Chapter 10 Pathology

Question 1

hydrocephalus

Answer 1

abnormal accumulation of fluid (CSF) in the brain

Question 2

spina bifida

Answer 2

congenital defects in the lumbar spinal column caused by imperfect union of vertebral parts (neural tube defect)

Question 3

Alzheimer disease

Answer 3

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

Question 4

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Answer 4

degenerative disorder of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem

Question 5

epilepsy

Answer 5

chronic brain disorder characterized by recurrent seizure activity

Question 6

Huntington disease

Answer 6

hereditary disorder marked by degenerative changes in the cerebrum leading to abrupt involuntary movements and mental deterioration

Question 7

multiple sclerosis (MS)

Answer 7

destruction of the myelin sheath on neurons in the CNS and its replacement by plaques of sclerotic (hard) tissue

Question 8

myasthenia gravis (MG)

Answer 8

autoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterized by weakness of voluntary muscles

Question 9

palsy

Answer 9

paralysis (partial or complete loss of motor function)

Question 10

Parkinson’s disease

Answer 10

degeneration of neurons in the basal ganglia, occurring in later life and leading to tremors, weakness of muscles, and slowness of movement

Question 11

Tourette syndrome

Answer 11

involuntary spasmodic, twitching movements, uncontrollable vocal sounds, and inappropriate words

Question 12

herpes zoster (shingles)

Answer 12

viral infection affecting peripheral nerves

Question 13

meningitis

Answer 13

inflammation of the meninges; leptomeningitis

Question 14

human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) encephalopathy

Answer 14

brain disease and dementia occurring with AIDS

Question 15

brain tumor

Answer 15

abnormal growth of brain tissue and meninges

Question 16

cerebral concussion

Answer 16

type of traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head

Question 17

cerebral contusion

Answer 17

bruising of brain tissue resulting from direct trauma to the head

Question 18

cerebrovascular accient (CVA)

Answer 18

disruption in normal blood supply to the brain; stroke; cerebral infarction

Question 19

migraine

Answer 19

severe, recurring, unilateral, vascular headache

Question 20

absence seizure

Answer 20

form of seizure consisting of momentary clouding of consciousness and loss of awareness of surroundings

Question 21

aneurysm

Answer 21

enlarged, weakened area in an arterial wall, which may rupture, leading to hemorrhage and CVA (stroke)

Question 22

astrocytoma

Answer 22

malignant brain tumor of astrocytes (glial brain cells)

Question 23

aura

Answer 23

peculiar symptom or sensation occurring before the onset (prodromal) of an attack of migraine or an epileptic seizure

Question 24

dementia

Answer 24

mental decline and deterioration

Question 25

demyelination

Answer 25

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

Question 26

dopamine

Answer 26

CNS neurotransmitter, deficient in a patient with Parkinson’s disease

Question 27

embolus

Answer 27

clot of material that travels through the bloodstream and suddenly blocks a vessel

Question 28

gait

Answer 28

manner of walking

Question 29

ictal event

Answer 29

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

Question 30

occlusion

Answer 30

blockage

Question 31

palliative

Answer 31

relieving symptoms but not curing them

Question 32

thymectomy

Answer 32

removal of the thymus gland (a lymphocyte-producing gland in the chest); used as treatment for myasthenia gravis

Question 33

TIA

Answer 33

transient ischemic attack; can occur with all three types of stroke; characterized by a limited time course of neurologic deficits

Question 34

tic

Answer 34

involuntary movement of a small group of muscles, as of the face; characteristic of Tourette syndrome

Question 35

tonic-clonic seizure

Answer 35

major (grand mal) convulsive seizure marked by sudden loss of consciousness, stiffening of muscles, and twitching and jerking movements