Chapter 8: Nervous System Flashcards
Absence seizure
A small seizure in which there is a sudden temporary loss of consciousness lasting only a few seconds
Acetylcholine
A chemical substance in the body tissues that facilitate the transmission of nerve impulses from one nerve to another
afferent nerves
Transmitters of nerve impulses toward the CNS
Sensory nerves
Agnosia
Loss of mental ability to understand sensory stimuli even though the sensory organs themselves are functioning
A-
Without, not
Gnos/o
To know
-ia
Condition
Agraphia
The inability to convert one’s thoughts into writing
Graph/o
Record
Alexia
The inability to understand written words
-Lexia
Reading
Analgesia
Without sensitivity to pain
An-
Without, not
-Algesia
Sensitivity to pain
Anesthesia
Without feeling or sensation
- esthesia
Feeling, sensation
Anesthetic
Pertaining to partially or completely numbing or eliminating sensitivity with or without loss of consciousness
Esthet/o
Feeling, nervous sensation or sense of perception
-ic
Pertaining to
Aneurysm
A localized dilation in the wall of an artery that expands with each pulsation in the artery
Aphasia
Inability to communicate through speech, writing, or signs because of an injury to or disease in certain areas of the brain
-Phasia
Speech
Apraxia
Inability to perform coordinated movement or use objects properly
-praxia
Perform
Arachnoid membrane
The weblike middle layer of the three membranous layers surrounding the brain and spinal cord
Astrocyte
A star-shaped neuroglial cell found in the CNS
Astr/o
Star-shaped
-Cyte
Cell
Astrocytoma
A tumor Of the brain or spinal cord composed of astrocytes
-Oma
Tumor
Cyt/o
Cell
Ataxia
Without muscular coordination
Tax/o
Order
Aura
Sensation an individual experiences prior to the onset of a migraine headache or an epileptic seizure
Autonomic nervous system
part of the nervous system that regulates the involuntary vital functions of the body
Axon
The part of the nerve cell that transports nerve impulses away from the nerve cell body
Blood-brain barrier
A protective characteristics of the capillary walls of the brain that prevents the passage of harmful substances from the bloodstream into the brain tissue or CSF
Bradykinesia
Abnormally slow movement
Brady-
Slow
-Kinesia
Movement
Brain stem
The stemlike portion of the brain that connects the cerebral hemisphere with the spinal cord
Brudzinski’s sign
A positive sign of meningitis
Burr hole
A hole drilled into the skull using a form of drill
Cauda equina
The lower end of the spinal cord and the roots of the spinal nerves that occupy the spinal canal below the level of the first lumbar vertebra
Causalgia
A sensation of an acute burning pain along the path of a peripheral nerve, sometimes accompanied by erythema of the skin
Caus/o
Burn
-Algia
Pain
Cell body
The part of the cell that contains the nucleus and the cytoplasm
Central nervous System
One of the two main divisions of the nervous system, consisting of the brain and spinal cord
Cephalagia
Pain in the head
Headache
Cephal/o
Head
Cerebellum
The part of the brain responsible for coordinating voluntary muscular movement
Behind the brain stem
Cerebral concussion
A brief interruption of brain function, usually with a loss of consciousness lasting a few seconds
Cerebr/o
Brain
Cerebrum
Cerebral contusion
Small scattered venous hemorrhages in the brain
“Bruise” of the brain tissue
Cerebral cortex
The thin outer layer of nervous tissue, known as gray matter, that covers the surface of the cerebrum
-Al
Pertaining to
Cerebrospinal fluid
The fluid flowing through the the brain and around the spinal cord that protects them from physical blow or impact
Spin/o
Spine
Cerebrum
The largest and uppermost part of the brain
Cervical radiculopathy
Any disease of the spinal nerve roots in the neck
Cervic/o
Neck
Radical/o
Root
-Pathy
Disease
Cheyne-stokes respiration
An abnormal pattern of breathing characterized by periods of apnea followed by deep rapid breathing
Coma
A deep sleep in which the individual cannot be aroused and does not respond to external stimuli
Comatose
Pertains to being in a coma
Contracture
A permanent shortening of a muscle causing a joint to remain in an abnormally flexed position
Convolution
One of the many elevated folds of the surface of the cerebrum
Gyrus
Craniotomy
A surgical incision into the cranium or skull
Crani/o
Skull
-Tomy
