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Medical Terminology > Nervous System > Flashcards

Nervous System Flashcards

1
Q

Anatomy of Nervous System

A

The nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves and may be divided into two parts: the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system is made up of cranial nerves, which carry impulses between the brain and neck and head, and spinal nerves, which carry messages between the spinal cord and abdomen, limbs and chest.

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2
Q

Function of Nervous System

A

The nervous system forms a complex communication system allowing for the coordination of body functions and activities. As a whole, the nervous system is designed to detect changes inside and outside the body, to evaluate this sensory information, and send directions to muscle or glands in response. This system also provides for mental activities such as thought, memory and emotions.

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3
Q

brain

A

contained within the cranium, the center for coordinating body activities

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4
Q

cerebrum

A

largest portion of the brain, divided into left and right hemispheres. The cerebrum controls the skeletal muscle, interprets general senses (such as temp., pain, and touch), and contains centers for sight and hearing. Intellect, memory, and emotional reactions also take place in the cerebrum

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5
Q

ventricles

A

spaces within the brain that contain fluid called cerebrospinal fluid. The cerebrospinal fluid flows through the subarachnoid space around the brain and spinal cord.

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6
Q

cerebellum

A

located under the posterior portion of the cerebrum. Its function is to assist in the coordination of skeletal muscles and to maintain balancee (also called hindbrain)

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7
Q

brainstem

A

stemlike portion of the brain that connects with the spinal cord. 10 of the 12 cranial nerves orginate in the brainstem.

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8
Q

pons

A

literally means bridge. It connects the cerebrum with the cerebellum and brainstem

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9
Q

medulla oblongata

A

located between the pons and spinal cord. It contains the centers that control respiration, heart rate, and the muscles in the blood vessel walls, which assist in determning blood pressure

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10
Q

midbrain

A

most superior portion of the brainstem

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11
Q

cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

A

clear, odorless fluid contained in the ventricles that flows through the subarachnoid space around the brain and spinal cord. It cushions the brain and spinal cord from shock, transports nutrients and clears metabolic waste.

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12
Q

spinal cord

A

passes through the vertebral canal extending from the medulla oblongata to the level of the second lumbar vertebra. The spinal cord conducts nerve impulses to and from the brain and initiates reflex action to sensory information without input from the brain

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13
Q

meninges

A

three layers of membrane that cover the brain and spinal cord

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14
Q

dura mater

A

tough outer layer of the meninges

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15
Q

arachnoid

A

delicate middle layer of the meninges. It is loosely attached to the pia mater by weblike fibers, which allow for the subarachnoid space.

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16
Q

pia mater

A

thin inner layer of the meninges

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17
Q

nerve

A

cordlike structure made up of fibers that carries impulses from one part of the body to another. There are 12 pairs of cranial nerves and 31 pairs of spinal nerves

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18
Q

ganglion (pl. ganglia)

A

group of nerve cell bodies located outside the central nervous system

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19
Q

glia

A

specialized cells that support and nourish nervous tissue. Some cells assist in the secretion of cerebrospinal fluid and others assist with phagocytosis. they do not conduct impulses. three types of glia are astroglia, oligodendroglia, and microglia (also called neuroglia)

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20
Q

neuron

A

a nerve cell that conducts nerve impulses to carry out the function of the nervous system. Destroyed neurons cannot be replaced

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21
Q

cerebell/o

A

cerebellum

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22
Q

cerebr/o

A

cerebrum, brain

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23
Q

dur/o

A

hard, dura mater

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24
Q

encephal/o

A

brain

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25
Q

gangli/o, ganglion/o

A

ganglion

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26
Q

gli/o

A

glia, gluey substance

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27
Q

mening/o, meningi/o

A

meninges

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28
Q

neur/o

A

nerve

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29
Q

radic/o, radicul/o, rhiz/o

A

nerve root (proximal end of a peripheral nerve, closest to the spinal cord)

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30
Q

esthesi/o

A

sensation, sensitivity, feeling

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31
Q

ment/o, psych/o

A

mind

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32
Q

mon/o

A

one, single

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33
Q

phas/o

A

speech

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34
Q

poli/o

A

gray matter

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35
Q

quadr/i

A

four

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36
Q

-iatrist

A

specialist, physician (logist also means specialist)

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37
Q

-iatry

A

treatment, specialty

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38
Q

-ictal

A

seizure, attack

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39
Q

-paresis

A

slight paralysis (-plegia also mean paralysis)

