Nervous System & Behavioural Disorders Flashcards
efferent neurons
neurons carrying an impulse away from the CNS
afferent neurons
neurons carrying an impulse toward the CNS
arachnoid mater
middle layer of meninges
function of autonomic nervous system
regulation of involuntary activities, smooth & cardiac muscle, glands
function of cerebellum
part of the brain that coordinates movements, maintains balance and posture
function of cerebrospinal fluid
cushions and nourishes spinal cord and brain
components of diencephalon
part of the brain that includes the thalamus, hypothalamus and pituitary gland
dura mater
tough, fibrous outer layer of the meninges
ganglion
collection of neural cell bodies in the PNS
nucleus (nervous tissue)
collection of neural cell bodies in the CNS
gyrus
raised convolution of the surface of the cerebrum
function of the hypothalamus
controls pituitary gland and maintains homeostasis
interneuron
neuron located in the CNS between a sensory neuron and an efferent neuron
components of the brain stem
part of the brain composed of the midbrain, pons, & medulla oblongata
function of the medulla oblongata
vital control centre for respiration, heart rate, and blood pressure & relays impulses between the spinal cord and brain
meninges
membrane layers that cover the brain and spinal cord
name the three meninges
dura, arachnoid, pia
function of the midbrain
coordinates vision and hearing reflexes
efferent neuron, aka
motor neuron, aka
afferent neuron, aka
sensory neuron, aka
composition of myelin
fatty white substance that surround certain axons of the nervous system
two categories of cells in the nervous system
neurons & neuroglia
neuroglia
connective tissue cells of the nervous system
neuron
nerve cell that conducts impulses
neurotransmitter
chemical that transmits an action potential across a synapse
nerve
bundle of neurons in the PNS
tract
bundle of neurons in the CNS
pia mater
delicate inner layer of the meninges which lays directly over the brain & spinal cord tissue
function of the pons
connects fibres from different regions of the brain
reflex
simple, rapid, automatic response to a stimulus
roots
branches of a spinal nerve that connect it to the spinal cord
sulcus
shallow groove on the surface of the cerebral cortex
synapse
junction between two neurons
function of the thalamus
relay centre for all incoming impulses to the appropriate area of the cerebrum, except sense of smell
ventricle
small cavity in the brain where cerebrospinal fluid is produced
neur/o
Root: nervous system/tissue, nerve
neur/i
Root: nervous system/tissue, nerve
gli/o
Root: neuroglia
gangli/o
Root: ganglion
ganglion/o
Root: ganglion
mening/o
Root: meninges
meninge/o
Root: meninges
myel/o
Root: spinal cord or bone marrow
radicul/o
Root: spinal nerve root
encephal/o
Root: brain
cerebr/o
Root: brain, cerebrum
cortic/o
Root: cerebral cortex, outer portion
cerebell/o
Root: cerebellum
thalam/o
Root: thalamus
ventricul/o
Root: cavity, ventricle
medull/o
Root: spinal cord, medulla oblongata
psych/o
Root: mind
narc/o
Root: stupor, unconcious
somn/o
Root: sleep
somn/i
Root: sleep
-phasia
Suffix: speech
-lalia
Suffix: speech, babble
-lexia
Suffix: reading
-plegia
Suffix: paralysis
-paresis
Suffix: partial paralysis
-lepsy
Suffix: seizure
-phobia
Suffix: persistent irrational fear
-mania
Suffix: excited state or obsession
Alzheimer disease
atrophy of the cerebral cortex causing dementia
amyloid
starchlike substance of unknown composition that accumulates abnormally in the brain
aneurysm
localized abnormal dilation of a blood vessel which may eventually burst which results from weakness of the vessel wall
aphasia
defect or loss of speech communication
astrocytoma
neuroglial tumour composed of astrocytes
cerebral contusion
surface bruise on the brain caused by a blow to the head
cerebrovascular accident, aka
stroke, aka
cerebrovascular accident
sudden brain damage from reduction of cerebral blood flow
coma
state of deep unconsciousness from which one cannot be roused
concussion
brain injury resulting from a violent blow or shock
confusion
state of reduced comprehension, coherence, and reasoning ability resulting in inappropriate responses to environmental stimuli
contrecoup injury
