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Chapter 8 The Nervous System
Evangel University, Dr. Tenneson, start back on pg 278
147
Medical
Undergraduate 3
02/08/2012

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Term
absence seizure
Definition
a small seizure in which there is a sudden temporary loss of consciousness lasting only a few seconds

AB-sensz SEE-zyoor
Term
acetylcholine
Definition
a chemical substance in the body tissues that facilitates the transmission of nerve impulses from one nerve to another. Stimulant/excitatory effect on some parts such as skeletal muscles and depressant/inhibitory effect on some parts such as heart muscle. also known as neurotransmitter

ah-seh-till-KOH-leen
Term
afferent nerves
Definition
transmit impulses toward the CNS, also known as sensory nerves

AFF-er-ent nerves
Term
agnosia
Definition
loss of mental ability to understand sensory stimuli (such as sight, sounds, or touch) even though the sensory organs are functioning properly

ag-NOH-zee-ah
Term
agraphia
Definition
inability to convert one's thoughts into writing

ah-GRAFF-ee-ah
Term
alexia
Definition
the inability to understand written words

ah-LEK-see-ah
Term
analgesia
Definition
without sensitivity to pain

an-al-JEE-zee-ah
Term
anesthesia
Definition
without feeling or sensation

an-ess-THEE-zee-ah
Term
aneurysm
Definition
localized dilatation in the wal of an artery that expands with each pulsation of the artery; usually caused by hypertension or atherosclerosis

AN-yoo-rizm
Term
aphasia
Definition
inability to communicate through speech, writing, or signs because of an injury to or disease in certain areas of the brain
Term
apraxia
Definition
inability to perform coordinated movements or use objects properly; not associated with sensory or motor impairment or paralysis

ah-PRAK-see-ah
Term
arachnoid membrane
Definition
the weblike middle layer of the 3 membranous layers surrounding the brain and spinal cord

ah-RAK-noyd MEM-brayn
Term
astrocyte
Definition
star-shaped neuroglial cell found in the CNS
Term
astrocytoma
Definition
a tumor of the brain or spinal cord composed of astrocytes

ass-troh-sigh-TOH-mah
Term
ataxia
Definition
without muscular coordination

ah-TAK-see-ah
Term
aura
Definition
sensation an individual experiences prior to the onset of a migraine headache or an epileptic seizure. may be a sensation of light or warmth & may precede the attack by hours or only a few seconds

AW-rah
Term
autonomic nervous system
Definition
the part of the nervous system that regulates the involuntary vital functions of the body, such as the activities involving the heart muscle, smooth muscles, and the glands. divided into the SNS and the PNS

ANS

aw-toh-NOM-ik NER-vus SIS-tem
Term
axon
Definition
transports impulses away from nerve cell body

AK-son
Term
blood-brain barrier
Definition
protective characteristic of the capillary walls of the brain that prevents passage of harmful substances from bloodstream into brain tissue or CSF

BLUD-BRAIN -BAIR-ree-er
Term
bradykinesia
Definition
abnormally slow movement

brad-ee-kih-NEE-see-ah
Term
brain stem
Definition
stemlike portion of brain that connects cerebral hemisphere with spinal cord. contains the midbrain, the pons, and the medulla oblongata.
Term
Brudzinski's sign
Definition
positive sign of meningitis, in which there is involuntary flexion of the arm, hipp, and knee when te patient's neck is passively flexed.
Term
burr hole
Definition
a hole drilled into the skull using a form of drill
Term
cauda equina
Definition
lower end of the spinal cord and the roots of the spinal nerves that occupy the spinal canal below the level of the 1st lumbar vertebrae; named because it resembles a horse's tail

KAW-dah ee-KWY-nah
Term
causalgia
Definition
sensation fo an acute burning pain along the path of a peripheral nerve, sometimes accompanied by erythema of the skin, due to injury to peripheral nerve fibers

kaw-SAK-jee-ah
Term
cell body
Definition
part of nerve cell that contains nucleus and most cytoplasm
Term
central nervous system
Definition
one of 2 main division of nervous system, consisting of brain and spinal cord