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40
Q

cerebellitis (ser-e-bel-I-tis)

A

inflammation of the cerebellum

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41
Q

cerebral thrombosis (se-RE-bral throm-BO-sis)

A

pertaining to the cerebrum, abnormal condition of a clot (blood clot in a blood vessel of the brain) (cause of ischemic stroke)

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42
Q

duritis (du-RI-tis)

A

inflammation of the dura mater

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43
Q

encephalitis

A

inflammation of the brain

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44
Q

encephalpmalacia (en-sef-a-lo-ma-LA-sha)

A

softening of the brain

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45
Q

encephalomyeloradiculitis (en-sef-a-lo-mi-e-lo-ra-dik-u-LI-tis)

A

inflammation of the brain spinal cord, and nerve roots.

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46
Q

ganglitis

A

inflammation of the ganglion

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47
Q

glioblastoma

A

tumor composed of developing glial tissue (most common and most malignant tumor of the brain)

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48
Q

glioma

A

tumor composed of the glial tissue (used to describe all primary neoplasms of the brain and spinal cord)

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49
Q

meningioma

A

tumor of the meninges (benign and slow growing)

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50
Q

meningitis

A

inflammation of the meninges

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51
Q

meningocele (me-NING-go-sel)

A

protrusion of the meninges and spinal cord (also called myelomeningocele)

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52
Q

monoeuropathy (mon-o-nu-ROP-a-the)

A

disease affecting a single nerve

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53
Q

neuralgia (nu-RAL-ja)

A

pain in the nerve

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54
Q

neurasthenia (nu-ras-THE-ne-a)

A

nerve weakness

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55
Q

neuritis

A

inflammation of the nerve

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56
Q

neuroarthropathy

A

disease of nerves and joints

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57
Q

neuroma

A

tumor made up of nerve cells

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58
Q

neuropathy

A

disease of the nerves (peripheral)

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59
Q

poliomyelitis

A

inflammation of the gray matter of the spinal cord (commonly called polio and caused by one of 3 viruses)

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60
Q

polyneuritis

A

inflammation of many nerves

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61
Q

polyneuropathy

A

disease of many nerves

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62
Q

radiculitis

A

inflammarion of the nerve roots

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63
Q

radiculopathy

A

disease of the nerve root

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64
Q

rhizomeningomyelitis

A

inflammation of the nerve root, meninges, and spinal cord

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65
Q

subdural hematoma

A

pertaining to below the dura mater, tumor of blood

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66
Q

alzheimer disease (AD)

A

disease characterized by early dementia, confusion, loss of recognition of persons, or fimiliar surroundings, restlessness and impaired memory

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67
Q

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

A

progressive muscle atrophy caused by degeneration and scarring of neurons along the lateral columns of the spinal cord that control muscles (also called Lou Gehrig disease)

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68
Q

Bell palsy

A

paralysis of muscles on one side of the face, usually a temporary condition. signs include a sagging mouth on the affected side and nonclosure of the eyelid

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69
Q

cerebral aneurysm

A

aneurysm in the cerebrum

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70
Q

cerebral embolism

A

an embolus lodges in a cerebral artery, causing a sudden blockage of blood supply to the brain tissue.

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71
Q

cerebral palsy (CP)

A

condition characterized by lack of muscle control and partial paralysis, caused by a brain defect or lesion present at birth or shortly after

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72
Q

dementia

A

cognitive impairment characterized by a loss of intellectual brain function

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73
Q

epilepsy

A

condition characterized by recurrent seizures; a general term for abnormal electrical activity in the brain

74
Q

hydrocephalus

A

increase amount of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain, which can cause enlargement of the cranium in infants

75
Q

intracerebral hemorrhage

A

bleeding in the brain as a result of a ruptured blood vessel within the brain. symptoms vary depending on the location of the hemorrhage; hemorrhagic stroke, is frequently associated with high blood pressure

76
Q

multiple sclerosis (MS)

A

degenerative disease characterized by sclerotic patches along the brain and spinal cord. Signs and symptoms are variable and fluctuate over the course of the disease. More common symptoms include fatigue, balance and coordination impairments, numbness, and vision problems

77
Q

parkinson disease (PD)

A

chronic degenerative diseaseof the central nervous system. Signs and symptoms include resting tremors of the hands and feet, rigidity, expressionless face, and shuffling gait. It usually occurs after the age of 50 years

78
Q

sciatica

A

inflammation of the sciatic nerve, causing pain that travels from the thigh through the leg to the foot and toes; can be caused by injury, infection, arthritis, herniated disk, or from prolonged pressure on the nerve from sitting for long periods.

