10. Nervous System Flashcards
cerebrum
-thinking, personality, sensations, movements, memory
thalamus
- relay station (triage center) for sensory impulses
- control of awareness and consciousness
hypothalamus
- body temperature, sleep, appetite, emotions
- control of the pituitary gland
cerebellum
-coordination of voluntary movement and balance
pons and midbrain
-connection of nerve fiber pathways including those to the eyes and face
medulla oblongata
- nerve fibers over, left to right and right to left
- contains centers to regulate heart, blood vessels, and respiratory system
acetylcholine
-neurotransmitter chemical released at the ends of nerve cells
afferent nerve
-carries messages towards the brain and spinal cord (sensory nerve)
af-, ad-
towards
-ferent
carrying
arachnoid membrane
-middle layer of the three membranes (meninges) that surround the brain and spinal cord
astrocyte
-type of glial (neuroglial) cell that transports water and salts from capillaries
autonomic nervous system
-nerves that control involuntary body functions of muscles, glands, and internal organs
axon
-microscopic fiber that carries the nervous impulse along a nerve cell
blood-brain barrier
- protective separation between the blood and brain cells
- makes it difficult for substances (such as anticancer drugs) to penetrate capillary walls and enter the brain
brainstem
- posterior portion of the brain that connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord
- includes the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblangata
cauda equina
-collection of spinal nerves below the end of the spinal cord
cell body
-part of a nerve cell that contains the nucleus
central nervous system
-the brain and the spinal cord
cerebellum
-posterior part of the brain that coordinates muscle movements and maintains balance
cerebral cortex
- outer region of the cerebrum
- containing sheets of nerve cells
- gray matter of the brain
cerebrospinal fluid
-circulates throughout the brain and spinal cord
cerebrum
- largest part of the brain
- responsible for voluntary muscle activity, vision, speech, taste, hearing, thought, and memory
cranial nerves
-12 pairs of nerves that carry messages to and from the brain with regard to the head and neck (except the vagus nerve)
dendrite
-microscopic branching fiber of a nerve cell that is the first part to receive the nervous impulse
dura mater
- thick
- outermost layer of the meninges
- surrounding and protecting the brain and spinal cord
efferent nerve
- carries messages away from the brain and spinal cord
- motor nerve
ef-
away
ependymal cell
-glial cell that lines membranes within the brain and spinal cord and helps form cerebrospinal fluid
ganglion
collection of nerve cell bodies in the PNS
glial cell
- supportive and connective nerve cell that does not carry nervous impulses
- ex. astrocytes, microglial cells, ependymal cells, oligodendrocytes
- can reproduce themselves opposed to neurons
gyrus
-sheet of nerve cells that produce a rounded ridge on the surface of the cerebral cortex convolution
hypothalamus
- portion of the brain beneath the thalamus
- controls sleep, appetite, body temp, and secretions from the pituitary gland
medulla oblongata
- part of the brain just above the spinal cord
- controls breathing, heart beat, and the size of blood vessels
- nerve fibers cross over here
meninges
-three protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord
microglial cell
-phagocytic glial cell that removes waste products from the CNS
motor nerve
- carries messages away from the brain and spinal cord to muscles and organs
- efferent nerve
myelin sheath
- covering of white fatty tissue that surrounds and insulates the axon of a nerve cell
- speeds impulse conduction along axons
nerve
-macroscopic cord-like collection of fibers (axons and dendrites) that carry electrical impulses
neuron
- nerve cell that carries impulses throughout the body
- parenchyma of the nervous system
neurotransmitter
- chemical messenger released at the end of a nerve cell
- stimulates or inhibits another cell (nerve cell, muscle, gland)
- ex. ACh, norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin
oligodendroglial cell
-glial cell that forms the myelin sheath covering axons
parasympathetic nerves
-involuntary, autonomic nervers that regulate normal body functions such as heart rate, breathing, and muscles of the gastrointestinal tract
parenchyma
- essential, distinguishing tissue of any organ or system
- includes the neurons and nerves that carry nervous impulses
- parenchymal cells of the liver are hepatocytes
- kidney -> nephrons
peripheral nervous system
-nerves outside the brain and spinal cord
pia mater
- thin
- delicate inner membrane of the meninges
plexus
- large
- interlacing network of nerves
- ex. lumbosacral, cervical, brachial
brachi/o
arm
pons
- part of the brain anterior to the cerebellum and between the medulla and the rest of the midbrain
- bridge connecting various parts of the brain
receptor
- organ that receives a nervous stimulus and passes it on to afferent nerves
- ex. skin, ears, eyes, taste buds
sciatic nerve
-nerve extending from the base of the spine down the thigh, lower leg, and foot
sciatica
-pain or inflammation along the course of the sciatic nerve
