Medical Terminology Chptr 10 The Nervous System and Mental Health Flashcards
Neurologists
are medical doctors who specialize in disorders of the nervous system.
Neurosurgeons
are medical doctors who perform surgical procedures on the nervous system.
Psychiatrists
are medical doctors who are licensed in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.
Anesthesiologists
are medical doctors who are certified to administer anesthetics and can also be responsible for pain management.
Psychologists
Psychologists are professionals who are licensed in the science concerned with the behavior of the human mind.
Neuropsychologists
are individuals who evaluate the patient’s memory, language, and cognitive functions, and develop appropriate treatment plans.
Electroneurodiagnostic technicians (also called EEG technicians)
are professionals who operate specialized equipment that measures the electrical activity of the brain, peripheral nervous system, and spinal cord.
ANS
ANS autonomic nervous system
CNS
CNS central nervous system
CT computed tomography
CT computed tomography - Computed tomography (CT scan) generates images of slices of the brain to detect tumors, tissue damage, and birth defects.
EEG
EEG electroencephalogram -
Electroencephalography (EEG) records the brain’s electrical activity to help identify epilepsy, sleep disturbances, degenerative brain disease, and brain damage
MRI
MRI magnetic resonance imaging
PNS
PNS peripheral nervous system
central nervous system (CNS)
The central nervous system (CNS), consisting of the brain and spinal cord
peripheral nervous system (PNS)
The peripheral nervous system (PNS), consisting of all the neurons and nerves outside the central nervous system. It includes 12 pairs of cranial nerves originating from the brain and 31 pairs of spinal nerves originating from the spinal cord.
The peripheral nervous system is further subdivided into:
- The sensory division (afferent nerves)
- The motor division (efferent nerves)
- The visceral motor division is called the autonomic nervous system (ANS).
- sympathetic division
- parasympathetic division
- somatic motor division
The sensory division (afferent nerves)
The sensory division, in which sensory nerves (afferent nerves) carry messages toward the spinal cord and brain from sense organs
The motor division (efferent nerves)
The motor division, in which motor nerves (efferent nerves) carry messages away from the brain and spinal cord to muscles and organs.
The visceral motor division is called the autonomic nervous system (ANS)
The visceral motor division is called the autonomic nervous system (ANS). It carries signals to glands and to cardiac and smooth muscle. It operates at a subconscious level outside your voluntary control, and it has two subdivisions:
sympathetic division
The sympathetic division arouses the body for action by increasing the heart and respiratory rates to increase oxygen supply to the brain and muscles.
parasympathetic division
The parasympathetic division calms the body, slowing down the heartbeat but stimulating digestion.
somatic motor division
The somatic motor division carries signals to the skeletal muscles and is within your voluntary control.
Sensory input
Sensory input to the brain comes from receptors all over your body at both the conscious and subconscious levels.
Motor output
Motor output from your brain stimulates the skeletal muscles to contract, which enables you to move.
Evaluation and integration
Evaluation and integration occur in your brain and spinal cord to process the sensory input, initiate a response, and store the event in memory.
Homeostasis
Homeostasis is maintained by your nervous system taking in internal sensory input and responding to it.
Mental activity
Mental activity occurs in your brain so that you can think, feel, understand, respond, and remember.
Neurons
Neurons (nerve cells) receive stimuli and transmit impulses to other neurons or to organ receptors. Each neuron consists of a cell body and two types of processes or extensions, called axons and dendrites
axons and dendrites
Dendrites bring information to the cell body and axons take information away from the cell body.
Dendrites are short, multiple, highly branched extensions of the neuron’s cell body.
A single axon, or nerve fiber, arises from the cell body, is covered in a fatty myelin sheath
fatty myelin sheath
Myelin is a lipid-rich (fatty) substance that surrounds nerve cell axons (the nervous system’s “wires”) to insulate them and increase the rate at which electrical impulses (called action potentials) are passed along the axon.
white matter and gray matter
Grey matter is distinguished from white matter in that it contains numerous cell bodies and relatively few myelinated axons, while white matter contains relatively few cell bodies and is composed chiefly of long-range myelinated axons. The colour difference arises mainly from the whiteness of myelin.
synapse (junction)
Synapse, also called neuronal junction, the site of transmission of electric nerve impulses between two nerve cells (neurons) or between a neuron and a gland or muscle cell (effector). A synaptic connection between a neuron and a muscle cell is called a neuromuscular junction.
