Glossary

Author: Glossary

  • Complete paralysis

    Paralysis in which there is total loss of function and sensation.  

  • Bulbar paralysis

    Paralysis caused by changes in the motor centers of the medulla oblongata. A condition that impacts speech, chewing, swallowing, and breathing, resulting from disruptions in the brain centers that govern the nerves controlling the muscles in these areas.  

  • Brachiofacial paralysis

    Paralysis of the face and an arm.  

  • Brachial paralysis

    Paralysis arising from an injury received at birth to the brachial nerve.  

  • Birth paralysis

    Loss of function due to nerve injury during delivery. Trauma to the baby during delivery may result in damage to the brachial nerves, facial nerves, or diaphragm. Asymmetrical movements or reflexes of the affected part are present. Prognosis depends on the amount of nerve damage sustained; permanent damage is rare. Most newborn paralyses resolve without…

  • Alcoholic paralysis

    Paralysis caused by the toxic effect of alcohol on spinal nerves.  

  • Paralogism

    An incorrectly chosen word inserted into speech, especially in patients with fluent aphasias.  

  • Benign paralogia

    Disordered thinking and communication of thought in which delusions, bizarre thoughts, hallucinations, and regressive behavior are absent. Affected patients are not severely incapacitated.  

  • Parallel trial

    A research study in which groups of patients are followed for the same time but are given different treatments; e.g., one group may receive an inactive substance while another is treated with a drug whose effectiveness must be determined. The impact of the drug can thus be compared with the placebo at varying times, such…

  • Parallelometer

    A device used in dentistry to determine whether lines and tooth surfaces are parallel to each other.