7. Nervuos System Flashcards
(113 cards)
0
Q
neurologist
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physician who specializes in treating diseases/disorders of the nervous system
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neurology
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study of nervous system and it’s disorders
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neurosurgery
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any surgery involving the brain, spinal cord, or peripheral nerves
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neurosurgeon
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physician who specializes in surgery of the brain, spinal cord, or peripheral nerves
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2 divisions of nervous system
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1) central nervous system (CNS)
2) peripheral nervous system (PNS)
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central nervous system (CNS)
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- central part of body
- brain and spinal cord
- processing and storying sensory and motor information
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peripheral nervous system (PNS)
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- cranial and spinal NERVES that come off spinal cord
- part of nervous system outside the CNS
- 12 pairs of cranial nerves and 31 pairs of spinal nerves
- somatic and automatic nervous system part of PNS
- responsible for transmitting sensory and motor impulses back and forth between CNS and rest of body
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Q
3 kinds of nerves
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1) afferent
2) interneurons
3) efferent
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afferent nerves
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- sensory nerves
- carry impulses from body to CNS
- ex. touch something hot - afferent nerves send signal to efferent nerves to move hand
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efferent nerves
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- motor nerves
- carry impulses from CNS to muscles and glands causing target organs to do something in response to the commands recieved
- ex. tell muscles to remove hand from hot surface
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2 systems PNS is broken down into
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1) somatic nervous system
2) autonomic nervous system
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somatic nervous system
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- part of PNS
- voluntary
- controls skeletal muscles
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autonomic nervous system
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- part of PNS
- involuntary
- controls smooth/visceral muscles and glands and cardiac muscle in response to command from CNS
- contain sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves
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sympathetic nerves
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- part of autonomic system
- regulate essential involuntary body functions
- increases heart rate and blood pressure
- responds to “fight-or-flight response”
- ex. in car crash body fills with adrenaline
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parasympathetic nerves
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- part of autonomic nervous system
- regulate essential involuntary body functions
- lower heart rate and lower blood pressure
- serves as a complement to SNS
- return body to a more restful (normal) state
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2 main types of nerves in tissue cells
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1) neurons
2) neuroglia
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neuroglia
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- special type of connective tissue
- provides support for nervous system and neurons
- do not conduct implulses
- protect nervous system through phagocytosis
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phagocytosis
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- engulf and digest any unwanted substances
* a function of neuroglia
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neurons
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- nerves
- functional unit of the nervous system
- contains cell body, axon, and 1+ dendrites
- not continuous with one another; small space between axon of one neuron and the dendrite of another neuron
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3 basic parts of neurons
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1) cell body
2) axon
3) one or more dendrites
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cell body
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structure that contains nucleus and cytoplasm
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axon
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- single, slender projection that extends from cell body
* conduct impulses away from cell body
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dendrite
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- brings in impulses
- feelers
- projection that extends from nerve cell body
- receives impulses and conducts them on to the cell body
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myelin sheath
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- covering of some neurons
- helps speed the transmission of an impulse
- protection sheath that covers the axons of many neurons in the body
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white matter
* axons covered by myelin sheath
| * myelinated axons
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gray matter
axons not covered by myelin sheath
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synapse
* the space between 2 neurons
* where impulses cross
* synaptic cleft
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neurotransmitters
* chemicals released from one neuron through the synapse to another
* chemical substance that activates or inhibits the transmission of nerve impulses at synapses
* excitatory and inhibitory
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2 examples of neurotransmitters
1) excitatory
| 2) inhibitory
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excitatory
* excites nervous system
| * ex. caffeine, cocaine
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inhibitory
* inhibits nervous system
| * ex. anesthesia, alcohol
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4 types of neuroglia
1) astrocytes
2) microglia
3) ependymal cells
4) oligodendrocytes
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astrocytes
```
– type of neuroglia
• most numerous
• star-shaped with long legs
• only in CNS
• around brains capillaries and form a tight sheath called blood-brain barrier
```
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blood-brain barrier
* tight sheath made of astrocytes and wall of capillaries
| * protects the brain from harmful substances in the blood
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microglia
* type of neuroglia
* branches extending from cell body; lots of legs
* digest debris and pathogens (garbagemen)
* multiply when cells injured and go to damaged areas
* small interstitial cells with many slender branches off body
