Medical/Neurosurgical Glossary
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Waddell Sign – A collection of four tests that are associated poor credibility, including the torso rotation test, the flip test, the head tap test and excessive responses to pain stimuli. 

Wernicke Aphasia – Loss of the comprehension of spoken and written language.

Wernicke Sign – Pupillary reaction to damage of the optic nerve.

Wernicke Syndrome – The manifestation of thiamine deficiency, occurs in alcoholics, and can be a permanent loss of memory.

Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome – Loss of memory which may be permanent and may be due to loss of thiamine.

Whole Blood – Blood containing all its components, such as red and white blood cells, platelets, and more.  This is a term used by blood banks.

Wire – Metal thread available in various diameters and various degrees of stiffness and is generally used in surgery to transfix fractured bone.

Withdrawal Syndrome – The consequences of the sudden avoidance of an addictive substance such as alcohol, tobacco or narcotics

Words-of-art - specially defined legal terms.

Work Restrictions - limitations of work activities which are imposed by your doctor.

Workers' Compensation - an insurance system which provides benefits to workers injured on the job.

Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) - a group of judges, appointed by the State of California, who review cases and interpret the law.

Workers' Compensation Judge (WCJ) - a California judge who presides over California state workers' compensation cases, including those settled without a trial. .

If you are aware of any useful spine and neuromusculoskeletal terms which are not included in this list, or if you have suggestions for better definitions,  your help would be greatly appreciated.  Please send me any upgrades and I will update the web site appropriately.  Click here to send a comment.