U12 - Nervous System Flashcards
afferent nerves
nerves that transmit impulses toward the central nervous system
astrocyte
star-shaped cell found in the central nervous system
aura
a sensation that may precede a migraine or epileptic seizure
axon
the part of a neuron that transmits electrical impulses away from the cell body
blood-brain barrier
a protective mechanism that prevents toxic substances from entering the brain
bradykinesia
abnormally slow movement
cauda equina
a bundle of spinal nerves that emerge from the first lumbar vertebrae
cephalalgia
head pain
cerebellum
part of the brain responsible for coordinating voluntary muscular movement
cerebral angiography
the process of recording the cerebrovascular system
cerebral cortex
a layer of nerve tissue that covers the cerebrum
cerebrospinal fluid
the fluid that flows through the brain and around the spinal cord
cerebrovascular accident
death of a portion of brain tissue due to a decrease of blood flow to the area
cerebrum
the largest and uppermost part of the brain
concussion
damage to the brain caused by violent jarring or shaking
dementia
a group of symptoms affecting memory, thinking, and social abilities
demyelination
destruction of the myelin sheath covering a nerve fibre
dendrite
the part of a neuron that transmits electrical impulses toward the cell body
diencephalon
the part of the brain that is located between the cerebrum and the midbrain
dura mater
the outermost membrane covering the brain and spinal cord
efferent nerves
nerves that transmit impulses away from the central nervous system
electroencephalography
the process of recording the electrical activity of the brain
epidural
over the dura mater
epilepsy
excessive, irregular electrical activity of the central nervous system
gyrus
a fold on the surface of the cerebrum
hemiplegia
paralysis of one side of the body
hydrocephalus
accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain
hypothalamus
portion of the brain located below the thalamus
longitudinal fissure
a large groove that divides the brain into left and right hemispheres
medulla oblongata
one of the three parts of the brainstem
meninges
three membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord
midbrain
the uppermost part of the brainstem
myelin sheath
a fatty covering arround the axon of some neurons
neuralgia
nerve pain
neurectomy
surgical removal of a nerve
neuritis
inflammation of a nerve
neuroglia
the supportive cells of the central nervous system
neurologist
one who specializes in treating disorders of the nervous system
neuron
a nerve cell that conducts impulses
neurotransmitter
a chemical that inhibits or activates impulses between nerve cells
oligodendrocytes
a type of neuroglial cell that coils around axons of some neurons
palliative
soothing
pia mater
the innermost membrane covering the brain and spinal cord
quadriplegia
paralysis of all four extremities and the torso
sensory nerves
nerves that transmit impulses toward the central nervous system
subarachnoid
under the arachnoid mater
subdural
under the dura mater
sulcus
a groove or depression on the surface of the cerebrum
synapse
the space between two nerve cells
syncope
fainting
thalamus
the part of the brain that is located between the cerebrum and the midbrain