damage to the brain on the side opposite the blow due to the brain hitting the skull
convulsion
series of violent involuntary muscle contractions
dementia
gradual and usually irreversible loss of intellectual function
embolism
obstruction of a blood vessel by a blood clot
epidural hematoma
accumulation of blood in the epidural space between the skull and the dura mater
epilepsy
chronic disease involving sudden bursts of electric activity from the brain resulting in seizures
glioma
tumour of neuroglial cells
hemiparesis
partial paralysis or weakness of only one side of the body
hemiplegia
paralysis of only one side of the body
hydrocephalus
increased accumulation of CSF in or around the brain as a result of obstruction of flow
insomnia
insufficient or nonrestorative sleep despite ample opportunity
meningioma
tumour of the meninges
multi-infarct dementia
dementia caused by chronic cerebral ischemia as a result of multiple small strokes
multiple sclerosis
chronic progressive disease involving loss of myelin in the CNS
narcolepsy
brief uncontrollable episodes of sleep during the day
neurilemoma
tumour of the sheath of a peripheral nerve
schwannoma
tumour of the sheath of a peripheral nerve
schwannoma, aka
neurilemoma, aka
paralysis
temporary or permanent loss of motor function
parkinsonism/Parkinson’s disease
disorder caused by lack of dopamine secretion by the brain resulting in tremors, rigidity, and slow movements
seizure, aka
convulsion, aka
shingles
acute viral infection of the neural pathways resulting in small painful lesions on the skin
sleep apnea
brief periods of breathing cessation during sleep
subdural hematoma
accumulation of blood in the subdural space between the dura mater and arachnoid mater of the meninges
thrombosis
development of a blood clot within a vessel
tremor
involuntary shaking or movement
carotid endarterectomy
surgical removal of the lining of the carotid artery
cerebral angiography
radiographic study of the blood vessels of the brain after injection with a contrast medium
electroencephalography
amplification, recording, and interpretation of the electrical activity of the brain
L-dopa/levodopa
drug used to treat parkinsonism
lumbar puncture, aka
spinal tap, aka
lumbar puncture
puncture of the subarachnoid space for injection of anesthesia or sampling of CSF for diagnosis
polysomnography
simultaneous monitoring of various physiological functions while the patient sleeps to help diagnose sleep disorders
Asperger’s syndrome
behavioural condition similar to autism resulting in repetitive behaviours, strong specific interests, and difficulty with social interactions and understanding
autism
disorder of unknown cause resulting in self-absorption, lack of response to social contact and affection, preoccupations, repetitive behaviours, and resistance to change
delusion
false belief inconsistent with knowledge and experience
dysthymia
mild depression in response to a serious life event
hallucination
false experience of sensory stimulation
obsessive-compulsive disorder
condition associated with recurrent and intrusive thoughts, images and repetitive behaviours performed to relieve anxiety
paranoia
mental state characterized by jealousy, delusions of persecution, or perceptions of threat
post-traumatic stress disorder
persistent emotional disturbances that follow exposure to life-threatening or traumatic events or circumstances
phobia
extreme persistent fear of a specific object or situation
psychosis
mental disorder with delusions or hallucinations extreme enough to cause gross misperception of reality
schizophrenia
severe mental disorders which demonstrate bizarre behaviour associated with psychosis, withdrawal, paranoia, delusions or hallucinations
basal ganglia
four masses of grey matter in the cerebrum and midbrain of the brainstem that are involved in movement and coordination
blood-brain barrier
special membrane of neuroglia between circulating blood and the brain that prevents certain damaging substances from reaching brain tissue
Broca area
area in the left frontal lobe of the cerebrum that controls speech production
circle of Willis
interconnection of several arteries supplying the brain, found at the base of the cerebrum
corpus callosum
