|
| | |
Craniopharyngioma
Craniopharyngioma A type of benign brain tumor that emerges develops from embryonic tissue that forms part of the pituitary gland. Pressure on the pituitary by the tumor reduces the availability of the hormone vasopressin, raising the pressure within the cranium. A craniopharyngioma usually includes hard, calcified components within the tumor itself, and disrupts normal skull development in its vicinity. Treatment is usually via surgery.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Benign
Non-malignant; not life-threatening.
Brain
"That part of the central nervous system that is located within the cranium (skull). The brain functions as the primary receiver, organizer and distributor of information for the body. It has two (right and left) halves called ""hemispheres."" "
Tumor
Overgrowth of tissue.
Embryonic
Undeveloped, related to the embryo.
Tissue
Biological tissue is a group of cells that perform a similar function.The study of tissues is known as histology, or, in connection with disease, histopathology.The classical tools for studying the tissues are the wax block, the tissue stain, and the optical microscope, though developments in electron microscopy, immunofluorescence, and frozen sections have all added to the sum of knowledge in the last couple of decades.
Pituitary
The gland from which a number of hormones are released into the bloodstream. These hormones include growth hormone, ACTH, B-lipocortin (the precursor to B-endorphorin), FSH, LH, and TSH.
Gland
An organ that releases a chemical. Endocrine glands are ductless and secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream. Exocrine glands secrete externally, either through a tube or duct.
Hormone
A chemical substance formed in the body that is carried in the bloodstream to affect another part of the body; an example is thyroid hormone, produced by the thyroid gland in the neck, which affects growth, temperature regulation, metabolic rate, and other body functions.
Vasopressin
Hormone secreted by the posterior pituitary gland (trade name Pitressin) and also by nerve endings in the hypothalamus; affects blood pressure by stimulating capillary muscles and reduces urine flow by affecting reabsorption of water by kidney tubules.
Cranium
The skull, or bony structure of the head, that protects the brain.
Craniopharyngioma
A type of benign brain tumor that emerges develops from embryonic tissue that forms part of the pituitary gland. Pressure on the pituitary by the tumor reduces the availability of the hormone vasopressin, raising the pressure within the cranium. A craniopharyngioma usually includes hard, calcified components within the tumor itself, and disrupts normal skull development in its vicinity. Treatment is usually via surgery.
Skull
The bony framework of the head.
Development
The process of growth and differentiation.
Surgery
Treating diseases or other medical conditions by operating on a patient to remove or repair parts of the body.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Cranial
The anatomical term for towards the head; also the general term for of the head. i.e. the lungs are cranial to the pelvis. See Caudal/Inferior/Superior
Cranial arteritis
A vasculitic disorder which presents with head pain and scalp tenderness and a high ESR. Sudden loss of vision may occur due to retinal artery occlusion. Part of the polymyalgia rheumatica disease spectrum. Also known as giant cell or temporal arteritis.
Cranial bone
Part of the top portion of the skull which protects the brain. The bones of the cranium include the frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal, sphenoid, and ethmoid bones.
Cranial cavity
The skull.
Cranial nerve I
The first nerve to emerge from or enter the skull (the cranium). (There are twelve cranial nerves.) The first cranial nerve is the olfactory nerve which permits the sense of smell.
Cranial nerve II
The second cranial is the optic nerve, the nerve that connects the eye to the brain and carries the impulses formed by the retina -- the nerve layer that lines the back of the eye, senses light and creates the impulses -- to the brain which interprets them as images.
Cranial nerve III
The third cranial nerve is the oculomotor nerve. The cranial nerves emerge from or enter the skull (the cranium), as opposed to the spinal nerves which emerge from the vertebral column. There are twelve cranial nerves.
Cranial nerve IV
The fourth cranial nerve, the trochlear nerve, is the nerve supply to the superior oblique muscle of the eye, one of the muscles that moves the eye. Paralysis of the trochlear nerve results in rotation of the eyeball upward and outward (and, therefore, double vision).
Cranial nerve IX
The ninth cranial nerve is the glossopharyngeal nerve. The 12 cranial nerves, the glossopharyngeal nerve included, emerge from or enter the skull (the cranium), as opposed to the spinal nerves which emerge from the vertebral column.
Cranial nerve V
The fifth cranial nerve is the trigeminal nerve. The trigeminal nerve is quite complex. It functions both as the chief nerve of sensation for the face and the motor nerve controlling the muscles of mastication (chewing).
Cranial nerve VI
The sixth cranial nerve is the abducent nerve. It is a small motor nerve that has one task: to supply a muscle called the lateral rectus muscle that moves the eye outward.
Cranial nerve VII
The cranial nerves emerge from or enter the skull (the cranium), as opposed to the spinal nerves which emerge from the vertebral column. There are twelve cranial nerves. The facial nerve is the seventh cranial nerve. The facial nerve supplies the muscles of facial expression.
Cranial nerve VIII
The eighth cranial nerve is the vestibulocochlear nerve. The vestibulocochlear nerve is responsible for the sense of hearing and it is also pertinent to balance, to the body position sense.
Cranial nerve X
The tenth cranial nerve, and one of the most important, is the vagus nerve. All twelve of the cranial nerves, the vagus nerve included, emerge from or enter the skull (the cranium), as opposed to the spinal nerves which emerge from the vertebral column. The vagus nerve originates in the medulla oblongata, a part of the brain stem.
Cranial nerve XI
The eleventh cranial nerve is the accessory nerve. The twelve cranial nerves, the accessory nerve included, emerge from or enter the skull (the cranium) as opposed to the spinal nerves which emerge from the vertebral column. The accessory is so-called because, although it arises in the brain, it receives an additional (accessory) root from the upper part of the spinal cord.
