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Medical Terminology > Chapter 8 - Nervous System > Flashcards

Chapter 8 - Nervous System Flashcards

1
Q

acetylcholine

A

Chemical that stimulates cells.

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2
Q

afferent neuron

A

Neuron that carries information from the sensory receptors to the central nervous system; sensory neuron

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3
Q

arachnoid

A

Middle layer of meninges.

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4
Q

astrocyte, astroglia

A

A type of neuroglia that maintains nutrient

and chemical levels in neurons.

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5
Q

autonomic nervous system

A

Part of the peripheral nervous system that carries impulses from the central nervous system to glands, smooth muscles, cardiac muscle, and various membranes.

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6
Q

axon

A

Part of a nerve cell that conducts nerve impulses away from the cell body.

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7
Q

basal ganglia

A

Large masses of gray matter within the cerebrum.

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8
Q

brain

A

Body organ responsible for controlling the body’s functions and interactions with outside stimuli.

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9
Q

brainstem

A

One of the four major divisions of the brain; division that controls certain heart, lung, and visual functions.

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10
Q

cell body

A

Part of a nerve cell that has branches or fibers that reach out to send or receive impulses.

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11
Q

central nervous system

A

The brain and spinal cord.

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12
Q

cerebellum

A

One of the four major divisions of the brain; division that coordinates musculoskeletal movement.

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13
Q

cerebral cortex

A

Outer portion of the cerebrum.

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14
Q

cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

A

Watery fluid that flows throughout the brain and around the spinal cord.

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15
Q

cerebrum

A

One of the four major divisions of the brain; division involved with emotions, memory, conscious thought, moral behavior, sensory interpretations, and certain bodily movement.

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16
Q

conductivity

A

Ability to transmit a signal.

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17
Q

convolutions

A

Folds in the cerebral cortex; gyri.

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18
Q

corpus callosum

A

Bridge of nerve fibers that connects the two hemispheres of the cerebrum.

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19
Q

cranial nerves

A

Any of 12 pairs of nerves that carry impulses to and from the brain.

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20
Q

cranium

A

Bony structure that the brain sits in.

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21
Q

dendrite

A

A thin branching extension of a nerve cell that conducts nerve impulses toward the cell body.

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22
Q

diencephalon

A

One of the four major structures of the brain; it is the deep portion of the brain and contains the thalamus.

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23
Q

dura mater

A

Outermost layer of meninges.

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24
Q

efferent neuron

A

Neuron that carries information to the muscles and glands from the central nervous system; motor neuron

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25
Q

epidural space

A

area between the pia mater and the bones of the spinal cord.

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26
Q

epithalamus

A

One of the parts of the diencephalon; serves as a sensory relay station.

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27
Q

excitability

A

Ability to respond to stimuli.

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28
Q

fissure

A

One of many indentations of the cerebrum; sulcus.

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29
Q

frontal lobe

A

One of the four parts of each hemisphere of the cerebrum.

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30
Q

hypothalamus

A

One of the parts of the diencephalon; serves as a sensory relay station.

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31
Q

interneuron

A

Neuron that carries and processes sensory information.

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32
Q

medulla oblongata

A

Part of the brain stem that regulates heart and lung functions, swallowing, vomiting, coughing, and sneezing.

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33
Q

meninges (sing., meninx)

A

Three layers of membranes that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord.

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34
Q

microglia

A

A type of neuroglia that removes debris.

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35
Q

midbrain

A

Part of the brainstem involved with visual reflexes.

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36
Q

myelin sheath

A

Fatty tissue that covers axons.

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37
Q

nerve

A

Bundle of neurons that bear electrical messages to the organs and muscles of the body.

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38
Q

nerve cell

A

Basic cell of the nervous system having three parts: cell body, dendrite, and axon; also called a neuron.

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39
Q

nerve impulse

A

Released energy that is received or transmitted by tissue or organs and that usually provokes a response.

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40
Q

neurilemma

A

Membranous covering that protects the myelin sheath.

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41
Q

neuroglia, neuroglial

A

Cell of the nervous system that does not transmit impulses.

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42
Q

neuron

A

Basic cell of the nervous system having three parts; also called a nerve cell.