large band of connecting fibres between the cerebral hemispheres
dermatome
area of skin supplied by a spinal nerve
leptomeninges
the arachnoid and pia maters, together
plexus
network of nerves or blood vessels
pyramidal tracts
group of motor neurons associated with fine coordination that cross the medulla from one side of the brain to affect the opposite side of the body
reticular activating system
widespread system in the brain that maintains wakefulness
Schwann cells
neuroglia that produce myelin around peripheral axons
Wernicke area
area in the temporal lobe concerned with speech comprehension
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
disorder marked by muscular weakness, spasticity, and exaggerated reflexes caused by degeneration of motor neurons
Lou Gehrig’s disease, aka
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, aka
Lou Gehrig’s disease
disorder marked by muscular weakness, spasticity, and exaggerated reflexes caused by degeneration of motor neurons
amnesia
loss of memory
apraxia
inability to move with purpose or use objects properly
ataxia
lack of muscle coordination
athetosis
involuntary, slow, twisting movements of the arms, hand and fingers
Bell’s palsy
paralysis of the facial nerve
berry aneurysm
small saclike aneurysm of a cerebral artery
catatonia
phase of schizophrenia in which the patient is unresponsive, immovable and does not speak
cerebral palsy
nonprogressive neuromuscular disorder caused by damage to the CNS around birth, resulting in spasticity, involuntary movements, lack of coordination
chorea
nervous condition marked by involuntary twitching of the limbs or facial muscles
compulsion
repetitive act performed to relieve tension
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
slow, degenerative brain disease caused by an infectious protein agent
delirium
sudden and temporary state of confusion marked by excitement, physical restlessness, and incoherence
dysarthria
defect in speech articulation caused by lack of control over the required muscles
dysmetria
disturbance in the path or placement of a limb during active movement
euphoria
exaggerated feeling of well-being
euphoria, aka
elation, aka
glioblastoma
malignant astrocytoma
Guillain-Barre syndrome
acute polyneuritis with progressive muscular weakness occurring after a viral infection
hematomyelia
hemorrhage of blood into the spinal cord from injury
hemiballism
jerking twitching movements of only one side of the body
ictus
blow or sudden attack, such as an epileptic seizure
lethargy
state of sluggishness or stupor
migraine
chronic, intense throbbing headache that may be caused by vascular changes in cerebral arteries, often resulting in visual disturbances, nausea, photophobia, and tingling sensations
neurofibromatosis
condition of multiple tumours of peripheral nerves
neurosis
anxiety disorder caused by unresolved conflicts
paraplegia
paralysis of the legs and lower part of the body
parasomnia
condition of undesirable phenomena occurring during sleep, such as nightmares
quadriplegia
paralysis of all four limbs
Reye’s syndrome
rare acute inflammation occurring in children after treatment with aspirin during certain viral infections, affecting the brain, liver, kidney, or heart
somatoform disorders
conditions associated with symptoms of physical disease but without physical basis, such as pain, hypertension, or chronic fatigue
somnambulism
walking or performing other motor functions while asleep and out of bed
stupor
state of unconsciousness or lethargy with loss of responsiveness
syringomyelia
progressive disease marked by formation of fluid-filled cavities in the spinal cord
tic
involuntary, spasmodic, recurrent, and purposeless motor movements or vocalizations
tic douloureux
episodes of extreme pain in the area supplied by the trigeminal nerve
trigeminal neuralgia, aka
tic douloureux, aka
tabes dorsalis
destruction of the dorsal part of the spinal cord resulting in the loss of sensation and awareness of body position
Tourette’s syndrome
tic disorder with intermittent motor and vocal manifestations that begin in childhood, often accompanied by OCD, hyperactivity and distractibility
transient ischemic attack
sudden, brief, temporary cerebral dysfunction caused by interruption of blood flow to the brain
