chapter 16 vocab Flashcards
abstract reasoning
The ability to analyze information, detect patterns and relationships, and solve problems on a complex, intangible level.
alzheimer’s disease (AD)
A progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by memory loss, language deterioration, and impaired ability to mentally manipulate visual information
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
A progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing muscle weakness and atrophy
anesthesia
The loss of sensation or feeling in a part or all of the body, often induced for medical procedures
aphasia
A condition characterized by either partial or total loss of the ability to communicate verbally or using written words
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD
A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development
axon
The long, slender projection of a nerve cell that typically conducts electrical impulses away from the neuron’s cell body
brain stem
The central trunk of the brain, consisting of the medulla oblongata, pons, and midbrain, and continuing downward to form the spinal cord; controls involuntary functions
broca’s area
A region in the frontal lobe of the brain with functions linked to speech production
cartoid endarterectomy
A surgical procedure to remove plaque from the carotid arteries and restore blood flow to the brain, often used to prevent stroke
carpal tunnel syndrome
A condition caused by compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel of the wrist, leading to pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand
cell body
The spherical part of the neuron that contains the nucleus and connects to the dendrites and axon
central nervous system (CNS)
The part of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord, responsible for processing and transmitting information throughout the body
cerebellum
A major structure of the hindbrain that is responsible for fine motor coordination, balance, equilibrium, and muscle tone
cerebral angiography
A diagnostic imaging technique that uses X-rays to visualize blood flow in the arteries and veins in the brain
cerebral cortex
The outer layer of the cerebrum, playing a key role in memory, attention, perception, cognition, awareness, thought, language, and consciousness
cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
Also known as a stroke, it is the sudden death of brain cells due to lack of oxygen, caused by blockage of blood flow or rupture of an artery in the brain
cerebrum
The largest part of the brain, responsible for voluntary muscular activity, vision, speech, taste, hearing, thought, and memory
chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE
A brain condition associated with repeated blows to the head and repeated episodes of concussion
concussion
A type of traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head or body, a fall, or another injury that jars or shakes the brain inside the skull
cranial nerves
The 12 pairs of nerves that emerge directly from the brain, as opposed to spinal nerves, with functions largely concerning the head and neck
dendrites
Extensions of a neuron that receive signals from other neurons and transmit them toward the cell body
dura matter
The thick, tough outer layer of the meninges surrounding the brain and spinal cord
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
A medical treatment most commonly used for patients with severe major depression or bipolar disorder that has not responded to other treatments, involving brief electrical stimulation of the brain while the patient is under anesthesia
electroencephalography (EEG)
A test that detects electrical activity in the brain using small, flat metal discs (electrodes) attached to the scalp
electromyography
A diagnostic test that measures the electrical activity of muscles to help diagnose muscle and nerve disorders
expressive aphasia
A type of aphasia where a person knows what they want to say but has difficulty communicating it to others
frontal lobe
A region of the cerebral cortex associated with reasoning, motor skills, higher-level cognition, and expressive language
hematoma
A solid swelling of clotted blood within the tissues, often caused by an injury
hypothalamus
A region of the forebrain below the thalamus that coordinates both the autonomic nervous system and the activity of the pituitary, controlling body temperature, thirst, hunger, and other homeostatic systems
intracranial pressure
Pressure inside the skull and thus in the brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid, usually in the context of illness or injury
judgement
The ability to make considered decisions or come to sensible conclusions
language
The method of human communication, either spoken or written, consisting of the use of words
lumbar puncture
A medical procedure where a needle is inserted into the lower part of the spinal column to collect cerebrospinal fluid for diagnostic testing or to relieve pressure
memory
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information
meninges
The three membranes that envelop the brain and spinal cord, providing protection for these structures
multiple sclerosis (MS)
An autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, leading to demyelination, inflammation, and scarring, resulting in a range of symptoms including physical, mental, and sometimes psychiatric problems.
myelin
The protective fatty layer that wraps around the nerve fibers (axons), facilitating the fast transmission of electrical signals
neurologist
A physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the nervous system, brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles
neurology
the study of the nervous system
neurons
Nerve cells that are the basic building blocks of the nervous system, responsible for transmitting information throughout the body
neurosurgeons
Surgeons who specialize in surgery on the nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord
neurotransmitter
Chemical substances that transmit nerve signals across a synapse from one neuron to another
occipital lobe
The rearmost lobe in each cerebral hemisphere of the brain, responsible for processing visual information
orientation
The patient’s awareness of their immediate circumstances (i.e., being oriented to person, place, and time)
paresthesia
An abnormal sensation, such as tingling, pricking, or numbness, typically with no apparent physical cause
parietal lobe
The upper middle lobe of the cerebrum, involved in processing sensory information such as touch, temperature, and pain
parkinson’s disease (PD)
A progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement, often including tremors, muscle rigidity, and changes in speech and gait
peripheral nervous system (PNS)
The part of the nervous system outside the CNS, consisting mainly of the nerves that extend from the brain and spinal cord
photophobia
An extreme sensitivity to light, often causing discomfort or pain in the eyes
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
A mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event, characterized by flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event.
prefrontal cortex
The front part of the frontal lobe, involved in complex behaviors such as planning, and contributing to personality development
psychiatrist
A medical doctor specializing in the diagnosis, prevention, study, and treatment of mental disorders, including prescribing medication
psychiatry
The medical specialty devoted to diagnosing, preventing, studying, and treating mental disorders
psychologists
Professionals who study cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording how individuals relate to one another and to their environments
psychology
The study of the mind and its functions, especially those affecting behavior
receptive aphasia
A form of aphasia where individuals have trouble understanding spoken or written language
sciatica
Pain affecting the back, hip, and outer side of the leg, caused by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve.
seizure
An uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain, which can cause changes in behavior, movements, feelings, and levels of consciousness
sensorium
The sensory apparatus or faculties considered as a whole
skull fracture
A break in one or more of the bones in the skull, often caused by a blow to the head
social workers
Professionals who provide a wide range of services to help people cope with and overcome challenges in their everyday lives, including mental health and substance abuse counseling
speech
The expression of thoughts and feelings by articulating sounds
spinal cord
The cylindrical bundle of nerve fibers and associated tissue enclosed in the spine, connecting nearly all parts of the body to the brain
spinal nerves
Nerves that originate in the spinal cord and branch out to provide motor and sensory functions to the body
subarachnoid hemorrhage
A type of stroke caused by bleeding into the space surrounding the brain, leading to sudden severe headache and other symptoms
subdural hematoma
A type of hematoma, usually associated with traumatic brain injury, involving bleeding in the outermost meningeal layer, just under the skull
synapse
The junction between two nerve cells, consisting of a minute gap across which impulses pass by diffusion of a neurotransmitter
temporal lobe
A region of the cerebral cortex responsible for processing auditory information and is also involved in memory storage
thalamus
A small structure within the brain located just above the brain stem between the cerebral cortex and the midbrain with multiple functions, including relaying sensory and motor signals to the cerebral cortex
transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)
Often called a “mini-stroke,” a temporary period of symptoms similar to those of a stroke, indicating a high risk of a full-blown stroke in the future
traumatic brain injury (TBI)
A form of brain injury caused by a blow, jolt, or other traumatic injury to the head or body, causing temporary or permanent damage
vagus nerve
A cranial nerve that extends from the brain stem to the abdomen, playing critical roles in the heart, lungs, and digestive tract functioning
ventricles
Hollow, fluid-filled cavities within the brain that help to protect the brain and reduce its weight
wernicke’s area
A region of the brain that is important for language development, located in the temporal lobe
