intramedullären

Intramedullary refers to something located within the medulla. In medicine, this term is most commonly used to describe the location of a substance, condition, or surgical procedure relative to the central nervous system, specifically the spinal cord.

For example, an intramedullary tumor is a tumor that arises from the cells within the substance of the spinal cord itself, as opposed to tumors that press on the spinal cord from the outside (extramedullary). Intramedullary conditions can affect the nerve fibers and neurons that transmit signals throughout the body.

The spinal cord is composed of gray matter, containing neuronal cell bodies, and white matter, containing myelinated axons. Intramedullary lesions involve this neural tissue directly. Diagnosis and treatment of intramedullary conditions often require specialized imaging techniques like MRI. Surgical intervention, when necessary, focuses on removing or debulking these lesions while preserving neurological function, which can be challenging due to the delicate nature of the spinal cord tissue. The prognosis for intramedullary conditions varies greatly depending on the specific diagnosis, size and location of the lesion, and the extent of neurological involvement.