Chapter 10 The Nervous System Medical Terms Flashcards
(146 cards)
1
Q
a brief disturbance in brain function in which there is a loss of awareness often described as a staring episode
A
absence seizure (petit mal seizure)
2
Q
an excessive fear of heights
A
acrophobia
3
Q
an excessive fear of environments where the person fears a panic might occur
A
agoraphobia
4
Q
chronic alcohol dependence with specific signs and symptoms upon withdrawal
A
alcoholism
5
Q
a group of disorders involving the parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language
A
Alzheimer’s disease
6
Q
a memory disturbance marked by a total or partial inability to recall past experiences
A
amnesia
7
Q
a rapidly progressive neurological disease that attacks the nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscles
A
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) (Lou Gehrig’s disease)
8
Q
the absence of normal sensation, especially sensitivity to pain
A
anesthesia
9
Q
medication used to induce anesthesia
A
anesthetic
10
Q
medication that prevents seizures
A
anticonvulsant
11
Q
medications administered to prevent or relieve depression
A
antidepressant
12
Q
administered to treat symptoms of severe disorders of thinking and mood that are associated with neurological and psychiatric illnesses
A
antipsychotic drug (neuroleptic)
13
Q
mental conditions characterized by excessive, irrational dread of everyday situations, or fear that is out of proportion to the real danger in a situation
A
anxiety disorders
14
Q
medication administered to temporarily relieve anxiety and reduce tension
A
anxiolytic drug (antianxiety drug or tranquilizer)
15
Q
loss of the ability to speak, write, and/or comprehend the written or spoken word
A
aphasia
16
Q
an abnormal connection between the arteries and veins in the brain; may cause a hemorrhagic stroke
A
arteriovenous malformation
17
Q
a condition characterized by a short attention span and impulsive behavior inappropriate for the child’s developmental age
A
attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
18
Q
a subgroup of autistic spectrum disorders
A
autism
19
Q
a group of conditions in which a young child has difficulty developing normal social relationships and communication skills, may compulsively follow repetitive routines, and has narrowly focused, intense interests
A
autistic spectrum disorders
20
Q
a class of drugs whose major action is a calming or depressed effect on the central nervous system
A
barbiturates
21
Q
therapy focuses on changing behavior by identifying problem behaviors, and using rewards or other consequences to make the changes
A
behavioral therapy
22
Q
temporary paralysis of the seventh cranial nerve that causes paralysis only on the affected side of the face
A
Bell’s palsy
23
Q
a mental condition characterized by cycles of severe mood changes shifting from highs and severe lows
A
bipolar disorder
24
Q
an abnormal growth within the skull
A
brain tumor
25
an ultrasound study of the carotid artery that is performed to predict or diagnose an ischemic stroke
carotid ultrasonography
26
marked by a lack of responsiveness, stupor, and a tendency to remain in a fixed posture
catatonic behavior
27
persistent, severe, burning pain that usually follows and injury to a sensory nerve
causalgia
28
pain in the head
cephalalgia (headache)
29
bruising of brain tissue as the result of a head injury that causes the brain to bounce against the skull
cerebral contusion
30
a condition characterized by poor muscle control, spasticity, and other neurologic deficiencies
cerebral palsy
31
damage to the brain that occurs when the blood flow to the brain is disrupted
cerebrovascular accident
32
nerve pain caused by pressure on the spinal nerve roots in the neck region
cervical radiculopathy
33
abnormal fear of being in small or enclosed spaces
claustrophobia
34
intensely painful headaches that affect one side of the head and often occur in groups or clusters
cluster headaches
35
the mental activities associated with thinking, learning, and memory
cognition
36
treatment focused on changing cognitions on thoughts that are affecting a person's emotions and actions
cognitive therapy
37
a deep state of unconscious marked by the absence of spontaneous eye movements, no response to painful stimuli, and no vocalization
coma
38
an imaging technique that uses a thin, fan-shaped x-ray beam to produce multiple cross-sectional views of the body
computed tomography
39
a violent shaking up or jarring of the brain
concussion
40
the state of being awake, alert, aware, and responding appropriately
conscious
41
a condition characterized by a serious temporary ongoing change in function, such as paralysis or blindness, triggered by psychological factors rather than any physical cause
conversion disorder
42
a collection of blood trapped in the tissues of the brain
cranial hematoma
43
a neurosurgical procedure used in the treatment of dystonia, tremors, and Parkinson's disease
deep brain stimulation
44
an acute condition of confusion, disorientation, disordered thinking and memory, agitation, and hallucinations
delirium
45
a disorder involving sudden and severe mental changes or seizures caused by abruptly stopping the use of alcohol
delirium tremens
46
a false personal belief that is maintained despite obvious proof or evidence to the contrary
delusion
47
a slowly progressive decline in mental abilities including memory, thinking, and judgment that is often accompanied by personality changes
dementia
48
a common mood disorder characterized by lethargy and sadness, as well as a loss of interest or pleasure in normal activities
depression
49
conditions that occur when normal thought is separated from consciousness
dissociative disorder
50
a mental illness characterized by the presence of two or more distinct personalities, each with its own characteristics, which appear to exist within the same individual
dissociative identity disorder (multiple personality disorder)
