BI Tools
Brain Injury Glossary
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- Echolalia
- Imitation of sounds or words without comprehension.
- Edema
- Collection of fluid in the tissue causing swelling.
- Electroencephalogram (EEG)
- A procedure that uses electrodes on the scalp to record electrical activity of the brain. Used for detection of epilepsy, coma, and brain death.
- Electromyography (EMG)
- An insertion of needle electrodes into muscles to study the electrical activity of muscle and nerve fibers. It may be somewhat painful to the patient. Helps diagnose damage to nerves or muscles.
- Emotional Appropriateness
- The correctness or suitability of feelings evaluated from an objective perspective.
- Emotional Blunting
- A dulling of emotional response.
- Emotional Lability
- Exhibiting rapid and drastic changes in emotional state (laughing, crying, anger) inappropriately without apparent reason.
- Encephalography
- Non-invasive use of ultrasound waves to record echoes from brain tissue. Used to detect hematoma, tumor or ventricle problems.
- Endotracheal Tube
- A tube that serves as an artificial airway and is inserted through the patient's mouth or nose. It passes through the throat and into the air passages to help breathing. To do this it must also pass through the patient's vocal cords. The patient will be unable to speak as long as the endotracheal tube is in place. It is this tube that connects the respirator to the patient.
- Enkephalins
- A chemical in the brain that naturally inhibits pain messages by attaching to special receptors in the brain and spinal cord.
- Enzyme
- A protein in the body that functions to initiate a specific chemical reaction.
- Epidural
- Referring to an area outside the brain and its fibrous covering, the dura, but under the skull.
- Essential Tremor
- A movement disorder that produces uncontrollable trembling, usually in the hands.
- Euphoria
- An exaggerated or abnormal sense of well-being not based on reality.
- Evoked Potential
- Registration of the electrical responses of active brain cells as detected by electrodes placed on the surface of the head at various places. The evoked potential, unlike the waves on an EEG, is elicited by a specific stimulus applied to the visual, auditory or other sensory receptors of the body. Evoked potentials are used to diagnose a wide variety of central nervous system disorders.
- Exacerbate
- To increase the seriousness of a condition marked by more intense signs or symptoms.
- Excitable
- Emotional; nervous; agitate; sensitive.
- Executive Functions
- The capacity to formulate, plan and carry out plans effectively. These functions are essential for independent, creative and socially constructive behavior.
- Extended Care Facility-Basic
- Residential facility which supplies 24-hour nursing care and supervision and assistance with activities of daily life.
- Extended Care Facility-Skilled
- A residential facility for the patient who requires 24-hour nursing care (IV, intramuscular injections, special feeding tubes, skin care, oxygen) and rehabilitative therapy, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy on a less intensive basis than as an inpatient in a comprehensive rehabilitation center. An extended care facility can be a short-term alternative (a few months) prior to placement at home (with outpatient therapy) or in a nursing home.
- Extension
- Movement which brings the body or limbs into straight position.
- Extremity
- Arm or leg.
