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►MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY STATES > Chapter 10 The Nervous System Medical Terms > Flashcards

Chapter 10 The Nervous System Medical Terms Flashcards

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1
Q

a brief disturbance in brain function in which there is a loss of awareness often described as a staring episode

A

absence seizure (petit mal seizure)

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2
Q

an excessive fear of heights

A

acrophobia

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3
Q

an excessive fear of environments where the person fears a panic might occur

A

agoraphobia

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4
Q

chronic alcohol dependence with specific signs and symptoms upon withdrawal

A

alcoholism

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5
Q

a group of disorders involving the parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language

A

Alzheimer’s disease

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6
Q

a memory disturbance marked by a total or partial inability to recall past experiences

A

amnesia

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7
Q

a rapidly progressive neurological disease that attacks the nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscles

A

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) (Lou Gehrig’s disease)

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8
Q

the absence of normal sensation, especially sensitivity to pain

A

anesthesia

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9
Q

medication used to induce anesthesia

A

anesthetic

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10
Q

medication that prevents seizures

A

anticonvulsant

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11
Q

medications administered to prevent or relieve depression

A

antidepressant

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12
Q

administered to treat symptoms of severe disorders of thinking and mood that are associated with neurological and psychiatric illnesses

A

antipsychotic drug (neuroleptic)

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13
Q

mental conditions characterized by excessive, irrational dread of everyday situations, or fear that is out of proportion to the real danger in a situation

A

anxiety disorders

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14
Q

medication administered to temporarily relieve anxiety and reduce tension

A

anxiolytic drug (antianxiety drug or tranquilizer)

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15
Q

loss of the ability to speak, write, and/or comprehend the written or spoken word

A

aphasia

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16
Q

an abnormal connection between the arteries and veins in the brain; may cause a hemorrhagic stroke

A

arteriovenous malformation

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17
Q

a condition characterized by a short attention span and impulsive behavior inappropriate for the child’s developmental age

A

attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

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18
Q

a subgroup of autistic spectrum disorders

A

autism

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19
Q

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

A

autistic spectrum disorders

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20
Q

a class of drugs whose major action is a calming or depressed effect on the central nervous system

A

barbiturates

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21
Q

therapy focuses on changing behavior by identifying problem behaviors, and using rewards or other consequences to make the changes

A

behavioral therapy

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22
Q

temporary paralysis of the seventh cranial nerve that causes paralysis only on the affected side of the face

A

Bell’s palsy

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23
Q

a mental condition characterized by cycles of severe mood changes shifting from highs and severe lows

A

bipolar disorder

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24
Q

an abnormal growth within the skull

A

brain tumor

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25
Q

an ultrasound study of the carotid artery that is performed to predict or diagnose an ischemic stroke

A

carotid ultrasonography

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26
Q

marked by a lack of responsiveness, stupor, and a tendency to remain in a fixed posture

A

catatonic behavior

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27
Q

persistent, severe, burning pain that usually follows and injury to a sensory nerve

A

causalgia

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28
Q

pain in the head

A

cephalalgia (headache)

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29
Q

bruising of brain tissue as the result of a head injury that causes the brain to bounce against the skull

A

cerebral contusion

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30
Q

a condition characterized by poor muscle control, spasticity, and other neurologic deficiencies

A

cerebral palsy

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31
Q

damage to the brain that occurs when the blood flow to the brain is disrupted

A

cerebrovascular accident

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32
Q

nerve pain caused by pressure on the spinal nerve roots in the neck region

A

cervical radiculopathy

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33
Q

abnormal fear of being in small or enclosed spaces

A

claustrophobia

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34
Q

intensely painful headaches that affect one side of the head and often occur in groups or clusters

A

cluster headaches

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35
Q

the mental activities associated with thinking, learning, and memory

A

cognition

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36
Q

treatment focused on changing cognitions on thoughts that are affecting a person’s emotions and actions

