stroke

n. disruption of blood flow to the brain, which deprives the tissue of oxygen and nutrients, causing tissue damage and loss of normal function and, potentially, tissue death. A stroke may result from a hemorrhage of a blood vessel in the brain (see hemorrhagic stroke) or an embolism or thrombus blocking an artery in the brain (see embolic stroke; thrombotic stroke). This term is often used interchangeably with cerebrovascular accident. See also cerebral infarction; cerebrovascular disease; lacunar stroke; transient ischemic attack.

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Psychology term of the day

November 22nd 2024

strategic family therapy

a group of approaches to family therapy in which the focus is on identifying and applying novel interventions to produce behavioral change rather than on helping the family gain insight into the sources of their problems. Also called strategic intervention therapy.