Dictionary

Ssulcus [sull´ kus] A groove, crease or crevice on the surface ofthe brain. Also called a fissure. The lateral fissure (fissure ofsylvius) divides the temporal lobe from the frontal and parietallobes; the central fissure divides the frontal and parietal lobes;the parieto-occipital fissure divides the parietal and occipitallobes. Sulci occur between adjacent gyri. The singular of gyri isgyrus. The plural of sulcus is sulci.superficial [sou purr fish´ al] Close to the surface.support group A group of people with a similar disease or illnesswho meet to discuss how better to cope with their illness andits treatment.suppressor T cells A subset of T cells that turn off antibodyproduction and other immune responses.supratentorial [sou pra ten tor´ ee al] Above the tentorium, inthe upper part of the brain. Also called the supratentorium.surgery [sir´ jer ee] The physical removal of a tumor during anoperation. Also called resection. Often used with an adjective,for example, macroscopic total resection — removal of allvisible tumor; partial or subtotal resection — some visibletumor could not be removed.SWOG Southwest Oncology Group. A clinical cooperative groupfunded by the National Cancer Institute organized to test newtreatments in adult cancer patients.symptom A change from normal function, sensation or appearanceas described by the patient or someone close to them.syngenic transplant [sin jen´ ik] Material such as blood, bonemarrow or stem cells that is donated and received betweenidentical twins.systemic [sis tem´ ik] Affecting or circulating throughout thebody.systemic therapy [sis tem´ ik] Treatment using substances thatcirculate in the bloodstream thereby affecting the entire body.targeted therapy [tar´ geh ted • thayr´ uh pee] Treatmentindividualized to match a biologic characteristic of a tumor, forexample, treatment specifically developed to interact with aparticular gene or a specific enzyme.T cells A type of lymphocyte (small white blood cell) thatdirectly attacks foreign substances in the blood. T cells directand regulate the immune response by signaling other immunesystem defenders.T1 weighted image MRI image showing structures;cerebrospinal fluid appears black on this scan picture.T2 weighted image MRI image showing water; edema andcerebrospinal fluid appear white on this scan picture.tectal glioma [tek´ tal • glee o´ ma] Located at the back of themidbrain, these are usually solid, focal, slow-growing tumorswith a gradual onset of symptoms. They are often pilocytic orfibrillary astrocytomas.tectum [tek´ tum] The roof of the midbrain.Temodar See temozolomide.temozolomide An anti-cancer drug that belongs to the family ofdrugs called alkylating agents. Its brand name is Temodar.temporal lobe [tem´ po ral] One of the four lobes of thecerebral hemispheres.tentorium [ten tor´ ee um] A flap of the meninges separatingthe cerebral hemispheres from the brain structures in theposterior fossa.teratoma, mature [tare ah toe´ ma] A rare, benign germ celltumor which most frequently occurs in male infants and youngchildren. It is the most common brain tumor in newborns.tetracycline An antibiotic drug, used to treat an infection.thalamus [thal´ ah muss] The area surrounding the thirdventricle. It acts as a relay station for other parts of the brain.T114115