rad tech 8 Flashcards
afferent nerves
transmitters of nerve impulses toward the CNS; aka sensory nerves
alexia
the inability to convert ones thoughts into writing
analgesia
without the sensitivity to pain
anesthesia
without feeling or sensation
anesthetic
pertaining to partially or completely numbing or eliminating sensitivity with or without loss of consciousness
aneurysm
a localized dilation in the wall of an artery that expands with each pulsation of the artery; usually caused by hypertension or atherosclerosis
aphasia
inability to communicate through speech, writing, or signs because of an injury to or a disease in certain areas of the brain
ataxia
without muscular coordination
ans
autonomic nervous system; the part of the nervous system that regulates the involuntary vital functions of the body
brain stem
the stemlike portion of the brain that connects the cerebral hemisphere with the spinal cord
cauda equina
the lower end of the spinal cord and the roots of the spinal nerves that occupy the spinal canal below the level of the first lumbar vertebra
cns
central nervous system; one of the two main divisions of the nervous system, consisting of the brain and the spinal cord
cerebellum
the part of the brain responsible for coordinating voluntary muscular movement; located behind the brain stem
cerebrospinal fluid
the fluid flowing through the brain and around the spinal cord that protects them form physical blow or impact
cerebrum
the largest and uppermost part of the brain; controls consciousness, memory, sensations, emotions and voluntary movements
cervical radiculopathy
any disease of the spinal nerve roots in the neck; caused by pressure on the nerve roots
cheyne stokes respiration
an abnormal pattern of breathing characterized by periods of apnea followed by deep rapid breathing
coma
a deep sleep in which the individual cannot be aroused and does not respond to external stimuli
contracture
a permanent shortening of a muscle causing a joint to remain in an abnormally flexed position, with resultant physical deformity
craniotomy
a surgical incision into the cranium or skull
dementia
a progressive irreversible mental disorder in which the person has deteriorating memory, judgement and ability to think
diencephalon
the part of the brain located between the cerebrum and the midbrain; main structure consists of the thalamus and hypothalamus and pineal gland
dyslexia
a condition characterized by an impairment of the ability to read
dysphasia
difficult speech
efferent nerves
transmitters of nerve impulses away from the CNS aka motor nerves
embolism
an abnormal condition in which a blood clot becomes lodged in a blood vessel, obstructing the flow of blood within the vessel
epidural space
the space immediately outside the dura mater that contains a supporting cushion of fat and other connective tissue
fontanelle or fontanel
a space covered by tough membrane between the bone of an infants cranium
gait
the style of walking
hemiparesis
slights or partial paralysis of one half of the body
hemiplegia
paralysis of one half of the body
kinesiology
the study of muscle movement
lethargy
a state of being sluggish
narcolepsy
uncontrolled, sudden attacks of sleep
nerve block
the injection of a local anesthetic along the course of a nerve or nerves to eliminate sensation to that area supplied by the nerves
neuralgia
severe, sharp, spasm-like pain that extends along the course of one or more nerves
neurologist
physician who specializes in treating the diseases and disorders of the nervous system
occlusion
blockage
palliative
soothing
paraplegia
paralysis of the lower extremities and trunk; usually due to spinal cord injuries
parasympathetic nerves
nerves of the ANS that regulate essential involuntary body functions such as slowing the heart rate, increasing peristalsis of the intestines and more
quadriplegia
paralysis of all four extremities and the trunk of the body; causes by injury to the spinal cord at the level of the cervical
sciatica
inflammation of the sciatic nerve
shunt
a tube or passage that diverts or redirects body fluid from one cavity or vessel to another; uses in hydrocephalus
somatic nervous system
the part of the PNS that provides voluntary control over skeletal muscle contractions
sympathtic nerves
nerves of the ANS that regulate essential involuntary body functions such as increasing the heart rate, constricting blood vessels, and raising blood pressure
thrombosis
an abnormal condition in which a clot develops in a blood vessel
