T

Tendons

Unlike ligaments, these tough band-like structures are quite inelastic and provide the means for the attachment of muscles to bones. The full force of muscle contraction is transmitted via the tendon to the bone, producing moveent at a joint.

Thalamus

An area in the centre of the brain.

Thoracic

Relating to the area of the body from the top to the bottom of the rib cage.

Thrombosis

The formation of a blood clot within a blood vessel.

Thrombolysis

This refers to drugs which dissolve blood clots.These are routinely given to people who have had a heart attack and are occasionally given to people who have had a stroke due to a blocked blood vessel.

Thyroid gland

This gland in the neck produces the hormone thyroxine, which helps to regulate the body’s energy levels.

Tinnitus

Buzzing or ringing in the ears. This can occur with dizziness or be a symptom on its own.

Tracheostomy

The creation of an opening in the trachea (windpipe) through the neck for the insertion of a tube to assist breathing.

Tracts

Bundles of axons in the spinal cord and brain that carry specific messages (e.g. movement, touch, pain, joint position sense, bladder fullness).

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

These are often referred to as mini strokes. A TIA occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is briefly interrupted.
Read more information about transient ischemic attacks

Transmissible

Capable of being passed from one person to another, or from one organism to another of the same or a different species.

Transoesophogeal echocardiogram

A test which involves inserting a probe (a thin flexible tube with a special tip) down the throat to look at the internal structure of the major vessels.

Triage

A system whereby a group of patients is prioritised according to the seriousness of their injuries, so that the most seriously injured will receive treatment ahead of those whose injuries are less severe or less time sensitive.

Trials

Research programmes involving the use of a new treatment to establish safety, efficacy or superiority over existing treatments.

Trigeminal nerve

A nerve which transmits sensory messages from the face to the brain.

Trunk

The part of the body to which the head, arms and legs are attached.

Tuberculosis

An infectious disease, most commonly affecting the lungs but which can also affect the brain meninges (the membranes that surround the brain) and other parts of the body, which is caused by a slow-growing, waxy
bacterium.

Tumour

Any abnormal swelling in or on any part of the body.This term is usually used when the swelling is as a result of an overgrowth of cells.