Neurotransmitters
Examples of neurotransmitters are norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine.
Neurotransmitters are endogenous chemicals acting as signaling molecules that enable neurotransmission. They are a type of chemical messenger which transmits signals across a chemical synapse from one neuron to another ‘target’ neuron, to a muscle cell, or to a gland cell.
glial cells (neuroglia)
are non-neuronal cells in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system that do not produce electrical impulses. They maintain homeostasis, form myelin, and provide support and protection for neurons.
cerebrum makes up
The cerebrum makes up about 80% of your brain
cerebral hemispheres
The vertebrate cerebrum (brain) is formed by two cerebral hemispheres that are separated by a groove, the longitudinal fissure. The brain can thus be described as being divided into left and right cerebral hemispheres.
corpus callosum
a broad band of nerve fibers joining the two hemispheres of the brain.
gyri and sulci
Lobes of the Brain. - Each cerebral hemisphere is divided into four lobes by sulci and gyri. The sulci (or fissures) are the grooves and the gyri are the “bumps” that can be seen on the surface of the brain. The folding created by the sulci and gyri increases the amount of cerebral cortex that can fit in the skull.
cortex
the outer layer of the cerebrum (the cerebral cortex ), composed of folded gray matter and playing an important role in consciousness.
an outer layer of another organ or body part such as a kidney (the renal cortex ), the cerebellum, or a hair.
frontal lobe
located behind the forehead, forms the anterior part of the hemisphere. This lobe is responsible for intellect, planning, problem solving, and the voluntary motor control of muscles.
parietal lobe
is posterior to the frontal lobe. This lobe receives and interprets sensory information, like spoken words.
temporal lobe
is below the frontal and parietal lobes. This lobe interprets sensory experiences.
occipital lobe
forms the posterior part of the hemisphere. This lobe interprets visual images and written words.
ventricles
a hollow part or cavity in an organ.
each of the two main chambers of the heart, left and right.
each of the four connected fluid-filled cavities in the center of the brain.
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
CSF circulates through the ventricles and around the brain and spinal cord. It helps to protect, cushion, and provide nutrition for the brain and spinal cord.
Thalamus
which receives all sensory impulses and channels them to the appropriate region of the cortex for interpretation
Hypothalamus
which regulates blood pressure, body temperature, water, and electrolyte balance.
brainstem
relays sensory impulses from peripheral nerves to higher brain centers. It also controls vital cardiovascular and respiratory activities.
cerebellum
the most posterior area of the brain, coordinates skeletal muscle activity to maintain the body’s posture and balance.
cervical region of the spinal cord
is continuous with the brain stem (lower part of the brain). It contains the motor neurons that supply the neck, shoulders, and upper limbs through 8 pairs of cervical spinal nerves (C1–C8)
thoracic region of the spinal cord
contains the motor neurons that supply the thoracic cage, rib movement, vertebral column movement, and postural back muscles through 12 pairs of thoracic spinal nerves (T1–T12)
lumbar region of the spinal cord
supplies the hips and the front of the lower limbs through 5 pairs of lumbar nerves (L1–L5)
sacral region of the spinal cord
supplies the buttocks, genitalia, and backs of the lower limbs through 5 sacral nerves (S1–S5) and 1 coccygeal nerve, relative to the small bone at the base of the spine.
Your brain and spinal cord are protected by
the cranium and the vertebrae, cushioned by the CSF, and covered by the meninges
meninges
the three membranes (the dura mater, arachnoid, and pia mater) that line the skull and vertebral canal and enclose the brain and spinal cord.
dura mater
dura mater is the outermost layer of tough connective tissue attached to the cranium’s inner surface. Within the vertebral canal the dura mater splits into two sheets, separated by the epidural space, into which epidural injections of medication are given to produce analgesia during childbirth or for the treatment of low back pain.
arachnoid mater
arachnoid mater is a thin web over the brain and spinal cord. The CSF is contained in the subarachnoid space between the arachnoid and pia mater. It is into this space that a needle is introduced to obtain CSF for testing or to place medication in spinal anesthesia.
pia mater
pia mater is the innermost layer of the meninges, attached to the surface of the brain and spinal cord. It supplies nerves and blood vessels that nourish the outer cells of the brain and spinal cord.
