Chapter 10 Flashcards
Epilepsy
Chronic brain disorder characterized by recurrent seizure activity.
Huntington’s disease
Hereditary disorder marked by degenerative 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.
Palsy
Paralysis (partial or complete loss of motor function). Cerebral palsy is 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. The likely cause is a viral infection
Parkinson’s disease
Degeneration of neurons in the basal ganglia, occurring in later life and leading to tremors, weakness of muscles, and slowness of movement.
Tourette’s
Involuntary spasmodic, twitching movements; uncontrollable vocal sounds; and inappropriate words.
herpes zoster (shingles)
Viral infection affecting peripheral nerves.
Meningitis
Inflammation of the meninges; leptomeningitis. This condition can be caused by bacteria (pyogenic meningitis) or viruses
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Brain disease and dementia occurring with AIDS.
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.
Thrombotic stroke
blood clot (thrombus) in the arteries leading to the brain, resulting in occlusion
Embolic stroke
an embolus (a dislodged thrombus) travels to cerebral arteries and occludes a vessel. This type of stroke occurs very suddenly.
Hemorrhagic stroke
a cerebral artery breaks and bleeding occurs. This type of stroke can be fatal and results from advancing age, atherosclerosis, or high blood pressure
Major risk factors for strokes
The major risk factors for stroke are hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and heart disease.
Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)
Surgical intervention with carotid endarterectomy (removal of the atherosclerotic plaque along with the inner lining of the affected carotid artery) also is possible.
cerebrospinal fluid analysis
Samples of CSF are examined. CSF analysis measures protein, glucose, and red (RBC) and white (WBC) blood cells as well as other chemical contents of the CSF.
cerebral angiography
X-ray imaging of the arterial blood vessels in the brain after injection of contrast material.
computed tomography (CT) of the brain
Computerized x-ray technique that generates multiple images of the brain and spinal cord.
electroencephalography (EEG)
Recording of the electrical activity of the brain.
lumbar puncture (LP)
CSF is withdrawn from between two lumbar vertebrae for analysis
LOC
Level of consciousness
ICP
Intracranial Pressure
DTR
Deep tendon Reflex
Rombergs test
Tests for cerebellar function (balance)
Babinski test
Test on the sole of the foot where it stimulates an inflection of the toes is observed
Burr holes
Small holes that relieve pressure on the brain
Cerebellar
Coordination of voluntary movements and balance
Cerebral
Thinking, personality, sensations, movements, memory
Subdural Hematoma
A pool of blood between the brain and its outermost covering
Epidural Hematoma
Occurs when blood accumulates between the skull and Dura Mater
Encephalitis
Inflammation of the brain
Encephalopathy
Damage or disease that affects the brain
Anencephaly
a serious birth defect in which a baby is born without parts of the brain and skull.
Glioblastoma
Malignant tumor affecting the brain or spine
Meningeal
Pertaining to the meninges
Myelomeningocele
A birth defect in which the child’s backbone and spinal cord don’t close before birth
Myoneural
Pertaining to both muscle and nerve
Myelopathy
Disease of the spinal cord
Neuropathy
Disease of the nerves
Polyneuritis
Inflammation of many peripheral nerves at the same time
Radiculopathy
injury or damage to nerve roots in the area where they leave the spine
Radiculitis
Inflammation of nerve roots
Vagal
Pertaining to the vagus nerve
Analgesia
Absence of pain
Hypalgesia
Decreased sensitivity to pain
Neuralgia
a sharp, shocking pain that follows the path of a nerve and is due to irritation or damage to the nerve
Cephalgia
pain affecting the head, face, or neck
Causalgia
a constant, usually burning pain that results from injury to a peripheral nerve
Comatose
in a state of deep and usually prolonged unconsciousness
Anesthesia
the use of medicines to prevent pain during surgery and other procedures
Hyperesthesia
a neurological condition that causes a person extreme sensitivity to touch, pain, pressure, and thermal sensations
Paresthesia
the sensation of tingling, burning, pricking or prickling (pins and needles)
Bradykinesia
slowness of movement and speed
Hyperkinesis
abnormally increased and sometimes uncontrollable activity or muscular movements
Dyskinesia
Uncontrolled, involuntary muscle movement.
Narcolepsy
A chronic sleep disorder that causes overwhelming daytime drowsiness
Hemiparesis
Muscle weakness or partial paralysis on one side of the body that can affect the arms, legs, and facial muscles
Aphasia
A language disorder that affects a person’s ability to communicate.
Hemiplegia
paralysis of one side of the body
Paraplegia
Paralysis that affects all or part of the trunk, legs, and pelvic organs.
Quadriplegia
a symptom of paralysis that affects all a person’s limbs and body from the neck down.
Apraxia
Difficulty with skilled movements even when a person has the ability and desire to do them
Syncope
Loss of consciousness
Ataxia
Impaired balance or coordination
