Glossary

Glioblastoma multiforme or Glioblastoma for short.

Glascow Coma Scale – A 15 point scale that assesses eye opening, verbal ability and movement that is used to describe and follow a patient’s level of consciousness. Originally developed to evaluate head injury patients in the field, it is now used widely for inpatient and outpatient assessment.

Germ Cell Tumor – Tumor comprised of germ cells or cells ordinarily residing inside of the gonads (ovary and testes). GCT arising outside of the gonads are felt to represent a developmental anomaly.

Germ Cell Tumors – Tumors comprised of germ cells or cells ordinarily residing inside of the gonads (ovary and testes). GCTs arising outside of the gonads are felt to represent developmental anomalies.

Glial fibrillary acidic protein – a marker for glial differentiation. It is present in astrocytomas and other neural tumors with glial elements.

Germinomatous germ cell tumor – a pure germinoma tumor.

Germinal Matrix. The germinal matrix is the site of proliferation neuronal and glial precursors in the developing brain. It is located under the lateral ventricles floors’ ependymal wall.

Germinal matrix intraventricular hemorrhage – Bleeding into the ventricular system resulting from hemorrhage within the germinal matrix. It is felt to be due to rupture of delicate vascular vessels within the germinal matrix resulting from hypoxic ischemic injury and death to those vessels’ cell walls. The resulting hemorrhage then ruptures into the ventricles, spreading throughout the system in a variable degree.

Gross Motor Function Classification System.  A 5-level classification system that describes and classifies a child’s functional abilities and limitations in addition to their need for assistive and mobility devices.

Gross Motor Function Measure.  An assessment tool used to assess changes in motor function over time and/or as a result of a treatment