Brain Injury Legal Glossary
Glossary of Brain Injury Terms
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #
Click on the first letter of the word from the list above to go to the appropriate section of the glossary.
- V -
Vasospasm: Exaggerated, persistent contraction of the walls of a blood vessel.
Vegetative State: A condition in which patients are unconscious and unaware of their surroundings, but continue to have a sleep/wake cycle and can have periods of alertness.
Ventilator: A machine that does the breathing work for the unresponsive patient. It delivers moistened (humidified) air with the appropriate percentage of oxygen and at the appropriate rate and pressure.
Ventricles: Open spaces or cavities in the brain which are filled with the same fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.
Ventriculostomy: A surgical procedure that drains cerebrospinal fluid from the brain by creating an opening in one of the small cavities called ventricles.
Vestibular: System in the middle of the ear which senses movement. Injury can lead to dizziness.
