Chapter 10: Nervous System: Pathology and Laboratory Tests

Question 1

hydrocephalus

Answer 1

Abnormal accumulation of fluid (CSF) in the brain.

Question 2

spina bifida

Answer 2

Congenital defects in the lumbar spinal column caused by imperfect union of vertebral parts (neural tube defect).

Question 3

Alzheimer disease

Answer 3

Brain disorder marked by gradual and progressive mental deterioration (dementia), personality changes, and impairment of daily functioning.

Question 4

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

ALS

Answer 4

Degenerative disorder of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem.

Question 5

epilepsy

Answer 5

Chronic brain disorder characterized by recurrent seizure activity.

Question 6

Huntington disease

Answer 6

Hereditary disorder marked by degenerative changes in the cerebrum leading to abrupt involuntary movements and mental deterioration.

Question 7

multiple sclerosis

MS

Answer 7

Destruction of the myelin sheath on neurons in the CNS and its replacement of plaques of sclerotic (hard) tissue.

Question 8

myasthenia gravia

Answer 8

Autoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterized by weakness of voluntary muscles.

Question 9

palsy

Answer 9

Paralysis (partial or complete loss of motor function).

Question 10

Parkinson disease

Answer 10

Degeneration of neurons in the basal ganglia, occuring in later life and leading to tremors, weakness of muscles, and slowness of movement.

Question 11

Tourette syndrome

Answer 11

Involuntary, spasmodic, twitching movements; uncontrollable vocal sounds; and inappropriate words.

Question 12

herpes zoster

shingles

Answer 12

Viral infection affecting peripheral nerves.

Question 13

meningitis

Answer 13

Inflammation of the meninges; leptomeningitis.

Question 14

human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) encephalopathy

Answer 14

Brain disease and dementia occurring with AIDS.

Question 15

brain tumor

Answer 15

Abnormal growth of brain tissue and meninges.

Question 16

cerebral concussion

Answer 16

Type of traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head.

Question 17

cerebral contusion

Answer 17

Bruising of brain tissue resulting from direct trauma to the head.

Question 18

cerebrovascular accident

CVA

Answer 18

Disruption in the normal blood supply to the brain (stroke).

Question 19

migraine

Answer 19

Severe, recurring, unilateral, vascular headache.

Question 20

cerebrospinal fluid analysis

Answer 20

Samples of CSF are examined.

Question 21

cerebral angiography

Answer 21

X-ray imaging of the arterial blood vessels in the brain after injection of contrast material.

Question 22

computed tomography (CT) of the brain

Answer 22

Computerized x-ray technique that generates multiple images of the brain and spinal cord.

Question 23

magnetic resonance imaging

MRI

Answer 23

Magnetic field and pulses of radiowave energy create images of the brain and spinal cord.

Question 24

positron emission tomography (PET) scan

Answer 24

Radioactive glucose is injected and then detected in the brain to image the metabolic activity of cells.

Question 25

Doppler ultrasound studies

Answer 25

Sound waves detect blood flow in the carotid and intracranial arteries.

Question 26

electroencephalography

Answer 26

Recording of the electrical activity in the brain.

Question 27

lumbar puncture | LP

Answer 27

CSF is withdrawn from between two lumbar vertebrae for analysis.

Question 28

stereotactic radiosurgery

Answer 28

Use of a specialized instrument to locate and treat targets in the brain.

Question 29

absence seizure

Answer 29

Form of seizure consisting of momentary clouding of consciousness and loss of awareness of surroundings.

Question 30

aneurysm

Answer 30

Enlarged, weakened area in an arterial wall, which may rupture, leading to hemorrhage and CVA (stroke).

Question 31

astrocytoma

Answer 31

Malignant tumor of astrocytes (glial brain cells).

Question 32

aura

Answer 32

Peculiar symptom or sensation occurring before the onset (prodromal) of an attack of migraine or an epileptic seizure.

Question 33

dementia

Answer 33

Mental decline and deterioration.

Question 34

demyelination

Answer 34

Destruction of myelin on axons of neurons.

Question 35

dopamine

Answer 35

CNS neurotransmitter

Question 36

embolus

Answer 36

Clot of material that travels through the bloodstream and suddenly blocks a vessel.

Question 37

gait

Answer 37

Manner of walking.

Question 38

ictal event

Answer 38

Pertaining to a sudden, acute onset, as with the convulsions of an epileptic seizure.

Question 39

occlusion

Answer 39

Blockage

Question 40

palliative

Answer 40

Relieving symptoms but not curing them.

Question 41

thymectomy

Answer 41

Removal of the thymus gland.

Question 42

transient ischemic attack | ISA

Answer 42

Short episode of neurological dysfunction. Type of cerebrovascular accident

Question 43

tic

Answer 43

Involuntary movement of a small group of muscles, as of the face.

Question 44

tonic-clonic seizure

Answer 44

Major (grand mal) convulsive seizure marked by sudden loss of consciousness, stiffening of muscles, and twitching and jerking movements.