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Language of Medicine > Chapter 10. Nervous System - Medical Terms > Flashcards

Chapter 10. Nervous System - Medical Terms Flashcards

1
Q

acetylcholine

A

neurotransmitter chemical released at the ends of nerve cells

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2
Q

afferent nerve

A

carries nervous impulses toward the brain and spinal cord; sensory nerve

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3
Q

akinetic

A

pertaining to loss or absence of voluntary movement

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4
Q

analgesia

A

absence of sensitivity to pain

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5
Q

aphasia

A

inability to speak; language function is impaired due to injury to the cerebral cortex

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6
Q

apraxia

A

inability to perform purposeful acts or manipulate objects

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7
Q

arachnoid membrane

A

middle layer of the meninges that surround the brain and spinal cord

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8
Q

astrocyte

A

glial (neuroglial) cell that transports salts and water from capillaries

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9
Q

ataxia

A

without coordination

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10
Q

autonomic nervous system

A

nerves that control involuntary body functions of muscles, glands, and internal organs

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11
Q

axon

A

microscopic fiber that carries a nervous impulse along a nerve cell

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12
Q

blood-brain barrier

A

blood vessels that let certain substances enter the brain tissue3 and keep other substances out

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13
Q

bradykinesia

A

slow movement

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14
Q

brainstem

A

lower portion of the brain that connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord

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15
Q

cauda equina

A

collection of spinal nerves below the end of the spinal cord

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16
Q

causalgia

A

intensely unpleasant burning pain in a limb following damage to nerves

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17
Q

cell body

A

part of the nerve cell (neuron) that contains the nucleus

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18
Q

central nervous system

A

brain and spinal cord

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19
Q

cephalgia

A

head pain; headache

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20
Q

cerebellar

A

pertaining to the cerebellum

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21
Q

cerebellopontine

A

pertaining to the cerebellum and pons

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22
Q

cerebral cortex

A

outer region of the cerebrum

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23
Q

cerebrospinal fluid

A

clear, watery fluid that circulates throughout the brain and spinal cord

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24
Q

cerebrum

A

largest part of the brain; responsible for voluntary muscular activity, vision, speech, taste, hearing, thought and memory, among other functions

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25
Q

coma

A

state of unconsciousness from which a patient cannot be aroused

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26
Q

comatose

A

pertaining to a coma

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27
Q

cranial nerves

A

twelve pairs of nerves that carry messages to and from the brain

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28
Q

dendrite

A

microscopic branching portion of a nerve cell; first part of the nerve cell to receive the nervous impulse

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29
Q

dura mater

A

thick, outermost layer of the meninges surrounding the brain and spinal cord

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30
Q

dyskinesia

A

impairment of the ability to perform voluntary movements

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31
Q

dyslexia

A

difficulty in reading, writing, and learning

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32
Q

efferent nerve

A

carries messages away from the brain to the spinal cord; motor nerve

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33
Q

encephalitis

A

inflammation of the brain

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34
Q

encephalopathy

A

disease of the brain

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35
Q

ependymal cell

A

a glial cell that lines the membranes within the brain and spinal cord and helps form cerebrospinal fluid

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36
Q

epidural hematoma

A

collection of blood located above the dura mater

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37
Q

ganglion

A

collection of nerve cell bodies in the peripheral nervous system; plural is ganglia

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38
Q

glial cell

A

nervous system cell that is supportive and connective in function: Astrocyte, microglial cell, ependymal cell

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39
Q

glioblastoma

A

rapidly growing malignant tumor of the brain

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40
Q

gyrus, gyri

A

sheet of nerve cells that produces a rounded fold on the surface of the cerebrum

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41
Q

hemiparesis

A

slight paralysis of the right or left half of the body

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42
Q

hemiplegia

A

paralysis of the right or left half of the body

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43
Q

hypalgesia

A

diminished sensitivity to pain

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44
Q

hyperesthesia

A

excessive sensitivity or feeling, especially of the skin in response to touch or pain

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45
Q

hyperkinesis

A

excessive movement

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46
Q

hypothalamus

A

portion of the brain beneath the thalamus; controls sleep, appetite, body temperature, and secretions from the pituitary gland

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47
Q

intrathecal

A

pertaining to within the membranes (meninges) surrounding the brain and spinal cord

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48
Q

leptomeningeal

A

pertaining to the two thinner membranes (arachnoid membrane and pia mater) surrounding the brain and spinal cord

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49
Q

medulla oblongata

A

lower part of the brain, closest to the spinal cord; controls breathing, heartbeat, and size of size of blood vessels

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50
Q

meningeal

A

pertaining to meninges

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51
Q

meninges

A

three membranes surrounding and protecting the brain and spinal cord

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52
Q

meningioma

A

tumor (benign) of the meninges

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53
Q

microglial cell

A

phagocytic glial cell that removes waste products from the central nervous system