CNS
Term
cephalalgia
Definition
pain in the head; headache

seff-ah-LAL-jee-ah
Term
cerebellum
Definition
part of brain responsible for coordinating voluntary muscular movement; located behind brain stem

ser-eh-BELL-um
Term
cerebral concussion
Definition
a brief interruption of brain function, usually with a loss of consciousness lasting for a few seconds. usually caused by blunt trauma (a blow) to the head

ser-REE-bral con-KUSH-shun
Term
cerebral contusion
Definition
small scattered venous hemorrhages in the brain; better described as a "Bruise" of brain tissue occurring when the brain strikes the inner skull

seh-REE-bral con-TOO-zhun
Term
cerebral cortex
Definition
thin outer layer of nerve tissue, known as gray matter, that covers surface of cerebrum

seh-REE-bral COR-teks
Term
cerebrospinal fluid
Definition
fluid flowing from brain and around spinal cord, protect from physical blow or impact

CSF

ser-he-broh-SPY-nal FLOO-id
Term
cerebrum
Definition
largest and uppermost part of the brain, controls consciousness, memory, sensations, emotions, and voluntary movements

seh-REE-brum
Term
Cheyne-Stokes respirations
Definition
abnormal pattern of breathing characterized by periods of apnea followed by deep rapid breathing

CHAIN-STOHKS res=pir-AY-shunz
Term
coma
Definition
deep sleep in which individual cannot be aroused, does not respond to external stimuli

COH-ma
Term
comatose
Definition
pertains to being in a coma
Term
contracture
Definition
permanent shortening of a muscle causing a joint to remain in an abnormally flexed position, with resultant physical deformity
Term
convolution
Definition
one of the many elevated folds of the cerebral surface, also called a gyrus
Term
craniotomy
Definition
a surgical incision into the cranium or skull
Term
deficit
Definition
any deficiency or variation of the normal, as in a weakness deficit resulting from a cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
Term
dementia
Definition
progressive irreversible mental disorder. Deteriorating memory, judgement, and ability to think

dee-MEN-shee-ah
Term
demyelination
Definition
destruction or removal of myelin sheath covering a nerve or nerve fiber
Term
dendrite
Definition
projection from cell body that receive impulses and conduct them toward the cell body
Term
diencephalon
Definition
part of the brain located between the cerebrum and the midbrain. Its main structures consist of the thalamus, hypothalamus, and pineal gland
Term
dura matter
Definition
outermost of the 3 membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord
Term
dyslexia
Definition
condition characterized by an impairment of the ability to read. Letters and words are often reversed when reading.

dis-LEK-see-ah
Term
dysphasia
Definition
difficult speech

dis-FAY-zee-ah
Term
efferent nerves
Definition
transmitters of nerve impulses away from CNS, also known as motor nerves
Term
embolism
Definition
abnormal condition in which a blood clot (embolus) becoes lodged in a blood vessel, obstructing the flow of blood within the vessel
Term
epidural space
Definition
space immediately outside the dura mater that contains a supporting cushion of fat and other connective tissues
Term
epilepsy
Definition
neurological condition characterized by recurrent episodes of sudden brief attacks of seizures which may vary from mild-unnoticeable to full-scale convulsive seizures
Term
fissure
Definition
deep groove on the surface of an organ
Term
fontanelle or fontanel
Definition
space covered by tough membrane between bones of an infant's cranium, "soft spot"
Term
gait
Definition
style of walking
Term
ganglion
Definition
knotlike mass of nerve tissue found outside the brain or spinal cord, plural = ganglia
Term
gray matter
Definition
part of nervous system where axons are not covered with myelin sheath
Term
gyrus
Definition
one of many elevated folds on surface of cerebrum, plural = gyri
Term
hemiparesis
Definition
slight or partial paralysis of left or right side of body
Term
hemiplegia
Definition
paralysis of one half of body, left or right side
Term
herpes zoster
Definition
acute infection caused by same virus that causes chickenpox, characterized by painful vesicular lesions along path of a spinal nerve. also called shingles
Term
hyperesthesia
Definition
excessive sensitivity to sensory stimuli such as pain or touch

