Ch. 10 - Terms and Abbv. Flashcards
acetycholine
neurotransmitter chemical released at the ends of nerve cells
afferent nerve
carries messages TOWARD the brain and spinal cord
arachnoid membrane
Middle layer of the three membranes (meninges) that surround the brain and spinal cord
astrocyte
type of glial cell transports water and salts from capillaries in the nervous system
autonomic nervous system
nerves that control involuntary body functions of muscles, glands and internal organs
axon
microscopic fiber that is part of a neuron and carries nervous impulse along a nerve cell.
blood-brain barrier
protective separation between the blood and brain cells. This makes it difficult for substances (such as anti-cancer drugs) to penetrate capillary walls and enter the brain
brainstem
posterior portion of the brain that connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord; includes midbrain, pons and medulla oblongata
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 (CNS)
brain and 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 (CSF)
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
nerves carry messages to and from the brain to all parts of the head and neck and also to other parts of the body. 12 pairs of cranial nerves
dendrite
microscopic branching fiber of a nerve cell (neuron) that is the first part to receive the nervous impulse.
dura mater
thick, outermost layer of the meninges surrounding the protecting the brain and spinal cord
efferent nerve
carries messages AWAY from the brain and spinal cord
ependymal cell
glial cell that lines membranes within the brain and spinal cord and helps form cerebrospinal fluid
ganglion, ganglia
collection of nerve cells bodies in the peripheral nervous system
glial cell (neuroglial cell)
supportive and connective nerve cell that does not carry nervous impulses.
gyrus, gyri
sheet of nerve cells that produces a rounded edge on the surface of the cerebral cortex; convolution
hypothalamus
portion of the brain beneath the thalamus; controls sleep, appetite, body temperature, and secretions from the pituitary gland
medulla oblongata
part of the brain just above the spinal cord; controls breathing, heartbeat, and the size of blood vessels; nerve fibers cross over here
meninges
three protective membranes that surround the brain and the spinal cord.
microglial cell
phagocytic glial cell that removes waste products from the central nervous system
midbrain
uppermost portion of the brain
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 the insulates the axon of a nerve cell. Myelin speeds impulse conduction along axons.
nerve
macroscopic cord-like collection of fibers (axons) that carry electrical impulses
neuron
nerve cell that is necessary for impulses to be carried throughout the nervous system; parenchyma of the nervous system
neurotransmitter
chemical messenger released at the end of a nerve cell. it stimulates inhibits another cell, which can be a nerve cell, muscle cell, or gland cell.
oligodendroglial cell
glial cell that forms the myelin sheath covering axons. Also called oligodendrocyte
parasympathetic nerves
involuntary autonomic nerves 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.
peripheral nervous system
nerves outside the brain and spinal cord: cranial, spinal and autonomic nerves
pia mater
thin, delicate inner membrane of the meninges
plexus, plexuses
large, interlacing network of nerves
pons
part of the brain anterior to the cerebellum and between the medulla and the rest of the midbrain. It is a bridge connecting various parts of the brain.
receptor
organ that receives and transmits a stimulus to sensory nerves. Ex. skin, ears, eyes, taste buds
sciatic nerve
nerve extending from the base of the spine down the thich, lower leg and foot
sensory nerve
carries messages toward the brain and spinal cord from a receptor; afferent nerve
spinal nerve
pairs of nerves, arising one on each side of the spinal column. They transmit messages to and from the spinal cord
stimulus, stimuli
agent of change in the internal or external environment that evokes a response. (light, sound, touch, pressure or pain)
stroma
connective and supporting tissue of an organ.
sulcus, sulci
depression or groove in the surface of the cerebral cortex; fissure
sympathetic nerves
autonomic nerves that influence bodily functions involuntary in times of stess
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 nerve. Branches reach to the larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs, aorta, esophagus, and stomach
ventricles of the brain
canals in the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid.
absence seizure
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 brain tumor of astrocytes
aura
peculiar symptom or sensation occurring before the onset of an attack of migraine or a epileptic seizure
dementia
mental decline and deterioration
demyelination
destruction of myelin on axons or neurons
dopamine
CNS neurotransmitter, deficient in patient with Parkinson disease.
embolus
clot of material that travels through the bloodstream and suddenly blocks a vessel
gait
pertaining to a sudden, acute onset, as with the convulsions of an epileptic seizure
occulasion
blockage
palliative
relieving symptoms but not curing them
thymectomy
removal of the thymus gland
TIA
Transient Ischemic Attack. Can occur with all 3 types of strokes; thrombolytic, embolic and hemorrhagic
tic
involuntary movement of a small group of muscles. (Characteristics of Tourette syndrome)
tonic-clonic seizure
major convulsive seizure marked by sudden loss of consciousness, stiffening of muscles, and twitching and jerking movements.
AD
Alzheimer Disease
AFP
Alpha-Fetoprotein; elevated levels in amniotic fluid and maternal blood are associated with congenital malformations of the nervous system, such as anencephaly and spina bifida
ALS
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
AVM
Arteriovenous Malformation; congenital tangle of arteries and veins in the cerebrum
BBB
Blood-Brain Barrier
CNS
Central Nervous System
CSF
Cerebrospinal Fluid
CTE
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy
CVA
Cerebrovascular Accident
EEG
Electroencephalography
GABA
Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (neurotransmitter)
ICP
Intracranial Pressure
(normal is 5-15 mm Hg)
LP
Lumbar Puncture
MAC
Monitored Anesthetic Care
MG
Myasthenia Gravis
MRA
Magnetic Resonance Angiography
MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
MS
Multliple Sclerosis
1/2 P
hemiparesis
PCA
Patient-Controlled Analgesia
PET
Positron Emission Tomography
PNS
Peripheral Nervous System
PSRS
Proton Stereotactic Radiosurgery
Sz
Seizure
TBI
Traumatic Brain Injury
TENS
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation; technique using battery power to relieve acute and chronic pain
TIA
Transient Ischemic Attack;
temporary interfence with the blood supply to the brain
TLE
Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
tPA
Tissue Plasminogen Activator;
a clot-dissolving drug used as therapy for stroke
