NF Words Defined

Acousitc Neuroma

Tumours on the nerves that lead from the ears to the brain which enable a person to hear.

Autosomal Dominant Inheritance

The process by which one gene of a pair causes the expression of a trait or disorder. Such a gene has 50% chance of being passed on to each child of an affected parent.

Cafe-au-lait Spots

Light brown flat spots on the skin, variable in size and shape. Six or more spots with a minimum ¼” diameter in children, and ¾” diamtere in adults is usually a sign of NF.

Computer Axial Tomography (CAT) Scan

A scan using x-ray beams, provides highly accurate information about the body and brain and is useful in locating tumours and other abnormal structures.

Fibroma

A tumour composed mainly of fibrous or connective tissue.

Gene

The biology unit of heredity. Genes determine the structure and function of all proteins in the body. In turn, these proteins govern body shape and function.

Glioma

A type of brain tumour.

Heredity

The process of passing on characteristics and traits from parent to child.

Learning Disability

When a person has average or above average intelligence but has difficulty processing information. Learning Disabilities can affect one’s ability to listen, think, read, write, spell and/or compute math.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

A diagnosis technique that uses magnetic energy to image the brain and body.

Mutation

A permanent change in a gene that occurs by change; it can be passed on to future generations.

Neurofibroma

A benign tumour of nerve, blood vessel, and fibrous tissue.

Neurologist

A doctor who treats diseases or disorders of the nervous system.

Neuroma

A tumour derived from nerve cells.

Peripheral

Situated away from the corner of the central nervous system, towards the surface of the body.

Plexiform Neurofibroma

A network of tumours that occur internally below the skin.

Scoliosis

A condition that affects the curve of the spine. It is the most common orthopaedic problem children with NF have.

Tissue

A group of cells of one or several kinds that make up body material such as skin, bone, blood or muscle.

Tumour

An abnormal excess growth of tissue, can be benign or malignant.