CH 10: Nervous System Flashcards
Define Afferent
Moving toward a center; for example, nerve fibers conducting impulses to the spinal cord and brain
afferent nerve is a sensory nerve
Define Efferent
Moving away from a center; for example, conducting nerve impulses away from the brain or spinal cord
efferent nerve = motor nerve
Define Epileptic
Pertaining to or suffering from epilepsy, brain disorder with seizures
-ic = pertaining to
epilept- = seizure
epileptic episode is called a seizure
Define Status Epilepticus
A continuous seizure or recurrent seizures without regaining consciousness for 30 minutes or more
Define Seizure
A sudden, uncontrolled excessive electrical disturbance in the brain
aka convulsion
Define Febrile Seizure
A seizure that is the result of a fever
Define Febrile
Pertaining to a fever
Define Motor
Structures of the nervous system that send impulses out to cause muscles to contract or glands to secrete
to move in Latin
Define Nerve
A cord of nerve fibers that have the function of conducting impulses
Define Neurologist
Medical specialist in disorders of the nervous system
-logist = one who studies, specialist
neur/o- = nerve
Define Parasympathetic
Division of the autonomic nervous system; has opposite effects to the sympathetic division
-ic = pertaining to
para- = beside, adjacent to
-sym- = together
-pathet- = suffering
Define Sensory
Pertaining to sensation; structures of the nervous system that carry impulses to the brain
-ory = having the function of
sens- = feel
Define Somatic
A divison of the peripheral nervous system serving the skeletal muscles OR relating to the body in general
somat/o- = body
Define Visceral
Pertaining to the internal organs
-al = pertaining to
viscer- = internal organs
Define Autonomic
Self-governing visceral motor division of the peripheral nervous system (doesn’t require conscious thought)
-ic = pertaining to
auto- = self
Define Axon
Single process of a nerve cell carrying nervous impulses away from the cell body
Define Blood-brain barrier
A selective mechanism that protects the brain from toxins and infections
Define Dendrite
Branched extension of the nerve cell body that receives nervous stimuli
looking like a tree in Greek
Define Neuroglia
Connective tissue holding nervous tissue together
neur/o- = nerve
-glia- = glue
Define Myelin
Fatty white material sheath found around the axon of a nerve
-in = substance, chemical compound
myel/o- = spinal cord
Define White Matter
Regions of the brain and spinal cord occupied by myelinated bundles of axons
Define Gray Matter
Regions of the brain and spinal cord occupied by unmyelinated cell bodies and dendrites
Define Neurotransmitter
A chemical that relays messages from one nerve cell to the next at the synapse
transmit is a word so prefix trans is in center of neurotransmitter
Define Synapse
Junction between two nerve cells, or a nerve fiber and its target cell, where electrical impulses are transmitted between the cells
-apse = clasp
syn- = together
Define Cerebellum
The most posterior area of the brain located between the midbrain and the cerebral hemispheres
-um = structure
cerebell/o- = little brain
Define Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)
Fluid formed in the ventricles of the brain; surrounds the brain and spinal cord
-al = pertaining to
cerebr/o- = brain
-spin- = spinal cord
Define Cerebrum
Brain, specifically the upper part of the brain consisting of two hemispheres (as opposed to the cerebellum and brain stem)
-um = structure
cereb/o-, cerebr- = cerebrum
Define Frontal Lobe
Anterior cerebral hemisphere; lying behind the forehead
-al = pertaining to
front- = front of
Define Frontal
Front of; pertaining to the front
Define Gyrus
Rounded elevation on the surface of the cerebral hemispheres
plural = Gyri
Define Occipital Lobe
Lobe forms the posterior cerebral hemisphere
-al = pertaining to
occipit- = back of head
Define Occipital
Back of the head
-al = pertaining to
occipit- = back of head
Define Parietal Lobe
Area of brain located in the superior, lateral cerebrum
-al = pertaining to
pariet- = wall
Define Parietal
Wall; pertaining to a wall-like structure
pal = pertaining to
pariet- = wall
Define Sulcus
Grooves/depressions/fissures on the surface of the cerebral hemispheres that separates gyri
sulci (sul-sigh) (plural)
Define Temporal Lobe
Located in the lateral cerebrum near the ear
-al = pertaining to
tempor- = time, temple
Define Temporal
Temple, pertaining to time
-al = pertaining to
tempor- = time, temple
Define Dura Mater
Hard, fibrous outer layer of the meninges
dura = hard (root)
mater = mother (root)
Define Epidural
The area above the dura mater
-al = pertaining to
epi- = above
-dur- = dura
Define Meninges
Three-layered covering of the brain and spinal cord
mening- = meninges
Membrane in Greek
Define Meningitis
Inflammation of the meninges
Define Pia Mater
Delicate inner layer of the meninges
pia = delicate (root)
mater = mother (root)
Define the prefix sub-
under
Define root -arachn-
cobweb, spider
Define Cognition
Process of acquiring knowledge through thinking, learning, and memory
knowledge in Latin
Define Delirium
Acute altered state of consciousness with agitation and disorientation due to changes in brain function.