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ependymal cells
* lines cavities (ventricles) in the brain and spinal cord
* surrounds cerebrospinal fluid
* spaces in brain and spinal cord where you find cerebrospinal fluid
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cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
* the fluid flowing through the brain and around the spinal cord
* protects brain/spinal cord from physical blow or impact
* surrounded by ependymal cells
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oligodendrocytes
* covers axons to form myelin sheath
* speeds the conduction of nerve impulses in CNS
* found in intertitial nervous
* processes of oligodendrocytes fan out from cell body and coil around the axons of some neurons to form myelin sheath
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3 meninges
• 3 layers of protective membranes that cover the CNS
1) pia mater
2) arachnoid membrane
3) dura mater
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pia mater
* innermost layer of meninges
* tightly bound to the surface of the brain and spinal cord
* tender
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arachnoid membrane
* middle layer of meninges
* resembles spider web
* where you find subarachnoid space where cerebrospinal fluid is found
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subarachnoid space
* located under the arachnoid membrane
| * holds cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
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cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
* found in subarachnoid space
* cusions/protects brain and spinal cord
* shock absorber
* provides protection and nutrients
* flows in and around the organs of the CNS
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dura mater
* outermost layer of meninges
* tough, white connective tissue
* thicker, stronger
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brain
* one of the largest organ in adults (3 lbs)
* brain grows rapidly in first 9 yrs; reaching full size at 18 yrs
* 4 major divisions: cerebrum, cerebellum, diencephalon, and brain stem
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4 parts of the brain
1) cerebrum
2) cerebellum
3) diencephalon
4) brain stem
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cerebrum
* largest part of the brain
* contains gyri and sulci
* uppermost portion of brain
* controls concisouslness, memory, senstation, emotions, and voluntary muscles
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gyri (gyrus - singular)
* elevations/hills on surface of cerebrum
| * gives the appearance of encased sausage folded upon itself many times
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sulci (sulcus-singular)
• grooves/valleys on the cerebrum
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cerebellum
* behind the brain stem; attached
* creates balance
* looks like walnut
* maintains muscle tone and coordinating normal movement and balance
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brain stem
* connects brain to spinal cord
* consists of midbrain, pons, and medulla oblangata
* serves as a pathway for conduction of impulses between brain and spinal cord
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spinal cord
* pathway for impulses traveling to and from the brain
| * protected by the CSF, 3 layers of meninges, and the bony encasement of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae
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acetylcholine
* neurotransmitter
* (ACH = common)
* chemical substance that helps the transmission of nerve impuses from one nerve to another
* it has a stimulant/excitatory or depressant/inhibiting effect on parts of the body
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anasthesia
without feeling/sensation
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aneurysm
* weakening and dilation of the wall of an artery
* walls ballon and might rupture
* rupture = death
* commonly found in abdominal aortic aneurism (AAA) - top of heart and down to abdomen
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aphasia
* inability to communicate
* due to injury or disease of the brain
* inability to communicate through speech, writing, or signs
* may be cause by stroke or cerebral hemorrhag
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aphasia/asphagia
* 's' = nervous system; speaking
| * 'g' = digesting system; swallowing
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astrocytoma
* tumor of brain or spinal cord
| * made of astrocytes
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ataxia
* without muscle coordination
* drunk = ataxic gait
* due to neurological damage; damage of spinal cord or spinal cord nerve
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bradykinesia
abnormally slow movement
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Brudzinski's sign
* positive sign of meningitis
* involuntary flexion of the arm, hip, and knee, when the patient's neck is passively flexed
* the patient lays down and lifts head --> shoulders/knees flex
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burr hole
* holes drilled into skull using drill
| * relieve pressure or drain fluids due to inter-cranial swelling
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cauda equina
* lower end of spinal cord and roots of the spinal nerves
* looks like a horse's tail
* nerves come off spinal cord
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cephalalgia
headache
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Cheyne-Stokes respiration
* abnormal breathing pattern
* apnea followed by deep rapid breathing
* person is getting ready to die
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dementia
progressive, irreversible deteriorating memory
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deficit
* any deficiency or variation of the normal
| * ex. neurological deficit - cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
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diplopia
double vision
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dysphasia
difficult speech
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embolism
* blood clot (embolus) becomes lodged in a blood vessel
* obstructs flow of blood
* pulmonary embolism = blood clot in lower leg travels to lung; blood flow to lungs blocked; death
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gait
style of walking
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hemiparesis
* slight or partial paralysis of one half of the body (L or R sides)
* slight paralyis, tingling, numbness
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hemiplegia
paralysis of one half of the body (L or R sides)
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Kerning's sign
* positive sign of meningitis
* inability to extend leg completely when leg is at right angle to body when person is sitting/laying down
* patient lays down, knee up, doctor tries to extend leg = pain = meningitis
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lethargy
a state of being sluggish
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lethargic
sluggish/tired
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narcolepsy
* uncontrolled, sudden attacks of sleep
| * take meds to control
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nuchal rigidity
* stiff neck
| * seen in patients with meningitis
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neuritis
