Chapter 8 Spelling Words Flashcards
absence seizure
a small seizure w/ a sudden temporary loss of consciousness lasting only a few seconds, a petit mall seizure
acetylocholine
a neurotransmitter- facilitates nerve impulses
afferent nerves
impulses TO the CNS/brain and spinal cord
agnosia
loss of mental ability to understand sensory stimuli; unable to interpret even when organs are functioning correctly
a-without gnos-understand -ia-condition
agraphia
inability to convert one’s thoughts into writing
a-without graph-record -ia-condition
alexia
inability to understand words
a-without -lexia-reading
analgesia
without sensitivity to pain
an-without algesia- sensitivity to pain
analgesic
(pertaining to) act of relieving pain
anesthesia
without feeling or sensation
an-without -ethesia=feeling, sensation
anacephaly
born without a brain
aneurysm
dilation in the wall of an artery that expands with each pulsation; caused usually hypertension and atherosclerosis
aphasia
inability to communicate through speech, writing, or signs because of an injury to or disease of the brain
a-without -phasia-speech
apraxia
inability to perform coordinated movements or use objects properly; not sensory or motor impairment or paralysis
a-without -praxia-perform
arachnoid membrane
the middle meninge layer
astrocyte
a star-shaped neuroglial cell found in the CNS; most numerous neuroglial cell; attaches to brain’s blood capillaries, forming part of the blood-brain barrier
astr/o-star-shaped -cyte-cell
astrocytoma
a tumor of the brain or spinal cord composed of astrocytes
astr/o-star-shaped cyt/o-cell -oma-tumor
ataxia
condition without order; without muscle coordination
a-without tax/o-order -ia-condition
aura
the sensation an individual experiences prior to onset of a migraine headache or an epileptic seizure. may be a sensation of light or warmth and may precede the attack by hours or only a few seconds
autonomic nervous system (ANS)
the part of the nervous system that regulates involuntary movement such as heart, smooth muscles and the glands; breaks into the PNS and SNS
axon
the part of the nerve cell that transports nerve impulses away from the nerve cell body
blood-brain barrier
a protective characteristic of the capillary walls of the brain that prevent passage of harmful substance from the bloodstream into the brain tissue of CSF
Babinski’s reflex
stroking the sole of the foot to see if the foot dorsiflexes and toes fan out; a positive if there is a reaction; positive good in infants, but not good in children and adults
Bell’s palsy
the permanent or tempoary paralysis of one side of the face due to trauma to the face, unknown infection, or tumor pressing on the facial nerve
bradyesthesia
slowly removing sensation of feeling
bradykinesia
abnormally slow movement
brady-slow kinesia-movement
brain abscess
localized accumulation of pus anywhere in the brain tissue
Brudzinski’s sign
a positive sign of meningitis, flexion of arm, hip, and knee when neck is passive
burr hole
a hole drilled into the skull
carpal tunnel syndrome
the pinching or compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel due to inflammation and swelling of tendons often because of repetitive overuse
cauda equina
the lower end of the spinal cord and the roots of the spinal nerves below L1; looks like a horse tail
causalgia
a acute burning pain along the path of a peripheral nerve, sometimes accompanied by erythema of the skin; injuery to the peripheral nerves
caus/o-burn algia-pain
cephalalgia
pain in the head; headache
cephal/o- head -algia-pain
cerebellum
the part of the brain responsible for coordinating voluntary muscular movements; located behind the brain stem.
