The Nervous System Flashcards
angiography
a radiologic study of an artery using a radiopaque medium
arachnoid
a delicate, lacelike membrane covering the central nervous system
arteriography
a radiologic study of an artery using a radiopaque medium
auditory
(1) pertaining to the sense of hearing; (2) the external canal of the ear
autonomic
spontaneous; the part of the nervous system concerned with reflex control of bodily functions
axons
an extension from a nerve cell
central
situated at or related to a center
cerebellum
lower or back brain below the posterior portion of the cerebrum
cerebrospinal fluid
the liquid that circulates within the meninges of the spinal cord and ventricles and meninges of the brain
cerebrum
the largest part of the brain. It is divided into two hemispheres with four lobes in each hemisphere
coma scale
refers to the Glasgow Coma Scale used to determine level of consciousness
computerized axial tomography (CAT or CT scan)
rapid scanning of single-tissue planes is performed by a process that generates images of the tissue in slices about 1 cm thick
cranium
the skull; the eight bones of the head enclosing the brain; generally applied to the 28 bones of the head and face
dendrites
an extension from a nerve cell
dura mater
the outer membrane covering the brain and spinal cord
electroencephalography (EEG)
recording of the electric currents generated by the brain; a tracing of brain waves
electromyography (EMG)
the insertion of needles into selected skeletal muscles for the purpose of recording nerve conduction time in relation to muscle contraction
ganglion
a mass of nerve tissues that receives and sends out nerve impulses
hypothalamus
a structure of the brain between the cerebrum and the midbrain; lies below the thalamus
interneurons
neurons connecting sensory to motor neurons
internuncial neurons
a connecting neuron in a neural pathway, usually serving as a link between two other neurons
lumbar puncture
the insertion of a needle between the vertebrae in the lumbar area for the purpose of withdrawing spinal fluid
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
a diagnostic test using magnetic waves to visualize internal body structures
medulla oblongata
enlarged portion of the spinal cord; the lower portion of the brainstem
meninges
the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord
midbrain
that portion of the brain connecting the pons and the cerebellum
migraines
a severe headache with characteristic symptoms
motor neurons
refers to the nerves that permit the body to respond to stimuli
myelography
an X-ray examination of the spinal cord following an injection of a radiopaque material
occipital
pertaining to the back part of the head, the posterior lobe of the cerebrum
olfactory
pertaining to the sense of smell
optic
pertaining to the eye or sight
parasympathetic
a division of the autonomic nervous system
parietal
a central portion of the ceberum located on each side of the brain
peripheral
(1) pertaining to a portion of the nervous system; (2) anything you plug into a computer for example, a printer, USB flash drive, monitor, or scanner; (3) side vision while looking straight forward
pia mater
innermost of the three meninges of the brain and spinal cord
plexuses
a network of nerves
pons
a portion of the brainstem connecting the medulla oblongata and cerebellum with the upper portions of the brain
positron emission tomography (PET scan)
a form of imaging permitting visualizing the physiologic function of the body
sciatica
inflammation and pain along the sciatic nerve felt at the back of the thigh running down the inside of the leg
sensory neurons
refers to the nerves that receive and transmit stimuli from the sense organs
spina bifida occulta
a disorder characterized by a defect in the spinal vertebrae with or without protrusion of the spinal cord and meninges
subarachnoid
the space between the pia mater and the arachnoid containing cerebrospinal fluid
subdural
beneath the dura mater; the space between the arachnoid and the dura mater
synpathetic
a portion of the autonomic nervous system
synapse
the minute space between the axon of one neuron and the dendrite of another
temporal
relating to the temporal bone on the skull
thalamus
a portion of the brain lying between the cerebrum and the midbrain