Incision into
Deficit
Any deficiency or variation of the normal
Dementia
A progressive irreversible mental disorder in which the person has deteriorating memory, judgment, and ability to think
Demyelination
Destruction or removal of the myelin sheath that covers a nerve or nerve fiber
Dendrite
A projection that extends from the nerve cell body
diencephalon
The part of the brain located between the cerebrum and the midbrain
Main structures: thalamus, hypothalamus, and pineal gland
diplopia
Double vision
Ambiopia
Dipl/o
Double
-Opia
Vision
Dura mater
The outermost of the three membranes (meninges) surrounding the brain and spinal cord
Dyslexia
A condition characterized by an impairment of the ability to read
Dysphasia
Difficult speech
Efferent nerves
Transmitters of nerve impulses away from the CNS
Motor nerves
Embolism
An abnormal condition in which a blood clot (embolus) becomes lodged in a blood vessel, obstructing the flow of blood within the vessel
Epidural space
The space immediately outside the dura mater that contains a supporting cushion of fat and other connective tissue
Epilepsy
A neurological condition characterized by recurrent episodes of sudden brief attacks of seizures
Fissure
A deep groove on the surface of an organ
Fontanelle or frontal
A space covered by tough membrane between the bones of an infant’s cranium
“Soft spot”
Gait
The style of walking
Ganglion
A knot like mass of nerve tissue found outside the brain or spinal cord
Gray matter
The part of the nervous system consisting of axons that are not covered with myelin sheath
gyrus
One of the many elevated folds of the surface of the cerebrum
Hemiparesis
Slight or partial paralysis of one half of the body
Hemi-
Half
-Paresis
Paralysis
hemiplegia
Paralysis of one half of the body
-Plegia
Paralysis
Herpes zoster
An acute infection caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox
Painful vesicular lesions along the path of a spinal nerve
Shingles
Hyperesthesia
Excessive sensitivity to sensory stimuli
Hyper-
Excessive
Hyperkinesis
Excessive muscular movement and physical activity
Hyperactivity
Hypochondriasis
A chronic abnormal concern about the health of the body
Extreme anxiety, depression, and an unrealistic interpretation of real or imagined physical symptoms
Hypo-
Under, below, beneath, less than normal
Chondr/o
Cartilage
-iasis
Presence of an abnormal condition
Hypothalamus
A part of the brain located below the thalamus that controls many functions
Interneurons
Connecting neurons that conduct impulses from afferent nerves to or toward the motor nerves
Kernig’s sign
A designated sign for meningitis marked by the person’s inability to extend the leg completely when the thigh is flexed upon the abdomen and the person is sitting or lying down
Kinesiology
The study of muscle movement
Lethargy
The state of being sluggish
Stupor
Longitudinal fissure
A deep groove in the middle of the cerebrum that divides the cerebrum into the right and left hemisphere
Medulla oblongata
One of the largest parts of the brain stem
Most essential part of the brain
Meninges
The three layers of protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord
Mening/o
Meninges
microglia
Small neuroglial cells found in the intestinal tissue of the nervous system that engulf cellular debris, waste products, and pathogens within the nervous tissue
Midbrain
The uppermost part of the brain stem
Myelin sheath
A protective sheath that covers the axons of many nerves in the body
Narcolepsy
Uncontrolled, sudden attacks of sleep
Narc/o
Sleep
-Lepsy
Seizure, attack
Nerve
A cord like bundle of nerve fibers that transmit impulses to and from the brain and spinal cord to other parts of the body
Macroscopic
Nerve block
The injection of a local anesthetic along the course of a nerve or nerves to eliminate sensation to the area supplied by the nerves
Conduction anesthesia
Neuralgia
Serve, sharp, spasm-like pain that extends along the course of one or more nerves
Neur/o
Nerve
-Algia
Pain
Neuritis
Inflammation of a nerve
Neuroglia
The supporting tissue of the nervous system
Gli/o
Gluey substance
Neurologist
A physician who specializes in treating the disease and disorder of the nervous system
Neurology
The study of the nervous system and its disorder
Neuron
A nerve cell
Neurosurgeon
A physician who specializes in surgery of the nervous system
Neurosurgery
