Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

medical terminology > chapter 16 vocab > Flashcards

chapter 16 vocab Flashcards

(75 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

abstract reasoning

A

The ability to analyze information, detect patterns and relationships, and solve problems on a complex, intangible level.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

alzheimer’s disease (AD)

A

A progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by memory loss, language deterioration, and impaired ability to mentally manipulate visual information

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

A

A progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing muscle weakness and atrophy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

anesthesia

A

The loss of sensation or feeling in a part or all of the body, often induced for medical procedures

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

aphasia

A

A condition characterized by either partial or total loss of the ability to communicate verbally or using written words

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD

A

A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

axon

A

The long, slender projection of a nerve cell that typically conducts electrical impulses away from the neuron’s cell body

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

brain stem

A

The central trunk of the brain, consisting of the medulla oblongata, pons, and midbrain, and continuing downward to form the spinal cord; controls involuntary functions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

broca’s area

A

A region in the frontal lobe of the brain with functions linked to speech production

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

cartoid endarterectomy

A

A surgical procedure to remove plaque from the carotid arteries and restore blood flow to the brain, often used to prevent stroke

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

carpal tunnel syndrome

A

A condition caused by compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel of the wrist, leading to pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

cell body

A

The spherical part of the neuron that contains the nucleus and connects to the dendrites and axon

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

central nervous system (CNS)

A

The part of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord, responsible for processing and transmitting information throughout the body

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

cerebellum

A

A major structure of the hindbrain that is responsible for fine motor coordination, balance, equilibrium, and muscle tone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

cerebral angiography

A

A diagnostic imaging technique that uses X-rays to visualize blood flow in the arteries and veins in the brain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

cerebral cortex

A

The outer layer of the cerebrum, playing a key role in memory, attention, perception, cognition, awareness, thought, language, and consciousness

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

cerebrovascular accident (CVA)

A

Also known as a stroke, it is the sudden death of brain cells due to lack of oxygen, caused by blockage of blood flow or rupture of an artery in the brain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

cerebrum

A

The largest part of the brain, responsible for voluntary muscular activity, vision, speech, taste, hearing, thought, and memory

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE

A

A brain condition associated with repeated blows to the head and repeated episodes of concussion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

concussion

A

A type of traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head or body, a fall, or another injury that jars or shakes the brain inside the skull

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

cranial nerves

A

The 12 pairs of nerves that emerge directly from the brain, as opposed to spinal nerves, with functions largely concerning the head and neck

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

dendrites

A

Extensions of a neuron that receive signals from other neurons and transmit them toward the cell body

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

dura matter

A

The thick, tough outer layer of the meninges surrounding the brain and spinal cord