51
the excessive use of illegal drugs or the misuse of prescription drugs
drug abuse
52
the accidental or intentional use of an illegal drug or prescription medicine in an amount higher than what is safe or normal
drug overdose
53
a learning disability characterized by substandard reading achievement due to the inability of the brain to process symbols
dyslexia (developmental reading disorder)
54
a low-grade chronic depression present on a majority of days for more than two years
dysthmia (dysthymic disorder)
55
the use of ultrasound imaging to create a detailed visual image of the brain for diagnostic purposes
echoencephalography
56
a procedure in which small amounts of electric current is passed through the brain, deliberately triggering a brief seizure in order to reverse symptoms of certain mental ilnesses
electroconvulsive therapy (electroshock therapy)
57
the process of recording the electrical activity of the brain through the use of electrodes attached to the scalp
electroencephalography
58
inflammation of the brain
encephalitis
59
a congenital herniation of brain substance through a gap in the skull
encephalocele (craniocele)
60
regional anesthesia produced by injecting medication into the epidural space of the lumbar or sacral region of the spine
epidural anesthesia
61
a chronic neurologic condition characterized by recurrent episodes or seizures of varying severity
epilepsy (seizure disorder)
62
a condition in which a person acts as if he or she has physical mental illness when he or she is not really sick
factitious disorder
63
a form of child abuse in which the mentally ill parent will falsify an illness in a child by making up or inducing symptoms and then seeking medical treatment, even surgery, for the child
factitious disorder by proxy
64
a type of radiation treatment for brain tumors
gamma knife surgery
65
a mental condition characterized by chronic, excessive worrying
generalized anxiety disorder
66
inflammation of the myelin sheath of peripheral nerves, characterized by rapidly worsening muscle weakness that may lead to temporary paralysis
Guillian-Barre syndrome (infectious polyneuritis)
67
a sensory perception experienced in the absence of an external stimuli
hallucination
68
damage to the brain that occurs when a blood vessel in the brain leaks
hemorrhagic stroke
69
a genetic disorder that causes nerve degeneration with symptoms that most often appear in midlife
Huntington's disease
70
a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates within the ventricles of the brain
hydrocephalus
71
a condition of abnormal and excessive sensitivity to touch, pain, or other sensory stimuli
hyperesthesia
72
the use of hypnosis to produce an altered state of focused attention in which the patient may be more willing to believe and act on suggestions
hypnotherapy
73
medication that depresses the central nervous system and usually produces sleep
hypnotic
74
a condition characterized by fearing that one has a serious illness despite appropriate medical evaluation and reassurance
hypochondriasis
75
group of psychiatric disorders characterized by failure to resist an impulse despite potentially negative consequences
impulse control disorders
76
the prolonged or abnormal inability to sleep
insomnia
77
the amount of pressure inside the skull
intracranial pressure
78
damage that occurs when the flow of blood to the brain is blocked by the narrowing or blockage of a carotid artery
ischemic stroke
79
disorders found in children of normal intelligence who have difficulties in learning specific skills such as processing language or grasping mathematical concepts
learning disabilities
80
a lower level of consciousness marked by listlessness, drowsiness, and apathy
lethargy
81
term used to describe the measurement of response to arousal and stimulus
levels of consciousness
82
exposure to daylight or specific wave-lengths of light in order to counteract seasonal affective disorder
light therapy
83
the surgical removal of a lobe of an organ
lobectomy
84
the process of obtaining a sample of cerebrospinal fluid by inserting a needle into the subarachnoid space of the lumbar region to withdraw fluid
lumbar puncture (spinal tap)
85
nerve pain in the lower back
lumbar radiculopathy
86
an imaging technique that uses a combination of radio waves and a strong magnetic field to create signals that are sent to a computer and converted into images of any plane through the body
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
87
a condition characterized by the intentional creation of false or grossly exaggerated physical or psychological symptoms
malingering
88
an abnormal elevated mood state, including inappropriate elation, increased irritability, severe insomnia, poor judgment, and inappropriate social behavior
manic behavior
89
a common, slow-growing and usually benign tumor of the meninges
meningioma
90
inflammation of the meninges of the brain and spinal cord
meningitis (infectious meningitis)
91
the congenital herniation of the meninges through a defect in the skull or spinal column
meningocele
92
significant below-average intellectual and adaptive functioning present from birth or early infancy
mental retardation/intellectual disability
93
a headache characterized by throbbing pain on one side of the head and may not be preceded by a warning aura
migraine
94
a progressive autoimmune disorder characterized by inflammation that causes demyelination of the myelin sheath
multiple sclerosis
95
inflammation of the spinal cord; inflammation of bone marrow
myelitis
96
any pathological change or disease of the spinal cord
myelopathy
97
a tumor on the spinal cord
myelosis
98
a sleep disorder consisting of sudden and uncontrollable brief episodes of falling asleep during the day
narcolepsy
99
inflammation of a nerve accompanied by pain and sometimes loss of function
neuritis
100