Any surgery involving the nervous system
Neurotransmitter
A chemical substance within the body that activates or inhabits the transmission of nerve impulses at synapses
Nuchal rigidity
Rigidity of the neck
Neck is resistant to flexion
Occlusion
Blockage
Oligodendrocyte
A type of neuroglial cell found in the intestinal tissue of the nervous system
Olig/o
Few, little, scanty
Dendr/o
Tree, branches
Palliative
Soothing
Paraplegia
Paralysis of the lower extremities and trunk
Parasympathetic nerves
Nerves of the ANS that regulate essential involuntary body functions
Parasympathomimetic
Copying or producing the same effects as those of the parasympathetic nerves
Paresthesia
A sensation of numbness or tingling
Peripheral nervous system
The part of the nervous system outside the CNS
Phagocytosis
The process by which certain cells engulf and destroy microorganisms and cell debris
Phag/o
To eat
-Osis
Process
Condition
pia mater
The innermost of the three membranes (meninges) surrounding the brain and spinal cord
Pineal body
A small cone-shaped suture thought to be involved in regulating the body’s biological clock and that produce melatonin
Pineal body
Plexus
A network of interwoven nerves
Pons
The part of the brain located between the medulla oblongata and the midbrain
Acts as a bridge connecting the medulla oblongata and the cerebrum to the upper portions of the brain
Quadriplegia
Paralysis at all four extremities and the trunk of the body
Radiculotomy
The surgical resection of a spinal nerve root
Rhizotomy
Radicul/o
Root
-Tomy
Process of cutting
Receptor
A sensory nerve ending
Sciatica
Inflammation of the sciatic nerve
Pain along the course of the nerve, radiating through the thigh and down the back of the leg
Sensory
Pertaining to sensation
Sensory nerves
Transmitters of nerve imputes toward the CNS
Afferent nerves
Shunt
A tube or passage that diverts or redirects body fluid from one cavity or vessel to another
Somatic nervous system
The part of the PNS that provides voluntary control over skeletal muscle contractions
Stimulus
Any agent or factor capable of initiating nerve impulses
Stupor
A state of lethargy
Person is unresponsive and seems unaware of his or her surroundings
Subarachnoid space
The space located just under the arachnoid membrane that contains cerebrospinal fluid
Subdural space
The space located just beneath the dura mater that contains serous fluid
Sulcus
A depression or shallow groove on the surface of an organ
Sympathetic nerves
Nerves of the ANS that regulate essential involuntary body functions
Sympathomimetic
Copying or producing the same effects as those of the sympathetic nerves
Synapse
The space between the end of one nerve and the beginning of another, through which nerve impulses are transmitted
Syncope
Fainting
Thalamus
The part of the brain located between the cerebral hemispheres and the midbrain
Receives all sensory stimuli, except smell, and relays them to the cerebral cortex
Thrombosis
An abnormal condition in which a clot develops in the blood vessel
Thromb/o
Clot
-Osis
Condition
Tonic-clonic seizure
A seizure characterized by the presence of muscle contractions or tension followed by relaxation
“Jerking” movement of the body
Ventricle (brain)
A small hollow within the brain that is tilled with cerebrospinal fluid
Whiplash
An injury to the cervical vertebrae and their supporting structures due to a sudden back-and-forth jerking movement of the head and neck
White matter
The part of the nervous system consisting of axons covered with myelin sheath
Alzheimer’s disease
Deterioration of a person’s intellectual functioning
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Severe weakening and wasting of the involved muscle groups
Anencephaly
Absence of the brain and spinal cord at birth
Congenital disease
Bell’s palsy
Temporary or permanent unilateral weakness or paralysis of the muscles in the face following trauma to the face
Brain abscess
Localized accumulation of pus located anywhere in the brain tissue due to an infectious process
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Pinching or compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel
My/o
Muscle
Troph/o
Development
Scler/o
Hard
Reuters to clera of the eye
Encephal/o
Brain
Cerebral concussion
Brief interruption of brain function
Cerebral contusion
Small, scattered venous hemorrhage in the brain occurring when the brain strikes the inner skull
