Neuro Surgery Glossary
100 terms total — 24 showing — Last updated 15 Sep 2026
encephalocele
Congenital neural tube defect resulting in herniation of brain tissue through a skull opening.
pterional craniotomy
A specific surgical approach involving a bone flap centered around the pterion to access the anterior circulation and sk...
retrosigmoid approach
A lateral suboccipital surgical approach posterior to the sigmoid sinus for accessing cerebellopontine angle pathology.
seizure focus
The specific brain region where epileptic seizures originate, identified through various diagnostic methods.
seizure prophylaxis
Preventive antiepileptic medication administration to reduce seizure risk in neurosurgical patients.
somatosensory evoked potentials
Electrophysiological monitoring technique measuring nervous system response to sensory stimulation during surgery.
stereotactic biopsy
Minimally invasive procedure using 3D coordinates to precisely target brain tissue for sampling.
stereotactic frame
A rigid head fixation device that provides a three-dimensional coordinate system for precise localization during neurosu...
stereotactic radiosurgery
Precise, non-invasive radiation therapy technique delivering focused beams to specific brain targets.
subdural hematoma
Collection of blood between the dura mater and arachnoid membrane, typically resulting from torn bridging veins.
subgaleal hematoma
Blood collection beneath the scalp's galea aponeurotica layer, often occurring after birth trauma or head injury.
suboccipital craniotomy
A posterior fossa surgical approach through the occiput to access the cerebellum, brainstem, and fourth ventricle.
subtotal resection
Incomplete surgical removal of a tumor or lesion, typically due to proximity to critical structures.
supratentorial compartment
The portion of the intracranial space above the tentorium cerebelli, containing the cerebral hemispheres.
surgical approach
Specific anatomical route and technique used to access a brain lesion or target area.
surgical planning
The comprehensive preoperative process of determining optimal surgical approach, technique, and risk mitigation strategi...
syringomyelia
Formation of fluid-filled cysts (syrinxes) within the spinal cord parenchyma.
tractotomy
Surgical procedure involving the selective cutting or interruption of specific white matter tracts.
transsphenoidal approach
Minimally invasive surgical route through the nasal cavity and sphenoid sinus to access pituitary and skull base lesions...
tumor debulking
Surgical reduction of tumor mass when complete resection is not feasible due to location or risk factors.
tumor margins
The boundaries between tumor tissue and normal brain parenchyma, critical for determining surgical resection limits.
vasogenic edema
Brain swelling caused by breakdown of the blood-brain barrier, allowing fluid accumulation in the extracellular white ma...
ventricular catheter
A flexible tube surgically placed into the brain's ventricular system to drain cerebrospinal fluid or monitor pressure.
ventricular drainage
Surgical placement of a catheter into brain ventricles to drain cerebrospinal fluid.
ventricular system
The interconnected network of fluid-filled cavities within the brain that produce and circulate cerebrospinal fluid.