cerebellospinal
leading from the cerebellum to the spine
cerebral angiography
process of visualization/recording of the cerebral vascular system via X-ray after injection of a radiopaque contrast medium into an arterial blood vessel (carotid, femoral, brachial)
cerebral concussion
the brief interruption of brain function, w/ loss of consciousness lasting for a few seconds
cerebral contusion
a small scattered venous hemorrhage in the brain (bruise of the brain tissue) occurs when brain strikes the inner skull
cerebral palsy
collective term to describe congenital (at birth) brain damage; permanent but not progressive; four types; characterized by child’s lack of voluntary control over muscles
cerebritis
inflammation of the brain/cerebrum
cerebrospinal fluid
fluid around the brain and spinal cord that protects it from physical blow or impact–cushion
cerebr/o-brain; cerebrum spin/o-spine -al-pertaining to
cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
a stroke; death of brain tissue due to decrease in blood flow
cerebrum
the largest, top part of the brain; responsible to memory, consciousness, sensations, emotions, voluntary movements
Cheyne-Stokes respirations
abnormal breathing pattern; apnea followed by rapid breathing
coma
a deep sleep; does not respond to external stimuli
comatose
pertains to being in a coma
chordotomy
procedure for pain control through a laminectomy where interference of pathways within the spinal cord that controls pain
cisternal puncture
insertion of spinal needle into the cisterna magna to remove CSF specimen
cluster headache
extreme pain around one eye; occurs 2-3 hours after falling asleep
contracture
a permanent shortening of a muscle causing a joint to remain in an abnormally flexed position, with resultant physical deformity
convolution
a gyrus; elevated fold of the cerebrum
craniotomy
surgical incision into the skull or cranium
degenerative disk
deterioration of the intervertebral disk, usually due to constant motion and wear on the disk
dementia
progressive, irreversible disorder where deteriorating memory, judgment, and ability to think occurs
demyelination
destruction of the myelin sheath
dendrite
a projection from a nerve cell body; receives impulses and conducts them on to the cell body
diencephalon
the part of the brain between the cerebrum and midbrain; consists of the thalamus, hypothalamus, and pineal gland
diplopia
double vision; also called ambiopia
dipl/-double opia-vision
dura mater
outermost layer of the three meninges
dyslexia
impairment of the ability to read; letters and words are often reversed
dysphasia
difficult speech
dystonia
abnormal muscle tone
echoencephalography
ultrasound used to analyze the intracranial structures of the brain; the test has limitations
echo-sound encephal/o-brain -graphy-process of recording
electroencephalography (EEG)
measurement of electrical activity in the brain from electrodes placed on the scalp; can be a slep-deprived EEG or an ambulatory EEG
electr/o-electricity encephal/o-brain -graphy-process of recording
embolism
abnormal condition in which a blood clot (embolus) becomes lodged in a blood vessel, obstructing the flow of blood
epidural space
the space immediately outside the dura mater; contains a supporting cushion of fat and other connective tissues
epilepsy
recurrent episodes of sudden brief attacks of seizures
fissure
a deep groove on the surface of an organ
fontanelle or fontanel
infant’s soft spot
encephalitis
inflammation of the brain caused by a virus, such as measles or mumps, or a tick or mosquito bite
ganglion
a knotlike mass of nerve tissue found outside the brain or spinal cord (plural: ganglia)
glioma
the gluey substance (neuroglia) in the brain has a tumor
gli-gluey substance oma-tumor
grand mal seizure
the big seizure; sudden loss of consciousness, involuntary muscular contraction, vacillating between rigid body extension and alternating between relaxation and contraction; also called a tonic-clonic seizure
Guillain-Barre syndrome
acute polyneuritis of the PNS; myelin sheaths are destroyed
gyrus
(plural gyri) elevated folds of the cerebrum
hematoma
a collection of blood; in this chapter there is discussion of an epidural and a subdural hematoma
hemiparesis
slight of partial paralysis of one half of the body (right or left side)
hemi-half -paresis-paralysis
hemiplegia
paralysis of one half of the body
hemi-half -plegia-paralysis
herniated disk
rupture or herniation of the disk center (nucleus pulposus) through the disk wall and into the spinal canal, causing pressure on the spinal cord or nerve root
herpes zoster
shingles
hypothalamus
part of the brain stem; below the thalamus; controls body temperature, sleep and appetite
interneurons
connecting neurons that conduct impulses from afferent nerves to or toward motor nerves
kinesiology
the study of muscle movement
kinesi/o-movement -logy-study of
lathargy
a state of being sluggish; see stupor
longitudinal fissure
a deep groove in the middle of the cerebrum that divides it into two halfs
medulla oblongata
part of the brain stem; the most essential part of the brain stem; cardiac, vasomotor, and respiratory centers located there
meninges
the three protective layers of membrane that surround the brain and spinal cord
mening/o-meninges -es-noun ending
microglia
small neuroglial cells found in the interstitial tissue that engulf cellular debris , waste products, and pathogens
midbrain
the uppermost part of the brain stem
motor nerves
efferent nerves
myelin sheath
protective sheath that covers the axons of many nerves in the body; act as an electrical insulator to speed up the conduction of nerve impulses
narcolepsy
uncontrolled, sudden attacks of sleep
narc/o-sleep -lepsy-seizure, attack
neuralgia
nerve pain; sharp, severe, spasmlike pain along the course of one or more nerves
neur/o-nerve -algia-pain
neuritis
inflammation of a nerve
neur-nerve -itis-inflammation
neuroglia
the supporting tissue of the nervous system
neur/o-nerve gli-gluey substance -a-noun ending
neurologist
one who specializes in treating the diseases and disorders of the nervous system
neurology
the study of the nervous system and its disorders
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 that activates or inhibits the transmission of nerve impulses at synapses
