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uncal herniation

(Science: neurology) A condition that occurs when the brain is under abnormally increased pressure.

The increased intracranial pressure forces the brain downward inside the skull. This results in typical neurologic manifestations (coma, paralysis and a unilateral dilated pupil). May occur secondary to head injury, primary or metastatic brain tumour, bacterial meningitis and brain abscess.

brain herniations may involve different portions of the brain such as the cerebellum (cerebellar herniation), uncus (uncal herniation) and transtentorial herniation of the cerebrum.