Cerebral Palsy Glossary

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Febrile Seizures 
Generalised tonic-clonic (or grand mal) seizure brought on by sudden rise of body temperatures to 38 or higher. It is most common in children under age six. Duration is often less than five minutes.

Feeding tube 
Tube of soft plastic used in feeding for those who have difficulty getting enough nutrition through regular eating.

Femoral bone (femur)
Thigh  Bone

Femoral torsion (femoral anteversion)
Inward twisting of the femur causing the knees and feet turn inward.

Fine motor 
Using small muscle groups, such as face, hands, feet, fingers, toes. Fine motor skills include feeding, holding an object between thumb and fore finger (pincher grasp), turning/twisting, etc

Fine Motor Delay
Fine motor developmental delays describe a lag in the ability to use the extremities (hands, fingers, wrists, tongue, lips, feet, and toes) as expected for a child's age. Fine motor skills involve the ability to hold, use, or manipulate objects using some of the smallest muscles of the body

Flexion 
Bending of joints

Flexor 
Muscle controlling the bending of joints

Floppy 
Loose movements and weak posture

Fluctuating tone
Combination of loose and tight muscles in different areas.

Focal motor seizures
Jerking of a few muscles without an immediate loss of consciousness.

Foot drop (drop foot)
Gait abnormality characterised by trouble lifting the front part of the foot.

Functional vision
Refers to how an individual uses his/her vision in everyday life.

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