nuchal rigidity
rigidity of the neck; neck is resistant to flexion; seen in people with meningitis
occlusion
a blockage
palliative
soothing
paraplegia
paralysis of lower extremities and trunk, usually due to spinal cord injuries
para-near, beside, beyond, two like parts -plegia-paralysis
parasympathetic nerves
nerves of the ANS; they regulate slowing heart rate, increasing peristalsis of the intestines, increasing glandular secretions, and relaxing sphincters
parasympathomimetic
copying or producing the same effects as those of the parasympathetic nerves; “to mimic” the parasympathetic nerves
paresthesia
a sensation of numbness or tingling
peripheral nervous system (PNS)
part of the nervous system outside the CNS; consists of 12 pairs of cranial nerves and 31 pairs of spinal nerves
phagocytosis
the process in which certain cells engulf and destroy microorganisms and cellular debris
pia mater
the innermost meninge layer
pineal body
the pineal gland; located in the diencephalon of the brain; regulates biological clock and produces melatonin
plexus
a network of interwoven nerves
pons
part of the brain between the medulla oblongata and the midbrain; a bridge between the medulla oblongata and the cerebellum
quadriplegia
paralysis of all four extremities and trunk; cause by injury to the spinal cord at the cervical vertebrae
receptor
a sensory nerve ending; receives impulses and responds to stimuli
rhizotomy
a surgical resection of a spinal nerve root to relieve pain; also called a radiculotomy
rhiz/o-root tomy-process of cutting
sciatica
inflammation of the sciatic nerve; pain goes along the nerve, radiating through the thigh and down the back of the leg
sensory
pertaining to sensation
sensory nerves
transmitter nerves toward the CNS; afferent nerves
shingles
herpes zoster; acute infection caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox; painful lesions along the path of a spinal nerve
somatic nervous system
the part of the PNS that provides voluntary control over skeletal muscles contractions
stimulus
any agent of factor capable of initiating a nerve impulse
stupor
a state of lethargy; person is unresponsive and seems unaware of his or her surroundings
subarachnoid space
the space 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 e.g. a sulcus that separates any of the convolutions of the cerebral hemisphere
sympathetic nerves
nerves of the ANS that regulate essential involuntary body functions such as increasing heart rate, constricting blood vessels, and raising blood pressure
sympathomimetic
copying or producing the same effects as those of the sympathetic nerves; “to mimic” 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
located between the cerebral hemispheres and the midbrain; receives all sensory stimuli, except those of smell and relays them to the cerebral cortex
thrombosis
an abnormal condition in which a clot develops in a blood vessel
tonic-clonic seizure
a seizure where muscle contraction or tension is followed by relaxation, creating a “jerking” movement of the body; a grand mal seizure
ventricle
a small hollow within the brain that is filled with cerebrospinal fluid
hydrocephalus
a condition in which CSF accumulates in the brain, typically in young children, enlarging the head and sometimes causing brain damage.
petit mal seizure
small seizure in which there is a sudden temporary loss oc consciousness only a few seconds; blank facial expression; also known as absence seizure
migraine headache
recurring, pulsating, vascular headache (dilation of the vessels) usually on one side of the head; may be preceded by an aura with sensory disturbance
intracranial tumors
tumors occurring in any region of the brain; may be malignant or benign; may be primary or secondary; classified according to the tissue they originate from
metastatic intracranial tumors
a secondary intracranial tumor; occur as a result of metastasis from a primary site such as the lung or breast
intra-within crani/o-skull; cranium -al-pertaining to
meningitis (acute bacterial)
bacterial infection of the meninges; dangerous or deadly if not treated promptly with antibiotics
mening/o-meninges -itis-inflammation
multiple sclerosis (MS)
degenerative inflammatory disease of the CNS attacking the myelin sheath in the spinal cord and brain, leaving it sclerosed (hardened) or scarred and interrupting the flow of nerve impulses
myasthenia gravis
chronic progressive neuromuscular disorder causing severe skeletal muscle weakness and fatigue
my/o-muscle -asthenia-loss of strength
neuroblastoma
highly malignant tumor of the sympathetic nervous system
Parkinson’s disease
degenerative, slowly progressive deterioration of nerves in the brain stem’s motor system; dysfunction of motor, autonomic system, and mental and emotional
peripheral neuritis
inflammation of one or more peripheral nerves; effects depend on the nerve involved
e.g. trigeminal neuralgia (tic douloureux), Bell’s palsy, carpal tunnel syndrome
poliomyelitis
infectious viral disease that enters through the respiratory system; affects the ability of the spinal cord and brain motor centers to receive stimulation; affected muscles can become paralyzed because of lack of stimulation
postpolio syndrome
progressive weakness occurring at least 30 years after the initial poliomyelitis attack
Reye’s syndrome
acute brain encephalopathy along with fatty infiltration of the internal organs that may follow acute viral infections; occurs in children between 5-11 and is fatal; studies link Reye’s syndrome to aspirin use for viral illnesses
primary intracranial tumors
arise from gliomas, malignant glial cells that are a support for nerve tissue, and from tumors that arise from the meninges; 5 types of gliomas listed
Tay-Sachs disease
congenital disorder caused by altered lipid metabolism that causes accumulation of a certain lipid that leads to progressive neurological deterioration both physically and mentally
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; a type of spina bifida cystica
spina bifida occulta
congenital defect of the CNS in which the back portion of one or more vertebrae is not closed, a dimpling over the area may occur; hair grows out of the area.