an umbrella term for disorders in which there is a progressive loss of the structure or function of neurons
neurodegenerative disease
101
the surgical repair of a nerve or nerves
neuroplasty
102
surgically suturing together the ends of a severed nerve
neurorrhaphy
103
the surgical division or dissection of a nerve
neurotomy
104
a mental condition characterized by obsessions and/or compulsions
obsessive-compulsive disorder
105
an unexpected, sudden experience of fear in the absence of danger, accompanied by physical symptoms such as shortness of breath and chest pain
panic attack
106
a condition characterized by having more than one panic attack, resulting in persistent fear of the attacks
panic disorder
107
a burning or prickling sensation that is usually felt in the hands, arms, legs, or feet
paresthesia
108
a chronic, degenerative central nervous system disorder characterized by fine muscle tremors, rigidity, and a slow or shuffling gait
Parkinson's disease
109
a disorder of the peripheral nerves that carry information to and from the brain and spinal cord, producing pain, loss or sensation, and inability to control muscles
peripheral neuropathy
110
a type of coma in which the patient exhibits alternating sleep and wake cycles; however, the individual is unconscious even when appearing to be awake
persistent vegetative state
111
a chronic pattern of inner experience and behavior that causes serious problems with relationship and work
personality disorder
112
a persistent irrational fear of a specific thing or situation strong enough to cause significant distress, interfere with functioning, and lead to avoidance of the thing or situation that causes this reaction
phobia
113
excessive sensitivity to light
photophobia
114
a highly contagious viral infection of the brainstem and spinal cord that sometimes leads to paralysis
poliomyelitis (polio)
115
the development of characteristic symptoms after a major traumatic event
post-traumatic stress disorder
116
treatment based on the idea that mental disorders have underlying causes stemming from childhood and can only be overcome by gaining insight into one's feelings and patterns of behavior
psychoanalysis
117
a condition characterized by the loss of contact with reality and deterioration of normal social functioning
psychotic disorder
118
a drug that acts primarily on the central nervous system, where it produces temporary changes affecting the mind, emotions, and behavior
psychotropic drug
119
inflammation of the root of a spinal nerve that causes pain and numbness radiating down the affecting limb
radiculitis (pinched nerve)
120
a neurological disorder characterized by uncomfortable feelings in the legs, producing a strong urge to move them
restless legs syndrome
121
a potentially serious or deadly disorder in children that is characterized by vomiting and confusion, sometimes following a viral illness for which the child was treated with aspirin
Reye's syndrome
122
a psychotic disorder characterized by withdrawal from reality, illogical patterns of thinking, delusions, and hallucinations
schizophrenia
123
inflammation of the sciatic nerve that results in pain, burning, and tingling along the course of the affected nerve
sciatica
124
a seasonal bout of depression associated with the decrease in hours of daylight during winter months
seasonal affective disorder
125
medication that depresses the central nervous system to produce calm and diminished responsiveness without producing sleep
sedative
126
a sudden surge of electrical activity in the brain that affects how a person feels or acts for a short time
seizure
127
describes the results of a child being violently shaken by someone
shaken baby syndrome
128
a sufficient lack of restorative sleep over a cumulative period so as to cause physical or psychiatric symptoms and affect routine performance
sleep deprivation
129
excessive fear of social situations where the person fears negative evaluation by others or embarrassing himself in front of others
social phobias (social anxiety disorder)
130
conditions that are characterized by physical complains or concerns about one's body that are out of proportion to any physical findings or disease
somatoform disorder
131
the condition of walking or performing some other activity without awakening
somnambulism (sleepwalking or noctambulism)
132
regional anesthesia produced by injecting medication into the subarachnoid space
spinal anesthesia
133
paralysis resulting from damage to the spinal cord that prevents nerve impulses from being transmitted below the level of injury
spinal cord injuries
134
a substance that works by increasing activity in certain areas of the brain to increase concentration and wakefulness
stimulant
135
an unresponsive state from which a person can be aroused only briefly despite vigorous repeated attempts
stupor
136
the addictive use of tobacco, alcohol, medications, or illegal drugs
substance abuse
137
the brief loss of consciousness caused by the decreased flow of blood to the brain
syncope (fainting)
138
an acute and potentially fatal infection of the central nervous system caused by a toxin produced by the tetanus bacteria
tetanus (lockjaw)
139
surgical incision into the thalamus
thalamotomy
140
a type of seizure involving the whole body
tonic-clonic seizure (grand mal seizure)
141
a complex neurological disorder characterized by involuntary tics, grunts, and compulsive utterances
Tourette syndrome
142
a temporary interruption in the blood supply to the brain
transient ischemic attack (TIA)
143
a blow to the head or a penetrating head injury that damages the brain
traumatic brain injury
144
inflammation of the fifth cranial nerve characterized by sudden, intense, brief attacks of sharp pain on one side of the face
trigeminal neuralgia
145
a state of being aware and unable to respond to any stimuli including pain
unconscious
146
a form of dementia caused by a restriction of blood to the brain
vascular dementia
