Ch. 10 Nervous System Flashcards
What is the function of the nervous system?
to coordinate and control all bodily systems
What are the 4 major structures of the nervous system?
- nerves
- brain
- spinal cord
- sensory organs (eyes, ears, nose, skin, tongue)
What are the two primary parts of the nervous system?
- central nervous system (CNS)
2. peripheral nervous system (PNS)
What does the CNS consist of? What is it’s function?
Brain and spinal chord
to receive and process info, and to regulate all bodily activities
What does the PNS consist of? What is it’s function?
12 pairs of cranial nerves extending from the brain and the 31 pairs of peripheral spinal nerves extending outward from the spinal cord.
to transmit nerve signals to, and from, the CNS.
one or more bundles of neurons that connect the brain and the spinal cord with other parts of the body
nerve
bundle or group of nerve fibers located within the brain or spinal cord
tract
carry nerve impulses toward the brain
ascending nerve tracts
carry nerve impulses away from the brain
descending nerve tracts
a nerve center made up of a cluster of nerve cell bodies outside the central nervous system
ganglion
means the supply of nerves to a specific body part
innervation
a network of intersecting spinal nerves
plexus
sites in the sensory organs that receive external stimulation
receptors
anything that activates a nerve and causes an impulse
stimulus
an automatic, involuntary response to some change, either inside or outside the body
reflex
the basic cells of the nervous system that allow different parts of the body t communicate with each other
neurons
What are the three types of neurons?
- afferent neurons
- connecting neurons
- efferent neurons
What do the afferent neurons do?
known as the sensory neurons, these neurons emerge from sensory organs and the skin to carry the impulses from the sensory organs toward the brain and spinal cord
What do the connecting neurons do?
aka associative neurons, they link sensory and motor neurons
What do the efferent neurons do?
aka motor neurons, they carry impulses away from the brain and spinal cord toward the muscles and glands
the root-like processes of the neuron that receives impulses and conducts them to the cell body
dendrites
a process of the neuron that extends away from the cell body and conducts impulses away from the nerve cell
axon
the branching fibers at the end of the axon that lead the nervous impulse from the axon to the synapse
terminal end fibers
the space btw two neurons or btw a neuron and a receptor organ
synapse
chemical substances that make it possible for messages to cross from the synapse of a neuron to the target receptor
neurotransmitters
provide support and protection for neurons by surrounding and holding them in place, supplying nutrients and oxygen, insulating one neuron from another, and destroying and removing dead neurons
glial cells
protective covering made up of glial cells, forms the white matter of the brain
myelin sheath
the system of membranes that enclose the brain and spinal cord
meninges
the thick, tough, outermost membrane of the meninges
dura mater
the second layer of the meninges with resembles a spider web
arachnoid membrane
the third layer of the meninges which is located nearest to the brain and spinal cord, consisting of delicate connective tissue with a rich supply of blood vessels
pia mater
clear, colorless, and watery fluid that flows throughout the brain and around the spinal cord
cerebrospinal fluid
what are the two function of the cerebrospinal fluid?
- cool and cushion from shock or injury
2. nourish the brain and spinal cord by transporting nutrients and chemical messengers to these tissues
the largest and uppermost portion of the brain that is responsible for all though, judgment, memory, and emotion, as well as for controlling and integrating motor and sensory functions
cerebrum
pertaining to the cerebrum
cerebral
part of the brain the relays sensory stimuli from the spinal cord and midbrain to the cerebral cortex, it suppresses some stimuli and magnifies others
thalamus
part of the brain that control vital bodily functions
hypothalamus
part of the brain that coordinates muscular activity and balance for smooth and steady movements
cerebellum
part of the brain that controls the functions necessary for survival (breathing, digestions, heart rate, and blood pressure), and for arousal (being awake and alert)
brainstem
part of the brainstem that provides condiction pathways to and from the higher and lower centers in the brain, they also control reflexes for movements of the eyes and head
midbrain and pons
part of the brainstem which is located in the lowest part and connected to the spinal cord, which controls basic survival fuctions
medulla
What is the autonomic nervous system responsible for? What are the two divisions?
it controls the involuntary actions of the body such as the functioning of internal organs
- sympathetic nervous system
- parasympathetic nervous system
what does the sympathetic nervous system do?
prepares the body for emergencies and stress by increasing breathing rate, heartrate, and blood flow to muscles
what does the parasympathetic nervous system do?