79
Q

shingles

A

viral disease that affects the peripheral nerves and causes blisters on the skin that follow the course of the affected nerves (also called herpes zoster)

80
Q

stroke

A

occurs when there is an interruption of blood supply to a region of the brain, depriving nerve cells in the affected area of oxygen and nutrients. The cells cannot perform and may be damaged or die withing minutes. Ischemic stroke is a result of a blocked blood vessel. Hemorrhagic stroke is a result of bleeding. (also called cerebrovascular accident [CVA] or brain attack)

81
Q

subarachnoid hemorrhage

A

bleeding caused by a ruptured blood vessel just outside the brain that rapidly fills the space between the brain and skull with blood.

82
Q

transient ischemic attack (TIA)

A

sudden deficient supply of blood to the brain lasting a short time. Symptoms are similar to a stroke, but the outcome is complete recovery. TIA’s are often warning signs for eventual occurence of a stroke

83
Q

ganglionectomy

A

excision of a ganglion (also called gangliectomy)

84
Q

neurectomy

A

excision of the nerve

85
Q

neurolysis

A

separating a nerve (from adhesion)

86
Q

neuroplasty

A

surgical repair of a nerve

87
Q

neurorrhaphy

A

suture of a nerve

88
Q

neurotomy

A

incision into a nerve

89
Q

radicotomy, rhizotomy

A

incision into a nerve root

90
Q

cerebral angiography

A

radiographic imaging of the blood vessels in the brain

91
Q

CT myelography

A

process of recording the spinal cord

92
Q

electroencephalogram (EEG)

A

record of the electrical impulses of the brain

93
Q

electroencephalograph

A

instrument used to record the electrical impulses of the brain

94
Q

electroencephalography

A

process of recording the electrical impulses of the brain

95
Q

computed tomography of the brain (CT scan)

A

process that includes the use of a computer to produce a series of brain tissue images at any desired depth. The procedure is painless and particularly useful in diagnosing brain tumors

96
Q

magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and spine

A

a noninvasive technique that produces sectional images of soft tissues of the brain or spine through a strong magnetic field. Unlike CT scan, MRI produces images without use of radiation.

97
Q

positron emission tomography of the brain (PET scan)

A

nuclear medicine imaging technique with a radioactive substance that produces sectional imaging of the brain to examine blood flow and metabolic activity.

98
Q

evoked potential studies (EP studies)

A

a group of diagnostic tests that measure changes and responses in brain waves elicited by visual, auditory, or somatosensory stumuli.

99
Q

lumbar puncture (LP)

A

insertion of a needle into the subarachnoid space usually between the third and fourth lumbar vertebrae. (also called a spinal tap)

100
Q

anesthesia

A

without (loss of) feeling or sensation

101
Q

aphasia

A

condition of without speaking

102
Q

cephalalgia

A

pain in the head (also called cephalgia)

103
Q

cerebral

A

pertaining to the cerebrum

104
Q

craniocerebral

A

pertaining to the cranium and cerebrum

105
Q

dysphasia

A

condition of difficulty speaking

106
Q

encephalosclerosis

A

hardening of the brain

107
Q

gliocyte

A

glial cell

108
Q

hemiparesis

A

slight paralysis of half (right or left side of the body)

109
Q

hemiplegia

A

paralysis of half, stroke is the most common cause

110
Q

hyperesthesia

A

excessive sensitivity

111
Q

interictal

A

occuring between seizures or attacks

112
Q

intracerebral

A

pertaining to within the cerebrum

113
Q

mental

A

pertaining to the mind

114
Q

monoparesis

A

slight paralysis of one limb

115
Q

monoplegia

A

paralysis of one limb

116
Q

myelomalacia

A

softening of the spinal cord

117
Q

neuroid

A

resembling a nerve

118
Q

neurologist

A

physician who studies and treats diseases of the nerves

119
Q

neurology

A

study of nerves

120
Q

panplegia

A

total paralysis (also spelled pamplegia

121
Q

paresthesia

A

abnormal sensation

122
Q

postictal

A

occuring after a seizure or attack

123
Q

preictal

A

occuring before a seizure or attack

124
Q

quadriplegia

A

paralysis of 4 limbs

125
Q

subdural

A

pertaining to below the dura mater

126
Q

afferent

A

conveying toward a center

127
Q

ataxia

A

lack of muscle coordination

128
Q

cognitive

A

pertaining to the mental processes of comprehension, judgement, memory, and reason

