Chapter 10 - Nervous System - Pathology and Diseases Flashcards
Hydrocephalus…
- A condition in which an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) occurs within the brain
- Typically causes increased pressure inside the skull.
- Older people may have headaches, double vision, poor balance, urinary incontinence, personality changes, or mental impairment.
- Caused by an imbalance between how much cerebrospinal fluid is produced and how much is absorbed into the bloodstream
Spina bifida…
- A birth defect that occurs when the spine and spinal cord don’t form properly
- Type of neural tube defect
Spina bifida cystica…
- A bony defect in the vertebral column that causes a cleft in that column
- The meningeal membranes that cover the spinal cord and part of the spinal cord protrude through this cleft and are clearly visible.
- The opening can be surgically repaired, usually shortly after birth.
Spina bifida occulta…
- when a baby’s backbone (spine) does not fully form during pregnancy. The baby is born with a small gap in the bones of the spine.
- It’s common and happens in about 1 out of 10 people
- Usually causes no health problems
Alzheimer disease (AD)…
Abnormal accumulation of CSF in the ventricles of the brain
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)…
Degenerative disorder of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem
Epilepsy…
Chronic brain disorder characterized by recurrent seizure activity
Huntington disease (Huntington chorea)…
Hereditary disorder marked by degenerative changes in the cerebrum leading to abrupt involuntary movements and mental deterioration
Multiple sclerosis (MS)…
Destruction of myelin sheath on neurons in the CNS; replacement by plaques of sclerotic tissue
Myasthenia gravis (MG)…
Autoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterized by weakness of voluntary muscles
Palsy…
Paralysis (partial or complete loss of motor function)
Parkinson disease…
Degeneration of neurons in the basal ganglia; occurring later in life and leading to tremors, muscle weakness, and slowness of movement
Tourette syndrome…
Involuntary, spasmodic, twitching movements; uncontrollable vocal sounds
Meningitis…
- Inflammation of brain and spinal cord membranes
- Usually caused by a viral infection but can also be bacterial or fungal.
- Vaccines can prevent some forms of meningitis.
- Symptoms include headache, fever, and stiff neck.
- Depending on the cause, meningitis may get better on its own, or it can be life-threatening, requiring urgent antibiotic treatment.
HIV - HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)…
- a virus that attacks the body’s immune system
- Causes AIDS and interferes with the body’s ability to fight infections.
- Can be transmitted through contact with infected blood, semen, or vaginal fluids.
- Within a few weeks of HIV infection, flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat, and fatigue can occur. Then the disease is usually asymptomatic until it progresses to AIDS.
