Chapter 8 - Nervous System Flashcards
1
Q
acetylcholine
A
Chemical that stimulates cells.
2
Q
afferent neuron
A
Neuron that carries information from the sensory receptors to the central nervous system; sensory neuron
3
Q
arachnoid
A
Middle layer of meninges.
4
Q
astrocyte, astroglia
A
A type of neuroglia that maintains nutrient
and chemical levels in neurons.
5
Q
autonomic nervous system
A
Part of the peripheral nervous system that carries impulses from the central nervous system to glands, smooth muscles, cardiac muscle, and various membranes.
6
Q
axon
A
Part of a nerve cell that conducts nerve impulses away from the cell body.
7
Q
basal ganglia
A
Large masses of gray matter within the cerebrum.
8
Q
brain
A
Body organ responsible for controlling the body’s functions and interactions with outside stimuli.
9
Q
brainstem
A
One of the four major divisions of the brain; division that controls certain heart, lung, and visual functions.
10
Q
cell body
A
Part of a nerve cell that has branches or fibers that reach out to send or receive impulses.
11
Q
central nervous system
A
The brain and spinal cord.
12
Q
cerebellum
A
One of the four major divisions of the brain; division that coordinates musculoskeletal movement.
13
Q
cerebral cortex
A
Outer portion of the cerebrum.
14
Q
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
A
Watery fluid that flows throughout the brain and around the spinal cord.
15
Q
cerebrum
A
One of the four major divisions of the brain; division involved with emotions, memory, conscious thought, moral behavior, sensory interpretations, and certain bodily movement.
16
Q
conductivity
A
Ability to transmit a signal.
17
Q
convolutions
A
Folds in the cerebral cortex; gyri.
18
Q
corpus callosum
A
Bridge of nerve fibers that connects the two hemispheres of the cerebrum.
19
Q
cranial nerves
A
Any of 12 pairs of nerves that carry impulses to and from the brain.
20
Q
cranium
A
Bony structure that the brain sits in.
21
Q
dendrite
A
A thin branching extension of a nerve cell that conducts nerve impulses toward the cell body.
22
Q
diencephalon
A
One of the four major structures of the brain; it is the deep portion of the brain and contains the thalamus.
23
Q
dura mater
A
Outermost layer of meninges.
24
Q
efferent neuron
A
Neuron that carries information to the muscles and glands from the central nervous system; motor neuron
25
epidural space
area between the pia mater and the bones of the spinal cord.
26
epithalamus
One of the parts of the diencephalon; serves as a sensory relay station.
27
excitability
Ability to respond to stimuli.
28
fissure
One of many indentations of the cerebrum; sulcus.
29
frontal lobe
One of the four parts of each hemisphere of the cerebrum.
30
hypothalamus
One of the parts of the diencephalon; serves as a sensory relay station.
31
interneuron
Neuron that carries and processes sensory information.
32
medulla oblongata
Part of the brain stem that regulates heart and lung functions, swallowing, vomiting, coughing, and sneezing.
33
meninges (sing., meninx)
Three layers of membranes that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord.
34
microglia
A type of neuroglia that removes debris.
35
midbrain
Part of the brainstem involved with visual reflexes.
36
myelin sheath
Fatty tissue that covers axons.
37
nerve
Bundle of neurons that bear electrical messages to the organs and muscles of the body.
38
nerve cell
Basic cell of the nervous system having three parts: cell body, dendrite, and axon; also called a neuron.
39
nerve impulse
Released energy that is received or transmitted by tissue or organs and that usually provokes a response.
40
neurilemma
Membranous covering that protects the myelin sheath.
41
neuroglia, neuroglial
Cell of the nervous system that does not transmit impulses.
42
neuron
Basic cell of the nervous system having three parts; also called a nerve cell.
43
neurotransmitters
Various substances located in tiny sacs at the end of the axon.
44
occipital lobe
One of the four parts of each hemisphere of the cerebrum.
45
oligodendroglia
A type of neuroglia that produces myelin and helps to support neurons.
46
parasympathetic nervous system
Part of the autonomic nervous system that operates when the body is in a normal state.
47
parietal lobe
One of the four parts of each hemisphere of the cerebrum.
48
pia mater
Innermost layer of meninges.
49
pons
Part of the brainstem that controls certain respiratory functions.
50
receptor
Tissue or organ that receives nerve impulses.
51
somatic nervous system
Part of the peripheral nervous system that receives and processes sensory input from various parts of the body.
52
spinal cord
Ropelike tissue that sits inside the vertebral column and from which spinal nerves extend.
53
spinal nerves
Any of 31 pairs of nerves that carry messages to and from the spinal cord and the torso and extremities.
54
stimulus (pl., stimuli)
Anything that arouses a response.
