Nervous Pathology Flashcards
Abnormal accumulation of fluid (CSF) in the brain.
hydrocephalus
Congenital defects in the lumbar spinal column caused by imperfect union of vertebral parts (neural tube defect).
spina bifida
Brain disorder Matthews by gradual and progressive mental deterioration (dementia), personality changes, and impairment of daily functioning.
Alzheimer disease (AD, Alzheimer’s)
Degenerative disorder of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem.
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Chronic brain disorder characterized by recurrent seizure activity.
epilepsy
Seizures characterized by sudden loss of consciousness, falling down, and then tonic contractions (stiffening of muscles) followed by clonic contractions (twitching and jerking movements of the limbs).
tonic-clonic seizures (grand mal or ictal events)
Form of seizure consisting of momentary clouding of consciousness and loss of awareness of the person’s surroundings.
absence seizures
Neurologic symptoms such as weakness occurring after seizures.
postictal events
Hereditary disorder marked by degenerative changes in the cerebrum leading to abrupt involuntary movements and mental deterioration.
Huntington disease (Huntington’s)
Destruction of the myelin sheath on neurons in the CNS and its replacement by plaques of sclerotic (hard) tissue.
multiple sclerosis (MS)
Autoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterized by weakness of voluntary muscles.
myasthenia gravis (MG)
Paralysis (partial or complete loss of motor function).
palsy
Degeneration of neurons in the basal ganglia, occurring in later life and leading to tremors, weakness of muscles, and slowness of movement.
Parkinson disease (Parkinson’s)
Involuntary spasmodic, twitching movements; uncontrollable vocal sounds; and inappropriate words.
Tourette syndrome (Tourette’s)
Viral infection affecting peripheral nerves.
herpes zoster (shingles)
Inflammation of the meninges; leptomeningitis.
meningitis
Brain disease and dementia occurring with AIDS.
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) encephalopathy
Abnormal growth of brain tissue and meninges.
brain tumor
Type of traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head.
cerebral concussion
Bruising of the brain tissue resulting from direct trauma to the head.
cerebral contusion
Disruption in the normal blood supply to the brain; stroke; cerebral infarction.
cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
Type of stroke. Blood clot in the arteries leading to the brain, resulting in occlusion of the vessel. Before total occlusion occurs, may experience symptoms that point to the gradual occlusion of blood vessels known as transient ischemic attacks (TIAs).
thrombotic
An embolus (a dislodged thrombus) travels to cerebral arteries and occludes a vessel. This type of stroke occurs very suddenly.
embolic
A cerebral artery breaks and bleeding occurs. This type of stroke can be fatal.
hemorrhagic
Severe, recurring, unilateral, vascular headache.
migraine
