Nervous System

Question 1

• Characterized by diminished mental capabilities, including memory loss, anxiety, and confusion.

Answer 1

Alzheimer’s disease (ALTS hi merz):

Question 2

• A disorder of the motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord that causes skeletal and muscular weakness; also called Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Answer 2

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) (a MI o TROF ik) (skleRO sis):

Question 3

• Inflammation of a facial nerve that causes paralysis and numbness of the face.

Answer 3

Bell’s palsy (PAWL ze):

Question 4

• A condition associated with birth defects, marked by partial paralysis and poor muscle coordination.

Answer 4

Cerebral palsy:

Question 5

• Stroke, which can be caused by a cerebral hemorrhage or arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). A decrease in the flow of blood to the brain causes destruction of the brain tissue from lack of oxygen.

Answer 5

Cerebrovascular accident (CVA):

Question 6

• Inflammation of the brain caused by a virus; symptoms are lethargy, stiff neck, or convulsions.

Answer 6

Encephalitis (en SEF a LI tis):

Question 7

• Recurring seizure disorder resulting from abnormal electrical activity or malfunctioning of the chemical substances of the brain.

Answer 7

Epilepsy (EP i LEP se):

Question 8

• Inflammation of the membranes of the brain or spinal cord caused by a variety of microorganisms.

Answer 8

Meningitis (men in JI tis):

Question 9

• Fibrous tumors throughout the body causing crippling deformities.

Answer 9

Multiple neurofibromatosis (NU ro fi BRO ma TO sis):

Question 10

• A chronic degenerative disease of the CNS that destroys the myelin sheath of the brain and spinal cord.

Answer 10

Multiple sclerosis (MS):

Question 11

• Inflammation of the spinal cord.

Answer 11

Myelitis (mi e LI tis):

Question 12

• Pain of the nerves.

Question 13

• Inflammation of nerves associated with a degenerative process.

Answer 13

Neuritis (nu RI tis):

Question 14

• Chronic disease of the nervous system characterized by muscle tremors, muscle weakness, and loss of equilibrium.

Answer 14

Parkinson’s disease:

Question 15

• An acute disease that causes edema of the brain and fatty infiltration of the liver and other organs; viral in origin; seen in children after aspirin administration.

Answer 15

Reye’s syndrome (riz):

Question 16

• An acute viral disease caused by varicella zoster, the virus that causes chickenpox, which can remain dormant in the body and reappear in the form of shingles.

Answer 16

Shingles (herpes zoster):