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54
Q

motor nerve

A

carries impulses from the brain and spinal cord to muscles

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55
Q

myelin sheath

A

fatty, white covering over the axon of a nerve cell

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56
Q

myelogram

A

x-ray record (with contrast) of the spinal cord

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57
Q

myelomeningocele

A

congenital hernia (protrusion) of the spinal cord and meninges through a defect (gap) in the vertebral column, this defect is often associated with spina bifida

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58
Q

myoneural

A

pertaining to muscle and nerve

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59
Q

narcolepsy

A

sudden seizures of sleep

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60
Q

nerve

A

macroscopic cordlike collection of fibers that carry electrical impulses

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61
Q

neuralgia

A

nerve pain

62
Q

neurasthenia

A

lack of strength in nerves; a feeling of weakness and exhaustion

63
Q

neuroglia

A

supporting cells (stroma) of the nervous system; glial cells

64
Q

neuron

A

nerve cell

65
Q

neuropathy

A

disease of nerves; primarily in the peripheral nervous system

66
Q

neurotransmitter

A

chemical messenger released at the end of a nerve cell

67
Q

oligodendroglial cell

A

glial (neuroglial) cell that forms the myelin sheath covering the axon of a neuron

68
Q

paraplegia

A

paralysis of the lower part of the body and both legs

69
Q

parasympathetic nerves

A

involuntary, autonomic, nerves that regulate normal body functions, such as heart rate, breathing, and the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract

70
Q

parenchyma

A

essential, functioning cells of any organ; neurons (nerve cells) are the parenchyma of the nervous system

71
Q

paresis

A

slight paralysis

72
Q

paresthesia

A

abnormal nervous sensation occurring without apparent cause; examples are tingling, numbness or prickling sensations

73
Q

peripheral nervous system

A

nerves outside the brain and spinal cord; cranial, spinal, and autonomic nerves

74
Q

pia mater

A

thin, delicate, innermost membrane of the meninges

75
Q

plexus

A

network of nerves outside of the central nervous system; brachial, cervical, lumbosacral plexuses are examples

76
Q

poliomyelitis

A

inflammation of the gray matter of the spinal cord

77
Q

polyneuritis

A

inflammation of many nerves

78
Q

pons

A

part of the brainstem anterior to the cerebellum, between the medulla and the rest of the brain; the pons connects the upper and lower portions of the brain

79
Q

quadriplegia

A

paralysis of all four limbs; both arms and both legs

80
Q

radiculitis

A

inflammation of a spinal nerve root

81
Q

radiculopathy

A

disease of a spinal nerve root

82
Q

receptor

A

organ that receives nervous stimulation and passes it on to nerves that carry the stimulation to the brain and spinal cord; skin, ears, eyes and taste buds

83
Q

sciatic nerve

A

extends from the base of the spine down the thigh, lower leg, and foot; sciatica is pain along the course of the nerve

84
Q

sensory nerve

A

carries messages to the brain and spinal cord from a receptor; afferent nerve

85
Q

spinal nerves

A

thirty-one pairs of nerves arising from the spinal cord; each spinal nerve affects a particular area of the skin

86
Q

stimulus

A

agent of change (light, sound, touch) that evokes a response

87
Q

stroma

A

connective and supportive tissue of an organ

88
Q

subdural hematoma

A

collection of blood in the space below the dura mater surrounding the brain

89
Q

sulcus, sulci

A

depression or groove in the surface of the cerebral cortex; fissure

90
Q

sympathetic nerves

A

autonomic nerves that activate responses in times of stress; heartbeat, respiration, and blood pressure are affected

91
Q

synapse

A

space between nerve cells or between nerve cells and muscle and glandular cells

92
Q

syncopal

A

pertaining to a syncope (fainting)

93
Q

syncope

A

fainting; temporary loss of consciousness

94
Q

thalamic

A

pertaining to the thalamus

95
Q

thalamus

A

main relay center of the brain; located in the central region or diencephalon of the brain

96
Q

trigeminal neuralgia

A

flashes of stab like pain along the course of a branch of the trigeminal nerve (5th crainial nerve); the trigeminal nerve has branches to the eye, upper jaw and lower jaw

97
Q

vagal

A

pertaining to the vagus nerve

98
Q

vagus nerve

A

tenth cranial nerve with branches to the chest and abdominal organs

99
Q

ventricles of the brain

A

fluid (cerebrospinal fluid) filled canals in the brain

100
Q

absence seizure

A

minor form of seizure, consisting of momentary clouding of consciousness and loss of contact with the environment

101
Q

alzheimer disease

A

brain disorder marked by progressive, gradual mental deterioration (dementia) along with personality and impairment of daily functioning

102
Q

amyotropic lateral sclerosis

A

degenerative disorder of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem and resulting in total body paralysis

103
Q

aneurysm

A

weakening of an arterial wall, which may lead to hemorrhage and cerebrovascular accident (stroke)

104
Q

astrocytoma

A

brain tumor composed of astrocytes (glial cells); the most serious of these tumors is a glioblastoma multiforme (Grades III and IV malignant brain tumor)