55
subdural space
Area between the dura mater and the pia mater across which the arachnoid runs.
56
sympathetic nervous system
Part of the autonomic nervous system that operates when the body is under stress.
57
synapse
space over which nerve impulses jump from one neuron to another.
58
temporal lobe
One of the four parts of each hemisphere of the cerebrum.
59
terminal end fibers
Group of fibers at the end of an axon that passes the impulses leaving the neuron to the next neuron.
60
thalamus
One of the four parts of the diencephalon; serves as a sensory relay station.
61
ventral thalamus
One of the four parts of the diencephalon; serves as a sensory relay station.
62
ventricle
Cavity in the brain for cerebrospinal fluid.
63
cerebell(o)
cerebellum
64
cerebr(o), cerebri
cerebrum
65
crani(o)
cranium
66
encephal(o)
brain
67
gangli(o)
ganglion
68
gli(o)
neuroglia
69
mening(o), meningi(o)
meninges
70
myel(o)
bone marrow, spinal cord
71
neur(o), neuri
nerve
72
spin(o)
spine
73
thalam(o)
thalamus
74
vag(o)
vagus nerve
75
ventricul(o)
ventricle
76
Ach
acetylcholine
77
ALS
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
78
BBB
blood-brain barrier
79
CNS
central nervous system
80
CP
cerebral palsy
81
CSF
cerebrospinal fluid
82
CT or CAT scan
computerized (axial) tomography
83
CVA
cerebrovascular accident
84
CVD
cerebrovascular disease
85
PNS
peripheral nervous system
86
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
the use of magnetic fields and radio waves to visualize structures.
87
Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)
the imaging of blood vessels to detect various abnormalities.
88
Intra-cranial MRA
the visualizing of the head to check for aneurysms and other abnormalities.
89
Extracranial MRA
the imaging of the neck to check the carotid artery for abnormalities.
90
Encephalography
radiographic study of the ventricles of the brain.
91
Babinski’s reflex
After Joseph F. Babinski, French neurologist
| (1857–1932); reflex on the plantar surface of the foot.
92
cerebral angiogram
X-ray of the brain’s blood vessels after a dye is injected.
93
computerized (axial) tomography scan
Radiographic imaging that produces cross-sectional images.
94
electroencephalogram (EEG)
Record of the electrical impulses of the brain.
95
encephalogram
Record of the radiographic study of the ventricles of the brain.
96
evoked potentials
Record of the electrical wave patterns observed in an EEG.
97
lumbar (spinal) puncture
Withdrawal of cerebrospinal fluid from between two lumbar vertebrae.
98
myelogram
X-ray of the spinal cord after a contrast medium has been injected.
99
nerve conduction velocity
Timing of the conductivity of an electrical shock administered to peripheral nerves.
100
nerve conduction velocity
Timing of the conductivity of an electrical shock administered to peripheral nerves.
101
PET (positron emission tomography)
Imaging of the brain using radioactive isotopes and tomography.
102
polysomnography
Recording of electrical and movement patterns during sleep.
103
reflex
Involuntary muscular contraction in response to a stimulus.
104
SPECT (single photon emission computed
| tomography) brain scan
Brain image produced by the use of radioactive isotopes.
105
transcranial sonogram
Brain images produced by the use of sound waves.
106
absence seizure
Mild epileptic seizure consisting of brief disorientation
| with the environment.
107
agnosia
inability to receive and understand outside stimuli.
108
Alzheimer’s disease
After Alois Alzheimer (1864–1915), German neurologist; A type of degenerative brain disease causing thought disorders, gradual loss of muscle control, and, eventually, death.
109
amnesia
Loss of memory.
110
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Degenerative disease of the motor neurons leading to loss of muscular control and death.
111
aneurysm
Abnormal widening of an artery wall that bursts and releases blood.
112
aphasia
Loss of speech.
113
apraxia
Inability to properly use familiar objects.
114
aura
Group of symptoms that precede a seizure.
115
bacterial meningitis
Meningitis caused by a bacteria; pyrogenic meningitis.
116
Bell’s palsy
After Sir Charles Bell, Scottish surgeon (1774–1842); Paralysis of one side of the face; usually temporary.
117
brain contusion
Bruising of the surface of the brain without penetration.
118
cerebellitis
Inflammation of the cerebellum.
119
cerebral palsy
congenital disease caused by damage to the cerebrum during gestation or birth and resulting in lack of motor coordination.
120
cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
Neurological incident caused by disruption in the normal blood supply to the brain; stroke.
121
coma
Abnormally deep sleep with little or no response to stimuli.
122
concussion
Brain injury due to trauma.
123
dementia
Deterioration in mental capacity, usually in the elderly.
124
demyelination
Destruction of myelin sheath, particularly in MS.
