Glossary of Chiropractic & Medical Terms

NATURAL HISTORY: The anticipated clinical course of recovery for uncomplicated disorders without therapeutic intervention.

NEGATIVE TEST RESULT: A test result that occurs more frequently in patients who do not have a disorder than in patients who do have the disorder.

NEGLIGENCE: Breach of the legal duty of care placed on all practitioners to exercise reasonable care and skill in the circumstances.

NEOPLASM - Any new or abnormal growth, specifically a new growth of tissue in which the growth is uncontrolled.

NERVE ROOT - The portion of a spinal nerve in close proximity to its origin from the spinal cord.

NEURAL ARCH - The bony arch of the posterior aspect of a vertebra that surrounds the spinal cord. Also referred to as the vertebral arch.

NEURALGIA - A paroxysmal pain extending along the course of one or more nerve pathways.

NEURITIS - Inflammation of a nerve. May also be used to denote non-inflammatory nerve lesions of the peripheral nervous system.

NEUROBLASTOMA - Tumor of sympathetic nervous system origin. Found mostly in infants and children.

NEUROFIBROMA - A tumor of the peripheral nerves due to an abnormal collection of fibrous and insulating cells.

NEUROFIBROMATOSIS - A familial condition characterized by developmental changes in the nervous system, muscles and skin, marked by numerous tumors affecting this organ system.

NEUROHYPOPHYSIS - The posterior lobe of the pituitary gland.

NEUROMA - A tumor or new growth largely made up of nerve fibers and connective tissue.

NEUROPATHY - Any functional or pathologic disturbance in the peripheral nervous system; e.g. a herniated disc that compresses a nerve root causes neuropathy.

NEUROSURGERY - The surgical specialty involved in the treatment of disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.

NONUNION- Failure of the fragments of a fractured bone to heal or to obtain bony fusion following an arthrodesis or a fracture.

NUCLEUS PULPOSUS - The semi-gelatinous tissue in the center of an intervertebral disc. It is surrounded and contained by the annulus fibrosus which prevents this material from protruding outside the disc space.

NUTRACEUTICAL - A food or plant-based supplement used for treatment or prevention of specific medical conditions. A nutritional supplement, such as a vitamin or herb.

NYSTAGMUS - Involuntary rapid movement of the eyes in the horizontal, vertical, or rotary planes of the eyeball.