Schisms, Cephaly & Seizures

Cephaly refers to anything that has to do with the head. In medical terms, "cephalic disorders" refer to defects resulting from abnormal development of, or damage to, the brain and spinal cord. Seizures are more common as a result of cephalic disorders. In operations to control seizures, surgery has been performed by cutting the corpus collosum, the band of nerves that connects the two sides of the brain, creating a schism.

Right Side/Left Side of the Brain

• The brain consists of two separate sides, right and left. Each side carries on different conscious and subconscious functions. Both sides are connected by the corpus collosum, which is a thick band of nerves that allows communication between the two sides.

Corpus Callosotomy

• When the corpus collosum is severed by means of an operation, the resulting schism results in a decreasing of the intensity of seizures, as the seizure cannot spread from one side of the brain to the other. The operation generally does not eliminate seizures, though. There are serious potential side effects and risks associated with the operation referred to as a "corpus callosotomy."

Cephalic Disorders

• The term "cephalic disorders" refers to defects resulting from abnormal development of, or damage to, the brain and spinal cord. Many cephalic disorders such as "micrencephaly," a disorder characterized by a small brain, "colpocephaly," a disorder in which there is an abnormal enlargement of the rear portion of the cavities or chambers of the brain and "holoprosencephaly," a disorder characterized by the failure of the forebrain of the embryo to develop, result in a propensity for seizures.