Glossary of terms
This glossary is intended as an introductory guide to some of the terminology used by medical and other professionals in the field of cerebral palsy. Scope does not, however, endorse the use of medical terminology as a labelling device.
This list is by no means exhaustive and is regularly reviewed. The use of an asterisk* denotes the availability of further information produced by Scope either as part of a leaflet, information sheet or separate information sheet.
ADL ‘Activity of daily living' usually used in the plural form to refer to self-care activities such as washing, bathing, etc.
Acalculia Form of aphasia demonstrated by an inability to do the most simple calculations
Abduction Movement of a limb outwards and away from the midline of the body
Adduction Movement of a limb inwards and towards the midline of the body
Aetiology The study of what is known about the cause of a disease
Agnosia Inability to recognise objects or sounds due to lack of perceptive capacity, although general intelligence is normal
Ambulatory Able to walk
Ankle-foot Orthosis (AFO) A brace used to stretch the Achilles tendon worn on the lower leg and foot to support the ankle, hold the foot and ankle in the correct position and correct foot drop. It is a thin, light plastic material. This is individually moulded and needs replacement as the child grows.
Aphasia General term for language disorders (reading, writing, speaking or comprehension of written or spoken words) due to cerebral dysfunction.
Apraxia/Dyspraxia Inability to perform purposeful movements where muscle weakness is not apparent (not related to paralysis or lack of comprehension and usually refers to total loss rather than impairment)
Asphyxia Failure or prevention of respiratory process due to obstruction of air flow, lack of oxygen in the blood or lack of oxygen in atmosphere
Ataxic Cerebral Palsy A form of cerebral palsy characterised by Ataxia, problems with balance, co-ordination, shaky hand movements and jerky speech
Athetoid Cerebral Palsy A form of cerebral palsy characterised by Athetosis, involuntary movements resulting from the rapid change in muscle tone from floppy to tense
Audiologist A professional who works with people who have hearing difficulties
Baclofen Drug used as muscle relaxant [see Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy]
Basal Ganglia Middle area of the brain
Bobath Therapy* Physical therapy which aims to improve posture and movement
Botulinum Toxin A* Drug which can reduce spasticity [tightness] in muscles
Central Nervous System Consists of the spinal cord and the brain. The brain receives and processes signals delivered through the spinal cord, and then sends directive signals to the body
Cerebral Palsy* A disorder of movement and posture due to a non-progressive damage or lesion to the immature brain
Cerebellum Area of the brain which controls balance and muscle tone
Cerebral Cortex Outer layer of the brain in which thought processes take place
Cerebral Thrombosis Formation of blood clot in an artery of the brain
Chorea Uncontrollable, small, jerky movements, usually of toes and fingers [particularly affecting the head, face or limbs]
Choreoathetosis Involuntary movements showing features of both chorea and athetosis
Clonus A muscle spasm in which the muscle relaxes and contracts in rapid succession resulting in a shaking or trembling movement
Conductive Education* A holistic learning system which can enable some children with cerebral palsy to function more independently
Congenital ‘Present at birth' i.e. a condition which originates prenatally
Contractures Permanent shortening of muscle and tendon resulting from spastic tightening of muscles over a long period
CT/ CAT Scan Diagnostic technique using a combination of computer and X-rays [Computed Axial Tomography]. This provides cross-sectional images of tissue which are clearer and more detailed than X-rays alone with minimal exposure to radiation
Diplegia* Where both legs are affected but the arms are not [or less so]
Dolphin Therapy Therapeutic interaction with dolphins
Dorsiflexion Lifting of the foot/toes or hand/fingers towards the body
Dysarthria Imperfect production of the sounds used in speech due to lack of muscle control from damage to the peripheral nervous system
Dyskinesia Abnormality of movement/impairment of the power of voluntary movement resulting in fragmentation or incomplete movements
Dyskinetic CP See athetoid cerebral palsy
Dysphagia Difficulty in swallowing
Dysphasia Inability to understand spoken or written work due to cerebral lesion - [less severe than Aphasia]
Dyspraxia/Apraxia Difficulty in carrying out purposeful movements to order, which is not related to muscle weakness [or comprehension]
Dystonia Muscle tone fluctuates between stiffness and floppiness/slow twisting repetitive movements of arm, leg, trunk
Electromyography A test that measures muscle activity to stimulation of the nerves, often used in clinical diagnosis of muscle disorders.
