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Medical Vocab Ch #10 Nervous System
Medical Coding & Billing Word Structures & Vocab.
194
Medical
Undergraduate 1
06/07/2010

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Term
alges/o
Definition
excessive sensitivity to pain
Term
caus/o
Definition
burning
Term
cerebell/o
Definition
cerebellum
Term
cerebr/o
Definition
cerebrum
Term
comat/o
Definition
deep sleep (coma)
Term
dur/o
Definition
dura mater
Term
enephal/o
Definition
brain
Term
esthesi/o
Definition
feeling, nervous sensation
Term
gli/o
Definition
glial cells
Term
kines/o, kinesi/o
Definition
movement
Term
lept/o
Definition
thin, slender
Term
lex/o
Definition
word, phrase
Term
mening/o
Definition
membranes
Term
meningi/o
Definition
meninges
Term
my/o
Definition
muscle
Term
myel/o
Definition
spinal cord
Term
narc/o
Definition
supor, sleep
Term
neur/o
Definition
nerve
Term
pont/o
Definition
pons (a part of the brain)
Term
radicul/o
Definition
nerve root (of spinal nerves)
Term
syncop/o
Definition
to cut off, cut short
Term
tax/o
Definition
order, coordination
Term
thec/o
Definition
sheath (refers to the meninges)
Term
thalam/o
Definition
thalamus
Term
vag/o
Definition
vagus nerve (10th cranial nerve)
Term
-algesia
Definition
excessive sensitivity to pain
Term
-algia
Definition
pain
Term
-blast
Definition
immature
Term
-esthesia
Definition
feeling, nervous sensation
Term
-kinesia, -kinesis, -kinetic
Definition
movement
Term
-lepsy
Definition
seizure
Term
-paresis
Definition
weakness; slight paralysis
Term
-phasia
Definition
speech
Term
-plegia
Definition
paralysis (loss or the impairment of the ability to move parts of the body)
Term
-praxia
Definition
action
Term
-sthenia
Definition
strength
Term
par-, para-
Definition
abnormal
Term
polio-
Definition
gray matter (of the brain or spinal column)
Term
quadri-
Definition
four
Term
Absence seizure
Definition
Minor form of seizure, consisting of momentary clouding of consciousness and loss of contact with the environment.
Term
Acetylcholine
Definition
Neurotransmitter chemical released at the ends of nerve cells.
Term
Afferent nerves
Definition
Carry nervous impulses toward the brain and spinal cord; sensory nerves.
Term
Akinetic
Definition
Pertaining to loss or absence of voluntary movement.
Term
Alzheimer disease
Definition
Brain disorder marked by progressive, gradual mental deterioration (dementia) along with personality changes and impairment of daily functioning.
Term
Amyotropic lateral sclerosis
Definition
Degenerative disorder of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem and resulting in total body paralysis.
Term
Analgesia
Definition
Absence of sensitivity to pain. (usually accompanied by sedation without loss of consciousness).
Term
Anencephaly
Definition
Congenital condition of partial or complete absence of brain matter.
Term
Anesthesia
Definition
Lack of feeling or nervous sensation.
Term
Aneurysm
Definition
Weakening of an arterial wall, which may lead to hemorrhage and cerebrovascular accident (stroke).
Term
Aphasia
Definition
Inability to speak; language function is impaired due to injury to the cerebral cortex.
Term
Apraxia
Definition
Inability to perform purposeful acts or manipulate objects (in the absence of paralysis or sensory or motor impairment).
Term
Arachnoid membrane
Definition
Middle layer of the meninges that surround the brain and spinal cord.
Term
Astrocyte
Definition
Glial (neuroglial) cell that transports salts and water from capillaries.
Term
Astrocytoma
Definition
Brain tumor composed of astrocytes (glial cells). The most serious of these tumors is a glioblastoma multiforme (Grades III and IV malignant brain tumor).
Term
Ataxia
Definition
No muscular coordination (often caused by cerebellar dysfunction).
Term
Aura
Definition
Peculiar sensation appearing before more definite symptoms.
Term
Autonomic nervous system
Definition
Nerves that control involuntary body functions of muscles, glands, and internal organs.
Term
Axon
Definition
Microscopic fiber that carries a nervous impulse along a nerve cell.
Term
Bell palsy
Definition
Unilateral paralysis of the face caused by a disorder of the facial nerve.
Term
Blood-brain barrier
Definition
Blood vessels that let certain substances enter the brain tissue and keep other substances out.
Term
Bradykinesia
Definition
Slow movement.
Term
Brainstem
Definition
Lower portion of the brain that connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord.
Term
Cauda equina
Definition
Collection of spinal nerves below the end of the spinal cord.
