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NnNasogastric Tube (NG Tube): A tube that passes through the person’s nose and throat and ends in the person’s stomach. This tube allows for direct “tube feeding” to maintain the nutritional status of the person or removal of stomach acids.NCS: Abbreviation for Nerve Conduction Study. NCV:Nerve Conduction Velocity. An electrodiagnostic test to evaluate the nerve roots. Negligence: Failure to exercise ordinary care or caution. Negligence Per Se: Negligent as a matter of law. Currently, this is limited to violations of statutes and administrative codes relating to electrical fire safety, use of smoke alarms, or driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquors and/or drugs. In these instances a plaintiff does not have to prove that the defendant’s actions or inaction fell below a reasonable standard of care - the mere violation of the statute is sufficient proof of negligence. Neologism: Nonsense or made-up words used when speaking. The person often does not realize that the word makes no sense. Nerve Block: The injection of local anesthetic into tissue surrounding a nerve for diagnostic or treatment purposes. Nerve Conduction Study: Evaluates the function of peripheral nerves and the related spinal nerves. A nerve conduction study records the speed (velocity) of small electrical impulses upon the pathways of a nerve or nerves in order to determine if they are functioning properly. Nerve Conduction Velocity: A diagnostic test to evaluate the function of peripheral nerves and nerve roots. Nerve Root: A bundle of the motor and sensory branches which join to form a spinal nerve which exits the spinal cord through a bony opening called the intervertebral foramen. Two nerves leave at each spinal motion segment, one on the right and one on the left. Nerve Root Compression: Pressure on a spinal nerve most commonly as a result of a hermiated disc, foraminal stenosis, lateral stenosis or a combination thereof. Nerve Root Decompression: The surgical release of pressure on a spinal nerve. Nerve Root Sheath: The covering of the nerve root continuous with the dura. Network Chiropractic:An integration of chiropractic techniques which utilizes light touch or taps to relieve spinal tension to clear the body of central nervous system interference. Changes in the sequence or timing of adjustmentsare determined by objective changes such as leg length. This technique is reported to “release” spinal imprints caused by physical, emotional, or chemical stress. Neural Arch: The arch of bone which attaches to the back portion of the vertebral body and surrounds the neural elements that pass through the vertebral canal. Of the vertebral bodies, it consists of the pedicles and lamina. Neural Foramina: More correctly termed the intervertebral foramen. The space through which a spinal nerve and spinal nerve sheath must pass to exit the spinal canal. Neuralgia: Pain, generally sharp or severe, along the distribution of a nerve or spinal nerve. Neuritis: Inflammation or irritation of a nerve. Neurogenic TOS: A thoracic outlet syndrome involving compression of the brachial plexus passing out of the neck, under the clavicle, and through the axilla. The compression can cause denervation of the corresponding muscle groups, or pain involving the neck and arm. See Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. Neurologically Intact: A normal neurologic exam. Neurologist: A physician who specializes in treating disorders of the nervous system and has completed an ACGME approved specialty training program in neurology to be “board certified”. Neuropsychologist: A psychologist who specializes in evaluating (by tests) brain/behavior relationships, planning training programs to help the person’s brain compensate for cognitive impairment and recommending alternative cognitive strategies to assist with daily functioning. Neurology: The study of the nervous system. Neuromuscular Therapy: A combination of soft tissue mobilization techniques based on the belief adhesions and hardening of the muscle fibers can block nerve impulses through impingement and irritation of the nervous structures as they pass through the musculature. The therapy techniques include deep tissue manipulation, myofascial release, cross fiber friction, and trigger point therapy. Neuropathy: Dysfunction or disease of a nerve, often manifested by change of sensation and/or muscle strength. Neuropathy can apply to any nerve, including the sympathetic nervous system. Neurosurgeon: A physician who specializes in surgery of the brain and nervous system and who has completed an ACGME approved specialty training program in neurosurgery. Neurotomy: The cutting or division of a medial branch nerve by surgical means to temporarily or permanently prevent the transmission of pain. Often misnamed rhizotomy. Nociceptors: Free nerve endings within the peripheral nervous system. They are normally stimulated by noxious stimuli and are responsible for the perception of pain. Non-anatomic Sensory Loss: Reported loss of sensation by the patient on neurological exam that clearly does not correspond to any known nerve in the peripheral nervous system or spinal nerve pattern. Nondominant Hand: The hand opposite the most used one. The non-dominatedhand generally possesses less strength and less coordination. Nonforce Technique: A chiropractic term which refers to a light adjusting force technique being administered to correct spinal subluxation. Nonorganic Pain Behaviors: Patient behaviors to express pain that do not relate to anatomic or organic cause. This phrase is often used by doctors hired by an insurer to conduct a medical examination of an injured person to discredit the patient. Nonorganic Signs: This term applies to any magnified pain behavior or malingering. See Nonorganic Pain Behaviors. Nonspondylitic Spondylolisthesis: A slippage of one vertebra on another without a fracture in the pars interarticularis. This usually refers to a degenerative spondylolisthesis which is caused by degenerative facetjoints and not a fracture in the neural arch. NSAID: Abbreviation for Non-Steriodal Anti-Inflammatory Drug. More commonlyknown as ibuprofen, aspirin, and naprosyn. Nucleus Pulposus: The soft, squishy and spongy inner portion of the intervertebral disc. |