Encephalitis Inflammation of the brain, usually resulting from viral or bacterial infection
Epilepsy Abnormal electrical activity in the brain which causes seizures of varying degree
Equinus Abnormality of foot which prevents normal weight-bearing
Etiology See Aetiology
Fine motor movements Small muscle movements, often of the hand [e.g. writing]
Flexion Bending of parts of the body
Function A clinical term usually referring to an ability or skill required to carry out an activity of daily living [see ADL]
Fundoplication Surgical treatment involving suturing (stitching of the fundus of the stomach) usually used in cases of hiatus hernia or Gastro-esophageal Reflux
GABA (Gamma Chemical produced by the brain to relax Aminobutyric Acid) muscles (lacking in those with spasticity)
Gait How an individual walks
Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Regurgitation of stomach contents into the oesophagus
Gastrostomy Surgical procedure to allow insertion of tube for feeding purposes
Gross motor movements Large muscle movements [e.g. walking]
Hip dislocation In children with spasticity the thigh bone [femur] can gradually be pulled out of its socket where it connects with the hip - this is treated surgically
Haemorrhage Uncontrolled bleeding
Hemiplegia* Where one side of the body is affected by paralysis
Hydrocephalus Water on the brain
Hyperkinesis Abnormally increased muscle movement/spasm
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy used in the treatment of a variety of conditions delivered in a pressurised chamber
Hypertonia Too much muscle tone leading to stiffness
Hypotonia Too little muscle tone leading to floppiness
Hypoxia Term used when the brain or other tissue is not receiving adequate oxygen
Intrathecal Baclofen* Method of administering Baclofen [a muscle relaxant] internally. This is used to treat spasticity
Ischaemia When the amount of blood flowing through the brain or other tissue is diminished
Intraventricular Haemorrhage Bleeding into the normal fluid spaces (ventricles) within the brain
Kinaesthesia Perception and understanding of where one's limbs and body are in space and in relation to other objects.
Lycra Dynamic Splinting A material suit that supports the body while allowing function
Meningitis Inflammation of the lining of the brain and/or spinal cord
Monoplegia* Impairment of one limb
Motor Of movement
MRI Diagnostic technique [Magnetic Resonance Imaging] providing cross-sectional/three-dimensional images which are more detailed than CT/CAT Scans - uses electro-magnetic field and radio waves [no X-rays or other radiation involved]
Muscle tone The amount of tension or resistance to movement in a muscle
Neonatal Newly born [first four weeks of life]
Neurologist A doctor who specialises in impairments of the brain and nervous system
Neurosurgery Surgery to the nervous system and its supporting structures e.g. brain, spinal cord or nerve
Occupational Therapy Therapy involving evaluation and treatment of physical and psychiatric conditions. Occupational Therapists also advise on equipment needs
Orthoptist Professional working with people who have visual problems and abnormal eye movements
Orthotist Professional who specialises in the supply and fitting of aids and equipment to help improve mobility, provide support, etc e.g. wheelchairs, special shoes, splints
Paraplegia Impairment of legs only
Perinatal Referring to the period from 28th week of pregnancy to 28th day after birth
Physiotherapy Treatment of disorders of movement and function by methods such as exercise, manipulation, heat or ultrasound
Quadriplegia* All four limbs affected
Range of motion Refers to the flexibility of joints such as elbows and ankles
Reflex Automatic unconscious movement in response to stimulus
Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy* A neurosurgical technique used in the treatment of spasticity in the lower limbs
Sensory Referring to part of nervous system that receives and interprets signals through senses [sight / touch / smell / hearing / taste]
Scoliosis Abnormal curvature of the spine usually in an S shape
Spastic cerebral palsy* The most common form of cerebral palsy where some muscles become very stiff and weak
Spatial Relationship of one thing to another in space, learned through vision and movement
Spatial perception Appreciation of size, distance and relationship between objects
Speech and Language Therapy* Therapy to assist with communication, eating and drinking difficulties
Tendonotomy Surgical cutting of tendon to relieve spasticity
Tetraplegia Impairment of all four limbs and body [as in quadriplegia]
Tone Natural sustained tension in muscle
Tonic Sustained tension in a limb
Tremor Rhythmic, involuntary, trembling or quivering movements of parts of the body
Triplegia Impairment of three limbs
Uteroplacental Insufficiency (UPI) where blood flow to the placenta is impaired, so that there is a risk that inadequate amounts of nutrients or oxygen are delivered to the foetus
Visual Acuity Clarity of vision
Visual Memory Ability to retain and reproduce shapes seen briefly
For more information about cerebral palsy and Scope services
Contact Scope Response for information, advice and support. Copies of all Scope's information sheets can be downloaded from the website or obtained from Scope Response.
Scope Response hours are:
Monday - Friday 9 am to 5 pm. Closed weekends and Bank Holidays.
Scope Response
PO Box 833
Milton Keynes
MK12 5NY
Tel: 0808 800 3333
Fax: 01908 321051
Email: response@scope.org.uk
Scope acknowledges the help and support of everyone who has been involved in the production of this information.
This information can be made available in other formats if required eg. large print or tape. We have information about Scope and cerebral palsy available in different languages on CD-ROM. We also offer a telephone interpreting service to people whose preferred language is not English.
Please contact Scope Response for more details of these services.
© We are happy for you to make photocopies of any part of this document. However, we would be grateful if you would attach an acknowledgement of the source to any copies.