high-per-ess-THEE-zee-ah
Term
hyperkinesis
Definition
excessive muscular movement and physical activity; hyperactivity
Term
hypothalamus
Definition
a part of the brain located below thalamus; control functions such as body temp, sleep, and appetite
Term
interneurons
Definition
connecting neurons that conduct impulses from afferent nerves to or towards motor nerves
Term
Kernig's sign
Definition
diagnostic sign for meningitis marked by person's inability to extend leg completely when thigh is flex upon abdomen and person is sitting or lying down
Term
kinesiology
Definition
the study of muscle movement
Term
lethargy
Definition
a state of being sluggish, see stupor
Term
longitudinal fissure
Definition
deep groove in middle of cerebrum, divides it into right and left hemispheres
Term
medulla oblongata
Definition
1 of 3 parts of brain stem, most essential part in that it contains the cardiac, vasomotor, and respiratory centers of the brain
Term
meninges
Definition
the 3 layers of protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord
Term
microglia
Definition
small neuroglial cells found in the interstitial tissue of nervous system that engulf cellular debris, waste products, and pathogens within the nerve tissue
Term
midbrain
Definition
uppermost part of the brain stem
Term
motor nerves
Definition
see efferent nerves, transmit impulses away from CNS
Term
myelin sheath
Definition
protective sheath that covers axons of many nerves. acts as an electrical insulator and helps speed conduction of nerve impulses.
Term
narcolepsy
Definition
uncontrolled, sudden attacks of sleep
Term
nerve
Definition
cordlike bundle of nerve fibers, macroscopic, transmit impulses
Term
nerve block
Definition
injection of a local anesthetic along the course of a nerve(s) to eliminate sensation to the area supplied by nerve(s); also known as conduction anesthesia
Term
neuralgia
Definition
severe, sharp, spasmlike pain that extends along the course of one or more nerves

noo-RAL-hee-ah
Term
neuritis
Definition
inflammation of a nerve

noo-RYE-tis
Term
neuroglia
Definition
supporting tissue of nervous system

noo-ROG-lee-ah
Term
neurologist
Definition
physician who specializes in treating disease and disorders of the nervous system

noo-RAL-oh-jist
Term
neurology
Definition
study of nervous system and its disorders

noo-RAL-oh-jee
Term
neuron
Definition
nerve cell

NOO-ron
Term
neurosurgeon
Definition
physician who specializes in surgery of nervous system

noo-roh-SIR-jun
Term
neurosurgery
Definition
any surgery involving the nervous system

noo-roh-SIR-jer-ee
Term
neurotrasmitter
Definition
chemical substance within body that activates or inhibits transmission at synapses
Term
nuchal rigidity
Definition
rigidity of the neck, resistant to flexion, condition seen in patients with meningitis
Term
occlusion
Definition
blockage

oh-KLII-zhun
Term
oligodendrocyte
Definition
type of neuroglial cells found in interstitial tissue of nervous system, its dendrite projection coil around axons of many neurons to form myelin sheath
Term
palliative
Definition
soothing

PAL-ee-ah-tiv
Term
paraplegia
Definition
paralysis of lower extremities and trunk, usually due to spinal cord injuries

pair-ah-PLEE-jee-ah
Term
parasympathetic nerves
Definition
nerves of the ANS, regulat essential involuntary body functions. slow heart rate, increasing peristalsis, increase glandular secretions, relax sphincters
Term
parasympathomimetic
Definition
copying or producing the same effects as those of the parasympathetic nerves

pair-ah-sim-pah-thoh-mim-ET-ic
Term
paresthesia
Definition
a sensation of numbness or tingling

pair-ess-THEE-zee-ah
Term
peripheral nervous system
Definition
part of nervous system outside of the CNS, consisting of 12 pairs of cranial nervers and 31 pairs of spinal nerves

PNS
Term
phagocytosis
Definition
process by which certain cells engulf and destroy microorganisms and cellular debris
Term
pia matter
Definition
innermost of the 3 membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord
Term
pineal body
Definition
small cone-shaped structure (in diencephalon) thought to be involved in regulating the body's biological clock, produces melatonin, also called pineal gland
Term
pineal gland
Definition
see pineal body
Term
plexus
Definition
network of interwoven nerves
Term
ons
Definition
part of between between medulla oblongata and midbrain. Acts as bridge to connect medulla oblongata and cerebellum to upper portions of brain
Term
quadriplegia
Definition
paralysis of all 4 extremities and the trunk of the body; caused by injury to spinal cord at level of cervical vertebrae

