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Chapter 15
Essential Medical Terminology 3rd Edition, Nervous System
135
Biology
Undergraduate 3
03/29/2013

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Term
Cerebrum
Definition
main (largest) portion of the brain, occupying the upper part of the cranial cavity; its two hemispheres, united by the corpus callosum, form the largest part of the CNS in humans
Term
Cerebellum
Definition
situated on the back of the brain stem; consisting of a median lobe (vermis) and two lateral lobes (the hemispheres)
Term
Brain Stem
Definition
the stemlike portion of the brain connecting the cerebral hemispheres with the spinal cord and comprising the pons, medulla oblongata, and midbrain
Term
Encephalon
Definition
located between the cerebrum and midbrain, it contains the thalamus, hypothalamus, and pineal glands. Involved in controlling body temperature, sleep, appetite, blood pressure, and sexual activity
Term
Meninges
Definition
the three membranes covering the brain and spinal cord: dura mater, arachnoid, and pia mater
Term
Dura Mater
Definition
the outermost, toughest of the three meninges (membranes) of the brain and spinal cord
Term
Arachnoid
Definition
the delicate membrane interposed between the dura mater and the pia mater
Term
Pia Mater
Definition
the innermost of the three meninges covering the brain and spinal cord
Term
Cerebrospinal Fluid
Definition
fluid within the ventricles of the brain, the subarachnoid space, and the central canal
Term
Olfactory
Definition
sense of smell
Term
Optic
Definition
vison
Term
Oculomotor
Definition
movement of the eyes
Term
Trochlear
Definition
muscles of the eyes
Term
Trigeminal
Definition
facial movements
Term
Abducens
Definition
muscles of the eye turning the eye outward
Term
Facial
Definition
muscles of the face, ears, and scalp
Term
Ouditory
Definition
pertaining to the ear or the sense of hearing
Term
Glossopharyngeal
Definition
pertaining to the tongue and phaynx
Term
Pneumogastric Vagus
Definition
voice and swallowing
Term
Spinal
Definition
neck muscles
Term
Hypoglossal
Definition
beneath the tongue
Term
Sympathetic
Definition
the part of the autonomic nervous system assisting the body in emergencies, defense, and survival
Term
Parasympathetic
Definition
the part of the autonomic nervous system bringing body functions back to normal after a stressful situation has ended
Term
Abscess (Brain)
Definition
secondary to infection in the body, e.g., ear, sinuses
Term
Alzheimer's Disease (Presenile Dementia)
Definition
characterized by confusion, restlessness, agnosia, speech disturbances, inability to carry out purposeful movements, and hallucinations. The disease usually begins in later midlife with sight defects in memory and behavior and occurs with equal frequency in men and women. The cause is unknown
Term
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Definition
progressive degeneration of the upper and lower motor neurons; usually fatal
Term
Anencephaly
Definition
congenital absence of the brain; death occurs in 1-2 days
Term
Bell's Palsy
Definition
unilateral facial paralysis of sudden onset caused by lesion of the facial nerve; facial distortion
Term
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Definition
the disorder is largely due to repetitive overuse of the fingers, hands, or wrists, which cause inflammation of the median nerve in the tunnel. Symptoms are intermittent or continuous pain, especially at night. Treatment involves anti-inflammatory drugs, splints, physical therapy, and ceasing the overuse. If these measures fail, surgical measures to relieve the pressure may be necessary
Term
Cerebral Palsy
Definition
paralysis from developmental defects or trauma; many symptoms; appearing before age 3, caused by nonprogressive damage to the brain
Term
Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)
Definition
a decerease in blood flow supply to the brain, causing death to the specific portion of the brain tissue affected. The three types of CVA are hemorrhagic stroke, which occurs when a cerebral vessel ruptures, thrombotic stroke, which occurs when a blood clot in the arteries leading to the brain becomes occluded (blocked), and embolic stroke, which occurs when an embolus (fragment of blood clot, fat, bacteria, or tumor) lodges in a cerebral vessel and causes occlusion
Term
Concussion
Definition
a violent blow to the head; there may or may not be a loss of consciousness
Term
Convulsion (Seizure)
Definition
an involuntary contraction or series of contractions of the voluntary muscles; sudden disturbances in mental functions and body movements, some with loss of consciousness
Term
Encephalitis
Definition
inflammation of the brain
Term
Epilepsy
Definition
seizure disorder; cause usually known; symptoms can be managed with medication
Term
Fracture (Skull)
Definition
a break in the bones of the skull; cause can be injury, gunshot wounds
Term
Grand Mal Seizure
Definition
also called tonic-clonic seizures; characterized by a sudden loss of consciousness, falling down, and involuntary muscle contractions. Often preceded by an aura, a peculiar sensation such as visual disturbance, numbness, or dizziness, which appears just before more definite symptoms