sensory nerve
- carries messages toward the brain and spinal cord from a receptor
- afferent nerve
spinal nerve
-31 pairs of nerves arising from the spinal cord
stimulus
-agent of change (light, sound, touch, pressure, and pain) in the internal or external evironment that evokes a response
stroma
- connective and supporting tissue of an organ
- glial cells make up the stromal tissue of the brain
sulcus
- depression or groove in the surface of the cerebral cortex
- fissure
sympathetic nerves
-autonomic nerves that influence bodily functions involuntarily in times of stress
synapse
-space through which a nervous impulse travels between nerve cells or between nerve and muscle or glandular cells
thalamus
- main relay center of the brain
- conducts impulses between the spinal cord and the cerebrum
- incoming sensory messages are relayed through the thalamus to appropriate centers in the cerebrum
vagus nerve
- tenth cranial nerves
- branches reach to the larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs, aorta, esophagus, and stomach
- vagus leaves the head and wanders into the abdominal and thoracic cavities
ventricles of the brain
- canals in the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid
- ventricles are also found in the heart, they are the two lower chambers of the heart
cerebell/o
cerebellum
cerebr/o
cerebrum
dur/o
dura mater
encephal/o
brain
gli/o
glial cells
lept/o
thin, slender
mening/o, meningi/o
membranes, meninges
my/o
muscle
myel/o
spinal cord
-bone marrow
nuer/o
nerve
pont/o
pons
radicul/o
nerve root (of spinal nerves)
thalam/o
thalamus
thec/o
sheath (refers to the meninges)
vag/o
vagus nerve
alges/o, -algesia
-sensitivity to pain
-algia
-pain
caus/o
burning
comat/o
deep sleep
-coma
esthesi/o, -esthesia
-feeling, nervous sensation
kines/o, kinesi/o, -kinesia,-kinesis,-kinetic
movement
-lepsy, -ictal
-seizure
lex/o
word, phrase
-paresis
weakness
-partial or incomplete paralysis
-phasia
-speech
-plegia
-paralysis
-praxia
-action
-sthenia
-strength
syncop/o
to cut off, cut short
tax/o
order, coordination
hydrocephalus
- abnormal accumulation of fluid (CSF) in the brain
- catheter can be placed to relieve pressure
spina bifida
- congenital defects in the lumbar spinal column caused by imperfect union of vertebral parts (neural tube defect)
- maybe it does not fuse
- only apparent on x-ray bc covered by skin
spina bifida cystica
- severe form of spina bifida
- cyst like protrusion in the spine
spina bifida cystica with myelomeningocele
- cyst like protrusion in the spine that contains meninges, CSF, and the spinal cord
- paralysis often
alzheimer disease
- brain disorder marked by gradula and progressive mental deterioration (dementia), personality changes, and impairment of daily functioning
- atrophy in the cerebral cortex and widening of the cerebral sulci
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- degenerative disorder of motor neurons in the spinal and brainstem
- lou gehrigs disease
epilepsy
-chronic brain disorder characterized by recurrent seizure activity
huntington disease
-hereditary disorder marked by degenerative changes in the cerebrum leading to abrupt involuntary movements and mental deterioration
multiple sclerosis
- destruction of the myelin sheath on neurons in the CNS and its replacement by plaques of sclerotic (hard) tissue
- muscle weakness, unsteady gait, paresthesias, paralysis
myasthenia gravis
- autoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterized by weakness of voluntary muscles
- antibodies block the ability of ACh in muscle cells
palsy
- paralysis (partial or complete loss of motor function)
- partial paralysis
- caused by lack of oxygen or blood flow to the cerebrum
parkinson disease
- degeneration of neurons in the basal ganglia, occuring in later life and leading to tremors, weakness of muscles, and slowness of movement
- caused by deficiency of dopamine
tourette syndrome
- involuntary, spasmodic, twitching movement; uncontrollable vocal sounds; and inappropriate words
- tics
- associated with excess dopamine or a hypersensitivity to dopamine
herpes zoster
- shingles
- viral infection affecting peripheral nerves
- blisters and pain along peripheral nerves
- inflammation
meningitis
- inflammation of the meninges; leptomeningitis
- caused by bacteria or viruses
- lumbar punctures are performed to examine CSF
- use antibodies
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) encephalopathy
-brain disease and dementia occurring with AIDS
brain tumor
- abnormal growth of brain tissue and meninges
- most commonly arise from glial cells or the meninges
cerebral concussion
-type of traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head
cerebral contusion
-bruising of brain tissue resulting from direct trauma to the head
cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
- disruption in the normal blood supply to the brain
- stroke
- cerebral infarction
- imparied oxygen supply to the brain
1. thrombotic- blood clot in arteries gradually builds to brain
2. embolic- embolus travels to cerebral arteries and occludes a small vessel/artery
3. hemorrhagic- blood vessel breaks and bleeding occurs
migraine
- server, recurring, unilateral, vascular headache
