Dictionary

Vvascularity [vas ku lair´ ih tee] The blood supply of a tumor.vector [veck´ tore] A carrier. A mechanism for deliveringtherapy to the cells of a tumor.ventilation To supply air to the lungs.ventricles [ven´ trih kl] Four connected cavities in the brainthrough which cerebrospinal fluid flows.ventriculo-atrial shunt [ven trik´ you low - a´ tree al]A drainage tube that carries fluid from a ventricle in the brainand empties into the right atrium of the heart. AbbreviatedVA shunt.ventriculo-peritoneal shunt[ven trik´ you low - pear ih ton ee´ al] A drainage tube thatcarries fluid from a ventricle in the brain and empties into theabdominal cavity. Abbreviated VP shunt.vermis [vur´ miss] The midline portion of the cerebellumlocated between the cerebellar hemispheres.vertebrae [vur´ tih bray] The 33 bones of the spine: 7 cervical(neck area); 12 thoracic (they are attached to the ribs); 5lumbar (lower back); 5 sacral (joined together and called thesacrum); 4 coccygeal (joined together and called the coccyx ortailbone).vertigo [ver´ tih go] Dizziness. Symptom common to tumors ofthe acoustic nerve.vestibular schwannoma [ves tib´ you lar • shwah no´ ma]A benign tumor of the nerve of hearing (the 8th cranial nerve)located in the angle between the cerebellum and the pons.Bilateral tumors may be associated with neurofibromatosis 2.Also called acoustic neuroma or acoustic neurilemmoma.Viewing Wand Brand name of a computerized, frameless,CT-stereotactic guidance system. It operates in “real-time” byproviding location information during surgery continuouslyand quickly.vinca alkaloids Anticancer drugs that inhibit cell growth bystopping cell division. They are also called antimitotic orantimicrotubule agents, or mitotic inhibitors.viscera [viss´ ur ah] The internal organs of the chest andabdomen.visual area Areas in the occipital lobe that are involved withvision.vitamins Substances found in various foods that are necessaryfor normal functioning in the body.VWvon Hippel-Lindau syndrome A rare inherited disorder inwhich blood vessels grow abnormally in the eyes, brain, spinalcord, adrenal glands and other parts of the body. Those withthe syndrome are at a higher risk for developing some types ofcancer. Abbreviated VHL.Wada test A test used to determine the location of the speechcenter in the brain. Named for the neurologist John Wada.wafer implants During surgery, bio-degradable wafers soakedwith a chemotherapy drug are placed into the cavity left by thetumor’s removal. Gliadel is the brand name of this wafer.Also called polymer wafer implants.watchful waiting Observation. The person’s condition is closelymonitored but treatment does not begin unless symptomsappear or change.WBRT Whole Brain Radiation Therapy.Wernicke’s area An area of the right hemisphere of the temporallobe involved in the understanding of verbal language.If damaged, the ability to comprehend spoken words is lost.white blood cells Cells that help the body fight infection anddisease.120121