returns body to normal after a response to stress, also maintains normal body functions during ordinary circumstances that are not emotionally or physically stressful
dr who specializes in administering anesthetic agents before and during surgery
anesthesiologist
medical professional who specializes in administering anesthesia, but is not a physician
anesthetist
dr who specializes in disorders of the nervous system
neurologist
dr who specializes in treating chemical dependencies. emotional problems, and mental illness
psychiatrist
hold advanced degree but is not a medical dr, treats emotional problems and mental illness
psychologist
cephalalgia
pain in the head (headache)
migrane headache
preceded by a warning aura, throbbing pain on one side of the head, usually are accompanied by nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light or sounds, primarily women affected
cluster headaches
intensely painful headaches that affect one side of the head and may be associated with tearing of eyes and nasal congestion, primarily men, named for repeated occurrence in groups or clusters
encephalocele
congenital herniation of brain tissue through a gap in the skill
meningocele
congenital herniation of the meninges through a defect in the skull or spinal column
hydrocephalus
condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the ventricles of the brain
meningitis
inflammation of the meninges of the brain and spinal cord, usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection and can be fatal
group of disorders involving the parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language
Alzheimer’s disease
cognition
term that describes the mental activities associated with thinking, learning, and memory
dementia
slowly progressive decline in mental abilities, including memory, thinking, and judgement, that is often accompanied by personality changes
encephalitis
inflammation of the brain, can be caused by a viral infection such as rabies
parkinson’s disease
chronic, degenerative CNS disorder characterized by fine muscle tremors, rigidity, and a slow shuffling gait
Reye’s syndrome
potentially serious or deadly disorder in children that is characterized by vomiting and confusion usually follows a viral illness in which the child was treated with aspirin
tetanus
aka lockjaw, acute and potentially fatal infection of the CNS caused by a toxin produced by the tetanus bacteria, without vaccination, you can get it from a deep puncture wound
amnesia
memory disturbance characterized by a total or partial inability to recall past experiences
concussion
violent shaking up or jarring of the brain
cerebral contusion
bruising of brain tissue as the result of a head injury that causes the brain to bounce against the rigid bone of the skull
cranial hematoma
collection of blood trapped in the tissues of the brain
lethargy
lowered level of consciousness marked by listlessness, drowsiness, and apathy
stupor
unresponsive state from which a person can be aroused only briefly and with vigorous, repeated attempts
syncope
fainting, brief loss of consciousness caused by the decreased flow of blood to the brain
coma
profound state of unconsciousness marked by the absence of spontaneous eye movements, no response to painful stimuli, and lack of speech
persistent vegetative state
type of coma in which the patient exhibits alternating sleep and wake cycles, however, due to severe damage to certain areas of the brain, the person is unconscious even when appearing to be awake
delirium
acute condition of confusion, disorientation, disordered thinking and memory, agitation, and hallucinations
cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
stroke, damage to the brain that occurs when the blood flow to the brain is disrupted bc a blood vessel is either blocked or has ruptured
ischemic stroke
most common type of stroke in older people, occurs when the flow of blood to the brain is blocked
transient ischemic attack (TIA)
temporary interruption in the blood supply to the brain
aphasia
loss of the ability to speak, write, and/or comprehend the written or spoken word
hemorrhagic stroke
occurs when a blood vessel in the brain leaks, less common and often fatal
insomnia
prolonged or abnormal inability to sleep
narcolepsy
sleep disorder consisting of sudden and uncontrollable brief episodes of falling asleep during the day
somnambulism
sleepwalking
myelosis
tumor of the spinal cord
poliomyelitis
aka polio, highly contagious viral disease
radiculitis
pinched nerve, inflammation of the root of a spinal nerve that causes pain and numbness radiating down the affected limb
cervical radiculopathy
nerve pain caused by pressure on the spinal nerve roots in the neck region
lumbar radiculopathy
nerve pain in the lower back caused by muscle spasms or by nerve root irritation from the compression of disks
multiple sclerosis
progressive autoimmune disorder characterized by inflammation that causes demyelination of the myelin sheath
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Lou Gehrig’s disease, rapidly progressive neurological disease that attacks the nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscles
Bell’s palsy
temporary paralysis of the seventh cranial nerve that causes paralysis only of the affected side of the face
Guillain-Barre syndrome
inflammation of the myelin sheath of peripheral nerves, characterized by rapidly worsening muscle weakness that can lead to temporary paralysis. autoimmune reaction that can occur after certain viral infections or immunizations
Sciatica
inflammation of the sciatic nerve that results in pain, burning, and tingling along the course of the affected sciatic nerve through the thigh, leg, and foot
