Hydrocephalus Glossary

Acquired Hydrocephalus: hydrocephalus occurring after birth

Atrium: one of the two upper chambers of the heart

Catheter: a silicone tube used to divert and drain cerebrospinal fluid

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF): the watery fluid bathing the brain and the spinal cord

Communicating Hydrocephalus: hydrocephalus caused by an overproduction and/or reduced absorption of cerebrospinal fluid in the presence of un-obstructed ventricular pathways

Congenital Hydrocephalus: hydrocephalus caused by conditions existing at birth

CSF: see Cerebrospinal fluid

Dementia: a condition of deteriorated mentality characterized by forgetfulness, emotional apathy, and by noticeable deterioration in the level of functioning in everyday life

Gait Disturbance: unusual and uncontrollable problems with walking

Hydrocephalus: a condition in which an increased amount of CSF exists in the ventricles and along the CSF pathways. This condition may occur when the rate of CSF production exceeds the rate of absorption, or when pathways of CSF flow are blocked. The result is excess fluid in the skull.

Incontinence: the quality or state of being incontinent; voluntarily unable to retain a bodily discharge (such as urine)

Intracranial Pressure: pressure within the skull

Meningitis: an infection of the protective membranes covering the spinal cord

Non-communicating Hydrocephalus: hydrocephalus caused by an obstruction in the ventricles or along the CSF pathways, causing a back-up of fluid into the brain

Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH): An accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid that causes the ventricles in the brain to become enlarged, sometimes with little or no increase in intracranial pressure (ICP). It is most commonly seen in older adults and is accompanied by some or all of the following triad of symptoms: gait disturbance (changes in the way you walk), mild dementia and impaired bladder control. In most cases of NPH, it is not clear what causes the CSF absorptive pathways to become blocked

Peritoneal Cavity: the cavity containing the abdominal organs; the belly

Reservoir: a flexible flushing chamber that allows the doctor to remove samples of CSF for testing using a needle and syringe

Shunt (n): an implanted system used to direct fluid from one part of the body to another. A shunt usually contains: catheters, valve and a reservoir; (v): to divert fluid from one part of the body to another

Shunt (v): to divert fluid from one part of the body to another

Skull: the bony structure surrounding the brain

Urinary Incontinence: the quality or state of being incontinent; voluntarily unable to retain the discharge of urine

Valve: a one way, pressure or flow resistance device used to control the drainage of excess fluid from the brain

Ventricle: one of four cavities found within the brain where CSF can be accessed