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Catheter
A tube which is inserted into any body part to withdraw or introduce fluids.
Cerebral
Concerning the brain.
Cerebral Angiogram
An X-ray picture of the blood vessels inside the head. A drug is injected via the groin artery to outline these cerebral vessels.
Cerebral Cortex
The largest part of the brain. It controls thought processes (such as memory and learning) and motor functions (such as walking).
Cerebro-Spinal Fluid (CSF)
Liquid which fills the ventricles of the brain and surrounds the brain and spinal cord.
Closed Head Injury
Damage to the brain where there is no penetration from the scalp or skull through to brain tissue. Often there is no injury to scalp or skull.
Coma
The state of not being responsive or able to be aroused. The person does not open their eyes, follow commands or speak.
Concussion
Unconsciousness after a blow to the head.
Confabulation
Verbalisations about people, places or events with no basis in reality.
Contra Coup
Bruising of the brain tissue in the side opposite to where the blow was struck.
Contractures
Joints and muscles which are not used regularly quickly becoming stiff, and rendering them resistant to stretching.
Craniotomy
Surgical removal of the skull in small pieces.
Cranium
The bony skull which completely engulfs the brain to protect it.
Ct Scan / Cat Scan
Computerised tomography. A series of X-rays at different levels of the brain. (Tomography is a technique using X-rays to build up a focused image of a "slice" through the body at a given level).
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