trigeminal neuralgia
characterized by severe lightening-like pain due to inflammation of the fifth cranial nerve, affects the cheek, lips, and gums only on one side of the face
cerebral palsy
condition characterized by poor muscle control, spasticity, speech defects, and other neurological deficiencies due to damage that affects the cerebrum, caused by injury during pregnancy, birth, or soon after
epilepsy
chronic neurological condition characterized by recurrent episodes of seizures of varying severity
seizure
sudden surge of electrical activity in the brain that affects how a person feels or acts for a short time
causalgia
persistent, severe burning pain that usually follows an injury to a sensory nerve
complex region pain syndrome
pain that occurs after an injury to an arm or a leg, a heart attack, stroke, or other medical problem. burning pain that is much worse than what would be expected from the injury
hyperesthesia
condition of abnormal and excessive sensitivity to touch, pain, or other sensory stimuli
parasthesia
refers to a burning or prickling sensation that is usually felt in the hands, arms, legs, or feet, but can also occur in other parts of the body, these symptoms may constitute the first signs of peripheral neuropathy or it may be a drug side effect
peripheral neuropathy
disorder of the nerves that carry info to and from the brain and spinal cord. Produces pain, the loss of sensation, and the inability to control muscles, particularly in the arms or legs
restless legs syndrome (RLS)
neurological disorder characterized by uncomfortable feelings in the legs, producing a strong urge to move them
carotid ultrasonography
an ultrasound study of the carotid artery, performed to detect plaque buildup in the artery to predict or diagnose an ischemic stroke
echoencephalography
the use of ultrasound imaging to diagnose a shift in the midline structures of the brain
electroencephalography
the process of recording the electrical activity of the brain through the use of electrodes attached to the scalp
myelography
a radiographic study of the spinal cord after the injection of a contrast medium through a lumbar puncture
lumbar puncture
spinal tap, process of obtaining a sample of cerebrospinal fluid by inserting a needle into the subarachnoid space of the lumbar region to withdraw fluid
amobarbital
barbiturate used as a sedative and hypnotic
hypnotic
depresses the central nervous system and usually produces sleep
anticonvulsant
administered to prevent seizures
barbiturates
class of drugs whose major action is a calming or depressed effect on the CNS
sedative
depresses the CNS to produce clam and diminished responsiveness without producing sleep
anesthesia
the absence of normal sensation, especially sensitivity to pain, that is induced by the administration of an anesthetic
anesthetic
the medication used to induce anesthesia, may be topical, local, regional, or general
epidural anesthetic
a regional anesthesia produced by injecting a local anesthetic into the epidural spcae of the lumbar or sacral region of the spine
agoraphobia
excessive fear of situations in which having a panic attack seems likely or dangerous or embarrassing, like leaving home for a social situation
mental retardation three criteria
- significant below-average intellectual functioning
- significant deficits in adaptive functioning
- onset during the developmental period of life, which is before 18
dissociative disorders
when normal though is separated from consciousness
dissociative identity disorder
multiple personalities, a mental illness characterized by the presence of two or more personalities, each with its own characteristics
factitious disorder
condition in which an individual acts as if he or she has a physical or mental illness when they are fine, motivated by a desire to receive attention and sympathy
factitious disorder by proxy
mentally ill parent will falsify an illness in a child by making up or inducing symptoms
impulse-control disorders
group of psychiatric disorders characterized by the inability to resist an impulse despite potential negative consequences
dysthymia
low-grade chronic depression with symptoms that are milder than those of severe depression but are present on a majority of days for 2 or more years
psychotic disorder
the loss of contact with reality and deterioration of normal social functioning
somatoform disorder
characterized by physical complaints or concerns about one’ body that are out of proportion to any physical findings or disease
conversion disorder
characterized by serious temporary or ongoing changes in function, such as paralysis or blindness, that are triggered by psychological factors rather than physical cause
hypochondriasis
fearing that one has a serious illness despite appropriate medical evaluation and reassurance
malingering
intentional creation of false or grossly exaggerated physical or psychological symptoms, motivated by avoiding work
delirium tremens
disorder involving sudden and severe mental changes or seizures caused by abruptly stopping use of alcohol
psychoanalysis
based on the idea that mental disorders have underlying causes stemming from childhood and can only be overcome by gaining insight into one’s feelings and patterns of behavior
behavior therapy
focuses on changing behavior by identifying problem behaviors, replacing them with appropriate behaviors, and using rewards or other consequences to make the changes
cognitive therapy
focuses on changing cognitions or thoughts that are affecting a person’s emotions and actions. These are identified and then challenged through logic, gathering evidence, and/or testing in action