105
Q

aura

A

peculiar sensation appearing before more definite symptoms

106
Q

bell palsy

A

unilateral paralysis of the face caused by a disorder of the facial nerve

107
Q

cerebral angiography

A

x-ray record of blood vessels in the brain after intravenous injection of contrast material

108
Q

cerebral concussion

A

temporary brain dysfunction (brief loss of consciousness) after injury; usually clearing within 24 hours

109
Q

cerebral contusion

A

bruising of brain tissue as a result of direct trauma to the head; neurologic disorder persists longer than 24 hours

110
Q

cerebral hemorrhage

A

bursting of an artery in the brain

111
Q

cerebral palsy

A

partial paralysis and muscular coordination caused by loss of oxygen or blood flow to the cerebrum during pregnancy or in the perinatal period

112
Q

cerebrospinal fluid analysis

A

samples of cerebrospinal fluid are examined for blood, cells, protein, glucose, tumor cells, bacteria and other substances

113
Q

cerebrovascular accident (CVA)

A

disruption of the normal blood supply to the brain; stroke

114
Q

computed tomography

A

cross-sectional x-ray imaging of an organ (such as the brain or spinal cord) with or without contrast material

115
Q

dementia

A

mental decline and deterioration

116
Q

demyelination

A

destruction of myelin on axons of nerves (as in multiple sclerosis)

117
Q

dopamine

A

neurotransmitter in the central nervous system; deficient in patients with Parkinson disease

118
Q

Doppler ultrasound studies

A

sound waves are used to detect blood flow in arteries within the brain leading to the brain

119
Q

electroencephalography

A

process of recording the electricity within the brain

120
Q

embolus

A

blood clot that is carried by the bloodstream from one area of the body to another where it blocks a blood vessel

121
Q

epilepsy

A

brain disorder marked by recurrent attacks (seizures) or abnormal nervous impulses

122
Q

gait

A

manner of walking

123
Q

glioblastoma

A

highly malignant brain tumor composed of glial cells (astrocytes)

124
Q

herpes zoster

A

viral infection affecting peripheral nerves

125
Q

HIV encephalopathy

A

disease of the brain (dementia) caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome)

126
Q

Huntington disease

A

hereditary disorder affecting the cerebrum and involving abrupt, involuntary, jerking movements and mental deterioration in later stages

127
Q

hydrocephalus

A

abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles (canals) of the brain

128
Q

ictal event

A

pertaining to a sudden, acute onset, as the convulsion of an epileptic seizure

129
Q

lumbar puncture

A

withdrawal of cerebrospinal fluid from the subarachnoid space between two lumbar vertebrae; spinal tap

130
Q

magnetic resonance imaging

A

magnetic and radio waves create an image of an organ three planes of the body; the brain and spinal cord can be imaged to detect lesions

131
Q

meningitis

A

inflammation of the meninges

132
Q

meningocele

A

hernia of the meninges through a defect or space between vertebrae; a form of spina bifida cystica

133
Q

migraine

A

a severe headache that is often accompanied by nausea and vomiting

134
Q

multiple sclerosis

A

chronic neurologic disorder marked by destruction of the myelin sheath on neuronal axons in the CNS and replacement by plaques of sclerotic tissue

135
Q

myasthenia gravis

A

autoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterized by weakness of voluntary muscles

136
Q

migraine

A

a severe headache, often unilateral, and sometimes accompanies by nausea and vomiting

137
Q

occlusion

A

blockage or obstruction

138
Q

palliative

A

relieving symptoms, but not curative

139
Q

palsy

A

paralysis

140
Q

Parkinson disease

A

degeneration of nerve cells that produce the neurotransmitter, dopamine in the brain; leads to tremors, weakness of muscles, and slowness of movement

141
Q

positron emission tomography

A

computerized radiologic procedure using radioactive glucose or oxygen to image the metabolic activity of cells, such as brain cells

142
Q

shingles

A

viral (herpes zoster) illness that affects peripheral nerves; produces blisters and pain on the skin overlying the path of peripheral nerves

143
Q

spina bifida

A

congenital defect in the lumbar spinal column caused by imperfect union of vertebral parts; spinal cord and meninges may herniate through the vertebral gap

144
Q

stereotactic radiosurgery

A

use of a specialized instrument using three-dimensional coordinates to locate the site to be operated on

145
Q

thrombus

A

blood clot

146
Q

tic

A

involuntary movement of a small group of muscles, as of the face

147
Q

tonic-clonic seizure

A

a major seizure affecting the brain in epilepsy

148
Q

tourette syndrome

A

neurologic disorder characterized by multiple facial and other body tics

149
Q

transient ischemic attack

A

fleeting episode of ischemia (holding back blood) in the brain

150
Q

cerebellum

A

controls body temperature, sleep, appetite, emotions, and the pituitary gland

Language of Medicine (49 decks)

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