AMS
AMS altered mental state
CVA
CVA cerebrovascular accident
FTD
FTD frontotemporal dementia
dementia
is a collective term used to describe various symptoms of cognitive decline, such as forgetfulness. It is a symptom of several underlying diseases and brain disorders. Dementia is not a single disease in itself, but a general term to describe symptoms of impairment in memory, communication, and thinking.
Senile dementia
severe mental deterioration in old age, characterized by loss of memory and control of bodily functions.
Alzheimer disease
— the most common form of dementia—affects 10% of the population over 65, and 50% of the population over 85. Nerve cells in the areas of the brain associated with memory and cognition are replaced by abnormal protein clumps and tangles.
Vascular dementia
—the second most common form of dementia—can come on gradually when arteries supplying the brain become arteriosclerotic (narrowed or blocked), depriving the brain of oxygen. It can also occur suddenly after a stroke
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD)
is caused by progressive cell degeneration in the brain’s frontal and temporal lobes, which control planning and judgment, emotions, speaking and understanding speech, and certain types of movement. It accounts for 10% to 15% of all dementias, but it is more common in those younger than 65.
Other conditions causing dementia
include reactions to medications, like sedatives and antiarthritics; depression in the elderly; and infections, such as AIDS or encephalitis.
Delirium is an altered mental state (AMS)
characterized by the sudden onset of disorientation, an inability to think clearly or pay attention. The level of consciousness varies from increased wakefulness to drowsiness. It is not a disease, it is reversible, and it can be part of dementia or a stroke.
Epilepsy
is a chronic disorder in which clusters of neurons (nerve cells) discharge their electrical signals in an abnormal rhythm. This disturbed electrical activity (a seizure or a convulsion) can cause strange sensations and behavior, convulsions, and loss of consciousness. The causes of epilepsy are numerous, from abnormal brain development to brain damage.
partial seizures
occur when the epileptic activity is in one localized area of the brain only, causing, for example, involuntary jerking movements of a single limb.
Generalized seizures can be categorized into one of the following three types
Absence seizures, previously known as “petit mal”
Tonic-clonic seizures, previously called “grand mal”
Febrile seizures
Absence seizures, previously known as “petit mal”
Absence seizures, previously known as “petit mal,” which begin between ages 5 and 10. The child stares vacantly for a few seconds and may be accused of daydreaming.
Tonic-clonic seizures, previously called “grand mal,” which are dramatic.
The person experiences a loss of consciousness (LOC), breathing stops, the eyes roll up, and the jaw is clenched. This “tonic” phase lasts for 30 to 60 seconds. It is followed by the “clonic” phase, in which the whole body shakes with a series of violent, rhythmic jerkings of the limbs. The seizures last for a couple of minutes, and then consciousness returns.
LOC
loss of consciousness (LOC
Febrile seizures
Febrile seizures, which are triggered by a fever in infants and toddlers aged 6 months to 5 years. Very few of these children go on to develop epilepsy.
Status epilepticus
is considered to be a medical emergency. It is defined as having one continuous seizure or recurrent seizures without regaining consciousness for 30 minutes or more.
Tourette syndrome and other tic disorders
are characterized by episodes of involuntary, rapid, repetitive, fixed movements of individual muscle groups in the face or the limbs. They are associated with meaningless vocal sounds or meaningful words and phrases. The tics may be genetic.
Narcolepsy
is a chronic disorder in which patients fall asleep during the day—from a few seconds up to an hour. There is no cure.
ASD
ASD autism spectrum disorder
BSE
BSE bovine spongiform encephalopathy
CJD
CJD Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease ** human form of BSE
CVA
CVA cerebrovascular accident
TIA
TIA transient ischemic attack
tPA
tPA tissue plasminogen activator
bovine spongiform encephalopathy BSE
A brain disorder in adult cattle that may be spread to humans through diseased meat.
Humans may acquire the disorder by eating diseased meat products. When it comes from cattle, the disorder is called Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and ultimately leads to dementia and death. The condition is rare.
The disease is marked by rapid mental deterioration, usually within a few months. Most people eventually lapse into a coma.
Treatment focuses on keeping the person as comfortable as possible.