Chapter 15 - Nervous System Flashcards
(135 cards)
1
Q
cerebrum
A
main (largest) portion of the brain, occupying the upper part of the crainal cavity; its two hemisphere, united by the corpus callosum, form the largest part of the CNS in humans
2
Q
cerebellum
A
situated on the back of the brain stem; consisting of a median lobe (vernis) and two lateral lobes (the hemispheres)
3
Q
brain stem
A
the stemlike portion of the brain connectin the cerebral hemisphes with the spinal cord and comprising the pons, medula oblongata, and midbrain
4
Q
encephalon
A
located between the cerebrum and midbrain, it contains the thalamus, hypothalamus, and pineal glands. involved in controlling body temperatures, sleep, appetite, blood pressure, and sexual activity
5
Q
meninges
A
the three membranes covering the brain and spinal cord: dura mater, arachnoid, and pia mater
6
Q
dura mater
A
the outermost, toughest of the three meninges (membranes) of the brain and spinal cord
7
Q
arachnoid
A
the delicate membrane interposed between the dura mater and the pia mater
8
Q
pia mater
A
the innermost of the three meninges covering the brain and spinal cord
9
Q
cerebrospinal fluid
A
fluid within the ventricles of the brain, the subarachonoid space, and the central canal
10
Q
olfactory
A
sense of smell
11
Q
optic
A
vision
12
Q
oculomotor
A
movements of the eye
13
Q
trochlear
A
muscles of the eyes
14
Q
trigeminal
A
facial movements
15
Q
abducens
A
muscles of the eyes turning the eye outward
16
Q
facial
A
muscles of the face, ears, and scalp
17
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auditory
A
pertaining to the ear or the sense of hearing
18
Q
glossopharyngeal
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pertaining to the tongue and pharynx
19
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pneymogastric vagus
A
voice and swallowing
20
Q
spinal
A
neck muscles
21
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hypoglossal
A
beneath the tongue
22
Q
sympathetic
A
the part of the autonomic nervous system assisting the body in emergencies, defense, and survival
23
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parasympathetic
A
the part of the autonomic nervous system bringing body functions back to normal after a stressful situation has ended
24
Q
abscess (brain)
A
secondary to infection in the body, e.g., ear, sinuses
25
Alzheimer's disease (presenile dementia)
characterized by confusion, restlessness, agnosia, speech disturbances, inability to carry out purposeful movements, and hallucinations. the disease usually beings in later midlife with slight defects in memory and behavior and occurs with equal frequency in men and woman. the cause is unknown
26
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
progressive degeneration of the upper and lower motor neurons; usualy fatal
27
anencephaly
congenital absence of the brain; death occurs in 1-2 days
28
Bell's palsy
unilateral facial paralysis of sudden onset caused by lesion of the facial nerve; facial distortion
29
carpal tunnel syndrome
the disorder is largely due to repetitive overuse of the fingers, hands, or wrists, which causes inflammation of the median nerve in the tunnel. symptoms are intermittent or continuous pain, espcially at night. treatment involves anti-inflammatory drugs, splints, physical therapy, and ceasing the overuse. if these measure fail, surgical measures to relieve the pressure may be necessary
30
cerebral palsy
paralysis from development defects or trauma; many symptoms; appearing before age 3, caused by nonprogressive damage to the brain
31
cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
a decrease in blood flow supply to the brain, causing death to the specific portion of the brain tissues affected. the three types of CVA are hemorrhagic stroke, which occurs when a cerebral vessel ruptures, thrombotic stroke, with occurs when a blood clot in the arteries leading to the brain becomes occluded (blocked), and embolic stroke, which occurs when an embolus (fragment of blood clot, fat, bacteria, or tumor) lodges in a cerebral vessel and causes occlusion
32
concussion
a violent blow to the head; there may or may not be a loss of consciousness
33
convulsion (seizure)
an involuntary contraction or series of contractions of the voluntary muscles; sudden disturbances in mental functions and body movements, some with loss of consciousness
34
encephalitis
inflammation of the brain
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epilepsy
seizure disorder; cause usually unknown; symptoms can be managed with medication
36
fracture (skull)
a break in the bones of the skull; cause can be injury, gunshot wounds
37
grand mal seizure
also called tonic-clonic seizures; characterized by a sudden loss of consciousness, falling down, and involuntary muscle contractions. often preceded by an aura, a peculiar sensation such as visual disturbance, numbness, or dizziness, which appears just before more definite symptoms
38
hematoma
blood "tumor" (clot); must be removed if large enough to cause pressure on brain
39
herpes zoster
"shingles"; an acute inflammatory disease of cerebral or spinal nerve due to viral infection; common in the elderly
