Nervous

Question 1

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Answer 1

The PNS includes the 12 pairs of cranial nerves extending from the brain and the 31 pairs of peripheral spinal nerves extending outward from the spinal cord. The function of the PNS is to transmit nerve signals to and from the central nervous system.

Question 2

Nerve; Tract

Answer 2

A nerve is one or more bundles of neurons that connect the brain and the spinal cord with other parts of the body.
A tract is a bundle or group of nerve fibers located within the brain or spinal cord.
Ascending nerve tracts - nerve impulses toward the brain
Descending nerve tracts - nerve impulses away from the brain

Question 3

Plexus

Answer 3

A network of intersecting spinal nerves.

Also describes a network of intersecting blood or lymphatic vessels.

Question 4

White matter; Gray matter

Answer 4

White matter is the portion of nerve fibers that is myelinated.
Gray matter is unmyelinated nerve tissue. The lack of myelin sheath reveals a brownish-gray color of the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and spinal cord core.

Question 5

The Meninges

Answer 5

Dura mater - thick, tough, outermost membrane

Arachnoid membrane - resembles a spider web, the second layer located between the dura mater and the pia mater

Pia mater - located nearest to the brain and spinal cord. It consists of delicate connective tissue that contains a rich supply of blood vessels.

Question 6

Thalamus

Answer 6

Located below the cerebrum, above the hypothalamus. Relays sensory stimuli from the spinal cord and midbrain to the cerebral cortex. The thalamus suppresses some stimuli and magnifies others.

Question 7

Brainstem

Answer 7

Located in the base of the brain and forms the connection between the brain and spinal cord. It consists of the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata. The brainstem controls the functions necessary for survival (breathing digestion, heart rate, and blood pressure) and for arousal (being awake and alert).

Question 8

Psychiatrist

Answer 8

A physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating chemical dependencies, emotional problems, and mental illness. A psychiatrist can prescribe medications.

Question 9

Encephalocele

Answer 9

Craniocele, a congenital herniation of brain tissue through a gap in the skull.

Question 10

Reye’s syndrome

Answer 10

A serious and potentially deadly disorder in children that is characterized by vomiting and confusion. This syndrome sometimes follows a viral illness in which the child was treated with aspirin.

Question 11

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Answer 11

ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a rapidly progressive neurological disease that attacks the nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscles. Patients affect with ALS become progressively weaker until they are completely paralyzed and die.

Question 12

Cranial hematoma

Answer 12

A collection of blood trapped in the tissues of the brain. Named for their location e.g., epidural or subdural.

Question 13

Stupor

Answer 13

An unresponsive state from which a person can be aroused only briefly despite vigorous, repeated attempts.

Question 14

Syncope

Answer 14

Fainting, the brief loss of consciousness caused by the decreased flow of blood to the brain.

Question 15

Delirium

Answer 15

An acute condition of confusion, disorientation, disordered thinking and memory, agitation, and hallucinations.

Question 16

Intracranial pressure

Answer 16

The amount of pressure inside the skull. Elevated ICP can be due to a tumor, an injury, or improper drainage of CSF. Elevated ICP can potentially restrict the flow of blood to the brain, depriving it of oxygen.

Question 17

Somnambulism

Answer 17

Sleepwalking, or noctambulism, the condition of walking or performing some other activity without awakening.

Question 18

Myelosis

Answer 18

A tumor of the spinal cord.

Myelosis also means an abnormal proliferation of bone marrow tissue.

Question 19

Radiculitis

Answer 19

Pinched nerve, an inflammation of the root of a spinal nerve that causes pain and numbness radiating down the affected limb.

Question 20

Tonic-clonic seizure; Absence seizure

Answer 20

A tonic-clonic, or grand mal seizure, involves the entire body. In the tonic phase of the seizure, the body becomes rigid, and in the clinic phase, there is uncontrolled jerking.

An absence, or petit mal seizure, is a brief disturbance in brain function in which there is a loss of awareness often described as a staring episode.

Question 21

Neuroleptic

Answer 21

An antipsychotic drug that is administered to treat symptoms of severe disorders of thinking and mood that are associated with neurological and psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia, mania, and delusional disorders.

Question 22

Hypnotic

Answer 22

A medication that depresses the central nervous system and usually produces sleep.

Question 23

Sedative

Answer 23

A medication that depresses the central nervous system to produce calm and diminished responsiveness without producing sleep.