Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

hematoma, epidural
A hematoma between the
skull and the brain’s tissue-like covering, which is
known as the dura. Epidural hematoma is usually
caused by a full-on blow to the head and is often
associated with skull fracture. Diagnosis is usually
made via MRI or CT scan. Treatment is trepanation:
drilling through the skull to drain the excess blood.
hematoma, intracerebral
A hematoma within
the brain itself. Diagnosis is usually made by CT or
MRI scan. Treatment involves surgery.
hematoma, intracranial
A hematoma within
the brain cavity (cranium). The hematoma may or
may not be within the brain itself. Treatment can
require surgical drainage and depends on the loca-
tion, size, and duration of the hematoma. See also
hematoma, epidural; hematoma, intracerebral;
hematoma, subdural.
hematoma, subcutaneous
A hematoma
beneath the skin.
hematoma, subdural
A hematoma between the
brain and its covering, the dura. If the hematoma
causes increased pressure on the brain, neurologi-
cal abnormalities including slurred speech,
impaired gait, and dizziness may result and
progress to coma and even death. Subdural
hematomas can be caused by minor accidents to the
head, major trauma, or the spontaneous bursting of
a blood vessel in the brain (aneurysm). Acute sub-
dural hematomas are usually due to severe head
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hematoma, subdural
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trauma. Chronic subdural hematomas may be very
insidious. They usually go unnoticed, sometimes for
2 to 4 weeks: When they do cause problems, the
incident that caused the bleeding is often long past.
Symptoms include increasing daily headache, fluc-
tuating drowsiness or confusion, and mild weakness
on one side of the body. In infants, subdural
hematomas can cause the fontanel to bulge and the
head circumference to enlarge. Diagnosis is usually
made by MRI or CT scan. Treatment is trepanation:
drilling through the skull to drain the excess blood.
hematopoiesis
The production of all types of
blood cells including formation, development, and
differentiation of blood cells. Prenatally,
hematopoiesis occurs in the yolk sack, then in the
liver, and lastly in the bone marrow. In the normal
situation, hematopoiesis in adults occurs in the
bone marrow and lymphatic tissues. All types of
blood cells are derived from primitive cells (stem
cells) that are pluripotent (they have the potential to
develop into all types of blood cells).