40
hydrocephalus
"water on the brain";a congenital or acquired condition marked by dilation of the cerebral ventricles accompanied by an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the skull. typically, there is enlargement of the head, prominence of the forehead, mental deterioration, and convulsions
41
Huntington's chorea
ceaseless occurrence of rapid, jerky, involuntary movements, hereditary disease marked by chronic progressive chorea and mental deterioration
42
Korsakoff's syndrome
an alcoholic psychosis with disorientation, progressing to complete amnesia
43
meningitis
inflammation of the meninges caused by bacterial, viral, or fungal infection
44
meningocele (myelomeningocele)
hernial protrusion of the meninges through a bone defect in the cranium or vertebral column; may be repaired surgically
45
multiple sclerosis (MS)
brain and cord contain areas of degenerated myelin. symptoms of lesions include weakness, incoordination, speech disturbances, and visual complaints
46
myasthenia gravis (MG)
a progressive neuromuscular disorder characterized by chronic fatigue and muscle weakness; considered to be an autoimmune disease. antibodies block and destroy receptors at the myoneural junction because of a deficiency of acetylcholine. the onset of symptoms is gradual, with drooping eyelids, difficulty speaking and swallowing and weakness of the facial muscles. the weakness may then extend to other muscles enervated by cranial nerves, especially the respiratory muscles. the disease occurs more often in woman than men, with onset between ages 20-40, and in older men more often than in younger men. onset is between ages 50-60
47
neuropathy
disease of cranial and peripheral nervous system; motor, sensory, and reflex impairment
48
organic brain syndrome (chronic brain syndrome)
any mental disorder caused by impairment of brain tissue function; may be acute and reversible, caused by injury, infection, and nutritional deficiency, or chronic, resulting from relatively permanent organic impairment of brain tissue function
49
Parkinson's disease
a slowly progressive, degenerative, neurologic disorder characterized by resting tremor
50
petit mal seizures
also called absence seizure, the petit mal is a minor seizure lasting only a few seconds. the person has a momentary clouding of consciousness, maybe have a blank facial expression, and blink their eyes rapidly. the duration of the seizure if 5-10s. the individual may not be aware of the episode. it is more frequent in children
51
poliomyelitis
an acute viral disease with fever, sore throat, headache, vomiting, and often stiffness of the neck and back; may be minor or major; can be prevented by vaccination
52
sciatica
severe pain in the leg along the course of the sciatic nerve; also pain radiating into the buttock and lower limb, most commonly caused by herniation of a lumbar disk
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shunt
to bypass, e.g., using a catheter to drain fluid from brain cavities to the spinal cord
54
spinal cord injuries
a traumatic disruption of the spinal cord, with extensive musculoskeletal involvement. spinal fractures and dislocations are common in car accidents and airplane crashes and can cause varying degrees of paraplegia and quadriplegia
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subdurnal hemotoma
the blood is usually a result of a closed head injury, acceleration-deceleration injury, use of anticoagulants, contusions, or chronic alcoholism. they are largely a result of venous bleeding. an acute subdural hematoma can occur within minutes or hours following an injury; a chronic subdural hemaoma takes weeks to months to evolve, symptoms include drowsiness, headache, confusion, possible, seizure, and signs of ICP and paralysis. treatment involves surgical evacuation of the blood. in acute, subdurals, it may be removed through bur holes in the skull, but chronic ones require a craniotomy because the blood has solidified and cannont be aspirated through bur holes
56
Tay-Sach's disease
an inherited inborn error of metabolism in which there is an enzyme deficiency causing altered lipid metabolism. deficiency of this enzyme results in accumlation of a specific lipid in the brain, which leads to physical and mental retardation. it is a progressive disorder, marked by degeneration of brain tissue, dementia, convulsions, paralysis, blindness, and death. the symptoms begin around 6 months of age. death occurs between 2 and 4 years of age. it is possible to test for this disease in the unborn fetus through amniocentesis. no therapy is available for the disease. supportive and symptomatic care is indicated. tay-sach's primarily affects children of ashkenazic jews
57
tumors (cord, brain)
benign or malignant, primary or metastatic; may be classified by location, tissue type, or degree of malignancy, e.g., gliomas, neuromas
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whiplash
a popular term for an acute cervical sprain; acceleration extension injury of the cervical spine
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angiogram (arteriogram), cerebral