inflammation of nerve
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occlusion
blockage
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palliative
* soothing
* docs can't do anything to cure; just reduce symptoms
* ex. palliative chemotherapy - can't prevent patient from dying from cancer; just reduce symptoms and pain
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parasthesia
* numbness or tingling
| * ex. carpal tunnel; may be in fingers due to nerve damage
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radiculectomy/rhizotomy
surgical resection/removal of a spinal nerve root to relieve pain
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sciatica
* inflammation of the sciatic nerve
| * pain along course of nerve, radiating through the thigh and down the back of the leg
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shunt
* tube to redirect fluid
* redirect body fluid from one cavity/vessel to another
* VP shunt - from ventricle to brain to abdominal cavity to drain CSF
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thrombosis
* clot develops in blood vessel
* DVT - deep vein thrombosis - clot deep in veins of the legs
* life threatening if it becomes embolysim
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ventricle
hollow space in brain filled with CSF
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Bell's palsy
* temporary or permanent paralysis of the muscles on one side of the face
* can't control muscles
* may come and go
* due to face trauma, unknown infection, or a tumor pressing on facial nerves
* symptoms = drooling, can't close eye, can't regulate syliva
* treatment = nmassage, warm/moist heat, facial exercises
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carpal tunnel syndrom
* pinching/compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel
* due to inflammation of the tendons
* caused by repetitious overuse of the fingers, hands and wrists
* surgery - cut tendon/ligament to remove pressure on nerves
* good posture helps prevent this
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2 carpal tunnel tests
1) Tinel's sign
| 2) Phalen's test
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Tinel's sign
• carpal tunnel test
* doc will tap along forearm wrist over the median nerve
• positive test = patient experiences pain, tingling, or numbness over wrist and or in median nerve
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Phalen's test
* carpal tunnel test
* raise arms and put backside of hands together so fingers point toward floor
* causes wrists to fully flex and may compress median nerve and reproduce symptoms
* position is held for 60 seconds
* Phalen's test may be more specific for carpal tunnel diagnosis than Tinel's
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cerebral palsy (CP)
* congenital (at birth) brain damage
* lack of voluntary muscles
* due to lack of oxygen at birth (baby didn't get enough oxygen during delivery)
* brain damage permanent but not progressive
* baby tone may be floppy
* symptoms: slow development, communication problems, seizures, stiffness
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degenerative disk disease (DDD)
* deterioration of the intervertebral disks
* causes lots of pain in vertrebrae
* due to constant motion and wear of disks
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grand mal seizures
* tonic-clonic seizure
* sudden loss of consciousness (LOC)
* involuntary muscle contraction and rigid body extension (patient convulses)
* epileptic seizure
* most common seizure in adults and children
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petit mal seizures
* small seizures
* loss of consciousness (LOC) last for a few seconds
* in a daze
* no convulsions
* seizure often goes unnoticed by the individual
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Guillain-Barre syndrom
* acute polyneuritis (inflammation of many nerves)
* myelin sheaths in PNS are destroyed
* usually follows viral gastrointestinal or respiratory infection
* decreased nerve impluses; loss of reflex response, and sudden muscle weakness
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polyneuritis
inflammation of many nerves
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hydrocephalus
* abnormal increase in CSF in ventricles
* heads of body become swelled up
* increased head circumference in infant with open fontanel
* congenital (at birth) disorder
* put in shunt to redirect CSF fluid
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meningitis
* inflammation of the meninges
* bacterial (more severe) or viral infection
* bacteria enters meninges by way of bloodstream from infection or wound in another part of body
* swelling of brain tissue, congestion in blood, circulation of CSF, and formation of clums
* inter-cranial pressure
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bacterial vs. viral infections
* bacterial are harder to treat; longer to recover
| * viral takes body 7 days to get rid of virus
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multiple sclerosis (MS)
* degenerative inflammatory disease of the CNS attacking the myelin sheath
* leaves sheath sclerosed (hardened) or scarred
* autoimmune disease - body attacks itself
* mostly women between 20-40
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myasthenia gravis
* chronic progressive neuromuscular disorder causing sever muscle weakness (atrophy)
* autoimmune - antibodies attaching ACH receptors
* ex. droopy eye
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Babinski's reflex
* causes dorsiflexion when the sole of the foot is stroked
* test if there's disease of upper motor neurons
* Babinski's reflex reaction is normal in newborns, but abnormal in adults and children
* normal reaction is bottom of foot is stroked and you jerk away
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electroencephalogram (EEG)
* measures electrical activity in the brain
| * electrodes placed on scalp
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Rhomberg test
* used to evaluate the cerebellar function and balance
* testing balance
* person stands with feet goether and hands at side and at equilibrium. Step 1 = close eyes --> can you maintain balance? Step 2 = life hands to shoulder height and close eyes --> can you stand without hands drifting downward? Complete both = cerebellar function intact
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lumbar puncture
* use hollow needle to extract CSF
* puncture between 3rd and 4th lumbar vertebrae
* below spinal cord (which stops at L2)
* patient lies forward or on side to open up vertebrae
* can diagnose many disorders
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laminectomy
* surgical removal of bony arches from one or more vertebrae
| * to relieve pressure on spinal cord
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CT
* computerized tomography
| * aka CAT scan (computerized akial tomography)
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MRI
* magnetic resonance imagery
| * take magnet and look at bones and organs
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PET
positron emission tomography
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TENS
* transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
| * pain, sever back pian, electrical current to area to help relieve pain by tricking body
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TIA
* transient ischemia attack
* mini strokes
* cardiac arteries in neck become built up
