Ch. 10 Nervous System Diseases Flashcards
hydrocephalus
abnormal accumulation of fluid (CSF) in the brain
spina bifida
congenital defects in the lumbar spinal column caused by imperfect union of vertebral parts (neural tube defect)
spina bifida occulta
the vertebral defect is covered over with skin and evident only on x-ray or other imaging examination
spina bifida cystica
a more severe form, with cyst-like protrusions
meningocele
meninges protrude to the outside of the body
myelomeningocele
both the spinal cord and meninges protrude
Alzheimer diseases (AD)
brain disorder marked by gradual and progressive mental deterioration (dementia), personality changes, and impairment of daily functioning
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
degenerative disorder of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem… also known as Lou Gehrig disease
epilepsy
chronic brain disorder characterized by recurrent sizure activity
tonic-clonic seziures
characterized by a sudden loss of consciousness, falling down, and then tonic contractions (stiffening of muscles) followed by clonic contractions (twtiching and jerking movements of the limbs)
absence seizures
a form of seizure consisting of momentary clouding of consciousness and loss of awareness of the person’s surroundings
Huntington disease (Huntington chorea)
hereditary disorder marked by degernative changes in the cerebrum leading to abrupt involuntary movements and mental deterioration
multiple sclerosis (MS)
destruction of the myelin sheath on neurons in the CNS and its replacement by plaques of sclerotic (hard) tissue
myasthenia gravis (MG)
autoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterized by weakness of voluntary muscles
palsy
paralysis (partial or complete loss of motor function)
cerebral palsy
partial paralysis and lack of muscular coordination caused by loss of oxygen (hypoxia) or blood flow to the cerebrum during pregnancy or in the perinatal period
Bell palsy
paralysis on one side of the face
Parkinson disease (parkinsonism)
degeneration of neurons in the basal ganglia, occurring in later life and leading to tremors, weakness of muscles, and slowness of movement
Tourette syndrome
involuntary, spasmodic, twitching movements; uncontrollable vocal sounds; and inappropriate words
bradykinesia
shuffling gait (symptom of Parkinsons)
herpes zoster (shingles)
viral infection affecting peripheral nerves
meningitis
inflammation of the meninges; leptomeningitis
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) encephalopathy
brain disease and dementia occurring with AIDS
brain tumor
abnormal growth of brain tissue and meninges
cerebral concussion
type of traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head
cerebral contusion
bruising of brain tissue as a result of direct trauma to the head
cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
disruption in the normal blood supply to the brain ; stroke AKA cerebral infarction
Thrombotic stroke
blood clot (thrombus) in the arteries leading to the brain, resulting in occlusion of the vessel
Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)
short episodes of neurologic dysfunction … “mini strokes”
Embolic stroke
an embolus (a dislodged thrombus) travels to cerebral (brain) arteries and occludes in a small vessel… occurs very suddenly
Hemmorhagic stroke
a blood vessel, such as the cerebral artery, breaks and bleeding occurs
migraine
severe, recurring, unilateral, vascular headache
Astrocytoma
malignant tumor of astrocytes (glial brain cells)
aura
peculiar symptom or sensation occurring before the onset (prodromal) of an attack of migraine or an epileptic seizure
dementia
mental decline and deterioration
