Pathology
This word refers to the various disturbances of body functions that underlie disease. We may talk, for example, in neurosurgical practice, of congenital, infective, traumatic,
Peripheral
From the Greek and meaning “around”, or away from the centre, this word refers to those parts of the nervous system that lie outside the
Peritoneum
The name given to the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity. The word is sometimes also used as a synonym for the cavity itself although,
Physical sign
Something that a doctor notices when examining a patient. It may be obvious to the patient as well, such as a weak muscle, in which
Platybasia
An anatomical state in which the angle between the base of the front part of the skull and the front of the posterior fossa is
Pleura
A two-layered membrane that lines the inside of the chest and covers the surfaces of the lungs. The cavity between the two layers (known as
Post-traumatic syringomyelia
Syringomyelia cavities that form as a result of spinal injury. The underlying mechanism is partial or complete obstruction of the spinal cerebrospinal fluid channels by
Posterior fossa
That part of the cranial cavity that lies below the tentorium and which contains the brain stem and the cerebellum.
Glossary
The Charity appreciates that hospital specialists will almost inevitably use some medical jargon at times, even when they are trying to explain medical matters in lay terminology. The table below lists many of the medical terms that are likely to be used, from time-to-time, by doctors, when they are talking to patients, or in composing medical correspondence. It is hoped that our explanation of the meaning of these terms throws at least some light on matters.
