Chapter 10 The Nervous System Medical Terms Flashcards
a brief disturbance in brain function in which there is a loss of awareness often described as a staring episode
absence seizure (petit mal seizure)
an excessive fear of heights
acrophobia
an excessive fear of environments where the person fears a panic might occur
agoraphobia
chronic alcohol dependence with specific signs and symptoms upon withdrawal
alcoholism
a group of disorders involving the parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language
Alzheimer’s disease
a memory disturbance marked by a total or partial inability to recall past experiences
amnesia
a rapidly progressive neurological disease that attacks the nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscles
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) (Lou Gehrig’s disease)
the absence of normal sensation, especially sensitivity to pain
anesthesia
medication used to induce anesthesia
anesthetic
medication that prevents seizures
anticonvulsant
medications administered to prevent or relieve depression
antidepressant
administered to treat symptoms of severe disorders of thinking and mood that are associated with neurological and psychiatric illnesses
antipsychotic drug (neuroleptic)
mental conditions characterized by excessive, irrational dread of everyday situations, or fear that is out of proportion to the real danger in a situation
anxiety disorders
medication administered to temporarily relieve anxiety and reduce tension
anxiolytic drug (antianxiety drug or tranquilizer)
loss of the ability to speak, write, and/or comprehend the written or spoken word
aphasia
an abnormal connection between the arteries and veins in the brain; may cause a hemorrhagic stroke
arteriovenous malformation
a condition characterized by a short attention span and impulsive behavior inappropriate for the child’s developmental age
attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
a subgroup of autistic spectrum disorders
autism
a group of conditions in which a young child has difficulty developing normal social relationships and communication skills, may compulsively follow repetitive routines, and has narrowly focused, intense interests
autistic spectrum disorders
a class of drugs whose major action is a calming or depressed effect on the central nervous system
barbiturates
therapy focuses on changing behavior by identifying problem behaviors, and using rewards or other consequences to make the changes
behavioral therapy
temporary paralysis of the seventh cranial nerve that causes paralysis only on the affected side of the face
Bell’s palsy
a mental condition characterized by cycles of severe mood changes shifting from highs and severe lows
bipolar disorder
an abnormal growth within the skull
brain tumor
an ultrasound study of the carotid artery that is performed to predict or diagnose an ischemic stroke
carotid ultrasonography
marked by a lack of responsiveness, stupor, and a tendency to remain in a fixed posture
catatonic behavior
persistent, severe, burning pain that usually follows and injury to a sensory nerve
causalgia
pain in the head
cephalalgia (headache)
bruising of brain tissue as the result of a head injury that causes the brain to bounce against the skull
cerebral contusion
a condition characterized by poor muscle control, spasticity, and other neurologic deficiencies
cerebral palsy
damage to the brain that occurs when the blood flow to the brain is disrupted
cerebrovascular accident
nerve pain caused by pressure on the spinal nerve roots in the neck region
cervical radiculopathy
abnormal fear of being in small or enclosed spaces
claustrophobia
intensely painful headaches that affect one side of the head and often occur in groups or clusters
cluster headaches
the mental activities associated with thinking, learning, and memory
cognition
treatment focused on changing cognitions on thoughts that are affecting a person’s emotions and actions
cognitive therapy
a deep state of unconscious marked by the absence of spontaneous eye movements, no response to painful stimuli, and no vocalization
coma
an imaging technique that uses a thin, fan-shaped x-ray beam to produce multiple cross-sectional views of the body
computed tomography
a violent shaking up or jarring of the brain
concussion
the state of being awake, alert, aware, and responding appropriately
conscious
a condition characterized by a serious temporary ongoing change in function, such as paralysis or blindness, triggered by psychological factors rather than any physical cause
conversion disorder
a collection of blood trapped in the tissues of the brain
cranial hematoma
a neurosurgical procedure used in the treatment of dystonia, tremors, and Parkinson’s disease
deep brain stimulation
an acute condition of confusion, disorientation, disordered thinking and memory, agitation, and hallucinations
delirium
a disorder involving sudden and severe mental changes or seizures caused by abruptly stopping the use of alcohol
delirium tremens
a false personal belief that is maintained despite obvious proof or evidence to the contrary
delusion
a slowly progressive decline in mental abilities including memory, thinking, and judgment that is often accompanied by personality changes
dementia
a common mood disorder characterized by lethargy and sadness, as well as a loss of interest or pleasure in normal activities
depression
conditions that occur when normal thought is separated from consciousness
dissociative disorder
a mental illness characterized by the presence of two or more distinct personalities, each with its own characteristics, which appear to exist within the same individual
dissociative identity disorder (multiple personality disorder)