Cerebral palsy
Collective term used to describe congenital brain damage that is permant but not progressive
Child’s lack of control of voluntary movement
Cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
Involves death of a specific portion of brain tissue, resulting from a decrease in blood flow (ischemia) to that area of the brain
Stroke
Degenerative disk
Deterioration of the intervertebral
Encephalitis
Inflammation of the brain largely caused by a virus that enters the CNS when the person experiences a viral disease
Epilepsy
Syndrome of recurring episodes of excessive irregular electrical activity of the brain resulting in involuntary muscle movements called seizures
Grand mal seizure
Epileptic seizure characterized by a sudden loss of consciousness and by generalized involuntary muscular contraction, vacillating between rigid body extension and an alternating contracting and relaxing of muscles
Petit mal seizure
Small seizure in which there is a sudden temporary loss of consciousness lasting only a few seconds
Absence seizure
Guillain-barré syndrome
Acute polyneuritis of the PNS in which the myelin sheaths on the axons are destroyed
Headache
Cephalalgia
Involves pain anywhere within the cranial cavity
Migraine headache
Recurring, pulsating, vascular headache usually developing on one side of the head
Cluster headache
Occurs typically two or three hours after falling asleep
Extreme pain around one eye that wakens the person from sleep
Tension headache
Occurs from long, endured contraction of the skeletal muscles around the face, scalp, upper back, and neck
Epidural hematoma
Collection of blood (hematoma) located above the dura mater and just below the skill
Epi-
Upon, over
Dur/o
Dura mater
Hemat/o
Blood
-Oma
Tumor
Subdural hematoma
Collection of blood below the dura mater and above the arachnoid layer of the meninges
Herniated disk
Rupture or nomination of the disk Center through the disk wall and into the spinal canal
Huntington’s chorea
Inherited neurological disease characterized by rapid, jerky, involuntary movements and increasing dementia due to the effects of the basal ganglia on the neurons
Hydrocephalus
Abnormal increase of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain that cause the ventricles of the brain to dilate
Hydro-
Water
Intracranial tumor
Occurs in any structural region of the brain
Malignant or benign
Primary or secondary
Named according to the tissue from which they originated
Intra-
Within
Primary intracranial tumors
Arises from gliomas, malignant glial alls that are supported for nerve tissues, and from tumors that arise from the meninges
Metastatic intracranial tumors (secondary)
Occur as a result of metastasis from a primary site
Meningitis (acute bacterial)
Serous bacterial infection of the meninges
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
Degenerative inflammatory disease of the CNS attacking the myelin sheath in the spinal cord and brain
Myasthenia gravis
Chronic progressive neuromuscular disorder causing severe skeletal muscle weakness (without atrophy) and fatigue
Narcolepsy
Rare syndrome of uncontrolled sudden attacks of sleep
Daytime sleepiness and cataplexy
Neuroblastoma
Highly malignant tumor of the sympathetic nervous system
Blast/o
Embryonic stage of development
Parkinson’s disease
Degenerative, slowly progressive deterioration of nerves in the brain stem’s motor System
Peripheral neuritis
General term indicating inflammation of one or more peripheral nerves, the effects begin dependent on the particular nerve involved
Poliomyelitis
An infectious viral disease entering through the respiratory tract and affecting the ability of spinal lord and brain motor neurons to receive stimulation
Poli/o
Gray matter, in nervous system
Myel/o
Spinal cord
Bone marrow
Postpolio syndrome
Progressive weakness occurring at least 30 years after the initial poliomyelitis attack
Post-
After, behind
Syn-
Together, join
-Drome
That which runs together
Reye’s syndrome
Acute brain encephalopathy along with fatty infiltration of the internal organs that may follow acute viral infections
Shingles
Herpes zoster
Acute viral infection seen mainly in adults who have had chicken pox
Inflammation of the underlying spinal or cranial nerve pathway
Skull fracture (depressed)