Term
Hematoma
Definition
blood "tumor" (clot); must be removed if large enough to cause pressure on brain
Term
Herpes Zoster
Definition
"shingles"; an acute inflammatory disease of cerebral or spinal nerve due to viral infection; common in the elderly
Term
Hydrocephalus
Definition
"water on the brain"; a congenital or acquired condition marked by dilation of the cerebral ventricles accompanied by an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the skull. Typically, there is enlargement of the head, prominence of the forehead, mental deterioration, and convulsions
Term
Huntington's Chorea
Definition
ceaseless occurrence of rapid, jerky, involuntary movements; hereditary disease marked by chronic progressive chorea and mental deterioration
Term
Korsakoff's Syndrome
Definition
an alcoholic psychosis with disorientation, progressing to complete amnesia
Term
Meningitis
Definition
inflammation of the meninges caused by bacterial, viral, or fungal infection
Term
Meningocele
Definition
hernial protrusion of the meninges through a bone defect in the cranium or vertebral column; may be repaired surgically
Term
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Definition
brain and cord contain areas of degenerated myelin. Symptoms of lesions include weakness, incoordination, speech disturbances, and visual complaints
Term
Myasthenia Gravis (MG)
Definition
a progressive neuromuscular disorder characterized by chronic fatigue and muscle weakness; considered to be an autoimmune disease. Antibodies block and destroy receptors at the myoneural junction because of a deficiency of acetylcholine. The onset of symptoms is gradual, with drooping eyelids, difficulty speaking and swallowing, and weakness of the facial muscles. The weakness may then extend to other muscles enervated by cranial nerves, especially the respiratory muscles. the weakness may then extend to other muscles enervated by cranial nerves, especially the respiratory muscles. The disease occurs more often in women than men, with onset between ages 20-40, and in older men more often than in younger men. Onset is between ages 50 and 60
Term
Neuropathy
Definition
disease of cranial and peripheral nervous system; motor, sensory, and reflex impairment
Term
Organic Brain Syndrome
Definition
any mental disorder caused by impairment of brain tissue function; may be acute and reversible, caused by injury, infection, and nutritional deficiency, or chronic, resulting from relatively permanent organic impairment of brain tissue function
Term
Parkinson's Disease
Definition
a slowly progressive, degenerative, neurologic disorder characterized by resting tremor
Term
Petit Mal Seizures
Definition
also called absence seizure, the petit mal is a minor seizure lasting only a few seconds. The person has a momentary clouding of consciousness, may have a blank facial expression, and blink their eyes rapidly. The duration of the seizure is 5-10 s. The individual may not be aware of the episode. It is more frequent in children
Term
Poliomyelitis
Definition
an acute viral disease with fever, sore throat, headache, vomiting, and often stiffness of the neck and back; may be minor or major; can be prevented by vaccination
Term
Sciatica
Definition
severe pain in the leg along the course of the sciatic nerve; also pain radiating into the buttock and lower limb, most commonly caused by herniation of the lumbar disk
Term
Shunt
Definition
to bypass, e.g., using a catheter to drain fluid from brain cavities to the spinal cord
Term
Spinal Cord Injuries
Definition
a traumatic disruption of the spinal cord, with extensive musculoskeletal involvement. Spinal fractures and dislocations are common in car accidents and airplane crashes and can cause varying degrees of paraplegia and quadriplegia
Term
Subdural Hematoma
Definition
the blood is usually a result of a closed head injury, acceleration-deceleration injury, use of anticoagulants, contusions, or chronic alcoholism. They are largely a result of venous bleeding. An acute subdural hematoma can occur within minutes or hours following an injury; a chronic subdural hemaoma takes weeks to months to evolve. Symptoms include drowsiness, headache, confusion, possible seizure, and signs of ICP and paralysis. Treatment involves surgical evacuation of the blood. In acute subdurals, it may be removed through bur holes in the skull, but chronic ones require a craniotomy because the blood has solidified and cannot be aspirated through bur holes
Term
Tay-Sach's Disease
Definition
an inherited inborn error of metabolism in which there is an enzyme deficiency causing altered lipid metabolism. Deficiency of the enzyme results in accumulation of a specific lipid in the brain, which leads to physical and mental retardation. It is a progressive disorder, marked by degeneration of brain tissue, dementia, convulsions, paralysis, blindness, and death. The symptoms begin around 6 months of age. Death occurs between 2 and 4 years of age. It is possible to test for the disease in the unborn fetus through amniocentesis. No therapy is available for the disease. Supportive and symptomatic care is indicated.
