Introduction to Neuroscience
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The human brain is a truly remarkable and complex organ in the human body and in my opinion possibly the most extraordinary creation in the universe. It has a magnificent function of orchestrating the symphony of consciousness that gives you purpose, passion, motion and emotion, it is also home to ones mind and personality.
The brain surprisingly is a reddish grey mass and the average adult brain weighs 1300g – 1400g and houses approximately 1000 billion individual brain cells called neurons. Each of these neurons then makes up to 1000 different connections with its neighbours and different areas of the brain. Neurons extensive connectivity uses electrical signals to process information travelling from one brain processing center to another therefore only takes a matter of milliseconds. No matter how complex the latest technology is, the human brain is far more complex and its possibilities are far beyond our understanding. After all in my opinion we do not use the full power of our brain, but a small percentage.
The brain surprisingly is a reddish grey mass and the average adult brain weighs 1300g – 1400g and houses approximately 1000 billion individual brain cells called neurons. Each of these neurons then makes up to 1000 different connections with its neighbours and different areas of the brain. Neurons extensive connectivity uses electrical signals to process information travelling from one brain processing center to another therefore only takes a matter of milliseconds. No matter how complex the latest technology is, the human brain is far more complex and its possibilities are far beyond our understanding. After all in my opinion we do not use the full power of our brain, but a small percentage.
What is Neurosurgery?
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Neurosurgery is the name given to treatment and surgical operation on the brain, spine, spinal cord, peripheral nerves and extra-cranial cerebrovascular system, with “neuro” meaning relating to nerves or the nervous system. The field of neurosurgery is one of the most difficult and challenging of all, due to the amount of knowledge and skill required. All of the skills of a general practicing surgeon are necessary in addition to those needed to successfully diagnose or treat injuries to these specific areas.
Brain surgery is one of the most demanding medical skills which require a unique combination of training, dexterity, skill, and stamina.
Surgical incision nowadays has been reduced to an absolute minimum. In the 1940’s the risk of brain surgery was almost 90% however due to smaller incisions, less tissue trauma and better surgical planning, this risk was reduced to about 2% in the 1990’s.
Brain surgery is one of the most demanding medical skills which require a unique combination of training, dexterity, skill, and stamina.
Surgical incision nowadays has been reduced to an absolute minimum. In the 1940’s the risk of brain surgery was almost 90% however due to smaller incisions, less tissue trauma and better surgical planning, this risk was reduced to about 2% in the 1990’s.
What else do Neurosurgeons do?
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A neurosurgeons job is to help patients with head and spine trauma, cerebrovascular disorders, clogged arteries in the neck that can lead to stroke, chronic low back pain, abnormalities of the nerves, spinal tumours and birth defects. Disorders of the brain, spine and nerves commonly treated by neurosurgeons include: carpal tunnel syndrome, epilepsy, carotid artery disease, cervical spine disorder, head injuries, herniated disks, lumbar stenosis, spina bifida and tumours. A neurosurgeons workplace could be in a hospital, intensive care unit, a private clinic, universities and other research offices.
They also perform cerebral angiograms and biopsies. This is a process in which they extract a small amount of tissue from a patient’s brain and sending it to a neuropathologist for examination and diagnosis. Additionally they perform a variety of surgical operation in hospital operating rooms, with a resident doctor, group of nurses, an anaesthetist and sometimes even a technologist.
They also perform cerebral angiograms and biopsies. This is a process in which they extract a small amount of tissue from a patient’s brain and sending it to a neuropathologist for examination and diagnosis. Additionally they perform a variety of surgical operation in hospital operating rooms, with a resident doctor, group of nurses, an anaesthetist and sometimes even a technologist.
Technology in Neurosurgery
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The variety of sophisticated medical instruments that neurosurgeons use consist of CAT scans, MRI AND EEGs to diagnose the neurological problems a patient is having. A CAT scan (computerized axial tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) can provide neurosurgeons with detailed anatomic pictures of the brain, spinal structures and the blood vessels. They also perform lumbar puncture (spinal tap) which is a method of obtaining the cerebrospinal fluid for analysis. EEGs (electroencephalography)are used in the evaluation of seizure disorders.
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Milad Rouf
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