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Abnormal: Not normal. Deviating from the usual, average, expected or accepted standards. Refers to makeup, development, location, condition or behavior.
ACTH: Adrenocorticotropic hormone, corticotropin.
Acromegaly: A condition caused by the overproduction of growth hormone (GH) by the pituitary gland (usually from an adenoma), which leads to a myriad of difficult physical and subjective signs and symptoms. Although relatively rare, it affects both men and women. A distinction is made between children and adults, as excess growth hormone in children results in taller stature because their bones haven’t yet fused (called pituitary gigantism). In respect of adults, where bones are fused, excessive GH results in marked bony and soft tissue changes (referred to as acromegaly). This can lead to an altered facial appearance due to enlargement of the forehead (called frontal bossing) and jaw. Other symptoms include enlarged hands and feet, spreading of teeth, enlarged tongue, deepened voice, accelerated cardiovascular disease and more. These effects are insidious and very slowly progressive and can lead to considerable disability. The diagnosis of acromegaly can be confirmed by observing levels of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and GH and by applying a glucose tolerance test.
Adenoma: A benign tumor of glandular tissue or of glandular origin.
Adhesion: The abnormal sticking together of tissue surfaces.
Anterior: Relating to the front portion.
ADH: Antidiuretic hormone, vasopressin.
Adrenal glands: A pair of complex endocrine glands located near the kidney. They produce small amounts of sex hormone such as glucocorticoid.
Allergen: A substance that is foreign to the body, which may induce an allergic reaction for some individuals.
Allergy: A changed body reactivity (hypersensitivity) of the body’s immune system in response to exposure to particular substances (antigens). Some reactions may include sneezing, wheezing or itching.
Amenorrhea: The lack or suppression of menstruation.
Anorexia: Loss of appetite, particularly when prolonged.
Anterior pituitary: The front part of the pituitary.
Anthropology: The study of humanity, including our past and present. In the US, the subject is divided into subfields: biological (physical) anthropology, cultural (social) anthropology, archaeology, and linguistic anthropology.
Antibiotic: Medicine used to treat infections caused by bacteria and other microorganisms.
Antibiotic: Medicine used to treat infections caused by bacteria and other microorganisms.
Antigen: Any substance that induces an immune response (production of antibodies).
Arrhythmias: A change in normal heart rhythms.
Arthritis: Inflammation of joints.
Articulated: Bones that are left in their correct anatomical positions after tissue decay.
Artifact: In medical terms, it refers to something artificial that does not demonstrate normal anatomy or pathology. For example, orthodontic braces on a patient admitted for brain MRI may obscure a clear image of the anatomical composition.
Asymptomatic: Having a medical condition that presents no apparent symptoms.
Atrophic vaginitis: Inflammation and thinning of the vagina lining due to a deficiency of estrogen.
Atrophy: A decrease in size or wasting away of body organs or tissue.
Australopithecine: A term used for the earliest pre-human hominids (genus Australopithecus) found in Africa between about 4 and 1 million years ago.
Bacteria: Tiny single-celled organisms (microorganisms) that are found in rotting matter, soil, air, skin and in living bodies. Many types of bacteria can cause disease, but some may be helpful to humans.
Benign: Not malignant, not cancerous. Favorable prognosis with likelihood of responding to treatment.
Biopsy: The removal and examination of a small amount of tissue, cells or fluids from a patient, in order to obtain a diagnosis.
Bipedal: Denotes walking on two feet.
Body mass index or BMI. A key calculation that finds the relationship between an individual’s body weight and height. It measures the relative percentages of fat and muscle mass and is an index of obesity and health risk.
Bog Body: Human remains preserved in peat bogs. Bog bodies have been discovered in various parts of northern Europe, including Tollund Man from Denmark and Lindow Man from England.
Bone Density: The compactness or strength of bone tissue.
Burial: The deliberate disposal of the dead.
Cavernous sinus: The area next to the sphenoid sinus holding several vital nerves and blood vessels.
Cerebrospinal fluid or CSF: A clear and colorless runny liquid, which flows in the cavities within the brain, around the brain and the spinal cord. Its main purpose is to maintain equal pressure within the brain and spinal cord.
Cerebrospinal fluid or CSF: A clear and colorless runny liquid, which flows in the cavities within the brain, around the brain and the spinal cord. Its main purpose is to maintain equal pressure within the brain and spinal cord.
Congenital: A condition that is present before or at birth, as a result of either heredity or environmental influences.
Cranial cavity or intracranial cavity: The space or hollow within the skull.
Craniotomy: The surgical opening of the skull to gain access to the brain.
Cremation: A practice of burning the deceased to ashes.
CRH: Corticotropin-releasing hormone.
CT or CAT scan (Computerized Axial Tomography): X-ray apparatus that produces a sectional image of the body.
Cushing’s Disease: A condition caused due to pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) hypersecretion (usually from an adenoma), which results in excess cortisol production from the adrenal glands. Too much cortisol can cause many disabling and sometimes life-threatening symptoms, which can vary but include abnormal and rapid weight gain (upper body obesity), severe fatigue, high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, coronary artery disease, psychological disturbances (irritability, anxiety and depression), fragile and thinning skin, poor sleep quality, hair loss, purplish stretch marks, and more.
