Page 427 - Canine Lameness

Glossary 399

(Continued)

Name Definition
Nerve fiber See axon
Nerve root signature See neurogenic lameness
(lameness)
Neurogenic Discomfort caused by pathology affecting the nerve roots and/or surrounding
lameness meninges (e.g. from a lateralized disc herniation), also frequently referred to as
“nerve root signature (lameness)”
Neuron Nerve cell (i.e. composed of a cell body and the nerve fibers)
Neuropathy Pathology of the (peripheral) nerves
Osteokinematics Gross movements of bones at joint (e.g. flexion/extension; abduction/adduction;
and supination/pronation); compare to arthrokinematics
Pace Two‐beat, lateral gait in which ipsilateral limb pairs move in synchrony
Paralysis Complete loss of voluntary motor function resulting in an inability to support
weight (i.e. the most severe degree of paresis)
Paraparesis Paresis of the pelvic limbs; Note: It is redundant to say, pelvic limb paraparesis
Paresis Partial loss of voluntary movement that is due to disruption of the signal
transmission from either the level of the upper motor neuron (UMN) or lower
motor neuron (LMN). Note that in clinical neurology the term is sometimes
used as synonym for weakness
Paronychia Nonspecific inflammation of the nail/claw fold
Peripheral nervous Comprising cell bodies, bilateral spinal nerves arising as dorsal (sensory) and
system ventral (motor) nerve roots, nerves, neuromuscular junction, and muscle; the
nerve cell bodies of the efferent (motor) axons are located in the ventral gray matter
and the cell bodies of the afferent (sensory) axons are located in the spinal ganglia
Plegia Paralysis
Polydactyly Occurrence of one or more extra digits
Polyneuropathy Disease or injury of multiple nerves (e.g. polyradiculoneuritis)
Radiculopathy Nerve root disease
Somatic Relating to, innervating or involving the voluntary (striated) muscle as opposed
to the visceral (involuntary) muscle and its (autonomic innervation)
Spastic paresis Paresis with increased muscle tone (i.e. inability to initiate gait voluntarily)
which is caused by a disruption of signal transmission from the UMN to the
LMN. Spastic paresis is indicative of a UMN lesion; compare to flaccid paresis
Spinal nerve Spinal nerves arise after the fusion of the dorsal and ventral nerve roots at the
level of the intervertebral foramen
Stretching See flexibility
Synapse Gap connection between one axon terminal and a neuron, muscle, or gland
Syndactyly Partial or complete lack of separation between adjacent digits
Trigger point See myofascial trigger point
Upper Motor The neurons related to motor function that have their cell bodies in the grey
Neuron matter of the CNS (cerebrum and brainstem) and axons that synapse on a LMN
or interneuron
Weakness Difficulty initiating gait due to LMN disease; Note: in clinical neurology
sometimes used as synonym for paresis; however, weakness can be caused by
other diseases