kwod-rih-PLEE-jee-ah
Term
radiculotomy
Definition
surgical resection of a spinal nerve root, done to relieve pain. also called a rhizotomy
Term
receptor
Definition
sensory nerve ending, receives impulses
Term
rhizotomy
Definition
surgical resection of a spinal nerve root, done to relieve pain, also called radiculotomy
Term
sciatica
Definition
inflammation fo sciatic nerve, characterized by pain along nerve, radiating through thing and down back of leg
Term
sensory
Definition
pertaining to sensation
Term
sensory nerves
Definition
see afferent nerves
Term
shingles
Definition
see herpes zoster
Term
shunt
Definition
tube or passage that diverts or redirects body fluid from one cavity or vessel to another, may be congenital defect or artificially constructed, as in shunts treating hydrocephalus
Term
somatic nervous system
Definition
part of PNS with voluntary control over skeletal muscle
Term
stimulus
Definition
any agent or factor capable of initiating a nerve impulse
Term
stupor
Definition
state of lethargy, person is unresponsive and seems unaware of surroundings
Term
subarachnoid space
Definition
space located just under arachnoid membrane that contains cerebrospinal fluid
Term
subdural space
Definition
space located just beneath the dura matter, contains serous fluid
Term
sulcus
Definition
depression or shallow groove on organ surface as in a sulcus that separates convolutions of cerebral hemispheres. plural = sulci
Term
sympathetic nerves
Definition
nerves of ANS that regulate involuntary functions, prepare for fight or flight. raise heart rate, constrict blood vessels
Term
sympathomimetic
Definition
copying/producing same effect as sympathetic nerves
Term
synapse
Definition
space between axon and dendrite
Term
syncope
Definition
fainting

SIN-koh-pee
Term
thalamus
Definition
receives all sensory stimuli except smell and relays them to cerebral cortex, located between cerebral hemispheres and midbrain
Term
thrombosis
Definition
abnormal condition in which a clot develops in a blood vessel
Term
tonic-clonic seizure
Definition
seizure characterized by presence of muscle contraction/tension followed by relaxation, creates a jerking movement of body
Term
ventricle (brain)
Definition
small hollow within the brain filled with CSF
Term
whiplash
Definition
injury to cervical vertebrae & supporting structures due to sudden back-and-forth jerking of head & neck, common in rear-end car accidents
Term
white patter
Definition
part of the nervous system axons covered with myelin sheaths, appear white
Term
alzheimer's disease
Definition
deterioration of a person's intellectual functioning. Progressive and extremely debilitating. from minor memory loss it progresses to complete loss of mental, emotional, and physical functioning. often age 65+
Term
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Definition
severe weakening & wasting of involved muscle groups, caused by decreased nerve innervation to muscle groups. hands to shoulders, upper arms, and legs

ALS
Term
anencephaly
Definition
absence o brain and spinal cord at birth, incompatibile with life, congenital
Term
Bell's palsy
Definition
temporary or permanent unilateral weakness/paralysis of muscles in face following trauma to face, unknown infection, or tumor pressing on facial nerve
Term
brain abscess
Definition
localized accumulation of pus in brain tissue due to infectious process
Term
carpal tunnel syndrome
Definition
pinching/compression of median nerve within carpal tunnel due to inflammation & swelling of tendons
Term
cerebral palsy
Definition
collective term to describe congenital brain damage, characterized by child's lack of control of voluntary muscles. forms are spastic, ataxic, athetoid/dyskinetic, and mixed

CP
Term
cerebrovascular accident
Definition
death of a portion of brain tissue due to ischemia to brain, also called stroke

CVA
Term
degenerative disk
Definition
deterioration of intervertebral disk, usually due to constant motion and wear on the disk
Term
encephalitis
Definition
inflammation of brain or spinal cord tissue, largely due to virus entering CNS during measles, mumps, or mosquito/tick bite
Term
grand mal seizure
Definition
epileptic seizure characterized by sudden loss of consciousness, generalized involuntary muscular contraction, vacillating between rigid body extension and an alternating contracting and relaxing of muscles
Term
petit mal seizure
Definition
small seizure where loss of consciousness lasts only a few seconds, also known as absence seizure
Term
Guillain-Barre syndrome
Definition
acute polyneuritis (inflammation of many nerves) of the PNS, myelin sheaths on axons are destroyed. causes decreased nerve impulses, loss of reflex response, sudden muscle weakness. often follows viral gastrointestinal or respiratory infection
Term
migraine headache
Definition
recurring, pulsating, vascular headache usually developing on 1 side of head, characterized by slow onset, sometimes aura precedes, during which sensory disturbance occurs such as confusion or some visual interference (flashing lights)
Term
cluster headache
Definition
typically occurs 2-3 hours after falling asleep, extreme pain around one eye that wakens the person
Term
tension headache
Definition
caused by long, endured contraction of skeletal muscles around face, scalp, upper back, and neck
Term
hematoma, epidural
Definition
collection of blood located above dura mater and just below skull
Term
hematoma, subdural
Definition
collection of blood between dura mater and arachnoid layers of meninges
Term
herniated disk
Definition
ruptured disk center, pushes through disk wall and causes pressure on spinal cord or nerve roots in spinal canal
Term
Huntington's chorea
Definition
inherited neurological disease characterized by rapid, jerky movement and increasing dementia due to effects on basal ganglia o the neurons
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