Chapter 10 - Nervous System - Pathology and Diseases

Question 1

Hydrocephalus…

Answer 1

• 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

Question 2

Spina bifida…

Answer 2

• A birth defect that occurs when the spine and spinal cord don’t form properly
• Type of neural tube defect

Question 3

Spina bifida cystica…

Answer 3

• 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.

Question 4

Spina bifida occulta…

Answer 4

• 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

Question 5

Alzheimer disease (AD)…

Answer 5

Abnormal accumulation of CSF in the ventricles of the brain

Question 6

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)…

Answer 6

Degenerative disorder of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem

Question 7

Epilepsy…

Answer 7

Chronic brain disorder characterized by recurrent seizure activity

Question 8

Huntington disease (Huntington chorea)…

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Multiple sclerosis (MS)…

Answer 9

Destruction of myelin sheath on neurons in the CNS; replacement by plaques of sclerotic tissue

Question 10

Myasthenia gravis (MG)…

Answer 10

Autoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterized by weakness of voluntary muscles

Question 11

Palsy…

Answer 11

Paralysis (partial or complete loss of motor function)

Question 12

Parkinson disease…

Answer 12

Degeneration of neurons in the basal ganglia; occurring later in life and leading to tremors, muscle weakness, and slowness of movement

Question 13

Tourette syndrome…

Answer 13

Involuntary, spasmodic, twitching movements; uncontrollable vocal sounds

Question 14

Meningitis…

Answer 14

• 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.

Question 15

HIV - HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)…

Answer 15

• 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.

Question 16

AIDS symptoms…

Answer 16

• Weight loss, fever or night sweats, fatigue, and recurrent infections.
• No cure, but strict adherence to anti-retroviral therapy (ART) can dramatically slow the disease’s progress, prevent secondary infections and complications, and prolong life.

Question 17

Three types of cerebrovascular accidents (CVA)…

Answer 17

Thrombotic, Embolic and Hemorrhagic

Question 18

Thrombotic…

Answer 18

blood clot in arteries leaving the brain

Question 19

Embolic…

Answer 19

dislodged blood clot travels to cerebral arteries

Question 20

Hemorrhagic…

Answer 20

blood vessel breaks and bleeding occurs

Question 21

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)…

Answer 21

• It’s a temporary period of symptoms similar to those of a stroke
• Usually lasts only a few minutes and doesn’t cause permanent damage.
• Often called a mini stroke, a transient ischemic attack may be a warning.
• The underlying cause often is a buildup of cholesterol-containing fatty deposits called plaques (atherosclerosis) in an artery or one of its branches that supplies oxygen and nutrients to your brain.
• Plaques can decrease the blood flow through an artery or lead to the development of a clot.