The Nervous System and Mental Health Flashcards
cerebr/o, encephal/o; coordinated all body activities by receiving and transmitting messages throughout the body
brain
myel/o; transmits nerve impulses between the brain, arms, legs, and lower part of the body; a long, fragile, tube-like structure that begins at the end of the brainstem and continues down almost to the bottom of the spinal column
spinal cord
neur/i, neur/o; receive and transmit messages to and from all parts of the body
nerves
receive external stimulation and transmit these stimuli to the sensory neurons
sensory organs/receptors
(CNS) brain and spinal cord; function is to receive and process information and to regulate all body activity; protected externally by the bones of the cranium and the vertebrae of the spinal column; within the bony structures, the brain and spinal cord are further protected by the meninges and the cerebrospinal fluid
central nervous system
(PNS) includes the 12 pairs of cranial nerves and the 31 pairs of peripheral nerves; function is to transmit nerve signals to and from the central nervous system
peripheral nervous system
one or more bundles of neurons that connect the brain and spinal cord with other parts of the body
nerve
a bundle or group of nerve fibers located within the brain or spinal cord
tract
carry nerve impulses toward the brain
ascending nerve tracts
carry nerve impulses away from the brain
descending nerve tracts
a nerve center made up of a cluster of nerve cell bodies outside the nervous system
ganglion
the supply of nerves to a specific body part
innervation
a network of intersecting spinal nerves; also describes a network of intersecting blood or lymphatic vessels
plexus
sites in the sensory organs that receive external stimulation; send the stimulus through the sensory neurons to the brain for interpretation
receptors
anything that excites a nerve and causes an impulse
stimulus
an automatic, involuntary response to some change, either inside or outside the body
reflex
the basic cells of the nervous system that allow different parts of the body to communicate with each other
neurons
the root-like processes that receive impulses and conduct them to the cell body
dendrites
a process that conducts impulses away from the nerve cell; can be more that 3 feet long; many are protected by a myelin sheath, which is a white fatty tissue covering
axon
branching fibers at the end of the axon that lead to the nerve impulse from the axon to the synapse
terminal end fibers
the space between 2 neurons or between a neuron and a receptor organ
synapse
chemical substances that make it possible for messages to cross from the synapse of a neuron to the target receptor
neurotransmitters
released at some synapses in the spinal cord and at neuromuscular junctions; it influences muscle actions
acetylcholine
released within the brain; an excess of dopamine is associated with schizophrenia, mood and thought disorders and in abnormal movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease
dopamine
naturally occurring substances that are produces by the brain to help relieve pain
endorphins
affects alertness and arousal, increasing blood pressure and heart rate, and releasing stores of glucose in response to stress; also a hormone released by the adrenal glands as part of the body’s fight-or-flight response
norepinephrine
released in the brain, has roles in sleep, hunger, and pleasure recognition; also sometimes linked to mood disorders
serotonin
provide support and protection for neurons, 4 major functions
1. to surround neurons and hold them in place
2. to supply nutrients and oxygen to neurons
3. to insulate one neuron from another
4. to destroy and remove dead neurons
glial cells
the protective covering made up of glial cells; forms the white matter of the brain and covers some parts of the spinal cord and the axon of most peipheral nerves
myelin sheath
the portion of the nerve fibers that are myelinated
white matter
the portion of the nerve fibers that are unmyelinated
gray matter
the system of membranes that enclose the brain and spinal cord; 3 layers
meninges
the thick, outermost membrane of the meninges
dura mater
the second layer of the meninges and is located between the dura mater and the pia mater; resembles a spider web
arachnoid membrane
located below the arachnoid membrane and above the pia mater; contains cerebrospinal fluid
subarachnoid space
the third layer of the meninges; located nearest to the brain and spinal cord; consists of delicate connective tissue that contains a rich supply of blood vessels
pia mater
produced by special capillaries within the four ventricles located in the middle region of the cerebrum; clear, colorless, watery fluid that flows throughout the brain and around the spinal cord
-cool and cushion these organs from shock or injury
-nourish the brain and spinal cord by transporting nutrients and chemical messengers to these tissues
cerebrospinal fluid
the largest and uppermost part of the brain, consists of four lobes; controls the highest level of thought, including judgement, memory, association, and critical thinking; also processes sensations and controls all voluntary muscle activity
cerebrum
located below the cerebrum; relays sensory stimuli from the spinal cord and midbrain to the cerebral cortex; suppresses some stimuli and magnifies others
thalamus
located below the thalamus; controls vital bodily functions
hypothalamus
second-largest part of the brain located in the lower back of the cranium below the cerebrum; coordinated muscular activity and balance for smooth and steady movements
cerebellum
located in the base of the brain and forms the connection between the brain and spinal cord which consists of the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata; controls the functions necessary for survival (breathing, digestion, heart rate, and blood pressure) and for arousal
brainstem
made up of gray matter, the outer layer of the cerebrum and is made up of elevated folds and deep fissures
cerebral cortex
the elevated folds of gray matter in the cerebral cortex
gyri
the fissures of the cerebral cortex
sulci
connect the two cerebral hemispheres at the lower midpoint
corpus callosum
controls the majority of functions of the right side of the body; injury produces sensory and motor deficits on the right side of the body
left cerebral hemisphere
controls most of the functions on the left side of the body; injury produces sensory and motor deficits on the left side of the body
right cerebral hemisphere
each cerebral hemisphere is subdivided to create these pairs; each lobe is names for the bone of the cranium that covers it
cerebral lobes
controls skilled motor functions, memory, and behavior
frontal lobe
receives and interprets nerve impulses from sensory receptors in the tongue, skin, and muscles
parietal lobe
controls eyesight
occipital lobe
controls the senses of hearing and sell, and the ability to create, store, and access new information
temporal lobe
provide conduction pathways to and from the higher and lower centers in the brain and also controls reflexes for movements of the eyes and head in response to visual and auditory stimuli