(may occur in response to alcohol/drugs); this condition is reversible
-um = structure
deliri- = disorientation, confusion
Define Dementia
Chronic, progressive, irreversible loss of the mind’s cognitive and intellectual functions (literally - condition without a mind)
-ia = condition
de- = removal, without
-ment- = mind
Define Empathy
Ability to place yourself into the feelings, emotions, and reactions of another person
em- = into
-pathy = emotion, disease
Define Stroke
Occurs when a blood vessel is either blocked by a clot (ischemic stroke) or bursts (hemorrhagic stroke) causing impaired cerebral circulation
same as Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)
cerebr/o- = cerebrum
vascul/o- = vessel
-ar = pertaining to
Define Cerebrovascular
Pertaining to the cerebrum’s blood vessels
Define Postictal
A temporary altered state of consciousness after and in response to having had a seizure (characterized by drowsiness, confusion, or disorientation)
aka Postictal State
-al = pertaining to
post- = after
-ict- = seizure
Define Tonic
Pertaining to being in a state of muscular contraction
-ic = pertaining to
ton- = pressure, tension
Define Tonic-Clonic Seizure
The body alternates between excessive muscular rigidity (tonic) and jerking muscular contractions (clonic)
-ic = pertaining to
ton- = pressure, tension
clon- = tumult (loud noise/confused)
-ure = process
seiz- = to grab
Define Clonic
Pertaining to clonus, which is rhythmical jerking
-ic = pertaining to
clon- = tumult (loud noise, confused)
Define Cerebral Aneurysm
A small, circumscribed dilation of a cerebral artery
Define Encephalitis
Inflammation of brain cells and tissues
-itis = inflammation
encephal- = brain, within the head
Define Encephalopathy
Damage/disease of the brain
-pathy = disease
encephal- = brain, within the head
Define Hydrocephalus
A condition in which fluid accumulates in the brain, enlarging the head and sometimes causing brain damage; due to excess CSF
-us = structure, thing
hydro- = water
cephal/o- = head
Define Migraine
Intense throbbing, pulsating pain in one area of the head, often with nausea and vomiting
mi- = derived from hemi, half
-graine = head pain
Define Syncope
Fainting; a temporary loss of consciousness (LOC) due to a decrease in blood flow to the brain
Define Conscious
Having present knowledge of oneself and one’s surroundings
Define LOC (Loss of Consciousness)
Loss of awareness and lack of reaction to stimulus
Define Tremor
Small, shaking, involuntary, repetitive movements of hands, extremities, neck, or jaw
Define Bell Palsy
Paresis, or paralysis, of one side of the face
Define Concussion
Mild Brain Injury
-ion = action, condition
concuss- = shake or jar violently
Define Contusion
Bruising of a tissue, including the brain (bruise)
brain contusion is much more serious than concussion
-ion = action, condition
contus- = bruise
Define prefix de-
Without, removal
Define Exacerbation
period when there is an increase in the severity of a disease
(opposite of remission)
-ation = process
exacerbat- = increase, aggravate
Define Paresthesia
Abnormal Sensation; tingling, burning, pricking
-ia = condition
par(a)- = abnormal
-esthes- = sensation
paresthesias (plural)
Define Remission
Period when there is a lessening or absence of the symptoms of a disease
