BI Tools
Brain Injury Glossary
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H
- Hallucinations
- A sensory perception that does not result from a external stimulus. It can occur in any of the sense; hearing, taste, smell, touch or sight.
- Halo Traction
- The process of immobilizing the upper body and cervical spine with a traction device. The device consists of a metal ring around the head, held in place with pins into the skull. A supporting frame is attached to the ring and to a body jacket or vest to provide immobilization.
- Handicapped
- A person who has a congenital or acquired mental or physical defect that interferes with normal functioning of the body, or the ability to be self sufficient in modern society.
- Head Injury
- Refers to an injury of the head and/or brain, including lacerations and contusions of the head, scalp and/or forehead.
- Hema
- Combining form indicating blood.
- Hematoma
- The collection of blood in tissues or a space following rupture of a blood vessel.
- Hemianopia
- Visual field cut in both eyes which can result from brain damage.
- Hemiparesis
- Weakness of one side of the body.
- Hemiplegia
- Paralysis of one side of the body as a result of injury to neurons carrying signals to muscles from the motor areas of the brain.
- Hemorrhage
- Abnormal internal or external discharge of blood. May be venous, arterial or capillary from blood vessels into tissues, into or from the body. Venous blood is dark red; flow is continuous. Arterial blood is bright red; flows in jets. Capillary blood is of a reddish color; exudes from tissue.Heterotopic Ossification (HO)
The formation of new bone deposits in the connective tissue surrounding the major joints, primarily the hip and knee. Twenty to 50 percent of spinal cord injury patients have HO. HO is more common in people with higher level injuries. HO is most likely to occur four months post injury. The cause of HO is unknown. Treatment typically involves weight bearing activities and surgical removal can be recommended if severe loss of function occurs. Some people respond to treatment with Didronel, a calcium limiting drug.
- Hippocampus
- An area of the brain that distributes memory to appropriate storage sections in the brain, readying bites of information for efficient recall.
- History
- An account of the medical, psychological and social events in a patient's life as well as certain details about family, ancestors and the environment that may have a bearing on the patient's condition.
- History of Present Illness (HPI)
- An account by the patient of the onset, duration and character of the present illness or condition as well as any acts or situations which aggravate or alleviate the symptoms. Includes the patient's statement regarding what he or she believes to be the cause of the symptoms, and whether or not a similar condition has happened in the past.
- Hydrocephalus
- Excess cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, usually requiring a shunt to reduce pressure of enlarged ventricles.
- Hyperflexia
- Increased action of the reflexes.
- Hypertonicity
- Spacticity.
- Hypothalamus
- Bordering the third ventricle, this part of the brain influences sleep, eating, and sexual patterns, as well as regulates hormones and body temperature.
- Hypothermia
- A technique used to cool the spinal cord after injury. Hypothermia may reduce metabolic and oxygen requirements of the injured tissue and may reduce edema (swelling), which in turn may reduce secondary nerve fiber damage. Because of technical problems (it may involve exposing the spinal cord), hypothermia is not widely in use at spinal centers in the U.S.
- Hypoxia
- Insufficient oxygen reaching the tissues of the body.
