Glossary - N: "Do You Really Need Back Surgery"

narcotic: Opiate medication used for treatment of pain.

nerve block: An injection that causes numbness and weakness by preventing function of a nerve.

nerve conduction velocity (NCV): The speed at which an electrical signal travels along a nerve. This may be abnormal when a nerve is compressed or injured.

nerve cone: The growing tip of a severed nerve that it is trying to re-establish its connection after injury.

nerve tube: A synthetic tube used to help in repair and reconnection of nerves.

nerve nervorum: Small nerve fibers that innervate larger nerve bundles. They allow us to feel pressure on the nerve itself.

neurofibroma: A tumor arising within a nerve.

neuroma: A clump of tissue, not necessarily a tumor, that can arise at the site of nerve injury.

neurons: Nerve cells.

neuropathic pain: Pain that derives in nerves and may not be responsive to routine pain medications.

neuropathy: Malfunction in a nerve due to a medical disease of nerves or to compression of the nerve.

neuroplasty: Surgical release of adhesions around a nerve carried out to relieve pain and disability

neuroprotective agents: Medications that are intended to help limit the damage suffered by a nerve or neural tissue such as spinal cord, brain or nerve, when the blood supply is cut off or there is a traumatic injury.

nociceptor: A type of nerve ending that produces a sensation of pain when it is stimulated.

non-ferrous: A type of metal without iron in it.

nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Medications that reduce swelling, inflammation and pain without the use of steroids, e.g. Tylenol or Motrin.

notochord: A primitive part of the body plan in evolution that has remnants in humans in the form of the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral discs.

nuclear medicine: Diagnostic tests that involve the use of radioactivity administered to the body.

nucleus pulposus: The soft spongy material surrounded by the annular ring that makes up the center of an intervertebral disc.


	Glossary - N
	narcotic: Opiate medication used for treatment of pain. nerve block: An injection that causes numbness and weakness by preventing function of a nerve. nerve conduction velocity (NCV): The speed at which an electrical signal travels along a nerve. This may be abnormal when a nerve is compressed or injured. nerve cone: The growing tip of a severed nerve that it is trying to re-establish its connection after injury. nerve tube: A synthetic tube used to help in repair and reconnection of nerves. *nerve nervorum: Small nerve fibers that innervate larger nerve bundles. They allow us to feel pressure on the nerve itself. neurofibroma:* A tumor arising within a nerve. neuroma: A clump of tissue, not necessarily a tumor, that can arise at the site of nerve injury. neurons: Nerve cells. neuropathic pain: Pain that derives in nerves and may not be responsive to routine pain medications. neuropathy: Malfunction in a nerve due to a medical disease of nerves or to compression of the nerve. neuroplasty: Surgical release of adhesions around a nerve carried out to relieve pain and disability neuroprotective agents: Medications that are intended to help limit the damage suffered by a nerve or neural tissue such as spinal cord, brain or nerve, when the blood supply is cut off or there is a traumatic injury. nociceptor: A type of nerve ending that produces a sensation of pain when it is stimulated. non-ferrous: A type of metal without iron in it. nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Medications that reduce swelling, inflammation and pain without the use of steroids, e.g. Tylenol or Motrin. notochord: A primitive part of the body plan in evolution that has remnants in humans in the form of the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral discs. nuclear medicine: Diagnostic tests that involve the use of radioactivity administered to the body. *nucleus pulposus*: The soft spongy material surrounded by the annular ring that makes up the center of an intervertebral disc.