MT CH7 Normal Structure And Function

Question 1

What is acetylcholine (ACh)?

Answer 1

A neurotransmitter; activity involving acetylcholine is described as cholinergic

Acetylcholine plays a crucial role in muscle activation and various brain functions.

Question 2

What are the basal ganglia?

Answer 2

Four masses of gray matter in the cerebrum and upper brainstem that are involved in movement and coordination; basal nuclei

Basal ganglia are essential for the regulation of voluntary motor movements, procedural learning, and routine behaviors.

Question 3

What is the function of the blood-brain barrier?

Answer 3

A special membrane between circulating blood and the brain that prevents certain damaging substances from reaching brain tissue

The blood-brain barrier is critical for maintaining the brain’s microenvironment.

Question 4

Where is Broca’s area located and what is its function?

Answer 4

An area in the left frontal lobe of the cerebrum that controls speech production

Damage to Broca’s area can result in Broca’s aphasia, affecting the ability to produce speech.

Question 5

What is the cerebral arterial circle also known as?

Answer 5

Circle of Willis

The Circle of Willis is an important structure that provides collateral blood flow to the brain.

Question 6

What does contralateral mean?

Answer 6

Affecting the opposite side of the body

Contralateral effects are often seen in neurological conditions where one side of the brain affects the opposite side of the body.

Question 7

What is the function of the corpus callosum?

Answer 7

A large band of connecting fibers between the cerebral hemispheres

Question 8

Define dermatome.

Answer 8

The area of the skin supplied by a spinal nerve; also refers to an instrument used for cut skin for grafting

Question 9

What does ipsilateral mean?

Answer 9

On the same side, unilateral

Question 10

What are leptomeninges?

Answer 10

The pia mater and arachnoid together

Question 11

What is norepinephrine?

Answer 11

A neurotransmitter very similar in chemical composition and function to the hormone epinephrine; also called goradrenaline

Question 12

What is a nucleus in the context of the nervous system?

Answer 12

A collection of nerve cells within the central nervous system

Question 13

Define plexus.

Answer 13

A network, as of nerves or blood vessels

Question 14

What are pyramidal tracts?

Answer 14

A group of motor tracts involved in fine coordination; most fibers cross in the medulla to affect the opposite side of the body

Question 15

What is the role of the reticular activating system (RAS)?

Answer 15

A widespread system in the brain that maintains wakefulness

Question 16

What are Schwann cells?

Answer 16

Cells that produce the myelin sheath around peripheral axons

Question 17

What is the Wernicke area responsible for?

Answer 17

An area in the temporal lobe concerned with speech comprehension

Question 18

Define amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Answer 18

A disorder marked by muscular weakness, spasticity, and exaggerated reflexes caused by degeneration of motor neurons

Question 19

What is amnesia?

Answer 19

Loss of memory

Question 20

Define apraxia.

Answer 20

Inability to move with purpose or to use objects properly

Question 21

What is ataxia?

Answer 21

Lack of muscle coordination; dyssynergia

Question 22

What is athetosis?

Answer 22

Involuntary, slow, twisting movements in the arms, especially the hands and fingers

Question 23

What does Bell’s palsy refer to?

Answer 23

Paralysis of the facial nerve

Question 24

What is a berry aneurysm?

Answer 24

A small sac-like aneurysm of a cerebral artery

Question 25

Define catatonia.

Answer 25

A phase of schizophrenia in which the patient is unresponsive, tending to remain in a fixed position without moving or talking

Question 26

What is cerebral palsy?

Answer 26

A nonprogressive neuromuscular disorder usually caused by damage to the CNS near the time of birth; may include spasticity, involuntary movements, or ataxia

Question 27

What is chorea?

Answer 27

A nervous condition marked by involuntary twitching of the limbs or facial muscles

Question 28

What is the term for the fear of being shut in or enclosed?

Answer 28

claustrophobia ## Footnote From Latin claudere, 'to shut'

Question 29

What is a compulsion?

Answer 29

A repetitive, stereotyped act performed to relieve tension

Question 30

What disease is caused by a prion and related to bovine spongiform encephalopathy?

Answer 30

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD)

Question 31

Define delirium.

Answer 31

A sudden and temporary state of confusion marked by excitement, physical restlessness, and incoherence

Question 32

What is dysarthria?

Answer 32

Defect in speech articulation caused by lack of control over the required muscles

Question 33

What is dysmetria?

Answer 33

Disturbance in the path or placement of a limb during active movement

Question 34

What does euphoria refer to?

