central

central /cen·tral/ (sen´tr'l) situated at or pertaining to a center; not peripheral.

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central

pertaining to a center; located at the midpoint.

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central artery

of the optic nerve, the source of the retinal artery. See also Table 9.

central channel

the fast-flowing channel through the capillary bed, the rate controlled by the metarterioles which exert a sphincter-like action on the system.

central convulsions

convulsions arising from stimulation of the central nervous system, as distinct from those caused by lesions elsewhere.

central cord syndrome

injury to the central portion of the cervical spinal cord resulting in disproportionately more weakness or paralysis in the forelimbs than in the hindlimbs; pathological change is caused by hemorrhage or edema.

central diabetes insipidus

see diabetes insipidus.

central European tick-borne encephalitis

see encephalitis.

central layer

central of the three layers of gray matter in the cerebellum; the principal cell type is piriform.

central nervous system

see central nervous system.

central peripheral neuropathy

see Boxer progressive axonopathy.

central progressive retinal atrophy

see central progressive retinal atrophy.

central projection law

the laws of physics applied to the primary x-ray beam of photons, e.g. the closer the object being x-rayed is to the film the sharper will be its definition.

central respiratory oscillator

pool of nerve cells in the pons and medulla oblongata which are responsible for the rhythmic to-and-fro movements of respiration.

central retinal degeneration

see retinal.

central sulcus

fissure of Rolando.

central tarsal bone

the bone of the hock which lies between the proximal and distal rows of tarsal bones.

central tendon of diaphragm

see diaphragmatic tendon.

central vein

the centrally placed drainage vessel of each hepatic lobule, receiving blood from the hepatic sinusoids.

central venous catheterization

insertion of an indwelling catheter into a central vein for the purpose of administering fluid and medications and for the measurement of central venous pressure (see below).

central venous pressure (CVP)

the pressure of blood in the right atrium, measured by an in situ catheter in the right atrium, is a much better guide of the degree of vasogenic peripheral failure than is arterial blood pressure. The technique is used mainly in dogs and cats.