Glossary

Ocular convergence spasm – A rare condition where the eyes intermittently turn inward or converge towards each other.

Refers to the ratio of the diameter of the spinal cord to the diameter of the thecal or CSF sac surrounding the cord at a designated level of the spine.  Typically this is used when evaluating a level for risk of tethering due to constriction by the dura of the CSF space surrounding the spinal cord. The cord-sac ratio is obtained by dividing the sagittal diameter of the spinal cord by the sagittal diameter of the expanded thecal sac.

Cerebral Palsy – a general term used to describe permanent, non-progressive neurological condition that result in movement disorders. These conditions are frequently associated with abnormal sensation, seizures and cognitive disorders. These conditions are due to injuries to the portion of the nervous system involved with motor control that occur during pregnancy, the perinatal period or early childhood up to the age of three.

Cerebellar-pontine angle – A space in the posterior fossa just lateral to the pons and its juncture to the cerebellum. Cranial nerves V, VII, VIII pass through this space and lesions within the angle will give rise to their dysfunction nad the so-called CP angle syndrome.

Cytochrome P450 – a large and diverse group of enzymes that catalyze the oxidation of organic substances. These are the major enzymes involved in the reduction of oxygen. It functions in drug metabolism, bioactivation and other metabolic activities in most species being present in at least 75% of the metabolic reactions occurring within living organisms.

Choroid Plexus Adenoma

Choroid plexus carcinoma

Cerebral perfusion pressure. The pressure driving blood circulation or perfusion within the brain. It is the difference between the mean arterial pressure (MAP) and int intracranial pressure (ICP) (i.e., CCP=MAP-ICP)

C-reactive protein – a so called “acute phase”protein found in blood that increases in amount with inflammation and is thus a non-specific marker for inflammation. It activates the complement system by binding to (phosphocholine on) the surface dead or dying cells.

Cerebrospinal Fluid. This is the clear, colorless fluid that fills the space between the brain and spinal cord and the covering arachnoidal membrane. One can think of the brain and spinal cord floating in it. It also fills the interior fluid chabers or ventricles of the brain where much of it is made. the subarachnoid space and the ventricular system around and inside the brain and spinal cord.