Answer 34

An exaggerated feeling of well-being; elation

Question 35

What is glioblastoma?

Answer 35

A malignant astrocytoma

Question 36

What syndrome is characterized by acute polyneuritis and progressive muscular weakness?

Answer 36

Guillain-Barré syndrome

Question 37

What is hematomyelia?

Answer 37

Hemorrhage of blood into the spinal cord, as from an injury

Question 38

Define hemiballism.

Answer 38

Jerking, twitching movements of one side of the body

Question 39

What is Huntington disease?

Answer 39

A hereditary disease of the CNS that usually appears between ages 30 and 50

Question 40

What is hypochondriasis?

Answer 40

Abnormal anxiety about one's health

Question 41

What does ictus refer to?

Answer 41

A blow or sudden attack, such as an epileptic seizure

Question 42

Define lethargy.

Answer 42

A state of sluggishness or stupor

Question 43

What is a migraine?

Answer 43

Chronic intense, throbbing headache that may result from vascular changes in cerebral arteries

Question 44

What is neurofibromatosis?

Answer 44

A condition involving multiple tumors of peripheral nerves

Question 45

What is neurosis?

Answer 45

An emotional disorder caused by unresolved conflicts, with anxiety as a main characteristic

Question 46

What is paraplegia?

Answer 46

Paralysis of the legs and lower part of the body

Question 47

What is parasomnia?

Answer 47

Condition of having undesirable phenomena, such as nightmares, occur during sleep

Question 48

What is quadriplegia?

Answer 48

Paralysis of all four limbs; tetraplegia

Question 49

What is Reye syndrome?

Answer 49

A rare acute encephalopathy occurring in children after viral infections; the liver, kidney, and heart may be involved; linked to administration of aspirin during a viral illness. ## Footnote Reye syndrome is a serious condition that can lead to liver failure and death.

Question 50

Define sciatica.

Answer 50

Neuritis characterized by severe pain along the sciatic nerve and its branches. ## Footnote Sciatica can result from a herniated disc or other spinal issues.

Question 51

What are somatoform disorders?

Answer 51

Conditions associated with symptoms of physical disease, such as pain, hypertension, or chronic fatigue, with no physical basis. ## Footnote These disorders can often be challenging to diagnose and treat.

Question 52

What is somnambulism?

Answer 52

Walking or performing other motor functions while asleep and out of bed; sleepwalking. ## Footnote Somnambulism typically occurs during deep sleep and can be more common in children.

Question 53

What is stupor?

Answer 53

A state of unconsciousness or lethargy with loss of responsiveness. ## Footnote Stupor can result from various medical conditions, including severe illness or intoxication.

Question 54

Define syringomyelia.

Answer 54

A progressive disease marked by formation of fluid-filled cavities in the spinal cord. ## Footnote This condition can lead to a variety of neurological symptoms depending on the location and size of the cavities.

Question 55

What is tic douloureux?

Answer 55

Episodes of extreme pain in the area supplied by the trigeminal nerve; also called trigeminal neuralgia. ## Footnote Tic douloureux can be triggered by everyday activities like brushing teeth or touching the face.

Question 56

What occurs in tabes dorsalis?

Answer 56

Destruction of the dorsal (posterior) portion of the spinal cord with loss of sensation and awareness of body position, as seen in advanced cases of syphilis. ## Footnote This condition can lead to severe coordination and balance issues.

Question 57

Define Tourette syndrome.

Answer 57

A tic disorder with intermittent motor and vocal manifestations that begins in childhood; there also may be obsessive and compulsive behavior, hyperactivity, and distractibility. ## Footnote Tourette syndrome is often managed with behavioral therapy and medication.

Question 58

What is a transient ischemic attack (TIA)?

Answer 58

A sudden, brief, and temporary cerebral dysfunction usually caused by interruption of blood flow to the brain. ## Footnote TIAs are often warning signs for potential future strokes.

Question 59

What is Wallerian degeneration?

Answer 59

Degeneration of a nerve distal to an injury. ## Footnote This process is part of the body's natural response to nerve injury.

Question 60

Define whiplash.

Answer 60

Cervical injury caused by rapid acceleration and deceleration, resulting in damage to muscles, ligaments, disks, and nerves. ## Footnote Whiplash commonly occurs in car accidents.

Question 61

Fill in the blank: Reye syndrome is linked to the administration of _______ during a viral illness.

Answer 61

aspirin