125
dopamine
Substance in the brain or manufactured substance that helps relieve symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
126
duritis
Inflammation of the dura mater.
127
dysphasia
Speech difficulty.
128
embolic stroke
Sudden stroke caused by an embolus.
129
embolus
Clot from somewhere in the body that blocks a small blood vessel in the brain.
130
encephalitis
Inflammation of the brain.
131
epilepsy
Chronic recurrent seizure activity.
132
gait
Manner of walking.
133
gangliitis
Inflammation of a ganglion.
134
ganglion (pl., ganglia, ganglions)
Any group of nerve cell bodies forming a mass or a cyst in the peripheral nervous system; usually forms in the wrist.
135
glioblastoma multiforme
Most malignant type of glioma.
136
glioma
Tumor that arises from neuroglia.
137
hemorrhagic stroke
Stroke caused by blood escaping from a damaged cerebral artery.
138
Huntington’s chorea
After George Huntington (1850–1916), U.S. physician; Hereditary disorder with uncontrollable,
jerking movements.
139
hydrocephalus
Overproduction of fluid in the brain.
140
meningioma
Tumor that arises from the meninges.
141
meningitis
Inflammation of the meninges.
142
meningocele
In spina bifida cystica, protrusion of the spinal meninges above the surface of the skin.
143
meningomyelocele
In spina bifida cystica, protrusion of the meninges and spinal cord above the surface of the skin.
144
multiple sclerosis (MS)
Degenerative disease with loss of myelin, resulting in muscle weakness, extreme fatigue, and some paralysis.
145
myasthenia gravis
Disease involving overproduction of antibodies that block certain neurotransmitters; causes muscle weakness.
146
myelitis
Inflammation of the spinal cord.
147
narcolepsy
Nervous system disorder that causes uncontrollable, sudden lapses into deep sleep.
148
neuritis
Inflammation of the nerves.
149
occlusion
Blocking of a blood vessel.
150
oligodendroglioma
Type of glioma formed from oligodendroglia.
151
palsy
Partial or complete paralysis.
152
paresthesia
Abnormal sensation, such as tingling.
153
Parkinson’s disease
After James Parkinson (1755–1824), British physician; Degeneration of nerves in the brain caused by lack of sufficient dopamine.
154
pyrogenic meningitis
Meningitis caused by bacteria; can be fatal; bacterial meningitis.
155
radiculitis
Inflammation of the spinal nerve roots.
156
sciatica
Inflammation of the sciatic nerve.
157
shingles
Viral disease affecting the peripheral nerves.
158
somnambulism
Sleepwalking.
159
somnolence
Extreme sleepiness caused by a neurological disorder.
160
spina bifida
Congenital defect of the spinal column.
161
syncope
Loss of consciousness due to a sudden lack of oxygen in the brain.
162
Tay-Sachs disease
ditary disease that causes deterioration in the central nervous system and, eventually, death.
163
thrombotic stroke
Stroke caused by a thrombus.
164
thrombus
Blood clot.
165
tics
Twitching movements that accompany some neurological disorders.
166
tonic-clonic seizure
Severe epileptic seizure accompanied by convulsions, twitching, and loss of consciousness.
167
Tourette syndrome
After Gilles de la Tourette (1857–1904), French physician; Neurological disorder that causes uncontrollable speech sounds and tics.
168
transient ischemic attack (TIA)
Short neurological incident usually not resulting in permanent injury, but usually signaling that a larger stroke may occur.
169
viral meningitis
Meningitis caused by a virus and not as severe as pyrogenic meningitis.
170
cordotomy
Removing part of the spinal cord.
171
craniectomy
Removal of a part of the skull.
172
craniotomy
Incision into the skull.
173
lobectomy
Removal of a portion of the brain to treat certain disorders.
174
lobotomy
Incision into the frontal lobe of the brain.
175
neurectomy
Surgical removal of a nerve.
176
neuroplasty
Surgical repair of a nerve.
177
neurorrhaphy
Suturing of a severed nerve.
178
neurosurgeon
Medical specialist who performs surgery on the brain and spinal cord.
179
neurotomy
Dissection of a nerve.
180
stereotaxy, stereotactic surgery
Destruction of deep-seated brain structures using three-dimensional coordinates to locate the structures.
181
trephination, trepanation
Circular incision into the skull.
182
vagotomy
Surgical severing of the vagus nerve.
183
analgesic
Agent that relieves or eliminates pain.
184
anesthetic
Agent that causes loss of feeling or sensation.
185
anticonvulsant
Agent that lessens or prevents convulsions
186
hypnotic
Agent that induces sleep.
187
narcotic
Agent that relieves pain by inducing a stuporous or euphoric state.
188
sedative
Agent that relieves feelings of agitation.