trigeminal neuralgia (tic douloureux)
short periods of severe unilateral pain, which radiates along the fifth cranial nerve; pain activated by heat, touch, and chewing
laminectomy
surgical removal of the bony arches from one or more of the vertebrae to relieve pressure on the spinal cord
lumbar puncture
insertion of a needle into the subarachnoid space between L3 and L4 to get a CSF sample/specimen
myelography
introducing a contrast medium into the subarachnoid space through a lumbar puncture to see the spinal cord and vertebral through an x-ray
myel/o-spinal cord, bone marrow graphy-process of recording
neurectomy
surgical procedure that makes incision into nerves to interrupt the transmission/tract to relieve pain
neur/o-nerve ectomy-surgical removal
pneumoencephalography
used to visualize radiographically one of the ventricles or fluid-occupying spaces in the CNS; accomplished by removing CSF and replacing it with injected air, oxygen, or helium
pneum/o-lungs, air encephal/o-brain -graphy-process of recording
positron emission topography (PET)
a scan that produces computerized radiographic images of various body structures when radioactive substances are inhaled or injected; used to assess dementia and tumors
Romberg test
used to evaluate cerebellar function and balance
spina bifida cystica
a congenital defect of the CNS in which the back portion of one or more vertebrae is not closed normally and a cyst protrudes through the opening in the back, usually at the level of the fifth lumbar or first sacral vertebrae; 2 types=meningocele and meningomyelocele
meningocele
type of spina bifida cystica; cyst-like sac covered with skin or a thin membrane protruding through the bony defect in the vertebrae containing meninges and CSF
myelocele
swelling or herniation of the spinal cord
myel/o-spinal cord or bone marrow cele-swelling or herniation
stereotaxic neurosurgery
performed on a precise location of an area within the brain that controls specific function(s) and may involve destruction of brain tissue with various agents such as heat, cold, and sclerosing or corrosive fluids
tractotomy
a craniotomy that involves dividing the brain stem anterolaterally to attempt to relieve pain
transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
form of cutaneous stimulation for pain relief that supplies electrical impulses to the nerve endings or a nerve close to the pain site
trans-across, through cutane/o-skin -ous-pertaining to
Alzheimer’s disease
deterioration of a person’s intellectual functioning; progressive and extremely debilitating
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
severe weakening and wasting of the involved muscle groups; caused by decreased nerve innervation; Lou Gehrig’s disease
a-without,not my/o-muscle troph/o-development -ic-
scler/o-hard -osis-condition
anesthesiologist
specializes in taking away sensation or feeling
hyposthenia
abnormal lack of strength
intrathecal
within the sheath (or maybe spinal cord, not sure)
narcosis
state of sleep (or stupor, unconsciousness)
oligodendrocytes
neuroglial cell with dendrite projections that coil around the axons of many neurons to form the myelin sheath
oli/o-few, little, scanty dendr/o-trees, branches -cyte-cell
neuropathy
nerve disease
sympathectomy
surgical removal of sympathetic nerves; surgical procedure used to interrupt a portion of the sympathetic nerve pathway for the purpose of relieving chronic pain
ventriculostomy
surgical opening of the ventricle of the brain
cerebral cortex
thin outer layer of nerve tissue known as grey matter
efferent nerves
nerves going away from the CNS; motor nerves
gait
style of walking
Huntington’s chorea
inherited, neurological disease that affects the basal ganglion; causes jerky, involuntary movements and dementia