129
Q

coma

A

state of profound unconsciousness

130
Q

concsussion

A

injury to the brain caused by major or minor head trauma; symptoms include vertigo, headache, and possible loss o consciousness

131
Q

conscious

A

awake, alert, aware of one’s surroundings

132
Q

convulsion

A

sudden, involuntary contraction of a group of muscles; may be present during seizure

133
Q

disorientation

A

a state of mental confusion as to time, place or identity

134
Q

dysarthria

A

the inability to use speech that is distinct and connected because of a loss of muscle control after damage to the peripheral or central nervous system

135
Q

efferent

A

conveying away from the center

136
Q

gait

A

a manner or style of walking

137
Q

incoherent

A

unable to express one’s thoughts or ideas in an orderly, intelligible manner

138
Q

paraplegia

A

paralysis from the waist down caused by damage to the lower level of the spinal cord

139
Q

seizure

A

sudden surge of abnormal electrical activity in the brain, resulting in involuntary body movements or behaviors

140
Q

shunt

A

tube implanted in the body to redirect the flow of a fluid

141
Q

syncope

A

fainting or sudden loss of consciousness caused by lack of blood supply to the cerebrum

142
Q

unconsciousness

A

state of being unaware of surroundings and incapable of responding to stimuli as a result of injury, shock, illness or drugs

143
Q

psychiatrist

A

a physician who studies and treats disorders of the mind

144
Q

psychiatry

A

specialty of the mind

145
Q

psychogenic

A

originating in the mind

146
Q

psychologist

A

specialist of the mind

147
Q

pyschology

A

study of the mind

148
Q

psychopathy

A

disease of the mind

149
Q

psychosis

A

abnormal condition of the mind

150
Q

psychosomatic

A

pertaining to the mind and body

151
Q

anorexia nervosa

A

an eating disorder characterized by a disturbed perception of body image.

152
Q

anxiety disorder

A

an emotional disorder characterized by feelings of apprehension, tension, or uneasiness arising from anticipation of unreal or imagined danger

153
Q

attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

A

a disorder of learning and behavioral problems characterized by marked inattention, distractability, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity

154
Q

autism

A

features include onset during infancy or childhood, preoccupation with subjective mental activity, inability to interact socially, and impaired communication.

155
Q

bipolar disorder

A

a major psychological disorder typified by a disturbance in mood. the

156
Q

bulimia nervosa

A

an eating disorder characterized by uncontrolled binge eating followed by pruging

157
Q

major depression

A

a mood disturbance characterized by feeling of sadness, despair, discouragement.

158
Q

obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

A

intrusive unwanted thoughts that result in the tendency to perform repetitive acts or rituals

159
Q

panic attack

A

sudden onset of acute anxiety, occurring unpredictably, with feelings of acute apprehension… etc

160
Q

phobia

A

a marked and persistent fear that is excessive or unreasonable cued by the presence or anticipation

161
Q

pica

A

compulsive eating of nonnutritive substances such as clay or ice. Often because of iron deficiency. It that is the cause it will disappear in 1 or 2 weeks

162
Q

schizophrenia

A

any one of a large group of psychotic disorders with gross distortions of reality

163
Q

somatoform disorders

A

disorders characterized by physical symptoms for which no known physical cause exists

164
Q

AD

A

Alzheimer disease

165
Q

ADHD

A

attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

166
Q

ALS

A

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

167
Q

CNS

A

central nervous system

168
Q

CP

A

cerebral palsy

169
Q

CSF

A

cerebrospinal fluid

170
Q

CVA

A

cerebrovascular accident

171
Q

EEG

A

electroencephalogram

172
Q

EP studies

A

evoked potential studies

173
Q

LP

A

lumbar puncture

174
Q

MRI scan

A

magnetic resonance imaging scan

175
Q

MS

A

multiple sclerosis

176
Q

OCD

A

obsessive-compulsive disorder

177
Q

PD

A

parkinson disease

178
Q

PET scan

A

positron emission tomography scan

179
Q

PNS

A

peripheral nervous system

180
Q

PTSD

A

posttraumatic stress disorder

181
Q

TIA

A

transient ischemic attack

Medical Terminology (19 decks)

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