Term
Tumors (Cord, Brain)
Definition
benign or malignant, promary or metastatic; may be classified by location, tissue types, or degree of malignancy, e.g., glimas, neuromas
Term
Whiplash
Definition
a popular term for an acute cervical sprain; acceleration extension injury of the cervical spine
Term
Angiogram (Arteriogram), Cerebral
Definition
a radiopaque substance is injected into arteries in the neck, then x-ray films are taken
Term
Babinski's Sign
Definition
reflex response; when sole of the foot is stroked, the big toe turns up instead of down (normal in newborn, but pathologic later on)
Term
Bur Holes
Definition
holes made with a drill creating openings in bone to permit access for biopsy, insertion of drains for relieving pressure, or for monitoring devices
Term
Computerized Tomography (CT) Brain Scan. Also Called CAT Scan
Definition
three-dimensional view of brain tissue obtained as x-ray beams pass through layers of the brain. Contrast medium may also be injected IV to better visualize abnormalities. CT scan will show areas of tumors, hemorrhage, blood clots, aneurysms, MS, and brain abscess
Term
Cordotomy
Definition
cutting of nerve fibers to relieve intractable pain
Term
Craniotomy
Definition
any operation of the cranium, e.g., puncture of the skull and removal of its contents to decrease the size of the head of a dead fetus and aid in delivery
Term
Echoencephalogram (EEG)
Definition
use of ultrasound to show displacement of brain structures
Term
Electroencephalogram (EKG)
Definition
record of electrical activity of the brain
Term
Laboratory Procedures
Definition
examination of cerebrospinal fluid (cell counts, culture, blood)
Term
Laminectomy
Definition
excision of the posterior arch of a vertebra to view the spinal cord or to relieve pressure
Term
Lumbar Puncture (LP)
Definition
spinal tap
Term
Lumbar Sympathectomy
Definition
a surgical interruption of part of the sympathetic nerve pathways, performed for the relief of chronic pain in vascular disease, such as arteriosclerosis, claudication, and so on
Term
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Definition
noninvasive technique using magnetic waves to create an image of the brain. The MRI is far more precise and accurate than most diagnostic tools. It provides visualization of fluids, soft tissue, and bony structures. MRI and CT are used to complement each other in diagnosing brain and spinal cord lesions. Persons with any implanted metal devices such as a pacemaker, prosthesis, etc. cannot undergo MRI because the strong magnetic field will dislodge them
Term
Myelogram (myelography)
Definition
the film produced by myelography, e.g. injection of a dye into the subarachnoid space to detect tumors or herniated disks
Term
Nerve Block
Definition
injection of anesthetic into a nerve to produce the loss of sensation
Term
Nerve Cells (neurons)
Definition
conduction cells of the nervous system, consisting of a cell body containing the nucleus and its surrounding cytoplasm, and the axon and dendrites; specialized cells for transmitting impulses
Term
Pneumoencephalogram (PEG)
Definition
the radiograph obtained by visualization of the fluid-containing structures of the brain after cerebrospinal fluid is intermittently withdrawn by lumbar puncture and replaced by air, oxygen, or helium
Term
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan
Definition
images of various structures show how the brain uses glucose and gives information about brain function. PET scans are used to assess Alzheimer's, stroke, epilepsy, and schizophrenia, as well as study and diagnose brain tumors
Term
Rhizotomy
Definition
cutting the roots of spinal nerves to relieve incurable pain
Term
Romberg Test
Definition
a test of the sense of balance, e.g., the patient may lose balance when standing erect, feet together, and eyes closed
Term
Trephination
Definition
drilling a hole in the skull to evacuate clots or inject air for a diagnostic procedure
Term
Vagotomy
Definition
surgical transection of the fibers of the vagus nerve
Term
Ventriculography
Definition
radiography of the cerebral ventricles after introduction of air or other contrast medium
Term
Affect
Definition
the feeling experienced in connection with an emotion
Term
Aggression
Definition
hostile attitude; may be due to insecurity or inferiority feeling
Term
Ambivalence
Definition
conflicting emotional attitudes toward a goal, e.g., hate and love
Term
Amnesia
Definition
loss of memory
Term
Autism
Definition
complete withdrawal; inability to communicate
Term
Catatonia
Definition
excessive violent motor activity or lack of reaction and movement; observed in schizophrenia
