Perimedullary is a medical term that refers to the area surrounding the spinal cord. It is spelled with the prefix peri-, meaning "around" or "near," followed by medullary, which comes from the Latin word for "marrow," referring to the spinal cord. The IPA phonetic transcription for perimedullary is /pɛrɪmɛˈdʌləri/. The stress in the word is on the second syllable, which is pronounced with a short "e" sound (/ɛ/), followed by the syllabic "r" (/r̩/) and the suffix "-ary" (/əri/).
Perimedullary refers to any structure or process that surrounds or occurs in the area surrounding the spinal cord. The word perimedullary is derived from the prefix "peri-", meaning around or near, and the term "medullary", which is related to the medulla or the innermost part of a structure. In the context of the spinal cord, perimedullary specifically describes the structures, spaces, or conditions that exist around the spinal cord.
Perimedullary structures can encompass various elements, such as blood vessels, nerves, tissues, or spaces. For example, perimedullary veins are veins that surround or closely follow the course of the spinal cord, facilitating the exchange of blood and nutrients. Perimedullary spaces, on the other hand, are the fluid-filled areas surrounding the spinal cord, which provide protection and cushioning.
Medical conditions or procedures related to the perimedullary region often refer to abnormalities or treatments that involve the area surrounding the spinal cord. This can include perimedullary tumors, which are tumors located around the spinal cord, or perimedullary angiography, a diagnostic procedure that involves injecting a contrast agent into the blood vessels surrounding the spinal cord to visualize their structure and function.
In summary, perimedullary pertains to structures, spaces, processes, or conditions that are situated around or in the vicinity of the spinal cord.
The word "perimedullary" is derived from the combination of two roots: "peri-" and "medullary".
1. "Peri-" is a prefix of Greek origin, meaning "around" or "surrounding". It is commonly used in medical terminology to indicate the location or condition around a particular structure.
2. "Medullary" is an adjective derived from the Latin word "medulla", meaning "marrow". In a medical context, "medullary" is used to refer to structures that resemble or are related to marrow.
When these two roots are combined, "perimedullary" refers to something located or related to the area surrounding or adjacent to the spinal cord.