Pathology, Lab Tests, Clinical Procedures (Ch 10)

Question 1

absence seizure

Answer 1

minor form of seizure, consisting of momentary clouding of consciousness and loss of awareness

Question 2

alzheimer disease

Answer 2

brain disorder marked by gradual and progressive mental deterioration, personality changes, and impairment of daily functioning

Question 3

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Answer 3

degenerative disorder of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem leading to progressive muscular paralysis; lou gehrig disease

Question 4

aneurysm

Answer 4

weakening of an arterial wall, which may lead to hemorrhage and cerebrovascular accident (stroke)

Question 5

astrocytoma

Answer 5

malignant brain tumor composed of astrocytes (glial cells)

Question 6

aura

Answer 6

peculiar sensation appearing before more definite symptoms

Question 7

bell palsy

Answer 7

unilateral paralysis of the face caused by a disorder of the facial nerve

Question 8

brain tumor

Answer 8

abnormal growth of brain tissue and meninges; may be benign or malignant growth

Question 9

cerebral angiography

Answer 9

x-ray record of blood vessels in the brain after intravenous injection of contrast material

Question 10

cerebral concussion

Answer 10

type of traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head

Question 11

cerebral contusion

Answer 11

bruising of brain tissue resulting from direct trauma to the head

Question 12

cerebral hemorrhage

Answer 12

bursting of an artery in the brain

Question 13

cerebral palsy

Answer 13

partial paralysis and lack of muscular coordination due to decreased oxygen to a fetus during pregnancy or to the infant shortly after birth

Question 14

cerebrospinal fluid analysis

Answer 14

samples of cerebrospinal fluid are examined for blood cells, protein, glucose, tumor cells, bacteria, and other substances

Question 15

cerebrovascular accident

Answer 15

disruption of the normal blood supply to the brain; a stroke or CVA

Question 16

computed tomography

Answer 16

cross-sectional x-ray imaging of an organ with or without contrast material

Question 17

dementia

Answer 17

mental decline and deterioration

Question 18

demyelination

Answer 18

destruction of myelin on axons of nerve cells (as in multiple sclerosis)

Question 19

dopamine

Answer 19

neurotransmitter in the central nervous system; deficient in patients with parkinson disease

Question 20

doppler/ultrasound studies

Answer 20

method of focusing sound waves on blood vessels to measure blood flow

Question 21

electroencephalography

Answer 21

process of recording the electricity in the brain

Question 22

embolus

Answer 22

clot of material that travels through the bloodstream and suddenly blocks a vessel

Question 23

epilepsy

Answer 23

brain disorder marked by recurrent attacks (seizures) of abnormal nervous impulses

Question 24

gait

Answer 24

manner of walking

Question 25

glioblastoma

Answer 25

malignant brain tumor of immature glial cells

Question 26

herpes zoster

Answer 26

viral infection affecting peripheral nerves; chicken pox virus or its reactivation (shingles)

Question 27

HIV encephalopathy

Answer 27

disease of the brain caused by infection with the HIV

Question 28

huntington disease

Answer 28

hereditary disorder affecting the cerebrum and involving abrupt, involuntary, jerking movements, and mental deterioration in later stages

Question 29

hydrocephalus

Answer 29

abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles (canals) of the brain

Question 30

ictal event

Answer 30

pertaining to a sudden, acute onset, as the convulsion of an epileptic seizure

Question 31

lumbar puncture

Answer 31

withdrawal of cerebrospinal fluid from the subarachnoid space between two lumbar vertebrae; spinal tap

Question 32

magnetic resonance imaging

Answer 32

magnetic waves and radio waves produce images of organs and tissues in all three planes of the body; MRI

Question 33

meningitis

Answer 33

inflammation of the meninges

Question 34

meningocele

Answer 34

hernia of the meninges through a defect or space between vertebrae; a form of spina bifida

Question 35

migraine

Answer 35

severe headache, often unilateral, and sometimes accompanied by nausea and vomiting

Question 36

multiple sclerosis

Answer 36

chronic neurologic disorder marked by destruction of the myelin sheath on axons in the CNS

Question 37

myasthenia gravis

Answer 37

autoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterized by weakness of voluntary muscles because of a failure in transmission of the nervous impulse from the nerve to muscle cell

Question 38

occlusion

Answer 38

blockage or obstruction

Question 39

palliative

Answer 39

relieving symptoms, but not curative

Question 40

palsy

Answer 40

paralysis

Question 41

parkinson disease

Answer 41

degeneration of nerve cells that produce the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain; leads to tremors, weakness of muscles, and slowness of movement

Question 42

positron emission tomography

Answer 42

radioactive glucose is injected and then detected in tissues of the body to image the metabolic activity of cells; PET scan

Question 43

shingles

Answer 43

viral (herpes zoster) illness that affects the peripheral nerves; produces blisters and pain on the skin overlying the path of peripheral nerves

Question 44

spina bifida

Answer 44

congenital defect in the lumbar spinal column caused by imperfect union of vertebral parts; spinal cord and meninges may herniate through the vertebral gap

Question 45

stereotatic radiosurgery

Answer 45

single large dose of radiation delivered under stereotactic (highly precise) guidance to destory a vascular abnormality or treat small brain tumors

Question 46

thrombus

Answer 46

abnormal clot formation in a blood vessel; a blood clot

Question 47

tic

Answer 47

involuntary movement of a small group of muscles

Question 48

tonic-clonic seizure

Answer 48

major seizure affecting the brain in epilepsy; grand-mal seizure

Question 49

tourette syndrome

Answer 49

involuntary, spasmodic movements; uncontrollable vocal sounds; and inappropriate words

Question 50

transient ischemic attack

Answer 50

fleeting episode of ischemia (holding back blood) in the brain; TIA