Cyst: Abnormal closed sac within tissue, containing gas, fluid or semisolid matter. It can arise anywhere in the body and can vary in size.
Decay: To rot or decompose.
(Central) Diabetes insipidus (DI): Diabetes insipidus can occur when there is damage to the posterior part of the pituitary gland, and as a result the kidneys are no longer able to adequately conserve water. This causes the patient to frequently urinate large volumes, which in turn leads to excessive thirst in order to prevent dehydration. DI can be diagnosed through symptom history and laboratory testing, which may include the water retention test. DI can be treated with the oral medication, DDAVP (Desmopressin). Electrolytes should also be monitored to ensure correct dosage.
Dopamine agonists: Pharmaceutical drugs that bind to and directly activate dopamine receptors (An agonist generally mimics the action of a naturally occurring substance).
Dopamine agonists: Pharmaceutical drugs that bind to and directly activate dopamine receptors (An agonist generally mimics the action of a naturally occurring substance).
Edema: An abnormal swelling of soft tissues in the body caused by an accumulation or an excessive amount of watery fluid in cells, tissues, or serous cavities.
Endocrine gland: A gland (such as the pituitary or thyroid), which produces and releases (secretes) hormones.
Endocrinologist: A physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the endocrine system.
Endocrinology: The study of the endocrine glands, the hormones produced by them, and their related diseases.
Epidemiology: The study of how often diseases occur in different groups of people and why. It also involves the planning of strategies to prevent and control illness.
Etiology: The study of the cause and origin of a disease or abnormal condition.
Fibroid: Composed of or similar to fibrous tissue.
Focal: A localized area of disease.
Follicle-stimulating hormone or FSH: A hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that helps regulate the menstrual cycle by controlling estrogen in women, and promotes fertility by activating sperm-forming cells in men.
Gadolinium: A magnetic metallic element that is injected into the patient during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in order to give a more detailed picture of internal organs, tissues, bones and so forth. It is referred to as a type of contrast dye.
Growth Hormone or GH: A naturally released chemical by the pituitary gland that promotes growth of bone and other body tissues. Excessive production causes gigantism and acromegaly. Deficient production before puberty leads to dwarfism.
Hominid: Part of the family of Hominidae, which includes both extinct and modern forms of humans (Homo and Australopithecines).
Homo: The hominid genus to which humans belong. It includes Homo sapiens (modern humans), H. habilis, H. erectus and H. neanderthalensis.
Hormone replacement therapy or HRT: The administration of hormones to make up for the decline or lack of natural hormones produced in the body.
Hypothalamus: A thumbnail-sized endocrine gland situated in the brain immediately above the pituitary gland to which it is joined. It helps regulate hormone activity and monitors many functions such as body temperature, food intake and sleep.
Immunotherapy or immune therapy: A medical treatment that stimulates the body’s immune system to fight disease-causing cells.
Local: Involving or affecting specific and restricted area of the abnormality (e.g., inflammation or tumor).
Macroadenoma: The terms “micro” and “macro” are used to convey tumor size. An arbitrary division is made at 1 cm, signifying that those less than 1 cm are microadenomas and those greater are considered macroadenomas.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging or MRI scan: A noninvasive medical imaging device that uses a magnetic field, radio waves and a computer to form highly detailed cross sectional images of the human body for diagnostic purposes. Unlike XRays or CT scan, it does not produce radiation.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging or MRI scan: A noninvasive medical imaging device that uses a magnetic field, radio waves and a computer to form highly detailed cross sectional images of the human body for diagnostic purposes. Unlike XRays or CT scan, it does not produce radiation.
Malignant: Refers to abnormal tissue growth, which is progressive (intrudes and destroys adjacent tissues), has uncontrolled growth that spreads and invades other locations in the body (metastasis), is sometimes resistant to treatment and therefore dangerous to health (especially of a cancerous tumor).
Mass effect: Damage to the brain caused by pressure from a large tumor. For example, although some pituitary tumors are nonfunctioning (they do not secrete excess hormones), its increasing size may put pressure on the pituitary gland and result in symptoms such as headache, visual field defects, diabetes insipidus (DI) or hypopituitarism (when the pituitary gland fails to produce the correct amount or number of hormones).
Microadenoma: The terms “micro” and “macro” are used to convey tumor size. An arbitrary division is made at 1 cm, signifying that those less than 1 cm are microadenomas and those greater are considered macroadenomas.
Microadenoma: The terms “micro” and “macro” are used to convey tumor size. An arbitrary division is made at 1 cm, signifying that those less than 1 cm are microadenomas and those greater are considered macroadenomas.
Neoplasm: A new abnormal growth of tissue that serves no physiological function. May be either benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer). Also called tumor.
Oncologist: A physician who specializes in oncology.
Oncology: The study and treatment of tumors (abnormal tissue growth or cancer).
