Brain Injury Terms and Definitions

closed head injury
An injury to the head or brain in which the skull remains intact.

Pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration
Pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (formerly called Hallervorden-Spatz syndrome) is a disorder of the nervous system. The condition is characterized by progressive difficulty with movement and speech

Genitourinary Birth Defect
Renal agenesis (bilateral), hypospadias (2nd or 3rd degree)

cerebellum
The portion of the brain mainly responsible for balance and coordination.

Non-system-specific Birth Defect
Amniotic band sequence

NBDPN
National Birth Defects Prevention Network

Parkinson's disease
A progressive degeneration of nerve cells in the part of the brain that helps control muscle movement.

Bell's palsy
A weakness or paralysis of the muscles that control expression on one side of the face because of damage to a facial nerve.

CBDRP
Centers for Birth Defects Research & Prevention

hippocampus
Part of the brain that assists in storing memory by sorting and sending new bits of information to be stored in appropriate sections of your brain and recalling them when necessary.