a radiopaque substance is injected into artieries in the neck, then x-ray films are taken
60
Babinski's sign
reflex response; when sole of the foot is stroked, the big toe turns up instead of down (normal in newborn, but pathologic later on)
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bur holes
holes made with a drill creating openings in bone to permit access for biopsy, insertion for drains for relieving pressure, or for monitoring devices
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computerized tomography (CT) brain scan. also called CAT scan
three-dimensional view of brain tissue obtained as x-ray beams pass through layers of the brain. contrast medium may also be injected IV to better visualize abnormalities. CT scan will show areas of tumors, hemorrhage, blood clots, aneurysms, MS, and brain abscess
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cordotomy
cutting of nerve fibers to relieve intractable pain
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craniotomy
any operation on the cranium, e.g., puncture of the skull and removal of its contents to decrease the size of the head of a dead fetus and aid in delivery
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echoencephalogram (EEG)
use of ultrasound to show displacement of brain structures
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electroencephalogran (EKG)
record of electrical activity of the brain
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laboratory procedures
examination of cerbrospinal fluid (cell counts, culture, blood)
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laminectomy
exicsion of the posterior arch of a vertebra to view the spinal cord or to relieve pressure
69
lumbar puncture (LP)
spinal tap
70
lumbar sympathectomy
a surgical interruption of part of the sympathetic nerve pathways, performed for the relief of chronic pain in vascular diseases, such as arteriosclerosis, claudication, and so on
71
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain
noninvasive technique using magnetic waves to create an image of the brain. the MRI is far more precise and accurate than most diagnostic tools. it provides visualization of fluid, soft tissue, and bony structures. MRI and CT are used to complement each other in diagnosing brain and spinal cord lesions. persons with any implanted metal devices such as a pacemaker, prosthesis, etc. cannot undergo MRI because the strong magnetic field will dislodge them
72
myelogram (myelography)
the film produced by myelography, e.g., injection of a dye into the subarachnoid space to detect tumors or herniated disks
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nerve block
injection of anesthetic into a nerve to produce the loss of sensation
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nerve cells (neurons)
conducting cells of the nervous system, consisting of a cell body containing the nucleus and its surrounding cytoplasm, and the axon and dendrites; specialized cells for transmitting impulses
75
pneumoencephalogram (PEG)
the radiograph obtained by visulatzaion of the fluid-containing structures of the brain after cerebrospinal fluid is intermittently withdrawn by lumbar puncture and replace by air, oxygen, or helium
76
positron emission tomography (PET) scan
images of various structures show how the brain uses gluclose and gives information about brain function. PET scans are used to asses Alzheimer's, stroke, epilepsy, and schizophrenia, as well as study and diagnose brain tumors
77
rhizotomoy
cutting the roots of spinal nerves to relieve incurable pain
78
Romberg test
a test of the sense of balance, e.g., the patient may lose balance when standing erect, feet together, and eyes closed
79
trephination
drilling a hole in the skull to evacuate clots of inject air for a disnostic procedure
80
vagotomy
surgical transection of the fibers of the vagus nerve
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ventriculography
radiography of the cerebral ventrilces after introduction of air or other contrast medium
82
affect
the feeling experienced in connection with an emotion
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aggression
hostile attitude; maybe be due to insecurity or inferiority feeling
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ambivalence
conflicting emotional attitudes toward a goal, e.g., hate and love
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amnesia
loss of memory
86
autism
complete withdrawal; inability to communicate
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catatonia
excessive violent motor activity or lack of reaction and movement; observed in schizophrenia
88
delusion
a false personal belief
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delirium
a mental disturbance of relatively short duration, e.g., illusions, hallucinations, and excitement
90
depression
in psychiarty, a morbid sadness, dejection, or melancholy; a decrease of body functions
91
echolalia
automatic repetition by a patient of what is said to him or her
92
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT, EST)