Orbit, eye socket or orbital cavity: The bony cavity at the front of the skull that contains the eyeball.
Paleoanthropology: The study of the earliest humans and human evolution via the fossil record and archaeology.
Paranasal: Alongside the nasal cavities.
Pathogen: Anything that causes disease, particularly living microorganisms such as a bacterium or fungus.
Pharmacotherapy: The administration of medical drugs to treat disease.
Pituitary gland: The master gland of the endocrine system, located at the base of the brain and attached by a stalk to the hypothalamus. It plays a key role in the regulation and secretion of hormones throughout the body. It sends chemical messages to the adrenal glands, thyroid glands, ovaries and testes, instructing them to produce cortisol, thyroid hormone, estrogen, testosterone and more. These hormones have significant effects on vital bodily functions and development, such as growth, metabolism, blood pressure, sexuality and reproduction.
Pituitary gland: The master gland of the endocrine system, located at the base of the brain and attached by a stalk to the hypothalamus. It plays a key role in the regulation and secretion of hormones throughout the body. It sends chemical messages to the adrenal glands, thyroid glands, ovaries and testes, instructing them to produce cortisol, thyroid hormone, estrogen, testosterone and more. These hormones have significant effects on vital bodily functions and development, such as growth, metabolism, blood pressure, sexuality and reproduction.
Pituitary tumor: An abnormal growth on the pituitary gland. These types of tumors are usually not cancerous (benign) and are often referred to as adenomas but can cause endocrine disorders such as Cushing’s disease, prolactinoma, hyperthyroidism, hypopituitarism and acromegaly.
Posterior: Relating to the back part.
Primary brain tumor: A type of tumor that originates within the brain itself rather than spreading to the brain from other areas in the body.
Posterior: Relating to the back part.
Primary brain tumor: A type of tumor that originates within the brain itself rather than spreading to the brain from other areas in the body.
Prognosis: A statement about the likely outcome of an illness.
Prolactinoma or hyperprolactinemia: A condition caused by the overproduction of Prolactin (PRL) by the pituitary gland (usually from an adenoma). Symptoms in females include breast milk discharge, irregular or complete loss of menstrual periods, infertility, and low libido. Men may have enlarged breasts and loss of libido. Because men don’t have the full range of signs or symptoms as women, they often go undiagnosed until the tumor becomes large with higher prolactin levels. In such cases, symptoms include headache and visual loss from mass effect on the optic nerves or optic chiasm.
Quality of life or QOL: Used in healthcare to refer to a patient’s level of emotional, mental, social and physical well-being, including their ability to pursue daily functions. Often used in discussion options to evaluate issues such as pain, treatment side effects and so forth.
Remission: A state or period when disease symptoms improve or disappear.
Resection: Surgical removal (cut away) of part of an organ or tissue such as a tumor.
Residual: A remainder left over after other parts have gone (after surgery or a disease).
Seizure: Abnormal uncontrolled and sudden episode of electrical discharges in the brain resulting in physical manifestations such as sensory disturbances, altered consciousness or convulsions (e.g., Epilepsy).
Sinus Infection (Sinusitis): Inflammation of the sinuses and nasal cavities, causing blockage of the nasal passage. This inhibits the normal drainage of bacteria, which multiply and frequently result in a sinus infection. Symptoms may include: facial pressure (in the eyes, nose and cheek area), stuffy nose, headache, fatigue, brain fog and thick nasal discharge.
Sinus Infection (Sinusitis): Inflammation of the sinuses and nasal cavities, causing blockage of the nasal passage. This inhibits the normal drainage of bacteria, which multiply and frequently result in a sinus infection. Symptoms may include: facial pressure (in the eyes, nose and cheek area), stuffy nose, headache, fatigue, brain fog and thick nasal discharge.
Spinal fluid: See CSF cerebrospinal fluid.
Thyroid stimulating hormone or TSH: A hormone released by the pituitary gland that regulates the function of the thyroid gland. Also called, thyrotopin.
Transsphenoidal surgery: A surgical procedure in which surgical instruments are inserted through the sphenoid sinus (through the nose and sphenoid bone) to remove tumors of the pituitary gland. The primary approach is the direct transnasal, which involves making an incision in the back wall of the nose so that the sphenoid sinus can be entered directly. It is also possible to make an incision along the front of the nasal septum (transseptal) or via an incision under the lip/upper gum (sublabial), although these methods would require postoperative packing and have a longer recovery time than the direct endonasal or endoscopic approach used for transnasal surgery.
Tumor: An abnormal growth of cells or mass of tissue that has no physiological function but occurs from uncontrolled cell division. Tumors may be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous) by cell type, or life-threatening by their location.
Tumor marker: Substances found in the blood or other fluids, which when present in abnormal amounts may indicate the presence of a tumor or a specific type of tumor.
Terbinate (superior, middle, inferior): Nasal turbinates are bony prominences that structure the inside of the nose.
Terbinate (superior, middle, inferior): Nasal turbinates are bony prominences that structure the inside of the nose.
Work: Productive and purposeful activities.