the excessive use of illegal drugs or the misuse of prescription drugs
drug abuse
the accidental or intentional use of an illegal drug or prescription medicine in an amount higher than what is safe or normal
drug overdose
a learning disability characterized by substandard reading achievement due to the inability of the brain to process symbols
dyslexia (developmental reading disorder)
a low-grade chronic depression present on a majority of days for more than two years
dysthmia (dysthymic disorder)
the use of ultrasound imaging to create a detailed visual image of the brain for diagnostic purposes
echoencephalography
a procedure in which small amounts of electric current is passed through the brain, deliberately triggering a brief seizure in order to reverse symptoms of certain mental ilnesses
electroconvulsive therapy (electroshock therapy)
the process of recording the electrical activity of the brain through the use of electrodes attached to the scalp
electroencephalography
inflammation of the brain
encephalitis
a congenital herniation of brain substance through a gap in the skull
encephalocele (craniocele)
regional anesthesia produced by injecting medication into the epidural space of the lumbar or sacral region of the spine
epidural anesthesia
a chronic neurologic condition characterized by recurrent episodes or seizures of varying severity
epilepsy (seizure disorder)
a condition in which a person acts as if he or she has physical mental illness when he or she is not really sick
factitious disorder
a form of child abuse in which the mentally ill parent will falsify an illness in a child by making up or inducing symptoms and then seeking medical treatment, even surgery, for the child
factitious disorder by proxy
a type of radiation treatment for brain tumors
gamma knife surgery
a mental condition characterized by chronic, excessive worrying
generalized anxiety disorder
inflammation of the myelin sheath of peripheral nerves, characterized by rapidly worsening muscle weakness that may lead to temporary paralysis
Guillian-Barre syndrome (infectious polyneuritis)
a sensory perception experienced in the absence of an external stimuli
hallucination
damage to the brain that occurs when a blood vessel in the brain leaks
hemorrhagic stroke
a genetic disorder that causes nerve degeneration with symptoms that most often appear in midlife
Huntington’s disease
a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates within the ventricles of the brain
hydrocephalus
a condition of abnormal and excessive sensitivity to touch, pain, or other sensory stimuli
hyperesthesia
the use of hypnosis to produce an altered state of focused attention in which the patient may be more willing to believe and act on suggestions
hypnotherapy
medication that depresses the central nervous system and usually produces sleep
hypnotic
a condition characterized by fearing that one has a serious illness despite appropriate medical evaluation and reassurance
hypochondriasis
group of psychiatric disorders characterized by failure to resist an impulse despite potentially negative consequences
impulse control disorders
the prolonged or abnormal inability to sleep
insomnia
the amount of pressure inside the skull
intracranial pressure
damage that occurs when the flow of blood to the brain is blocked by the narrowing or blockage of a carotid artery
ischemic stroke
disorders found in children of normal intelligence who have difficulties in learning specific skills such as processing language or grasping mathematical concepts
learning disabilities
a lower level of consciousness marked by listlessness, drowsiness, and apathy
lethargy
term used to describe the measurement of response to arousal and stimulus
levels of consciousness
exposure to daylight or specific wave-lengths of light in order to counteract seasonal affective disorder
light therapy
the surgical removal of a lobe of an organ
lobectomy
the process of obtaining a sample of cerebrospinal fluid by inserting a needle into the subarachnoid space of the lumbar region to withdraw fluid
lumbar puncture (spinal tap)
nerve pain in the lower back
lumbar radiculopathy
an imaging technique that uses a combination of radio waves and a strong magnetic field to create signals that are sent to a computer and converted into images of any plane through the body
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
a condition characterized by the intentional creation of false or grossly exaggerated physical or psychological symptoms
malingering
an abnormal elevated mood state, including inappropriate elation, increased irritability, severe insomnia, poor judgment, and inappropriate social behavior
manic behavior
a common, slow-growing and usually benign tumor of the meninges
meningioma
inflammation of the meninges of the brain and spinal cord
meningitis (infectious meningitis)
the congenital herniation of the meninges through a defect in the skull or spinal column
meningocele
significant below-average intellectual and adaptive functioning present from birth or early infancy
mental retardation/intellectual disability
a headache characterized by throbbing pain on one side of the head and may not be preceded by a warning aura
migraine
a progressive autoimmune disorder characterized by inflammation that causes demyelination of the myelin sheath
multiple sclerosis
inflammation of the spinal cord; inflammation of bone marrow
myelitis
any pathological change or disease of the spinal cord
myelopathy
a tumor on the spinal cord
myelosis
a sleep disorder consisting of sudden and uncontrollable brief episodes of falling asleep during the day
narcolepsy
inflammation of a nerve accompanied by pain and sometimes loss of function
neuritis