Term
Causalgia
Definition
Burning sensation of pain (in the skin); usually following injury to sensory fibers  of a peripheral nerve.
Term
Cell body
Definition
Part of the nerve cell (neuron) that contains the nucleus.
Term
Central nervous system
Definition
Brain and spinal cord.
Term
Cephalgia
Definition
Head pain; headache.
Term
Cerebellar
Definition
Pertaining to the cerebellum.
Term
Cerebellopontine
Definition
Pertaining to the cerebellum and pons.
Term
Cerebellum
Definition
Part of the brain that coordinates muscle movements and maintains balance.
Term
Cerebral angiography
Definition
X-ray record of blood vessels in the brain after intravenous injection of contrast material.
Term
Cerebral concussion
Definition
Temporary brain dysfunction (brief loss of consciousness) after injury; usually clearing within 24 hours.
Term
Cerebral contusion
Definition
Bruising of brain tissue as a result of direct trauma to the head; neurologic disorder persists longer than 24 hours.
Term
Cerebral cortex
Definition
The outer region (gray matter) of the cerebrum.
Term
Cerebral hemorrhage
Definition
Bursting of an artery in the brain.
Term
Cerebral palsy
Definition
Partial paralysis and muscular coordination caused by loss of oxygen or blood flow to the cerebrum during pregnancy or in the perinatal period.
Term
Cerebrospinal fluid
Definition
Clear, watery fluid that surrounds & circulates throughout the brain and spinal cord and is located within the ventricles of the brain.
Term
Cerebrospinal fluid analysis
Definition
Samples of cerebrospinal fluid are examined for blood cells, protein, glucose, tumor cells, bacteria and other substances.
Term
Cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
Definition
Disruption of the normal blood supply to the brain; stroke.
Term
Cerebrum
Definition
Largest part of the brain; responsible for voluntary muscular activity, vision, speech, taste, hearing, thought and memory, among other functions.
Term
Coma
Definition
State of unconsciousness from which a patient cannot be aroused.
Term
Comatose
Definition
In a state of coma (profound unconsciousness from which one cannot be roused; may be due to trauma, disease, or action of ingested toxic substance).
Term
Computed tomography
Definition
Cross-sectional x-ray imaging of an organ (such as the brain or spinal cord), with or without contrast material.
Term
Cranial nerves
Definition
Twelve pairs of nerves that carry messages to and from the brain.
Term
Dementia
Definition
Mental decline and deterioration.
Term
Demyelination
Definition
Destruction of myelin on axons of nerves (as in multiple sclerosis).
Term
Dendrite
Definition
Microscopic branching portion of a nerve cell; first part of the nerve cell to receive the nervous impulse.
Term
Dopamine
Definition
Neurotransmitter in the central nervous system; deficient in patients with Parkinson disease.
Term
Doppler/ultrasound studies
Definition
Sound waves are used to detect blood flow in arteries within the brain and leading to the brain.
Term
Dura mater
Definition
Thick, outermost layer of the meninges surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
Term
Dyskinesia
Definition
Impairment of the ability to perform voluntary movements.
Term
dyskinesis
Definition
Involuntary, spasmodic movements.
Term
Dyslexia
Definition
Disorder of reading, writing, or learning (despite the ability to see and recognize letters).
Term
Efferent nerves
Definition
Carry messages away from the brain the spinal cord; motor nerves.
Term
Electroencephalography (EEG)
Definition
Process of recording the electricity within the brain.
Term
Embolus
Definition
Blood clot that is carried by the bloodstream from one area of the body to another where it blocks a blood vessel.
Term
Encephalitis
Definition
Inflammation of the brain.
Term
Encephalopathy
Definition
Any disease of the brain.
Term
Ependymal cell
Definition
A glial cell that lines the membranes within the brain and spinal cord and helps form cerebrospinal fluid.
Term
Epidural hematoma
Definition
Collection of blood located above the dura mater.
Term
Epilepsy
Definition
Brain disorder marked by recurrent attacks (seizures) of abnormal nervous impulses.
Term
Gait
Definition
Manner of walking.
Term
Ganglion
Definition
Collection of nerve cell bodies in the peripheral nervous system; plural is ganglia.
Term
Glial cell
Definition
Nervous system cell that is supportive and connective in function: Astrocyte, microglial cell, ependymal cell.
Term
Glioblastoma
Definition
Tumor (malignant) of glial (neuroglial or supportive) cells in the brain.
Term
Glioblastoma multiforme
Definition
Highly malignant brain tumor composed of glial cells (astrocytes).
Term
Gyrus
Definition
Sheet of nerve cells that produces a rounded fold on the surface of the cerebrum.
