surgery to insert a shunt for drainage of the cavity.

Syringomyelocele - A congenital neural tube defect which can cause spinal bifida in which spinal fluid fills a sac of spinal membrane.

Syrinx - A cyst; a cavity.

Thoracic - Pertaining to the chest, vertebrae or spinal cord segments between the cervical and lumbar areas.

Upper Motor Neurons - Long nerve cells that originate in the brain and travel in tracts through the spinal cord. Any injury to these nerves cuts off contact with brain control. Reflex activity is still intact, however resulting in spasticity. For men with upper motor neuron injuries, reflex erections are possible.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) - Bacterial invasion of the urinary tract, which includes bladder, bladder neck and urethra. Symptoms of UTI include urine that is cloudy, contains sediment and smells foul, and fever. UTI involving the kidneys is preventable but dangerous. Medications often prescribed for UTI include Keflex, Macrodantin, Furadantin, Septra, Bactim, Mandelamine, penicillin, and amoxicillin. Side effects vary, and may include nausea and vomiting, skin rash or hives.

Ventilator - Mechanical device to facilitate breathing in persons with impaired diaphragm function.

Vertebrae - The bones that make up the spinal column.

Vital Signs - Consist of taking blood pressure, pulse, respiration and temperature.

Glossary of SCI Terms A-L