Etymed
electroencephalography
Definition
The process of recording electrical activity of the brain using electrodes placed on the scalp
Clinical context
A 24-year-old woman presents to the emergency department with sudden onset of severe headache and loss of consciousness. Her family reports she had been experiencing frequent headaches over the past few weeks but no focal neurological deficits. A CT scan of the head is normal, but the neurologist orders an electroencephalography to evaluate for possible seizure activity or epileptiform discharges that could explain her symptoms.
Mnemonic
EEG stands for 'ElectroEncephaloGraphy' - think 'Electrical activity of the brain' with 'Graph' meaning to record or chart the waves
These morphemes also unlock…
- electro — electricity
- encephal/o — brain
- graphy — process of recording