Meningocele: A protrusion of the meninges of the spinal cord through a defect in the spinal column.
Meningoencephalitis: An inflammation or infection of the brain and meninges.
Meningoencephalocele: A protrusion of both the meninges and brain tissue through a skull defect.
Minimally invasive: A surgical procedure where a small incision is made and instrumentation is used through this incision. More about our minimally invasive neurosurgery program.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging): A scanning technique for views of the brain or spinal cord. No radiation is involved, but rather pulsed magnetic waves are used to delineate the structures within the brain.
Myelogram: An x-ray of the spinal canal following injection of a contrast material into the surrounding cerebrospinal fluid spaces.
Myelomeningocele: A protrusion of the spinal cord and its coverings through a defect in the vertebral column.
Myelopathy: Any functional or pathologic disturbance in the spinal cord.
Myopathy: Any disease of muscle.
Nerve root: The end of a spinal nerve nearest its attachment to the spinal cord.
Neuralgia: A paroxysmal pain extending along the course of one or more nerves.
Neurectomy: Excision of part of a nerve.
Neuritis: Inflammation of a nerve. May also be used to denote non-inflammatory nerve lesions of the peripheral nervous system.
Neuroblastoma: A tumor of sympathetic nervous system origin, found mostly in infants and children.
Neurofibroma: A tumor of the peripheral nerves due to an abnormal collection of fibrous and insulating cells.
Neurofibromatosis: A familial condition characterized by developmental changes in the nervous system, muscles, and skin, marked by numerous tumors affecting these organ systems. More about neurofibromatosis.
Neurolysis: Removal of scar or reactive tissue from a nerve or nerve root.
Neuroma: A tumor or new growth largely made up of nerve fibers and connective tissue.
Neuropathy: Any functional or pathologic disturbance in the peripheral nervous system. Disorder may be localized secondary to lesion or generalized secondary to medical disorder.
Nucleus: The soft center of a spinal disc.
