Arachnoid: the middle layer of the meninges (covering the brain)
Atrium: right chamber of the heart
Catheter (ventricular): the tube of the shunt that enters the ventricle
Choroid Plexus: tissue in the ventricles that produce CSF
Contrast Material: dye injected into the blood or CSF for enhancement of imaging studies; helps abnormal tissue stand out
CSF: cerebrospinal fluid
CT or Cat Scan: imaging studies (pictures); done with x-rays and a computer
CVD: continuous ventricular drainage; same as EVD
Dilated: enlarged
Distal: farthest away; opposite of proximal
Dura: the outermost membrane of the meninges (covering of the brain)
Endoscope: surgical instrument that allows visualization into the ventricles
EVD: external ventricular drainage system – drains CSF outside of the body; same as CVD
Hematoma: collection of blood; blood clot
Gallbladder: sac-like organ in the abdomen; shunts are occasionally placed here
Horns (of ventricles): ends of the lateral ventricles: frontal, temporal, occipital
Hydrocephalus: imbalance between the production and absorption of CSF with high pressure within the brain
ICP: intracranial pressure
LP: lumbar puncture
(Over)
Macrocephaly: large head
Meninges: membranes (3) that cover the brain and spinal cord
Microcephaly: small head
MRI: magnetic resonance imaging
Peritoneal Cavity: abdominal cavity containing omentum and other organs
Pia: the innermost layer of the meninges (covering of brain)
Pleura: lining around the lungs
Proximal: closest part
Rickham Reservoir: chamber in the shunt between the ventricular catheter and the valve
Sagittal: plane of reference that divides the head into right and left halves
Shuntogram: an imaging study with contrast to assess shunt function
Shunt Series: an x-ray study to assess the connections of the shunt parts and placement of the distal catheter tip
Shunt Tap: a small needle inserted into the shunt reservoir or valve to collect CSF or measure ICP
Silastic: soft rubbery plastic used to make most shunt materials
Subarachnoid: between the pia and arachnoid meninges
Subdural: between the dura and arachnoid meninges
Third Ventriculostomy: a hole surgically created between the 3rd ventricle and subarachnoid space for drainage of CSF
VA: ventriculoatrial
VP: ventriculoperitoneal or ventriculopleural
Valve: the part of the shunt that regulates the outflow resistance of CSF
Ventricles: cavities within the brain that contain CSF; there are 4 ventricles – 2 lateral, third and the fourth
Ventriculomegaly: large ventricles
Ventriculostomy: a catheter in a ventricle that drains CSF outside of the body