A

cognitive therapy

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37
Q

a deep state of unconscious marked by the absence of spontaneous eye movements, no response to painful stimuli, and no vocalization

A

coma

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38
Q

an imaging technique that uses a thin, fan-shaped x-ray beam to produce multiple cross-sectional views of the body

A

computed tomography

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39
Q

a violent shaking up or jarring of the brain

A

concussion

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40
Q

the state of being awake, alert, aware, and responding appropriately

A

conscious

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41
Q

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

A

conversion disorder

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42
Q

a collection of blood trapped in the tissues of the brain

A

cranial hematoma

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43
Q

a neurosurgical procedure used in the treatment of dystonia, tremors, and Parkinson’s disease

A

deep brain stimulation

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44
Q

an acute condition of confusion, disorientation, disordered thinking and memory, agitation, and hallucinations

A

delirium

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45
Q

a disorder involving sudden and severe mental changes or seizures caused by abruptly stopping the use of alcohol

A

delirium tremens

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46
Q

a false personal belief that is maintained despite obvious proof or evidence to the contrary

A

delusion

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47
Q

a slowly progressive decline in mental abilities including memory, thinking, and judgment that is often accompanied by personality changes

A

dementia

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48
Q

a common mood disorder characterized by lethargy and sadness, as well as a loss of interest or pleasure in normal activities

A

depression

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49
Q

conditions that occur when normal thought is separated from consciousness

A

dissociative disorder

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50
Q

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

A

dissociative identity disorder (multiple personality disorder)

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51
Q

the excessive use of illegal drugs or the misuse of prescription drugs

A

drug abuse

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52
Q

the accidental or intentional use of an illegal drug or prescription medicine in an amount higher than what is safe or normal

A

drug overdose

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53
Q

a learning disability characterized by substandard reading achievement due to the inability of the brain to process symbols

A

dyslexia (developmental reading disorder)

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54
Q

a low-grade chronic depression present on a majority of days for more than two years

A

dysthmia (dysthymic disorder)

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55
Q

the use of ultrasound imaging to create a detailed visual image of the brain for diagnostic purposes

A

echoencephalography

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56
Q

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

A

electroconvulsive therapy (electroshock therapy)

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57
Q

the process of recording the electrical activity of the brain through the use of electrodes attached to the scalp

A

electroencephalography

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58
Q

inflammation of the brain

A

encephalitis

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59
Q

a congenital herniation of brain substance through a gap in the skull

A

encephalocele (craniocele)

60
Q

regional anesthesia produced by injecting medication into the epidural space of the lumbar or sacral region of the spine

A

epidural anesthesia

61
Q

a chronic neurologic condition characterized by recurrent episodes or seizures of varying severity

A

epilepsy (seizure disorder)

62
Q

a condition in which a person acts as if he or she has physical mental illness when he or she is not really sick

A

factitious disorder

63
Q

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

A

factitious disorder by proxy

64
Q

a type of radiation treatment for brain tumors

A

gamma knife surgery

65
Q

a mental condition characterized by chronic, excessive worrying

A

generalized anxiety disorder

66
Q

inflammation of the myelin sheath of peripheral nerves, characterized by rapidly worsening muscle weakness that may lead to temporary paralysis

A

Guillian-Barre syndrome (infectious polyneuritis)

67
Q

a sensory perception experienced in the absence of an external stimuli

A

hallucination

68
Q

damage to the brain that occurs when a blood vessel in the brain leaks

A

hemorrhagic stroke

69
Q

a genetic disorder that causes nerve degeneration with symptoms that most often appear in midlife

A

Huntington’s disease

70
Q

a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates within the ventricles of the brain

A

hydrocephalus

71
Q

a condition of abnormal and excessive sensitivity to touch, pain, or other sensory stimuli

