Glossary

The stage of fetal development when the neural tube begins its transformation into central nervous system. The process begins with thickening of the endoderm to form the neural plate. The plate then folds or rolls on itself to form the neural tube. The neural tube is destine to eventually form the central nervous system, ultimately differentiating into the brain and spinal cord.

The National Emergency X-Radiography Utilization Study.  This study lays out criteria to determine probability for a fracture of the cervical spine that can be used to establish need to diagnostic radiology studies.

Neurofibromatosis

Neurofibromatosis Type 1

Neurofibromatosis Type 2

Nongerminomatous germ cell tumor – one of two types of germ cell tumors. this category of germ cell tumor includes all germ cell tumor types other than pure germinoma germ cell tumors (embryonal carcinoma, endodermal sinus tumor, choriocarcinoma, teratoma)..

Nuclear magnetic  resonance – This refers to specific frequency that atomic nuclei emit after absorbing energy from a magnetic field.  This property is used to analyze materials to identify the atomic and/or molecular components based on the frequencies emitted from a serial after it is subjected to a strong magnetic field.

AKA NOG – a protein which in humans is encoded by the NOG gene. It inhibits TGF-β and has been shown to be important in learning, cognition, bone development, joint formation, and neural tube fusion.

Normal saline. This term is typically used to describe an intravenous fluid infusion that has 9 grams of sodium chloride (salt) per liter of solution.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug- a class of drugs that provide pain and fever-reducing effects. When the drugs are taken for an extended period of time at higher doses they also provide anti-inflammatory effects.