Cranial nerve XII
The twelfth cranial nerve is the hypoglossal nerve. The twelve cranial nerves, the hypoglossal nerve included, emerge from or enter the skull (the cranium), as opposed to the spinal nerves which emerge from the vertebral column.
Cranial nerves
"Nerves that emerge from or enter the skull (the cranium), as opposed to the spinal nerves which emerge from the vertebral column. Cranial nerves come directly from the brain through the skull. There are 12 cranial nerves each of which is accorded a Roman numeral and a name: Cranial nerve I: The olfactory nerve; Cranial nerve II: the optic nerve; Cranial nerve III: the oculomotor nerve; Cranial nerve IV: the trochlear nerve; Cranial nerve V: the trigeminal nerve; Cranial nerve VI: the abducent nerve; Cranial nerve VII: the facial nerve; Cranial nerve VIII: the vestibulocochlear nerve; Cranial nerve IX: the glossopharyngeal nerve; Cranial nerve X:the vagus nerve; Cranial nerve XI: the accessory nerve, and Cranial nerve XII: the hypoglossal nerve. The cranial nerves are nerves of the brain."
Craniectomy
Surgery performed on the skull where pieces of bone are removed to gain access to the brain, and the bone pieces are not replaced.
Cranio
Referring to the cranium, the top portion of the skull, the bony vault that protects the brain. As in craniocleidodysostosis, craniology, craniopharyngioma, craniotomy, etc.
Craniocleidodysostosis
"A genetic (inherited) disorder of bone development characterized by:1. Typical cranial and facial abnormalities with square skull, late closure of the sutures of the skull, late closure of the fontanels (the soft spots), low nasal bridge, delayed eruption of the teeth, abnormal permanent teeth, etc. 2. Absent or incompletely formed collar bones (the ""cleido-"" part refers to the clavicles, the collar bones) The child with this disorder can bring its shoulders together or nearly so."
Craniometaphyseal dysplasia
An inherited skeletal condition that involves abnormal bone formation and abnormal mineralization of the skull as well as the long bones. There is increased density of craniofacial bones beginning at the base of the skull during early childhood. The progressive thickening of the bones of the skull can lead to severe visual and neurological impairment, such as facial palsy and deafness. Typical facial features include a wide bridge of the nose and wide spacing of the eyes. The growth plates (metaphyses) of long bones are widened (Erlenmeyer flask-shaped) and show decreased density while the shafts of the long bones are thickened.
Craniopagus
Conjoined twins whose heads are fused together.
Craniopagus parasiticus
Conjoined twins joined at the head (craniopagus) in which a rudimentary head (with little or no body) is attached to the head of the larger and usually more normal twin. The rudimentary head was thought to be parasitic.
Craniosynostosis
Premature closing of joints or sutures in the skull.
Craniotomy
A surgical opening of the skull.
Cranium
The skull, or bony structure of the head, that protects the brain.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Cranio
Referring to the cranium, the top portion of the skull, the bony vault that protects the brain. As in craniocleidodysostosis, craniology, craniopharyngioma, craniotomy, etc.
Craniocleidodysostosis
"A genetic (inherited) disorder of bone development characterized by:1. Typical cranial and facial abnormalities with square skull, late closure of the sutures of the skull, late closure of the fontanels (the soft spots), low nasal bridge, delayed eruption of the teeth, abnormal permanent teeth, etc. 2. Absent or incompletely formed collar bones (the ""cleido-"" part refers to the clavicles, the collar bones) The child with this disorder can bring its shoulders together or nearly so."
Craniometaphyseal dysplasia
An inherited skeletal condition that involves abnormal bone formation and abnormal mineralization of the skull as well as the long bones. There is increased density of craniofacial bones beginning at the base of the skull during early childhood. The progressive thickening of the bones of the skull can lead to severe visual and neurological impairment, such as facial palsy and deafness. Typical facial features include a wide bridge of the nose and wide spacing of the eyes. The growth plates (metaphyses) of long bones are widened (Erlenmeyer flask-shaped) and show decreased density while the shafts of the long bones are thickened.
Craniopagus
Conjoined twins whose heads are fused together.
Craniopagus parasiticus
Conjoined twins joined at the head (craniopagus) in which a rudimentary head (with little or no body) is attached to the head of the larger and usually more normal twin. The rudimentary head was thought to be parasitic.
Craniopharyngioma
Crapulence
Sickness or indisposition resulting from an excess of drinking (or eating). Crapulence is an almost exact synonym for a hangover.
Crapulent
Ill from excessive drinking or eating. Surcharged with liquor, or sick with intemperance.
CRC
Colorectal cancer or colorectal carcinoma.
Cream
A word with many meanings that, in medicine and pharmacy, refers to a water-soluble preparation applied to the skin. An ointment differs from a cream in that it has an oil base.
Creatine
A compound the body synthesizes (makes) and then utilizes to store energy. The storage of energy occurs when phosphate molecules are attached to creatine to create creatine phosphate. Creatine phosphate is capable of donating phosphate to ADP in order to make ATP. ATP can then be converted into ADP with release of energy.
We thank you for using the Health Dictionary to search for Craniopharyngioma. If you have a better definition for Craniopharyngioma than the one presented here, please let us know by making use of the suggest a term option. This definition of Craniopharyngioma may be disputed by other professionals. Our attempt is to provide easy definitions on Craniopharyngioma and any other medical topic for the public at large.This dictionary contains 25007 terms. |
|
|