A

hyperesthesia

72
Q

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

A

hypnotherapy

73
Q

medication that depresses the central nervous system and usually produces sleep

A

hypnotic

74
Q

a condition characterized by fearing that one has a serious illness despite appropriate medical evaluation and reassurance

A

hypochondriasis

75
Q

group of psychiatric disorders characterized by failure to resist an impulse despite potentially negative consequences

A

impulse control disorders

76
Q

the prolonged or abnormal inability to sleep

A

insomnia

77
Q

the amount of pressure inside the skull

A

intracranial pressure

78
Q

damage that occurs when the flow of blood to the brain is blocked by the narrowing or blockage of a carotid artery

A

ischemic stroke

79
Q

disorders found in children of normal intelligence who have difficulties in learning specific skills such as processing language or grasping mathematical concepts

A

learning disabilities

80
Q

a lower level of consciousness marked by listlessness, drowsiness, and apathy

A

lethargy

81
Q

term used to describe the measurement of response to arousal and stimulus

A

levels of consciousness

82
Q

exposure to daylight or specific wave-lengths of light in order to counteract seasonal affective disorder

A

light therapy

83
Q

the surgical removal of a lobe of an organ

A

lobectomy

84
Q

the process of obtaining a sample of cerebrospinal fluid by inserting a needle into the subarachnoid space of the lumbar region to withdraw fluid

A

lumbar puncture (spinal tap)

85
Q

nerve pain in the lower back

A

lumbar radiculopathy

86
Q

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

A

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

87
Q

a condition characterized by the intentional creation of false or grossly exaggerated physical or psychological symptoms

A

malingering

88
Q

an abnormal elevated mood state, including inappropriate elation, increased irritability, severe insomnia, poor judgment, and inappropriate social behavior

A

manic behavior

89
Q

a common, slow-growing and usually benign tumor of the meninges

A

meningioma

90
Q

inflammation of the meninges of the brain and spinal cord

A

meningitis (infectious meningitis)

91
Q

the congenital herniation of the meninges through a defect in the skull or spinal column

A

meningocele

92
Q

significant below-average intellectual and adaptive functioning present from birth or early infancy

A

mental retardation/intellectual disability

93
Q

a headache characterized by throbbing pain on one side of the head and may not be preceded by a warning aura

A

migraine

94
Q

a progressive autoimmune disorder characterized by inflammation that causes demyelination of the myelin sheath

A

multiple sclerosis

95
Q

inflammation of the spinal cord; inflammation of bone marrow

A

myelitis

96
Q

any pathological change or disease of the spinal cord

A

myelopathy

97
Q

a tumor on the spinal cord

A

myelosis

98
Q

a sleep disorder consisting of sudden and uncontrollable brief episodes of falling asleep during the day

A

narcolepsy

99
Q

inflammation of a nerve accompanied by pain and sometimes loss of function

A

neuritis

100
Q

an umbrella term for disorders in which there is a progressive loss of the structure or function of neurons

A

neurodegenerative disease

101
Q

the surgical repair of a nerve or nerves

A

neuroplasty

102
Q

surgically suturing together the ends of a severed nerve

A

neurorrhaphy

103
Q

the surgical division or dissection of a nerve

A

neurotomy

104
Q

a mental condition characterized by obsessions and/or compulsions

A

obsessive-compulsive disorder

105
Q

an unexpected, sudden experience of fear in the absence of danger, accompanied by physical symptoms such as shortness of breath and chest pain

A

panic attack

106
Q

a condition characterized by having more than one panic attack, resulting in persistent fear of the attacks

A

panic disorder

107
Q

a burning or prickling sensation that is usually felt in the hands, arms, legs, or feet

A

paresthesia

108
Q

a chronic, degenerative central nervous system disorder characterized by fine muscle tremors, rigidity, and a slow or shuffling gait

A

Parkinson’s disease

109
Q

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

A

peripheral neuropathy

110
Q

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

A

persistent vegetative state

111
Q

a chronic pattern of inner experience and behavior that causes serious problems with relationship and work