introducing convulsions by means of electricity; used on patients with affective disorders
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hallucination
hearing or seeing things not really present
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hypochondria
imaginary illnesses
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hysteria
extremely emotional state
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involutional melancholia
mental illness in late middle life, with agitation, worry, anxiety, and insomnia
97
malingering
make believe, e.g., pretending to be ill
98
manic-depressive
major psychosis; fluctuation of behavior between mania and depression; also called bipolar disorder
99
megalomania
belief in one's own extreme greatness, goodness, or power
100
neurasthenia
a stage in the recovery from a schizophrenic experience during which the patient is listless and apparently unable to cope with routine activities and relationships
101
neurosis
an emotional disorder caused by unresolved conflicts anxiety being its chief characteristic; person is still in touch with reality
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paranoid
a person who is overly suspicious (in trends or attitudes)
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phobia
any persistent abnormal dread or fear
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psychosis
a major mental disorder, with personality derangement and loss of contact with reality
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rapid eye movement (REM)
occur during periods of dreaming
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schizophrenia
any of a group of severe emotional disorders characterized by withdrawal from reality, delusions, hallucinations, ambivalence, inappropriate affect, and withdrawn, bizarre, and regressive behavior
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aphasia
loss of the ability to speak owing to injury or disease of the brain centers
108
ataxia
failure of muscular coordination
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biofeedback
the process of furnishing a person with information on the state of one or more physiologic variables, such as heart rate, blood pressure, or skin temperature, often enabling the person to gain some voluntary control over the body function
110
cauda equina
the collection of spinal roots descending from the lower spinal cord and supplying the rectal area
111
comatose
in deep stupor; cannot be aroused
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contrecoup
denoting an injury to the brain, occurring at a site opposite to the point of impact
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deep tendon reflex (DTR)
a reflex elicited by a sharp tap on the appropriate tendon or muscle to induce brief stretch of the muscle, followed by contraction
114
encephalon
the brain
115
fissure
many meaning; one refers to a deep furrow in the brain
116
flaccid
weak, lax, soft, flabby; poor muscle tone
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foramen magnum
a large opening in the occipital bone through with the cord passes
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ganglion
a knot. a group of nerve cell bodies, located outside the central nervous system
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gyrus (pl., gyri)
convolutions of the cerebrum
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hemisphere
either half of the brain
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ipsilateral
situated on or affecting the same side
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limbic system
the part of the brain associated with attitudes and emotional behavior
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manometer
an instrument for measuring the pressure, e.g., of spinal fluid
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myelin
white, liquid, fatty substances surrounding some nerve fibers (white matter)
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neurilemma (sheath of Schwann)
the membrane surround the peripheral nerves
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paralysis
inability to use muscles because of damage to the nervous system
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paresis
slight or incomplete paralysis
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paresthesia
an abnormal sensation, such as burning or prickling
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plexus
a network of nerves or blood vessels
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reflex
an involuntary response to a stimulus
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spastic
uncontrollable and forced contractions
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stimuls
any agent, act, or influence that produces a reaction or response
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sulcus (pl., sulci)
a groove, trench, or furrow on the brain surface
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syncope
a faith; temporary loss of consciousness
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ventricle (brain)
a small cavity in the brain