Term
Delusion
Definition
a false personal belief
Term
Delirium
Definition
a mental disturbance of relatively short duration, e.g., illusions, hallucinations, and excitement
Term
Depression
Definition
in psychiatry, a morbid sadness, dejection, or melancholy; a decrease of body functions
Term
Echolalia
Definition
automatic repetition by a patient of what is said to him or her
Term
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT, EST)
Definition
introducing convulsions by means of electricity; used on patients with affective disorders
Term
Hallucination
Definition
hearing or seeing things not really present
Term
Hypochondria
Definition
imaginary illnesses
Term
Hysteria
Definition
extremely emotional state
Term
Involutional melancholia
Definition
mental illness in late middle life, with agitation, worry, anxiety, and insomnia
Term
Malingering
Definition
make believe, e.g., pretending to be ill
Term
Manic-depressive
Definition
major psychosis; fluctuation of behavior between mania and depression; also called bipolar disorder
Term
Megalomania
Definition
belief in one's own extreme greatness, goodness, or power
Term
Neurasthenia
Definition
a stage in the recover from a schizophrenic experience during which the patient is listless and apparently unable to cope with routine activities and relationships
Term
Neurosis
Definition
an emotional disorder caused by unresolved conflicts, anxiety being its chief characteristic; person is still in touch with reality
Term
Paranoid
Definition
a person who is overly suspicious (in trends or attitudes)
Term
Phobia
Definition
any persistent abnormal dread or fear
Term
Psychosis
Definition
a major mental disorder, with personality derangement and loss of contact with reality
Term
Rapid Eye Movement (REM)
Definition
occur during periods of dreaming
Term
Schizophrenia
Definition
any of a group of severe emotional disorders characterized by withdrawal from reality, delusions, hallucinations, ambivalence, inappropriate affect, and withdrawn, bizarre, and regressive behavior
Term
Aphasia
Definition
loss of the ability to speak owing to injury or disease of the brain centers
Term
Ataxia
Definition
failure of muscular coordination
Term
Biofeedback
Definition
the process of furnishing a person with information on the state of one or more physiologic variables, such as heart rate, blood pressure, or skin temperature, often enabling the person to gain some voluntary control over the body function
Term
Cauda Equina
Definition
the collection of spinal roots descending from the lower spinal cord and supplying the rectal area
Term
Comatose
Definition
in a deep stupor; cannot be aroused
Term
Contrecoup
Definition
denoting an injury to the brain, occurring at a site opposite to the point of impact
Term
Deep Tendon Reflex (DTR)
Definition
a reflex elicited by a sharp tap on the appropriate tendon or muscle to induce brief stretch of the muscle, followed by contraction
Term
Encephalon
Definition
the brain
Term
Fissure
Definition
many meanings; one refers to a deep furrow in the brain
Term
Flaccid
Definition
weak, lax, soft, flabby; poor muscle tone
Term
Foramen Magnum
Definition
a large opening in the occipital bone through which the cord passes
Term
Ganglion
Definition
a knot. A group of nerve cell bodies, located outside the central nervous system
Term
Gyrus (pl. gyri)
Definition
convolutions of the cerebrum
Term
Hemisphere
Definition
either half of the brain
Term
Ipsilateral
Definition
situated on or affecting the same side
Term
Limbic System
Definition
the part of the brain associated with attitudes and emotional behavior
Term
Manometer
Definition
an instrument for measuring the pressure, e.g., of spinal fluid
Term
Myelin
Definition
white, liquid, fatty substance surrounding some nerve fibers (white matter)
Term
Neurilemma (Sheath of Schwann)
Definition
the membrane surrounding the peripheral nerves
Term
Paralysis
Definition
inability to use muscles because of damage to the nervous system
Term
Paresis
Definition
slight or incomplete paralysis
Term
Paresthesia
Definition
an abnormal sensation, such as burning or prickling
Term
Plexus
Definition
a network of nerves or blood vessels
Term
Reflex
Definition
an involuntary response to a stimulus
Term
Spastic
Definition
uncontrollable and forced contractions
Term
Stimulus
Definition
any agent, act, or influence that produces a reaction or response
Term
Sulcus (pl., sulci)
Definition
a groove, trench, or furrow on the brain surface
Term
Syncope
Definition
a faint; temporary loss of consciousness
Term
Ventricle (brain)
Definition
a small cavity in the brain
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