Imaging & Radiology · Nervous System · Hard
Pneumocephalus
Meaning: Presence of air within the skull, often after trauma or neurosurgery.
In practice: CT after the base of skull fracture showed pneumocephalus, so the patient was told not to blow his nose.
Word parts
- pneumo- means lung or air
Many medical words are built from Greek and Latin parts like these, so learning a few helps you work out new terms.
Quick check
Two questions on related imaging & radiology words.
Which word means: Process by which radiation removes electrons from atoms, potentially damaging cells and DNA.
Answer: Ionisation
Which word means: Ultrasound artefact where sound bounces repeatedly between surfaces, producing multiple evenly spaced lines.
Answer: Reverberation
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