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43
Q

neurotransmitters

A

Various substances located in tiny sacs at the end of the axon.

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44
Q

occipital lobe

A

One of the four parts of each hemisphere of the cerebrum.

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45
Q

oligodendroglia

A

A type of neuroglia that produces myelin and helps to support neurons.

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46
Q

parasympathetic nervous system

A

Part of the autonomic nervous system that operates when the body is in a normal state.

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47
Q

parietal lobe

A

One of the four parts of each hemisphere of the cerebrum.

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48
Q

pia mater

A

Innermost layer of meninges.

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49
Q

pons

A

Part of the brainstem that controls certain respiratory functions.

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50
Q

receptor

A

Tissue or organ that receives nerve impulses.

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51
Q

somatic nervous system

A

Part of the peripheral nervous system that receives and processes sensory input from various parts of the body.

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52
Q

spinal cord

A

Ropelike tissue that sits inside the vertebral column and from which spinal nerves extend.

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53
Q

spinal nerves

A

Any of 31 pairs of nerves that carry messages to and from the spinal cord and the torso and extremities.

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54
Q

stimulus (pl., stimuli)

A

Anything that arouses a response.

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55
Q

subdural space

A

Area between the dura mater and the pia mater across which the arachnoid runs.

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56
Q

sympathetic nervous system

A

Part of the autonomic nervous system that operates when the body is under stress.

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57
Q

synapse

A

space over which nerve impulses jump from one neuron to another.

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58
Q

temporal lobe

A

One of the four parts of each hemisphere of the cerebrum.

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59
Q

terminal end fibers

A

Group of fibers at the end of an axon that passes the impulses leaving the neuron to the next neuron.

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60
Q

thalamus

A

One of the four parts of the diencephalon; serves as a sensory relay station.

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61
Q

ventral thalamus

A

One of the four parts of the diencephalon; serves as a sensory relay station.

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62
Q

ventricle

A

Cavity in the brain for cerebrospinal fluid.

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63
Q

cerebell(o)

A

cerebellum

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64
Q

cerebr(o), cerebri

A

cerebrum

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65
Q

crani(o)

A

cranium

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66
Q

encephal(o)

A

brain

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67
Q

gangli(o)

A

ganglion

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68
Q

gli(o)

A

neuroglia

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69
Q

mening(o), meningi(o)

A

meninges

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70
Q

myel(o)

A

bone marrow, spinal cord

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71
Q

neur(o), neuri

A

nerve

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72
Q

spin(o)

A

spine

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73
Q

thalam(o)

A

thalamus

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74
Q

vag(o)

A

vagus nerve

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75
Q

ventricul(o)

A

ventricle

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76
Q

Ach

A

acetylcholine

77
Q

ALS

A

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

78
Q

BBB

A

blood-brain barrier

79
Q

CNS

A

central nervous system

80
Q

CP

A

cerebral palsy

81
Q

CSF

A

cerebrospinal fluid

82
Q

CT or CAT scan

A

computerized (axial) tomography

83
Q

CVA

A

cerebrovascular accident

84
Q

CVD

A

cerebrovascular disease

85
Q

PNS

A

peripheral nervous system

86
Q

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

A

the use of magnetic fields and radio waves to visualize structures.

87
Q

Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)

A

the imaging of blood vessels to detect various abnormalities.

88
Q

Intra-cranial MRA

A

the visualizing of the head to check for aneurysms and other abnormalities.

89
Q

Extracranial MRA

A

the imaging of the neck to check the carotid artery for abnormalities.

90
Q

Encephalography

A

radiographic study of the ventricles of the brain.

91
Q

Babinski’s reflex

A

After Joseph F. Babinski, French neurologist

(1857–1932); reflex on the plantar surface of the foot.

92
Q

cerebral angiogram

A

X-ray of the brain’s blood vessels after a dye is injected.

93
Q

computerized (axial) tomography scan

A

Radiographic imaging that produces cross-sectional images.

94
Q

electroencephalogram (EEG)

A

Record of the electrical impulses of the brain.

95
Q

encephalogram

A

Record of the radiographic study of the ventricles of the brain.