midbrain and pons
located at the lowest part of the brainstem, is connected to the spinal cord; controls basic survival functions, including the muscles that make possible respiration, heart rate, and blood pressure, as well as reflexes for coughing, sneezing, swallowing, and vomiting
medulla oblongata
carry instructions to the organs and glands from the autonomic nervous system
autonomic nerve fibers
receive external stimuli, such as how something feels, and transmit this information to the brain where is it interpreted
sensory nerve fibers
(motor nerve fibers) convey information that controls the body’s voluntary muscular movements
somatic nerve fibers
12 pairs originate from the under-surface of the brain; the two nerves of a pair are identical in function and structure, and each nerve of a pair serves half of the body
cranial nerves
31 pairs, grouped together and named based on the region of the body the innervate
C1-C8: cervical nerves
T1-T12: thoracic nerves
L1-L5: lumbar nerves
S1-S5: sacral nerves
peripheral spinal nerves
2 divisions; controls the involuntary actions of the body such as the functioning of internal organs; to maintain homeostasis, each division balances the activity of the other division
autonomic nervous system
prepare the body for emergencies and stress by increasing the respiratory rate, heart rate, and blood flow to muscles
sympathetic nerve
the body’s natural reaction to real or imaginary danger; arouses the sympathetic nerves
fight-or-flight response
return the body to normal after a response to stress; also maintain normal body functions during ordinary circumstances that are not emotionally or physically stressful
parasympathetic nerves
a physician who specializes in administering anesthetic agents before and during surgery
anesthesiologist
a medical professional who specializes in administering anesthesia but is not a physician, for example, a nurse anesthetist
anesthetist
a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders of the nervous system
neurologist
a physician who specializes in surgery of the nervous system
neurosurgeon
a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating chemical dependencies, emotional problems, and mental illness
psychiatrist
had a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) but is not a medical doctor; evaluates and treats emotional problems and mental illness
psychologist
a trained therapist, usually with a master’s degree (MSW)
social worker
(headache) pain in the head
cephalgia
may be preceded by a warning aura, is characterized by throbbing pain on one side of the head; primarily affects women and are sometimes accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light or sound
migraine headache
a visual disturbance perceived by the patient preceding a migraine headache or epileptic seizure
warning aura
intensely painful headaches that affect one side of the head and may be associated with tearing of the eyes and nasal congestion; primarily affect men; named for their repeated occurrence in groups or clusters
cluster headaches
(craniocele) a congenital herniation of brain tissue through a gap in the skull
encephalocele
the congenital herniation of the meninges through a defect in the skull or spinal column
meningocele
a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the ventricles of the brain; can occur at birth or develop later in life from obstructions related to meningitis, brain tumors, or other causes
hydrocephalus
a common, slow-growing, and usually benign tumor of the meninges
meningioma
an inflammation of the meninges of the brain and spinal cord which can be caused by a bacterial or viral infection elsewhere in the body, is characterized by intense headache and flu-like symptoms
meningitis
describes the mental activities associated with thinking, learning, and memory
cognition
a memory disorder, usually associated with recently acquired information, which may be an early indicator of Alzheimer’s disease
mild cognitive impairment
a slowly progressive decline in mental abilities, including memory, thinking, and judgement, that is often accompanied by personality changes
dementia
dementia of the aged
senile dementia
refers to a group of symptoms leading to a state of confusion that happens towards the end of the day in patients with dementia
sundowning
a form of dementia caused by stroke or other restriction of the flow of blood to the brain
vascular dementia
an inflammation of the brain, can be caused by a viral infection such as rabies
encephalitis
(RS) a serious and potentially deadly disorder in children that is characterized by vomiting and confusion; sometimes follows a viral illness in which the child was treated with aspirin
Reye’s syndrome
(lockjaw) an acute and potentially fatal infection of the central nervous system caused by a toxin produced by the tetanus bacteria; typically acquired through a deep puncture wound
tetanus
(TS) a complex neurological disorder characterized by involuntary tics, grunts, and compulsive utterances that sometimes include obscenities
Tourrete syndrome
degenerative nerve disease, is an umbrella term for disorders in which there is a progressive loss of structure of functions of the neurons
neurodegenerative disease
(AD) a group of disorders involving the parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language; the leading form of dementia and is marked by the progressive deterioration that affects both the memory and reasoning capabilities of an individual
Alzheimer’s disease
a genetic disorder that is classifies as a neurodegenerative disease
Huntington’s disease
(PD) a chronic, degenerative central nervous disorder characterized by fine muscle tremors, rigidity, and a slow or shuffling gait
Parkinson’s disease
second most common type of dementia, occurs when abnormal proteins interfere with cell function in the brain
Lewy body dementia
(ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease) rapidly progressive neurological disease that attacks the nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscles
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
a memory disturbance characterized by a total or partial inability to recall past experiences; can be caused by brain injury, illness, or a psychological disturbance
amnesia
a violent shaking up or jarring of the brain; may result in a temporary loss of awareness and function
concussion
the bruising of brain tissue as a result of a head injury that causes the brain to bounce against the rigid bone of the skull
cerebral contusion
a collection of blood trapped in the tissues of the brain; may be caused by a major or minor head injury
cranial hematoma
cranial hematoma located above the dura mater
epidural hematoma
cranial hematoma located below the dura mater
subdural hematoma
a blow to the head or a penetrating head injury that damages the brain
traumatic brain injury
describes an injury occurring within the skull neat the point of impact, such as hitting the windshield in an auto accident
coup