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

A

A medical treatment most commonly used for patients with severe major depression or bipolar disorder that has not responded to other treatments, involving brief electrical stimulation of the brain while the patient is under anesthesia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
electroencephalography (EEG)
A test that detects electrical activity in the brain using small, flat metal discs (electrodes) attached to the scalp
26
electromyography
A diagnostic test that measures the electrical activity of muscles to help diagnose muscle and nerve disorders
27
expressive aphasia
A type of aphasia where a person knows what they want to say but has difficulty communicating it to others
28
frontal lobe
A region of the cerebral cortex associated with reasoning, motor skills, higher-level cognition, and expressive language
29
hematoma
A solid swelling of clotted blood within the tissues, often caused by an injury
30
hypothalamus
A region of the forebrain below the thalamus that coordinates both the autonomic nervous system and the activity of the pituitary, controlling body temperature, thirst, hunger, and other homeostatic systems
31
intracranial pressure
Pressure inside the skull and thus in the brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid, usually in the context of illness or injury
32
judgement
The ability to make considered decisions or come to sensible conclusions
33
language
The method of human communication, either spoken or written, consisting of the use of words
34
lumbar puncture
A medical procedure where a needle is inserted into the lower part of the spinal column to collect cerebrospinal fluid for diagnostic testing or to relieve pressure
35
memory
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information
36
meninges
The three membranes that envelop the brain and spinal cord, providing protection for these structures
37
multiple sclerosis (MS)
An autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, leading to demyelination, inflammation, and scarring, resulting in a range of symptoms including physical, mental, and sometimes psychiatric problems.
38
myelin
The protective fatty layer that wraps around the nerve fibers (axons), facilitating the fast transmission of electrical signals
39
neurologist
A physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the nervous system, brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles
40
neurology
the study of the nervous system
41
neurons
Nerve cells that are the basic building blocks of the nervous system, responsible for transmitting information throughout the body
42
neurosurgeons
Surgeons who specialize in surgery on the nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord
43
neurotransmitter
Chemical substances that transmit nerve signals across a synapse from one neuron to another
44
occipital lobe
The rearmost lobe in each cerebral hemisphere of the brain, responsible for processing visual information
45
orientation
The patient’s awareness of their immediate circumstances (i.e., being oriented to person, place, and time)
46
paresthesia
An abnormal sensation, such as tingling, pricking, or numbness, typically with no apparent physical cause
47
parietal lobe
The upper middle lobe of the cerebrum, involved in processing sensory information such as touch, temperature, and pain
48
parkinson's disease (PD)
A progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement, often including tremors, muscle rigidity, and changes in speech and gait
49
peripheral nervous system (PNS)
The part of the nervous system outside the CNS, consisting mainly of the nerves that extend from the brain and spinal cord
50
photophobia
An extreme sensitivity to light, often causing discomfort or pain in the eyes
51
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
A mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event, characterized by flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event.
52
prefrontal cortex
The front part of the frontal lobe, involved in complex behaviors such as planning, and contributing to personality development
53
psychiatrist
A medical doctor specializing in the diagnosis, prevention, study, and treatment of mental disorders, including prescribing medication
54
psychiatry
The medical specialty devoted to diagnosing, preventing, studying, and treating mental disorders
55
psychologists
Professionals who study cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording how individuals relate to one another and to their environments
56
psychology
The study of the mind and its functions, especially those affecting behavior
57
receptive aphasia
A form of aphasia where individuals have trouble understanding spoken or written language
58
sciatica
Pain affecting the back, hip, and outer side of the leg, caused by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve.
59
seizure
An uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain, which can cause changes in behavior, movements, feelings, and levels of consciousness
60
sensorium
The sensory apparatus or faculties considered as a whole
61
skull fracture
A break in one or more of the bones in the skull, often caused by a blow to the head
62
social workers
Professionals who provide a wide range of services to help people cope with and overcome challenges in their everyday lives, including mental health and substance abuse counseling
63
speech
The expression of thoughts and feelings by articulating sounds
64
spinal cord
The cylindrical bundle of nerve fibers and associated tissue enclosed in the spine, connecting nearly all parts of the body to the brain
65
spinal nerves
Nerves that originate in the spinal cord and branch out to provide motor and sensory functions to the body
66
subarachnoid hemorrhage
A type of stroke caused by bleeding into the space surrounding the brain, leading to sudden severe headache and other symptoms
67
subdural hematoma
A type of hematoma, usually associated with traumatic brain injury, involving bleeding in the outermost meningeal layer, just under the skull
68
synapse
The junction between two nerve cells, consisting of a minute gap across which impulses pass by diffusion of a neurotransmitter
69
temporal lobe
A region of the cerebral cortex responsible for processing auditory information and is also involved in memory storage
70
thalamus
A small structure within the brain located just above the brain stem between the cerebral cortex and the midbrain with multiple functions, including relaying sensory and motor signals to the cerebral cortex
71
transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)
Often called a “mini-stroke,” a temporary period of symptoms similar to those of a stroke, indicating a high risk of a full-blown stroke in the future
72
traumatic brain injury (TBI)
A form of brain injury caused by a blow, jolt, or other traumatic injury to the head or body, causing temporary or permanent damage
73
vagus nerve
A cranial nerve that extends from the brain stem to the abdomen, playing critical roles in the heart, lungs, and digestive tract functioning
74
ventricles
Hollow, fluid-filled cavities within the brain that help to protect the brain and reduce its weight
75
wernicke's area
A region of the brain that is important for language development, located in the temporal lobe

medical terminology (27 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions