Veterinary Terminology: The Nervous System Flashcards
encephalo-
brain
cerebro-
spinal fluid
medullo-
medulla
myelo-
bone marrow
brain
part of the CNS (central nervous system)
responsible for coordinating the activity of all parts of multicellular animals
essential for the co-existence of widely disparate cellular populations
the first organ throughout recorded history that has developed the capacity to study itself
the central nervous system (CNS)
consists of the integrative brain, the more primitive brainstem, and the spinal cord
together with peripheral nervous system has a fundamental role in the control of behavior
brain protected by
bony skull case and mengines (connective tissue layers)
spinal cord protected by
individual, slightly moveable vertebral bones and mengines (connective tissue layers)
Mengines 3 connective tissue layers
dura mater
arachnoid mater
pia mater
fundamental cellular unit for the nervous system
Neurons
neurons
are very metabolically active
have the capacity for generating and propagating an electrical discharge (action potential)
have the means for restoring a resting state and generating another action potential after a short refractory period
action potential
generating and propagating an electrical discharge
refractory period
the period of time during which a neuron can’t re-fire
cerebral spinal fluid (CSF)
a special medium that contains nutrients, electrolytes, water, respiratory gases, hormones, and neurotransmitters
blood-brain barrier
serves to isolate neurons from the general circulation
CSF tap
collecting a sample of CSF to determine whether a breakdown is occuring with the blood-brain barrier
neurons consists of three parts
soma- cell body
dendrites
axon
soma- cell body
contains organelles that are similar to other cells in the body
dendrites
extension from the cell body laden with receptive elements
axon
single, long and large process that leaves the cell body to form a synapse with a distant cell or cells
synapse
nerve ending
sensory (afferent) neurons
are responsible for conveying information about the external or internal environment to or within the CNS
thermoreceptors
receptors for temperature
chemoreceptors
receptors for chemical irritants
mechanoreceptors
receptors for pressure
nociceptors
receptors for pain
vagus nerve
information from receptors is conveyed to the brain via this nerve
motor (efferent) neurons
generate their own action potentials in response to what they receive from the periphery
dendritic zone
the action potential is an amalgamation of inputs from many afferent inputs
very large for motor neurons
reflex arc
a conversation between the central and peripheral nervous systems occurs by virtue of a receptor to afferent neuron to efferent neuron to effector cell loop
neocortex
new brain (population of cells, dendritic zone is immense)
cerebral palsy
the population of upper neurons in question become injured or destroyed during birth in human babies
spasticity and hyperreflexia
manifestations of the loss of modulatory influences by upper motor neurons on the reflexive responses by the lower motor neurons of the spinal cord.
Movements are very stiff and over-exaggerated
cerebrum
main portion of brain
cerebration
functional activity of the brain
cerbrovascular
pertaining to the blood vessels of the brain
cerbellum
refers to a specific portion of the brain devoted to balance, body position, and coordinated movements
glia
structural and supportive cells of the CNS
astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia
Schwann cells
large nucleated cells whose cytoplasm is tightly wound around a segment of axon, encapsulating it and facilitating propagation of an action potential much like insulation around an electrical wire
medulla oblongata
the caudal portion of the brain stem where neurons devoted to a variety of vital functions, such as a cardiorespiratory function, peristalsis, food intake (swallowing, chewing, vomition), and hearing
ventricular system
internal spaces in the brain where csf is produced and circulates to bathe every neuron from inside to outside
subarachnoid space
space between meningeal layers (between dura mater and arachnoid mater) which is external to the substance of the brain and spinal cord that allows CSF to percolate from outside to inside
nucleus
A collection of neurons of like function that reside in the CNS
ganglion
A collection of neurons of like function that reside outside the CNS
cerebromalacia
abnormal softening of the brain
encephalopathy
any abnormality of the brain
hydrocephaly
an abnormal accumulation of CSF in the brain
water on the brain
encephalopathy
parasitic migration of the larval stage of the genus (Encephalitozoon.) Resulting in ischemic lesions secondary to disruption of key cerebral vessels, results in cerebral signs and major behavior changes
cerebrodysplasia
any congenital anomaly of the brain
Schwannoma
a tumor of the Schwann cell sheath
aka neurofibroma
neuropharmacologic
adverse drug reaction that present with cerebral signs
astrocytoma
a tumor composed of astrocytes.
most common form of primary brain tumor and can arise anywhere in the CNS
ataxia
A failure of muscle coordination that often manifests as a very abnormal gait
neuropathy
a functional abnormality or pathologic change in the peripheral nervous system
neuromyopathy
A muscle disorder resulting from a loss of or abnormal nerve inputs
neuroprotective
guarding or protecting against neurotoxicity
myelodysplasia
abnormal formation of the spinal cord
demyelination
loss of the myelin sheath provided by Schwann cells, resulting in reduced or disorganized propagation of action potentials
Somnolence
sleepiness or reduction in sensorium (level of consciousness) that, in worsening condition can be followed by coma, which is an absence of conciousness
space occupying lesion
an abnormal mass somewhere in the nervous system that compresses delicate nervous tissure. The mass could be a tumor, an abscess, or an enlarged normal structure
encephalomyelitis
inflammation f the brain and spinal cord. the causative agents can be viral, bacterial, Rickettsial, fungal, or parasitic.
theco
sheath
meningo
meninges
myo
muscle
esthesia
perception
sensitivity
algia
pain
painful condition
plegia
paralysis
paresis
slight or incomplete paralysis
taxo
order
coordination
nervous system problems
seizures blindness deafness dementia tremors head-tilts nystagmus paresis paralysis pain
neuro exam
mental status cranial nerve reflexes gait and posture proprioceptive positioning spinal reflexes pain perception
states of consciousness
somnolent
lethargic
stuporous
comatose
thalamocortex
behavior or intelligence
Animal unable to relate normally with its environment
Epilepsy
seizure disorder-recurrent
status epilepticus- last longer than 5-10 minutes
cluster seizures- 2 or more over a brief period of time
Wobbler’s syndrome
cervical vertebral abnormalities
radiculo
radicle
neuro
nerves
