Nervous System Flashcards
Process of thought- including reasoning, judgment, and perception
Cognition
Electrical signal transmitted along the nerve fiber in response to a stimulus
nerve impulse
Chemicals in the brain that transmit messages between nerve cells (neuron)
neurotransmitters
Pertaining to the outside, surface, or surrounding area of an organ or structure or occurring away from its center
peripheral
Caused by or pertaining to an injury
traumatic
Pertaining to or composed of blood vessels
vascular
The branch of medicine concerned with diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the nervous system
Neurology
Includes the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves
nervous system
Detects, diagnoses, and treats symptoms and disorders that indicate an impairment of any of these functions
Neurologist
The branch of surgery involving the nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord
Neurosurgery
The physician who specializes in neurosurgery
Neurosurgeon
Two main divisions of the nervous system
Central Nervous System (CNS) and the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
Consists of the brain and spinal cord and is the control center of the body
Central Nervous System (CNS)
Consists of the peripheral nerves, which include the cranial nerves (emerging from the base of the skull) and the spinal nerves (emerging from the spinal cord)
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
The two principal types of cells in the nervous system
Neurons and Neuroglia
The basic structural and functional units of the nervous system that carry electrical messages throughout the body
Neurons
Assist in transmitting messages between neurons
Neurotransmitters
Perform the functions of support and protection. Some form a supporting network by twining around nerve cells or lining certain structures in the brain and spinal cord. Others bind nervous tissue to supporting structures and attach the neurons to their blood vessels.
Neuroglia
Cerebr/o
cerebrum
encephal/o
brain
gli/o
glue, neuroglial tissue
mening/o; meningi/o
meniges (membranes covering brain and spinal cord)
myel/o
bone marrow; spinal cord
neuro/o
nerve
-lepsy
seizure
-phasia
speech
dys-
bad, painful, difficult
hemi-
one half
para-
near; beside; beyond
quadri-
four
Degenerative disorder that manifests in adulthood with symptoms of difficulty in swallowing and talking, dyspnea, muscle weakness, and paralysis; also called Lou Gehrig disease (named after the baseball player who became afflicted with ALS)
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Progressive, irreversible deterioration of mental function marked by memory impairment and, commonly, deficits in reasoning, judgement, abstract thought, comprehension, learning, task execution, and use of language
dementia
Chronic, organic brain syndrome characterized by death of neurons in the cerebral cortex and their replacement by microscopic “plaques,” which results in dementia that progresses to complete loss of mental, emotional, and physical functioning and personality changes
Alzheimer disease
Disorder that results from the generation of electrical signals inside the brain, causing recurring seizures in which some people simply stare blankly for a few seconds during a seizure, whereas others have extreme convulsions
epilepsy
Inherited, degenerative disease of the CNS with symptoms developing in middle age as nerve cells in the brain waste away, resulting in uncontrolled bizarre movements, emotional disturbances, and mental deterioration
Huntington chorea
Excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the ventricles of the brain that is most common in neonates, but can also occur in adults as a result of injury or disease; if left untreated, causes an enlarged head and cognitive decline
hydrocephalus
Progressive degenerative disease of the CNS characterized by inflammation, hardening, and loss of myelin throughout the spinal cord and brain, which produces weakness and other muscular symptoms
multiple sclerosis (MS)
Malignant tumor composed mainly of cells resembling neuroblasts that occurs most commonly in infants and children
neuroblastoma
Nonpsychotic mental illness that triggers feelings of distress and anxiety and impairs normal behavior
neurosis
Partial or complete loss of motor function; also called paralysis
palsy
Facial paralysis on one side of the face as a result of inflammation of a facial nerve
Bell
Bilateral, symmetrical, nonprogressive motor dysfunction and partial paralysis, which is usually caused by damage to the cerebrum during gestation or birth trauma but can also be hereditary
cerebral
Loss of muscle function, loss of sensation, or both as a result of spinal cord injury
paralysis
Progressive neurological disorder caused by a neurotransmitter deficiency (dopamine) that affects the portion of the brain responsible for controlling movement and results in hand tremors, uncontrollable head nodding; shuffling gait; and difficulty talking, swallowing, or completing simple tasks
Parkinson disease
Inflammation of the gray matter of the spinal cord caused by a virus, commonly resulting in spinal and muscle deformity and paralysis
poliomyelitis
Mental disorder marked by loss of contact with reality; often with delusions and hallucinations
psychosis
Severe pain in the leg along the course of the sciatic nerve, which travels from the hip to the foot
sciatica
Chronic viral disease in which painful blisters appear on the skin along the course of a peripheral nerve that is caused by inflammation secondary to herpes zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox; also called herbs zoster
shingles
Congenital neural tube defect characterized by incomplete closure of the spinal canal through which the spinal cord and meninges may or may not protrude
spina bifida
Most common and least severe form of spina bifida without protrusion of the spinal cord or meninges
spina bifida occulta
Most severe type of spina bifida that involves protrusion of the meninges (meningocele), spinal cord (myelocele), or both (meningomyelocele)
spina bifida cystica
Inadequate supply of blood and oxygen to the brain due to a clot or ruptured blood vessel (hemorrhage), which allows brain tissue to die and becomes a medical emergency; also called cerebrovascular accident
stroke
Interruption in blood supply to the brain that does not cause permanent brain damage but may be an indication of a higher risk of a more serious and debilitating condition (stroke); also called ministroke
transient ischemic attack (TIA)
Laboratory test that examines a sample of CSF obtained from a lumbar puncture, which is analyzed for the presence of blood, bacteria, and malignant cells as well as for the amount of protein and glucose present
cerebrospinal fluid analysis (CSF)
Electrodes are placed on the scalp to record electrical activity within the brain; used to evaluate seizure and sleep disorders, and periods of unconsciousness, monitor brain surgeries, and determine whether a person is in a coma or brain dead
electroencephalography
Insertion of a needle into the subarachnoid space of the spinal column to withdraw a sample of CSF used for biochemical, microbiological, and cytological laboratory analysis; also called spinal tap or spinal puncture
lumbar puncture
Surgical procedure that creates an opening in the skull to gain access to the brain during neurosurgical procedures
craniotomy
Partial destruction of the thalamus to treat psychosis or intractable pain
thalamotomy
Excision of a circular disk of bone using a specialized saw called a trephine to reveal brain tissue during neurosurgery, or to relieve intracranial pressure (ICP)
trephination
Produce partial or complete loss of sensation with or without loss of consciousness
anesthetics
Produce complete loss of feeling with loss of consciousness
general
Produce loss of feeling and affects a local area only
local
Prevent or control seizures
anticonvulsants
Reduce signs and symptoms associated with Parkinson disease
antiparkinsonian agents
Alter neurotransmitters in the brain to alleviate symptoms of delusions and hallucinations
antipsychotics
Dissolve blood clots in a process known as thrombolysis
thrombolytics
A neuropathic pain syndrome that involves the facial area stimulated by the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V). Results in flashes of pain radiating along the course of the nerve and is the most common cause of facial pain
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN)
Creates a lesion on the nerve to block the pain signals
Gamma Knife
Severe injuries to the spinal cord that result in impairment of spinal cord function below the level of injury
Vertebral fractures
Result of trauma caused by motor vehicle accidents, fall, diving in shallow water, or accidents associated with contact sports
Spinal cord injuries
Paralysis of the lower portion of the body and both legs
paraplegia
Paralysis of all four extremities and, usually, the trunk
quadriplegia
Increased muscular tension and hyperactive reflexes
spastic
Loss of reflexes of tone
flaccid