96
Q

evoked potentials

A

Record of the electrical wave patterns observed in an EEG.

97
Q

lumbar (spinal) puncture

A

Withdrawal of cerebrospinal fluid from between two lumbar vertebrae.

98
Q

myelogram

A

X-ray of the spinal cord after a contrast medium has been injected.

99
Q

nerve conduction velocity

A

Timing of the conductivity of an electrical shock administered to peripheral nerves.

100
Q

nerve conduction velocity

A

Timing of the conductivity of an electrical shock administered to peripheral nerves.

101
Q

PET (positron emission tomography)

A

Imaging of the brain using radioactive isotopes and tomography.

102
Q

polysomnography

A

Recording of electrical and movement patterns during sleep.

103
Q

reflex

A

Involuntary muscular contraction in response to a stimulus.

104
Q

SPECT (single photon emission computed

tomography) brain scan

A

Brain image produced by the use of radioactive isotopes.

105
Q

transcranial sonogram

A

Brain images produced by the use of sound waves.

106
Q

absence seizure

A

Mild epileptic seizure consisting of brief disorientation

with the environment.

107
Q

agnosia

A

inability to receive and understand outside stimuli.

108
Q

Alzheimer’s disease

A

After Alois Alzheimer (1864–1915), German neurologist; A type of degenerative brain disease causing thought disorders, gradual loss of muscle control, and, eventually, death.

109
Q

amnesia

A

Loss of memory.

110
Q

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

A

Degenerative disease of the motor neurons leading to loss of muscular control and death.

111
Q

aneurysm

A

Abnormal widening of an artery wall that bursts and releases blood.

112
Q

aphasia

A

Loss of speech.

113
Q

apraxia

A

Inability to properly use familiar objects.

114
Q

aura

A

Group of symptoms that precede a seizure.

115
Q

bacterial meningitis

A

Meningitis caused by a bacteria; pyrogenic meningitis.

116
Q

Bell’s palsy

A

After Sir Charles Bell, Scottish surgeon (1774–1842); Paralysis of one side of the face; usually temporary.

117
Q

brain contusion

A

Bruising of the surface of the brain without penetration.

118
Q

cerebellitis

A

Inflammation of the cerebellum.

119
Q

cerebral palsy

A

congenital disease caused by damage to the cerebrum during gestation or birth and resulting in lack of motor coordination.

120
Q

cerebrovascular accident (CVA)

A

Neurological incident caused by disruption in the normal blood supply to the brain; stroke.

121
Q

coma

A

Abnormally deep sleep with little or no response to stimuli.

122
Q

concussion

A

Brain injury due to trauma.

123
Q

dementia

A

Deterioration in mental capacity, usually in the elderly.

124
Q

demyelination

A

Destruction of myelin sheath, particularly in MS.

125
Q

dopamine

A

Substance in the brain or manufactured substance that helps relieve symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

126
Q

duritis

A

Inflammation of the dura mater.

127
Q

dysphasia

A

Speech difficulty.

128
Q

embolic stroke

A

Sudden stroke caused by an embolus.

129
Q

embolus

A

Clot from somewhere in the body that blocks a small blood vessel in the brain.

130
Q

encephalitis

A

Inflammation of the brain.

131
Q

epilepsy

A

Chronic recurrent seizure activity.

132
Q

gait

A

Manner of walking.

133
Q

gangliitis

A

Inflammation of a ganglion.

134
Q

ganglion (pl., ganglia, ganglions)

A

Any group of nerve cell bodies forming a mass or a cyst in the peripheral nervous system; usually forms in the wrist.

135
Q

glioblastoma multiforme

A

Most malignant type of glioma.

136
Q

glioma

A

Tumor that arises from neuroglia.

137
Q

hemorrhagic stroke

A

Stroke caused by blood escaping from a damaged cerebral artery.

138
Q

Huntington’s chorea

A

After George Huntington (1850–1916), U.S. physician; Hereditary disorder with uncontrollable,
jerking movements.

139
Q

hydrocephalus

A

Overproduction of fluid in the brain.

140
Q

meningioma

A

Tumor that arises from the meninges.

141
Q

meningitis

A

Inflammation of the meninges.