an umbrella term for disorders in which there is a progressive loss of the structure or function of neurons
neurodegenerative disease
the surgical repair of a nerve or nerves
neuroplasty
surgically suturing together the ends of a severed nerve
neurorrhaphy
the surgical division or dissection of a nerve
neurotomy
a mental condition characterized by obsessions and/or compulsions
obsessive-compulsive disorder
an unexpected, sudden experience of fear in the absence of danger, accompanied by physical symptoms such as shortness of breath and chest pain
panic attack
a condition characterized by having more than one panic attack, resulting in persistent fear of the attacks
panic disorder
a burning or prickling sensation that is usually felt in the hands, arms, legs, or feet
paresthesia
a chronic, degenerative central nervous system disorder characterized by fine muscle tremors, rigidity, and a slow or shuffling gait
Parkinson’s disease
a disorder of the peripheral nerves that carry information to and from the brain and spinal cord, producing pain, loss or sensation, and inability to control muscles
peripheral neuropathy
a type of coma in which the patient exhibits alternating sleep and wake cycles; however, the individual is unconscious even when appearing to be awake
persistent vegetative state
a chronic pattern of inner experience and behavior that causes serious problems with relationship and work
personality disorder
a persistent irrational fear of a specific thing or situation strong enough to cause significant distress, interfere with functioning, and lead to avoidance of the thing or situation that causes this reaction
phobia
excessive sensitivity to light
photophobia
a highly contagious viral infection of the brainstem and spinal cord that sometimes leads to paralysis
poliomyelitis (polio)
the development of characteristic symptoms after a major traumatic event
post-traumatic stress disorder
treatment based on the idea that mental disorders have underlying causes stemming from childhood and can only be overcome by gaining insight into one’s feelings and patterns of behavior
psychoanalysis
a condition characterized by the loss of contact with reality and deterioration of normal social functioning
psychotic disorder
a drug that acts primarily on the central nervous system, where it produces temporary changes affecting the mind, emotions, and behavior
psychotropic drug
inflammation of the root of a spinal nerve that causes pain and numbness radiating down the affecting limb
radiculitis (pinched nerve)
a neurological disorder characterized by uncomfortable feelings in the legs, producing a strong urge to move them
restless legs syndrome
a potentially serious or deadly disorder in children that is characterized by vomiting and confusion, sometimes following a viral illness for which the child was treated with aspirin
Reye’s syndrome
a psychotic disorder characterized by withdrawal from reality, illogical patterns of thinking, delusions, and hallucinations
schizophrenia
inflammation of the sciatic nerve that results in pain, burning, and tingling along the course of the affected nerve
sciatica
a seasonal bout of depression associated with the decrease in hours of daylight during winter months
seasonal affective disorder
medication that depresses the central nervous system to produce calm and diminished responsiveness without producing sleep
sedative
a sudden surge of electrical activity in the brain that affects how a person feels or acts for a short time
seizure
describes the results of a child being violently shaken by someone
shaken baby syndrome
a sufficient lack of restorative sleep over a cumulative period so as to cause physical or psychiatric symptoms and affect routine performance
sleep deprivation
excessive fear of social situations where the person fears negative evaluation by others or embarrassing himself in front of others
social phobias (social anxiety disorder)
conditions that are characterized by physical complains or concerns about one’s body that are out of proportion to any physical findings or disease
somatoform disorder
the condition of walking or performing some other activity without awakening
somnambulism (sleepwalking or noctambulism)
regional anesthesia produced by injecting medication into the subarachnoid space
spinal anesthesia
paralysis resulting from damage to the spinal cord that prevents nerve impulses from being transmitted below the level of injury
spinal cord injuries
a substance that works by increasing activity in certain areas of the brain to increase concentration and wakefulness
stimulant
an unresponsive state from which a person can be aroused only briefly despite vigorous repeated attempts
stupor
the addictive use of tobacco, alcohol, medications, or illegal drugs
substance abuse
the brief loss of consciousness caused by the decreased flow of blood to the brain
syncope (fainting)
an acute and potentially fatal infection of the central nervous system caused by a toxin produced by the tetanus bacteria
tetanus (lockjaw)
surgical incision into the thalamus
thalamotomy
a type of seizure involving the whole body
tonic-clonic seizure (grand mal seizure)
a complex neurological disorder characterized by involuntary tics, grunts, and compulsive utterances
Tourette syndrome
a temporary interruption in the blood supply to the brain
transient ischemic attack (TIA)
a blow to the head or a penetrating head injury that damages the brain
traumatic brain injury
inflammation of the fifth cranial nerve characterized by sudden, intense, brief attacks of sharp pain on one side of the face
trigeminal neuralgia
a state of being aware and unable to respond to any stimuli including pain
unconscious
a form of dementia caused by a restriction of blood to the brain
vascular dementia