Term
Hemiparesis
Definition
Slight paralysis of the right or left half of the body.
Term
Hemiplegia
Definition
Paralysis of the right or left half of the body.
Term
Herpes zoster
Definition
Viral infection affecting peripheral nerves.
Term
HIV encephalopathy
Definition
Disease of the brain (dementia) caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).
Term
Huntington disease
Definition
Hereditary disorder affecting the cerebrum and involving abrupt, involuntary, jerking movements and mental deterioration in later stages.
Term
Hydrocephalus
Definition
Abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles (canals) of the brain.
Term
Hypalgesia
Definition
Diminished sensitivity to pain.
Term
Hyperesthesia
Definition
Excessive sensitivity or feeling, especially of the skin in response to touch or pain or other sensory stimuli.
Term
Hyperkinesis
Definition
Condition of excessive movement (muscular activity).
Term
Hypothalamus
Definition
Portion of the brain beneath the thalamus; controls sleep, appetite, body temperature, and secretions from the pituitary gland.
Term
Ictal event
Definition
Pertaining to a sudden, acute onset, as the convulsion of an epileptic seizure.
Term
Intrathecal
Definition
Pertaining to within the membranes (meninges) surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
Term
intrathecal injection
Definition
Placement of substances (medications) into the subarachnoid space.
Term
Leptomeningeal
Definition
The two thinner membranes—the pia mater and the arachnoid membrane—surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
Term
Leptomeningitis
Definition
Inflammation of the two thinner membranes (arachnoid and pia mater) surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
Term
Lumbar puncture
Definition
Withdrawal of cerebrospinal fluid from the subarachnoid space between two lumbar vertebrae; spinal tap.
Term
Magnetic resonance imaging
Definition
Magnetic and radio waves create an image of an organ three planes of the body. The brain and spinal cord can be imaged to detect lesions.
Term
Medulla oblongata
Definition
Lower part of the brain, closest to the spinal cord; controls breathing heartbeat, and size of blood vessels.
Term
Meningeal
Definition
Pertaining to the meninges.
Term
Meninges
Definition
Three membranes surrounding and protecting the brain and spinal cord.
Term
Meningioma
Definition
Tumor (benign) of the meninges.
Term
Meningitis
Definition
Inflammation of the meninges.
Term
Meningocele
Definition
Hernia of the meninges through a defect or space between vertebrae; a form of spina bifida cystica.
Term
Migraine
Definition
A severe headache, often unilateral, and sometimes accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
Term
Microglial cell
Definition
Phagocytic glial cell that removes waste products from the central nervous system.
Term
Motor nerves
Definition
Carry impulses from the brain and spinal cord to muscles.
Term
Multiple sclerosis
Definition
Chronic neurologic disorder marked by destruction of the myelin sheath on neuronal axons in the CNS and replacement by plaques of sclerotic tissue.
Term
Myasthenia gravis
Definition
Autoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterized by weakness of voluntary muscles.
Term
Myelin sheath
Definition
Fatty, white covering over the axon of a nerve cell.
Term
Myelogram
Definition
X-ray record (with contrast) of the spinal cord.
Term
Myelomeningocele
Definition
Congenital hernia (protrusion) of the spinal cord and meninges through a defect (gap) in the vertebral column. This defect is often associated with spina bifida.
Term
Myoneural
Definition
Pertaining to muscle and nerve.
Term
Narcolepsy
Definition
Sudden, uncontrollable episodes of sleep (seizure of sleep).
Term
Nerve
Definition
Macroscopic cordlike collection of fibers that carry electrical impulses.
Term
Neuralgia
Definition
Nerve pain.
Term
Neurasthenia
Definition
Lack of strength in nerves; a feeling of weakness and nervous exhaustion.
Term
Neuroglia
Definition
Supporting cells (stroma) of the nervous system; glial cells.
Term
Neuron
Definition
Nerve cell.
Term
Neuropathy
Definition
Disease of nerves; primarily in the peripheral nervous system.
Term
Neurotransmitter
Definition
Chemical messenger released at the end of a nerve cell.
Term
Occlusion
Definition
Blockage or obstruction.
Term
Oligodendroglial cell
Definition
Glial (neuroglial) cell that forms the myelin sheath covering the axon of a neuron.
Term
Palliative
Definition
Relieving symptoms, but not curative.
Term
Palsy
Definition
Paralysis.
Term
Paraplegia
Definition
Paralysis of the lower part of the body and both legs.
Term
Parasympathetic nerves
Definition
Involuntary, autonomic nerves that regulate normal body functions, such as heart rate, breathing, and the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract.
