Brain Injury Terms and Definitions

amygdala
uh-MIG-duh-luh). A part of the brain that oversees emotions and triggers your response to danger.

Muenke syndrome
The primary feature of this disease is prematurely fused skull bones along the coronal suture, the growth line which goes over the head from ear to ear. This can result in an abnormally shaped head, wide-set eyes, and flattened cheekbones.

Gastrointestinal Birth Defect
Esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula, intestinal atresia, biliary atresia

endorphins
Naturally occurring molecules made up of amino acids. Endorphins attach to special receptors in the brain and spinal cord to inhibit pain signals.

Eye Birth Defect
Anophthalmia/microphthalmia, congenital cataracts, glaucoma

stroke
A condition produced by a blood clot that lodges in an artery and blocks the flow of blood to a portion of the brain, producing symptoms ranging from paralysis of limbs and loss of speech to unconsciousness and death. Less commonly, a stroke may be the result of bleeding into the substance of the brain.

BDPM
Birth Defects Monitoring Program

NCEH
National Center for Environmental Health

Alzheimer's disease
Severe form of dementia caused by significant deterioration of brain tissue.

NBDPS
National Birth Defects Prevention Study