- sensitivity to light, sound
- dilation of blood vessels and nerves
absence seizure
-form of seizure consisting of momentary clouding of consciousness and loss of awareness of surroundings
aneurysm
-enlarged, weakened area in an arterial wall, which may rupture, leading to hemorrhage and CVA (stroke)
astrocytoma
-malignant tumor of astrocytes (glial brain cell)
aura
-peculiar symptom or sensation occurring before the onset (prodromal) of an attack of migraine or an epileptic seizure
dementia
-mental decline and deterioration
demylination
-destruction of myelin on axons of neurons (as in multiple sclerosis)
dopamine
-CNS neurotransmitter, deficient in patients with parkinson
embolus
clot of material that travels through the blood stream and suddenly blocks a vessel
ictal event
pertaining to a sudden, acute onset, as with the convulsions of an epileptic seizure
occlusion
blockage
palliative
relieving symptoms but not curing them
thymectomy
- removal of the thymus gland (a lymphocyte-producing gland in the chest)
- used as treatment for myasthenia gravis
TIA
- sudden, brief and temporary cerebral dysfunction usually caused by interruption of blood flow to the brain
- transient ischemic attack
- occur with all three types of strokes
tic
involuntary movement of a small group of muscles, as of the face
-characteristics of tourette syndrome
tonic-clonic seizure
- major (grand mal) convulsive seizure marked by sudden loss of consciousness
- stiffening of muscles, and twitching and jerking movements
cerebrospinal fluid analysis
- samples of CFS are examined
- measure protein, glucose, RBC, WBC
- can detect tumor, bacteria, virus
- used for multiple sclerosis, tumor, infection
cerebral angiography
- x-ray imaging of the arterial blood vessels in the brain after injection of contrast material
- diagnose vascular disease (aneurysm, occlusion, hemorrhage)
computed tomography (CT) of the brain
- computerized x-ray technique that generates multiple images of the brain and spinal cord
- contrast leaks through blood brain barrier from blood vessels into the brain tissue
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- magnetic field and pulses of radiowave energy create images of the brain and spinal cord
- great at seeing brain damage
- great at brain scan
positron emission tomography (PET) scan
- radioactive glucose is injected and then detected in the brain to image the metabolic activity of cells
- information about the function of brain tissue
- detect malignancy
- brain abnormalities
doppler ultrasound studies
- sound waves detect blood flow in the carotid and intracranial arteries
- detect occlusion in blood vessels
electroncephalography (EEG)
- recording of the electrical activity of the brain
- demonstrates seizure activity resulting from brain tumors, or injury to brain
lumbar puncture (LP)
- CSF is withdrawn from between two lumbar vertebrae for analysis
- measures the pressure of CSF
stereotactic radiosurgery
- use of a specialized instrument to locate and treat targets in the brain
- fixed into the skull to guide needle
- without surgical incision
coronal magnetic resonance image
shows subdural hematoma
-under the dura mater
babinski sign
-toe movement elicited by manipulation in a neurologic test performed on the sole of the foot to indicate injury to the brain or spinal nerves
deep tendon relflex
- DTR
- evaluation of the response of a muscle to stimuli to provide information on the integrity of the central and peripheral nervous system
glassgow
- coma scale
- neurologic scale used to assess level of consciousness
evoked potential studies
-diagnostic tests that use an EEG to record changes in brain waves during various stimuli
otomycosis
-fungal infection in the ear
otopyorrhea
-discharge of pus from the ear
otorrhea
discharge from the ear
otosclerosis
hardening of the ossicles, particularly the stapes
cortic/o
cortex
narc/o
stupor, sleep
phas/o
speech
somn/o
sleep
spondyl/o
vertebra
-phrenia
the mind
ischemic
-pertaining to a lack of blood flow
postictal
-pertaining to following a seizure
radicular
pertaining to a root (nerve)
cerebral palsy
defect of motor power and coordination related to damage to the brain that occurred prenatally, perinatally, or in the first 3 years of life
coma
a state of profound unconsciousness
bell palsy
-paralysis of facial muscles, often one side of the face, caused by a dysfunction of a cranial nerve
poliomyelitis
-inflammation of the gray matter of the spinal cord
radiculopathy
-disease of the nerve roots
sleep apnea
-disorder marked by interruptions of breathing during sleep
myelogram
-radiographic contrast study of the spinal subarachnoid space and its contents
polysomnography
-monitoring and recording of normal and abnormal activity during sleep to diagnose sleep disorders
craniectomy
-excision of part of the cranium to access the brain
craniotomoy
incision into the skull to access the brain
laminectomy
excision of the thin plate of the vertebra to relieve pressure on the spinal cord
neurolysis
separation of a nerve from inflammatory adhesions
analgesic
-drug that relieves pain
hypnotic
promotes sleep
neuroleptic
class of psychotropic drugs used to treat psychosis, ex. schizophrenia
psychotropic
drug used to treat mental illness