142
Q

meningocele

A

In spina bifida cystica, protrusion of the spinal meninges above the surface of the skin.

143
Q

meningomyelocele

A

In spina bifida cystica, protrusion of the meninges and spinal cord above the surface of the skin.

144
Q

multiple sclerosis (MS)

A

Degenerative disease with loss of myelin, resulting in muscle weakness, extreme fatigue, and some paralysis.

145
Q

myasthenia gravis

A

Disease involving overproduction of antibodies that block certain neurotransmitters; causes muscle weakness.

146
Q

myelitis

A

Inflammation of the spinal cord.

147
Q

narcolepsy

A

Nervous system disorder that causes uncontrollable, sudden lapses into deep sleep.

148
Q

neuritis

A

Inflammation of the nerves.

149
Q

occlusion

A

Blocking of a blood vessel.

150
Q

oligodendroglioma

A

Type of glioma formed from oligodendroglia.

151
Q

palsy

A

Partial or complete paralysis.

152
Q

paresthesia

A

Abnormal sensation, such as tingling.

153
Q

Parkinson’s disease

A

After James Parkinson (1755–1824), British physician; Degeneration of nerves in the brain caused by lack of sufficient dopamine.

154
Q

pyrogenic meningitis

A

Meningitis caused by bacteria; can be fatal; bacterial meningitis.

155
Q

radiculitis

A

Inflammation of the spinal nerve roots.

156
Q

sciatica

A

Inflammation of the sciatic nerve.

157
Q

shingles

A

Viral disease affecting the peripheral nerves.

158
Q

somnambulism

A

Sleepwalking.

159
Q

somnolence

A

Extreme sleepiness caused by a neurological disorder.

160
Q

spina bifida

A

Congenital defect of the spinal column.

161
Q

syncope

A

Loss of consciousness due to a sudden lack of oxygen in the brain.

162
Q

Tay-Sachs disease

A

ditary disease that causes deterioration in the central nervous system and, eventually, death.

163
Q

thrombotic stroke

A

Stroke caused by a thrombus.

164
Q

thrombus

A

Blood clot.

165
Q

tics

A

Twitching movements that accompany some neurological disorders.

166
Q

tonic-clonic seizure

A

Severe epileptic seizure accompanied by convulsions, twitching, and loss of consciousness.

167
Q

Tourette syndrome

A

After Gilles de la Tourette (1857–1904), French physician; Neurological disorder that causes uncontrollable speech sounds and tics.

168
Q

transient ischemic attack (TIA)

A

Short neurological incident usually not resulting in permanent injury, but usually signaling that a larger stroke may occur.

169
Q

viral meningitis

A

Meningitis caused by a virus and not as severe as pyrogenic meningitis.

170
Q

cordotomy

A

Removing part of the spinal cord.

171
Q

craniectomy

A

Removal of a part of the skull.

172
Q

craniotomy

A

Incision into the skull.

173
Q

lobectomy

A

Removal of a portion of the brain to treat certain disorders.

174
Q

lobotomy

A

Incision into the frontal lobe of the brain.

175
Q

neurectomy

A

Surgical removal of a nerve.

176
Q

neuroplasty

A

Surgical repair of a nerve.

177
Q

neurorrhaphy

A

Suturing of a severed nerve.

178
Q

neurosurgeon

A

Medical specialist who performs surgery on the brain and spinal cord.

179
Q

neurotomy

A

Dissection of a nerve.

180
Q

stereotaxy, stereotactic surgery

A

Destruction of deep-seated brain structures using three-dimensional coordinates to locate the structures.

181
Q

trephination, trepanation

A

Circular incision into the skull.

182
Q

vagotomy

A

Surgical severing of the vagus nerve.

183
Q

analgesic

A

Agent that relieves or eliminates pain.

184
Q

anesthetic

A

Agent that causes loss of feeling or sensation.

185
Q

anticonvulsant

A

Agent that lessens or prevents convulsions

186
Q

hypnotic

A

Agent that induces sleep.

187
Q

narcotic

A

Agent that relieves pain by inducing a stuporous or euphoric state.

188
Q

sedative

A

Agent that relieves feelings of agitation.

Medical Terminology (15 decks)

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