CNS Appendix A Flashcards
Hypophysis Cerebri
Pituitary gland
Epiphysis Cerebri
Pineal gland
Embryo
The name given the developing human prior to the end of the second month of gestation
Fetus
Name applied to the developing human after the second month through parturition (birth)
Neonate
Newborn infant
Dentate
Notched or toothlike
Arcuate
Arranged like an arch
Striae (striatal)
A groove or streak-like formation
Rectus
Straight
Reticular
Net-like
Fissure
A relatively deep groove (infolding)
Sulcus
A relatively shallow groove (infolding)
Gyrus
Tortuous convolution. Usually found between sulci and/or fissures of the cerebrum
Folia
Small page-like gyri of the cerebellum
Nuclei
A cluster or group of neuron cell bodies located within the CNS
Ganglia
A cluster or group of cell bodies within the PNS
Neuron
A nerve cell
Perikaryon
Cell body (soma) of the neuron
Axon
A process of a neuron which carries the impulse away from the cell body
Dendrite
A process of a neuron which carries a charge or impulse toward the cell body
Fiber
A dominately long process (dendrite or axon) in a neuron
Nerve
Whitish appearing PNS structures filled with neuron fibers which innervate the body’s parts
Ramus
Literally means a branch. Major branches off the spinal nerve trunks = white ramus, gray ramus, dorsal ramus, ventral ramus, etc.
Axolemma
Outer plasma membrane of an axon
Neurilemma
Covering around a neuron fiber created by a surrounding cell
Vertebral Canal
Passageway created by the continuous nature of vertebral foramina
Central Canal
Tiny channel found within the spinal cord and inferior medulla oblongata
Aqueduct
Passageway
Leptomeninx
Thin membrane
Pachymeninx
Thick membrane (dura mater)
Somesthetic
To sense the body
Modality
A specific sensory entity (ie. taste, smell, etc)
Proprioception
The modality of subconscious awareness of body position and muscle movement
Kinesthesia
The modality of conscious awareness of body position and movement
Cholinergic
The releasing of choline-like (Ach) molecules at a target site
Andrenergic
The releasing of adrenalin-like (norepinephrine included) molecules at a target site
Chiasma
A crossing (i.e. crossing of optic fibers)
Decussation
A crossing - used more liberally to indicate crossing of fibers and tracts in the CNS
Contralateral
To the opposite side
Ipsilateral
On the same side
Anterograde
Going forward. In neurology, often refers to going away from the neuron cell body
Retrograde
Going backward. In neurology often refers to going back toward the cell body
Fugal
Traveling away from. Used often as a suffix
Lesion
Any type of injury, damage, or “hurt” can be called a lesion
Myelopathy
Lesion of the spinal cord
Necrosis
Deadness. Death of cells or tissue
Neoplasm
Any new abnormal growth (tumor)
Malignant
Spreading life-threatening neoplasm
Metastatic
Transferring to other tissue
Idiopathic
Generally used to mean something of unknown cause
Ischemia
Means to suppress blood supply to an area. This results in abnormal function and could lead to necrosis
Hematoma
Accumulation of blood outside of the blood vessels
Aneurysm
An abnormal dilation of a blood vessel wall and its lumen
Stroke
Blood vascular loss in the CNS leading to permanent or prolonged brain damage
Angiography
X-ray of blood vessels injected with radiopaque dyes
Myelography
X-ray of vertebral canal and spinal cord structures following injection of radiopaque dyes into the CSF
Ataxia
Irregularity in skeletal muscle coordination
Paralysis
Total or partial loss of normal motor function
Aphasia
Inability to communicate by speech, writing, or signs
Dysphasia
Partial or unusual loss of communicative ability
Archi
Prefix meaning beginning or original
Paleo
Prefix meaning “old”
Neo
Prefix meaning “new”
Cauda Equina
Horses’ Tail
Cephalgia
Headache
Cornu
Horn-like projection
Crus
Leg or leg-like
Cytoarchitecture
The pattern of cell arrangements
Falx
Sickle-shaped
Fenestra
Window-like
Foramen
Opening
Glial
Glue-like
Micron
Metric system unit of length. 10^-6
Operculum
Lid or covering
Pallium
To “cloak.” Used synonymously with “cortex”
Pons
Bridge. Located between the M.O. and the midbrain
BBB
Blood Brain Barrier
CSF
Cerebrospinal Fluid
CVA
Cardiovascular Accident
TIA
Transient Ischemic Attack
DRG
Dorsal Root Ganglion
IVF
Intervertebral Foramen
EEG
Electroencephalogram. Used to pick up brain waves.
CAT
Computerized Axial Tomography device (x-rays)
MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (magnets)
PET
Positron Emission Tomography (radioactive)
M.O.
Medulla Oblongatta
M.S.
Multiple Sclerosis
ALS
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s Disease)
GABA
Gamma Aminobutyric Acid. An amino acid which is a common inhibitory CNS neurotransmitter
ACH
Acetylcholine
Chordata
Phylum man is classified
Vertebrata
Subphylum man is classified
Mammalia
Class man is classified
Primate
Order man is classified
Homo sapiens
Proper way to write the genus and species of man
Adenohypophysis
The anterior and intermediate portions of the pituitary gland
Neurohypophysis
The posterior pituitary or “pars nervosa”