Diseases Conditions Procedures (Nervous)

Question 1

Dementia

Answer 1

Progressive, irreversible deterioration of mental function marked by memory impairment and, commonly, deficits in reasoning, judgement, abstract thought, comprehension, learning, talk execution, and use of language

Question 2

Alzheimer disease

Answer 2

Chronic, organic brain syndrome characterized by death of neurons in the cerebral cortex and their replacement by microscopic “plaques”, which results in dementia the progresses to complete loss of mental, emotional, and physical functioning and personality changes

Question 3

Epilepsy

Answer 3

Disorder that results from the generation of electrical signals inside the brain, causing recurring seizures in which some people simply stare blankly for a few seconds during a seizure, whereas other have extreme convulsions

Question 4

Huntington chorea

Answer 4

Inherited, degenerative disease of the CNS with symptoms developing in middle age as nerve cells in the brain waste away, resulting in uncontrolled bizarre movements, emotional disturbances, and mental deterioration

Question 5

Hydrocephalus

Answer 5

Excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the ventricles of the brain that is most common in neonates, but can also occur in adults as a result of injury or disease; if left untreated, causes an enlarged head and cognitive decline
[hydro=water; cephal=head; -us=condition, structure]

Question 6

Multiple sclerosis (MS)

Answer 6

Progressive degenerative disease of the CNS characterized by inflammation, hardening, and looks of myelin throughout the spinal cord and brain, which produces weakness and other muscular symptoms
[scler=hardening; -osis=abnormal condition]

Question 7

Neuroblastoma

Answer 7

Malignant tumor composed mainly of cells resembling neur oblasts that occurs most commonly in infants and children
[neur/o=nerve; blast=embryonic cell; -Oma=tumor]

Question 8

Neurosis

Answer 8

Nonpsychotic mental illness that triggers feelings of distress and anxiety and impairs normal behavior
[neur/o=nerve; -osis=abnormal condition]

Question 9

Palsy

Answer 9

Partial or complete loss of motor function; aka “paralysis”

Question 10

Bell palsy

Answer 10

Facial paralysis on one side of the face as a result of inflammation of the facial nerve

Question 11

Cerebral palsy

Answer 11

Bilateral, symmetrical, nonprogressive motor dysfunction and partial paralysis, which is usually caused by damage to the cerebrum during gestation or birth trauma but can also be hereditary
[cerebr=cerebrum; -al =pertaining to]

Question 12

Paralysis

Answer 12

Loss of muscle function, loss of sensation, or both as a result of spinal cord injury
[para-=near, beside, beyond; -lysis=separation, destruction, loosening]

Question 13

Parkinson disease

Answer 13

Progressive neurological disorder caused by a neurotransmitter deficiency (dopamine) that affects the portion of the brain responsible for controlling movement and results in hand tremors; uncontrollable head nodding; shuffling gait; and difficulty talking, swallowing, or completing simple tasks

Question 14

Poliomyelitis

Answer 14

Inflammation of the gray matter of the spinal cord caused by a virus, commonly resulting in spinal and muscle deformity and paralysis
[poli/o=gray, gray matter (of brain or spinal cord); myel=bone marrow, spinal cord; -itis=inflammation]

Question 15

Psychosis

Answer 15

Mental disorder marked by loss of contact with reality; often with delusions and hallucinations
[psych/o=mind; -osis=abnormal condition]

Question 16

Sciatica

Answer 16

Severe pain in the leg along the course of the sciatic nerve, which travels from the hip to the foot

Question 17

Shingles

Answer 17

Chronic viral disease in which painful blisters appear on the skin along the course of a peripheral nerve that is caused by inflammation secondary to “herpes zoster” virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox; aka “herpes zoster”

Question 18

Spina bifida

Answer 18

Congenital neural tube defect characterized by incomplete closure of the spinal canal through which the spinal cord and meninges may or may not protrude

Question 19

Spina bifida occulta

Answer 19

Most common and least severe from of spina bifida without having protrusion of the spinal cord or meninges

Question 20

Spina bifida cystica

Answer 20

More severe type of spina bifida that involves protrusion of the meninges (meningocele), spinal cord (myelocele), or both (meningomyelocele)

