BI Tools
Brain Injury Glossary
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V
- Vagus Nerve
- The nerve that helps to control function of the larynx, stomach, esophagus, heart, lungs and intestines.
- Vegetative State
- A condition in which the person utters no words and does not follow commands or make any response that is psychologically meaningful.
- Ventilator
- Mechanical device to facilitate breathing in persons with impaired diaphragm function. Also known as respirator.
- Ventricles, Brain
- Four natural cavities in the brain which are filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The outline of one or more of these cavities may change if a hemorrhage or tumor has consumed space in a lobe of the brain.
- Verbal Apraxia
- Impaired control of proper sequencing of muscles used in speech (tongue, lips, jaw muscles, vocal cords). These muscles are not weak but their control is defective. Speech is labored and characterized by sound reversals, additions and word approximations.
- Verbosity
- The tendency to be excessively wordy in conversation.
- Vertebrae
- The bones that make up the spinal column.
- Vestibular
- Pertaining to the vestibular system in the middle ear and the brain which senses movements of the head. Disorders of the vestibular system can lead to dizziness, poor regulation of postural muscle tone and inability to detect quick movements of the head.
- Vestibular Nerve
- A main division of the auditory nerve. Arises in the ganglion and is concerned with equilibrium.
- Vision Therapy
- Specific therapies and corrective lenses designed to treat visual disorders resulting from brain injury or defect.
- Vocational Evaluation
- An organized and comprehensive service staffed by specialists who systematically and comprehensively utilize work activities (real or simulated) and/or educational services as the focal point for educational and vocational assessment and exploration. In addition, psychological testing, counseling, social summaries, occupational information, etc., are other evaluation tools that are used. It incorporates the medical, psychological, social, vocational, educational, cultural, and economic data for establishment and attainment of individual goals.
W
- Wernicke’s Area
- A brain region responsible for the comprehension of language and the expression of coherent speech.
X
- X-ray
- Electromagnetic waves that penetrate most solid matter and are used to produce images of internal structure.