A

personality disorder

112
Q

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

A

phobia

113
Q

excessive sensitivity to light

A

photophobia

114
Q

a highly contagious viral infection of the brainstem and spinal cord that sometimes leads to paralysis

A

poliomyelitis (polio)

115
Q

the development of characteristic symptoms after a major traumatic event

A

post-traumatic stress disorder

116
Q

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

A

psychoanalysis

117
Q

a condition characterized by the loss of contact with reality and deterioration of normal social functioning

A

psychotic disorder

118
Q

a drug that acts primarily on the central nervous system, where it produces temporary changes affecting the mind, emotions, and behavior

A

psychotropic drug

119
Q

inflammation of the root of a spinal nerve that causes pain and numbness radiating down the affecting limb

A

radiculitis (pinched nerve)

120
Q

a neurological disorder characterized by uncomfortable feelings in the legs, producing a strong urge to move them

A

restless legs syndrome

121
Q

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

A

Reye’s syndrome

122
Q

a psychotic disorder characterized by withdrawal from reality, illogical patterns of thinking, delusions, and hallucinations

A

schizophrenia

123
Q

inflammation of the sciatic nerve that results in pain, burning, and tingling along the course of the affected nerve

A

sciatica

124
Q

a seasonal bout of depression associated with the decrease in hours of daylight during winter months

A

seasonal affective disorder

125
Q

medication that depresses the central nervous system to produce calm and diminished responsiveness without producing sleep

A

sedative

126
Q

a sudden surge of electrical activity in the brain that affects how a person feels or acts for a short time

A

seizure

127
Q

describes the results of a child being violently shaken by someone

A

shaken baby syndrome

128
Q

a sufficient lack of restorative sleep over a cumulative period so as to cause physical or psychiatric symptoms and affect routine performance

A

sleep deprivation

129
Q

excessive fear of social situations where the person fears negative evaluation by others or embarrassing himself in front of others

A

social phobias (social anxiety disorder)

130
Q

conditions that are characterized by physical complains or concerns about one’s body that are out of proportion to any physical findings or disease

A

somatoform disorder

131
Q

the condition of walking or performing some other activity without awakening

A

somnambulism (sleepwalking or noctambulism)

132
Q

regional anesthesia produced by injecting medication into the subarachnoid space

A

spinal anesthesia

133
Q

paralysis resulting from damage to the spinal cord that prevents nerve impulses from being transmitted below the level of injury

A

spinal cord injuries

134
Q

a substance that works by increasing activity in certain areas of the brain to increase concentration and wakefulness

A

stimulant

135
Q

an unresponsive state from which a person can be aroused only briefly despite vigorous repeated attempts

A

stupor

136
Q

the addictive use of tobacco, alcohol, medications, or illegal drugs

A

substance abuse

137
Q

the brief loss of consciousness caused by the decreased flow of blood to the brain

A

syncope (fainting)

138
Q

an acute and potentially fatal infection of the central nervous system caused by a toxin produced by the tetanus bacteria

A

tetanus (lockjaw)

139
Q

surgical incision into the thalamus

A

thalamotomy

140
Q

a type of seizure involving the whole body

A

tonic-clonic seizure (grand mal seizure)

141
Q

a complex neurological disorder characterized by involuntary tics, grunts, and compulsive utterances

A

Tourette syndrome

142
Q

a temporary interruption in the blood supply to the brain

A

transient ischemic attack (TIA)

143
Q

a blow to the head or a penetrating head injury that damages the brain

A

traumatic brain injury

144
Q

inflammation of the fifth cranial nerve characterized by sudden, intense, brief attacks of sharp pain on one side of the face

A

trigeminal neuralgia

145
Q

a state of being aware and unable to respond to any stimuli including pain

A

unconscious

146
Q

a form of dementia caused by a restriction of blood to the brain

A

vascular dementia

►MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY STATES (65 decks)

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