A broken segment of the skull bone thrust into the brain as a result of a direct force, usually a blunt object, is a skull fracture
Spina bifida cystica
Congenital defect in the CNS in which the back of one or more vertebrae is not closed normally and a cyst protrudes through the opening in the back
Meningocele
Cyst-like sac covered with skin or a thin membrane protruding through the bony defect in the vertebrae containing meninges
-Cele
Swelling or herniation
Meningomyelocele
Cyst-like sac covered with skin or a thin membrane protruding through the bony defect in the vertebrae that contains meninges, CSF, and spinal cord segments
supina bifida occulta
Congenital defect of the CNS in which the back portion of one or more vertebrae is not closed
Spinal cord injuries
Severe injuries to the spinal cord result in impairment of spinal cord function below the level of the injury
Paraplegia
Paralysis of the lower extremities
Quadriplegia
Follows severe trauma to the spinal card below the fifth and seventh cervical vertebrae
Tay-sachs disease
Congenital disorder caused by altered lipid metabolism, resulting from an enzyme deficiency
Trigeminal neuralgia
Short periods of severe unilateral pain, which radiates along the fifth cranial nerve
Babinski’s reflex
Can be tested by stroking the sole of the foot
Brain scan
Nuclear counter scanning of cranial content two hours after the intravenous injection of radioisotopes
Cerebral angiography
Visualization of the cerebral vascular system via X-ray after the injection of a radiopaque contrast medium into an arterial blood vessels
Angi/o
Vessel
-graphy
Process of recording
Cerebrospinal fluid analysis
CSF obtained from a lumbar puncture is analyzed for the presence of bacteria, blood, or malignant alls as well as for the amount of protein and glucose present
CT scan of the brain
Computed tomography (CT) is the analysis of a three-dimensional view of brain tissue obtained as X-ray beams pass through successive horizontal layers of the brain
Computerized axial tomography CAT scan)
Chordotomy
Neurosurgical procedure for pain control accomplished through a laminectomy
Chord/o
String, cord
Cisternal punctures
Involves insertion of a short, beveled spinal needle into the cistema magna to drain CSF Or to obtain a CSF specimen
Craniotomy
Surgical procedure that makes an opening into the skull
Echoencephalography
Ultrasound used to analyze the intracranial structures of the brain
Echo-
Sound
Encephal/o
Brain
Electroencephalography (EEG)
Measurement of electrical activity produced by the brain and recorded through electrodes placed on the scalp
Electromyography
Process of recording the electrical activity of muscle by inserting a small needle into the muscle and delivering a small current that stimulate the muscle
Laminectomy
Surgical removal of the bony arches from one or more vertebrae to relieve pressure on the spinal cord
Lamin/o
lamina
-ectomy
Surgical removal
Lumbar puncture
Involves the insertion of a hollow needle and stylet into the subarachnoid space
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Noninvasive scanning procedure that provides visualization of fluid, soft tissue, and bony structures without the use off radiation
myelography
Introduction of contrast medium into the lumbar subarachnoid space through a lumbar puncture to visualize the spinal cord and vertebral canal through X-ray examination
Neurectomy
Neurosurgical procedure to relieve pain in a localized or small area by incision of cranial or peripheral nerves
Polysomnogram
Steep study test that evaluates physical factors affecting sleep
Poly-
Many
Somn/o
Sleep
-Gram
Record or recording
Positron emission tomography (PET)
Produces computerized radiographic images of various body structures when radioactive substances are inhaled or injected
Romberg test
Used to evaluate cerebellar functions and balance
stereotaxic neurosurgery
Performed on a precise location of an area within the brain that controls specific functions and many involve destruction of brain tissue with various agents
Sympathectomy
Surgical procedure used to interrupt a portion of the sympathetic nerve pathway for the purpose of relieving chronic pain
tractotomy
Involves a craniotomy
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
Form of cutaneous stimulation for pain relief that supplies electrical impulses to the nerve endings of a nerve close to the pain site
