Neurology Terminology List

Question 1

Acalculia

Answer 1

Inability to calculate

Question 2

Agnosia

Answer 2

Inability to recognize common objects despite preserved sensory modalities

Question 3

Agraphesthesia

Answer 3

Tactual inability to recognize writing on the skin

Question 4

Agraphia

Answer 4

Inability to write

Question 5

AION

Answer 5

Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy

Question 6

Akathisia

Answer 6

Dysphoric state with desire to be in constant motion

Question 7

Alexia

Answer 7

Inability to read

Question 8

Anisocoria

Answer 8

Unequal pupil size

Question 9

Anomia

Answer 9

Impaired ability to name objects

Question 10

Anosognosia

Answer 10

Inability or refusal to recognize a defect or disorder that is clinically evident

Question 11

Aphasia

Answer 11

Any acquired abnormality of language

Question 12

Apraxia

Answer 12

Inability to perform a learned motor task despite preservation of the functions necessary to perform it.

Question 13

Astereoagnosis

Answer 13

Inability to recognize objects by touch despite intact cutaneous and proprioceptive hand sensation

Question 14

Ataxia

Answer 14

Loss of full control of body movement

Question 15

Aura

Answer 15

A perceptual disturbance experienced by some with migraines or seizures before either the headache or seizure begins

Question 16

AVM

Answer 16

Arteriovenous malformation

Question 17

Ballism

Answer 17

Large amplitude flinging or flailing movements of the limb, frequently unilateral (hemiballismus)

Question 18

Bradykinesia

Answer 18

Slowness of movement

Question 19

Bradyphrenia

Answer 19

Slowness of thoughts

Question 20

Brudzinski’s Sign

Answer 20

Involuntary flexion at the hip when the neck is flexed

Question 21

Chorea

Answer 21

Involuntary, abrupt, irregular movement flowing from one body part to another

Question 22

Contralateral

Answer 22

Occurring on the opposite side

Question 23

DaTSCAN

Answer 23

SPECT imaging for dopamine transporters

Question 24

DBS

Answer 24

Deep brain stimulation

Question 25

Dementia

Answer 25

Intellectual and cognitive deterioration severe enough to impair normal functioning

Question 26

Diplopia

Answer 26

Double vision

Question 27

Dyskinesia

Answer 27

Abnormality or impairment of voluntary movement

Question 28

Dysmetria

Answer 28

A type of ataxia involving lack of coordination of movement typified by the undershoot or overshoot of intended position with the hand, arm, leg, or eye

Question 29

Dystonia

Answer 29

Sustained muscle contraction leading to repetitive twisting movements such as abnormal postures

Question 30

Dystrophy

Answer 30

Wasting away or degeneration of tissues

Question 31

EMG

Answer 31

Electromyography; used to record electrical activity of muscles

Question 32

Fasciculation

Answer 32

Muscle strength increased with brief intense exercise but fatigue with any sustained activity

Question 33

Fatigability

Answer 33

Decreased in ability to respond upon repeated stimulation (particularly in muscles)

Question 34

Graphesthesia

Answer 34

Tactual ability to recognize writing on the skin

Question 35

Hypovolemia

Answer 35

Also known as hemorrhagic shock, in which more than 20% of the body’s blood or fluid supply is lost

Question 36

Idiopathic

Answer 36

A disease or condition that arises spontaneously or for which the cause is unknown

Question 37

Ipsilateral

Answer 37

Occurring on the same side

Question 38

Kernigs Sign

Answer 38

Pain upon attempted passive extension at the knee when the hip is flexed

Question 39

Miosis

Answer 39

Abnormal constriction of the pupil

Question 40

Myasthenia Gravis

Answer 40

Immunologic disorder with antibodies against the nAChR receptors on muscles cause a decreased ability of the muscle to react to nerve signals

Question 41

Mydriasis

Answer 41

Abnormal dilation of the pupil

Question 42

Myoclonus

Answer 42

Sudden lightning-like movement produced by abrupt and brief muscle contraction

Question 43

Myopathy

Answer 43

Disorder of skeletal muscle

Question 44

Myotonia

Answer 44

Increased or sustained muscle contraction, or impaired relaxation

Question 45

NCS

Answer 45

Nerve conduction study; used to record electrical activity of nerves

Question 46

Neglect

Answer 46

Directed inattention or lack of attention paid to one hemispace (typically the left)

Question 47

NMS

Answer 47

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome

Question 48

Papilledema

Answer 48

Swelling of the optic disk specific to increased intracranial pressure (ICP)

Question 49

Parkinsonian

Answer 49

Resembling findings expected in Parkinson’s Disease but not necessarily diagnostic of it

Question 50

Parkinsonism

Answer 50

Group of conditions which share clinical features with Parkinson’s Disease have distinct differences in presentation, response to therapy, and pathology

Question 51

PD

Answer 51

Parkinson’s Disease

Question 52

Ptosis

Answer 52

Upper eyeline drooping partially (or completely) over the eye

Question 53

RAPD

Answer 53

Relative afferent pupillary defect

Question 54

SPECT

Answer 54

Single-photon emission computed tomography

Question 55

Strabismus

Answer 55

Misalignment of the eyes

Question 56

Stereoagnosis

Answer 56

Ability to recognize objects by touch

Question 57

Tardive dyskinesia

Answer 57

Dyskinesia characterized by movements such as lip smacking, chewing, and tongue rolling that can be caused by neuroleptic usage

Question 58

Tics

Answer 58

Abrupt, stereotyped, coordinated movements or vocalizations

Question 59

Tremors

Answer 59

Involuntary rhythmic oscillation of a body part.