-ion = condition, action
re- = back
Define prefix a-
without
Define Neuropathy
Any disorder of the nervous system
-pathy = disease
neur/o- = nerve
Define Mononeuropathy
Disorder affecting a single nerve
-pathy = disease
neur/o- = nerve
mono- = one
Define Polyneuropathy
Disorder affecting many nerves
-pathy = disease
poly- = many
neur/o- = nerve
Define Paralysis
Loss of voluntary movement
-lysis = destroy
para- = beside, abnormal
Define Hemiparesis
weakness of one side of the body
hemi- = half
-paresis = weakness
Define Paresis
A condition of muscular weakness caused by nerve damage/disease
-paresis = weakness
Define prefix syn-
Together
Define Microcephaly
An abnormally small head
-aly = condition
micro- = small
-ceph- = head
Define Ataxia
Inability to coordinate muscle activity, leading to jerky movements
-ia = condition
a- = no, not or without
-tax- = coordination
Define Hemiplegia
Paralysis of one side of the body
-ia = condition
hemi- = half
-pleg- = paralysis
Define Hemiplegic
Pertaining to or suffering from hemiplegia
-ic = pertaining to
hemi- = half
-pleg- = paralysis
Define Hemiparesis
Weakness of one side of the body
-paresis = weakness
hemi- = half
Define Monoplegia
Paralysis of one limb
-ia = condition
mono- = one
-pleg- = paralysis
Define Monoplegic
Pertaining to or suffering from monoplegia
-ic = pertaining to
mono- = one
-pleg- = paralysis
Define Neuromuscular
Pertaining to both nerves and muscles
-ar = pertaining to
neru/o- = nerve
-muscul- = muscle
Define Paraplegia
Paralysis of both lower extremities
-ia = condition
para- = abnormal
-pleg- = paralysis
Define Paraplegic
Pertaining to or suffering from paraplegia
-ic = pertaining to
para- = abnormal
-pleg- = paralysis
Define Quadriplegia
Paralysis of all four limbs
-ia = condition
quadri- = four
-pleg- = paralysis
Define Quadriplegic
Pertaining to or suffering from quadriplegia
-ic = pertaining to
quadri- = four
-pleg- = paralysis
Define Angiography
x-ray visualization of blood vessels after injection of contrast material
-graphy = process of recording
angi/o- = blood vessel
Define Electroencephalography
The process of recording the electrical activity of the brain
-graphy = process of recording
electr/o- = electricity
-encephal/o- = brain
Define Electromyogram
record of the electrical activity of the brain
-gram = record, recording
electr/o- = electricity
-my/o- = muscle
Define Electromyography
Device used to record the electrical activity of the brain
-graphy = process of recording
electr/o- = electricity
-my/o- = muscle
Define Analgesic
Medication that reduces or eliminates pain
-ic = pertaining to
an- = without
-alges- = sensation of pain
Define prefix anti-
against
Define Sedative
An agent that calms nervous excitement
-ive = pertaining to, quality of
sedat- = to calm
Define Psychiatrist
Licensed medical specialist in psychiatry who is able to prescribe medication for mental disorders
-iatrist = one who treats
psych- = mind
Define Psychologist
Licensed specialist who is concerned with human behavior (not licensed to prescribe meds)
-logist = one who studies
psych/o- = mind
Define Anxiety
Distress caused by extreme fear or dread (anticipate with fear)
distress, anxiety in Greek
Define prefix post-
after
Define Pyromania
Morbid impulse to set fires
-mania = frenzy
pyr/o- = fire