Term
Parenchyma
Definition
Essential, functioning cells of any organ. Neurons (nerve cells) are the parenchyma of the nervous system.
Term
Paresis
Definition
Slight paralysis.
Term
Paresthesia
Definition
Abnormal nervous sensation occurring without apparent cause. Examples are tingling, numbness or prickling sensations.
Term
Parkinson disease
Definition
Degeneration of nerve cells that produce the neurotransmitter, dopamine in the brain; leads to tremors, weakness of muscles, and slowness of movement.
Term
Peripheral nervous system
Definition
Nerves outside the brain and spinal cord; cranial, spinal, and autonomic nerves.
Term
Pia mater
Definition
Thin, delicate, innermost membrane of the meninges.
Term
Plexus
Definition
Network of nerves outside of the central nervous system; brachial, cervical, lumbosacral plexuses are examples.
Term
Poliomyelitis
Definition
Inflammation of the gray matter of the spinal cord.
Term
Polyneuritis
Definition
Inflammation of many (spinal) nerves, causing paralysis, pain, & wasting of muscles. Guillain-Barré syndrome (sequela of certain viral infections with paresthesias & muscular weakness) is an example.
Term
Pons
Definition
Part of the brainstem anterior to the cerebellum, between the medulla and the rest of the brain. The pons connects the upper and lower portions of the brain.
Term
Positron emission tomography
Definition
Computerized radiologic procedure using radioactive glucose or oxygen to image the metabolic activity of cells, such as brain cells.
Term
Quadriplegia
Definition
Paralysis of all four limbs; both arms and both legs.
Term
Radiculitis
Definition
Inflammation of a spinal nerve root.
Term
Radiculoneuropathy
Definition
Disease of nerve roots and nerves
Term
Radiculopathy
Definition
Disease of a spinal nerve root.
Term
Receptor
Definition
Organ that receives nervous stimulation and passes it on to nerves that carry the stimulation to the brain and spinal cord; skin, ears, eyes and taste buds.
Term
Sciatic nerve
Definition
Extends from the base of the spine down the thigh, lower leg, and foot. Sciatica is pain along the course of the nerve.
Term
Sensory nerves
Definition
Carry messages to the brain and spinal cord from a receptor; afferent nerves.
Term
Shingles
Definition
Viral (herpes zoster) illness that affects peripheral nerves; produces blisters and pain on the skin overlying the path of peripheral nerves.
Term
Spina bifida
Definition
Congenital defect in the lumbar spinal column caused by imperfect union of vertebral parts; spinal cord and meninges may herniate through the vertebral gap.
Term
Spinal nerves
Definition
Thirty-one pairs of nerves arising from the spinal cord. Each spinal nerve affects a particular area of the skin.
Term
Stereotactic radiosurgery
Definition
Use of a specialized instrument using three-dimensional coordinates to locate the site to be operated on.
Term
Stimulus
Definition
Agent of change (light, sound, touch) that evokes a response.
Term
Stroma
Definition
Connective and supportive tissue of an organ.
Term
Subdural hematoma
Definition
Collection of blood under the dura mater (outermost layer of the meninges).
Term
Sulcus
Definition
Depression or groove in the surface of the cerebral cortex; fissure.
Term
Sympathetic nerves
Definition
Autonomic nerves that activate responses in times of stress; heartbeat, respiration, and blood pressure are affected.
Term
Synapse
Definition
Space between nerve cells or between nerve cells and muscle and glandular cells.
Term
Syncopal
Definition
Pertaining to syncope (fainting).
Term
Syncope
Definition
Fainting; temporary loss of consciousness.
Term
Thalamic
Definition
Pertaining to the thalamus.
Term
Thalamus
Definition
Main relay center of the brain; located in the central region or diencephalon of the brain.
Term
Thrombosis
Definition
Abnormal condition of clot formation in a blood vessel.
Term
Tic
Definition
Involuntary movement of a small group of muscles, as of the face.
Term
Tonic-clonic seizure
Definition
A major seizure affecting the brain in epilepsy.
Term
Tourette syndrome
Definition
Neurologic disorder characterized by multiple facial and other body tics.
Term
Transient ischemic attack
Definition
Fleeting episode of ischemia (holding back blood) in the brain.
Term
Trigeminal neuralgia
Definition
Flashes of stab like pain along the course of a branch of the trigeminal nerve (5th cranial nerve). The trigeminal nerve has branches to the eye, upper jaw and lower jaw.
Term
Vagal
Definition
Pertaining to the vagus (10th cranial) nerve.
Term
Vagus nerve
Definition
Tenth cranial nerve with branches to the chest and abdominal organs.
Term
Ventricles of the brain
Definition
Fluid (cerebrospinal fluid) filled canals in the brain.
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