Question 21

Stroke

Answer 21

Inadequate supply of blood and oxygen to the brain due to a clot or ruptured blood vessel (hemorrhage), which allows brain tissue to die and becomes a medical emergency; aka “Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)”

Question 22

Transient ischemic attack (TIA)

Answer 22

Interruption in blood supply to the brain that does not cause permanent brain damage but may be an indication of a higher risk of a more serious and debilitating condition (stroke); aka “ministroke”

Question 23

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

Answer 23

Laboratory test that examines a sample of CSF obtained from a lumbar puncture, which is analyzed for the presence of blood, bacteria, and malignant cells as well as for the amount of protein and glucose present
[cerebr/o=cerebrum; spin=spine; -al=pertaining to]

Question 24

Electroencephalography

Answer 24

Electrodes are placed on the scalp to record electrical activity within the brain; used to evaluate seizure and sleep disorders and periods of unconsciousness, monitor brain surgeries, and determine whether a person is in a coma or brain dead
[electr/o=electricity; encephal/o=brain; -graphy=process of recording

Question 25

Lumbar puncture (LP)

Answer 25

Insertion of a needle into the subarachnoid space of the spinal column to withdraw a sample of CSF used for biochemical, microbiological, and cytological laboratory analysis; aka “Spinal tap” or “Spinal puncture”
[lumb=loins (lower back); -ar=pertaining to]

Question 26

Craniotomy

Answer 26

Surgical procedure that creates an opening in the skull to gain access to the brain during neurosurgical procedures
[crani/o=cranium (skull); -tomy=incision]

Question 27

Thalamotomy

Answer 27

Partial destruction of the thalamus to treat psychosis or intractable pain
[thalam/o=thalamus; -tomy=incision]

Question 28

Trephination

Answer 28

Excision of a circular disk of bone using a specialized saw called a trephine to reveal brain tissue during neurosurgery, or to relieve intracranial pressure (ICP)

Question 29

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Answer 29

Degenerative disorder that manifests in adulthood with symptoms of difficulty in swallowing and talking, dyspnea, muscle weakness, and paralysis; aka “Lou Gehrig Disease” (named after the baseball player who because afflicted with ALS)

Question 30

Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN)

Answer 30

Neuropathic pain syndrome that involves the facial area stimulated by the trigeminal nerve (Cranial nerve V). Results in flashes of pain radiating alon the course of the nerve and is the most common cause of facial pain. Unilateral, abrupt, brief but severe pain, become more frequent over time; successive occurrences can lead to incapacitation. Pain may arise spontaneously but often associated with particular triggers, such as sensory stimulus. Trigeminal nerve branches stimulate areas of the face, including the forehead, nose, cheek, gums, and jaw. Irritation or chronic compression of the nerve is suspected to initiate symptoms. Most cases of TN are believed to be caused by blood vessels pressing on the root of the trigeminal nerve; causes the nerve to transmit pain signals which are experienced as the stabbing pains. Pressure on the trigeminal nerve may also be caused by trauma, tumor, multiple sclerosis, or herpes zoster (shingles). More often in women and usually around 50-60yo. Most respond well to pharmacological therapy; those who do not require surgical intervention to relieve pain. Nerve function of the affected nerve may be compromised as a result. Gamma Knife radio surgery is an option; creates a lesion on the nerve to block pain signals.

Question 31

Spinal cord injuries

Answer 31

• vertebral fracture/dislocation: severe injuries to the spinal cord that result in impairment of spinal cord function below the level of the injury. Commonly result of trauma, MVA, falls, diving in shallow water, or accidents associated with contact sports. May cause varying degrees of paralysis. Most commonly seen in adolescent boys and young adults. The loss of motor functions may be confined to the lower extremities (paraplegia) or may be present in all four extremities (quadriplegia) accompanied by increased muscular tension and hyperactive reflexes (spastic) or by loss of reflexes and tone (flaccid).
• paraplegia: paralysis of lower portion of the body and both legs. Loss of sensory and motor control below the level of injury
• quadriplegia: paralysis of all four extremities and, usually the trunk. Generally results in loss of motor and sensory function below the level of injury. Paralysis includes trunk, legs, and pelvic organs with partial or total paralysis in the upper extremities.

**The higher the trauma, the more debilitating the motor and sensory impairments will be.