An individual nerve cell that carries impulses throughout the body; the parenchyma of the nervous system
Neuron
Macroscopic bundles of the fibers (axons and dendrites) of microscopic neurons which carry electrical messages all over the body
Nerve
Neurotransmitter chemical released at the ends of nerve cells
Acetycholine
Electrical discharges that travel the length of a nerve
Nerve Impulse
Organ that receives a nervous stimulus and passes it on to afferent nerves. The skin, ears, eyes, and taste buds
Receptor
Division of the nervous system that consists of the brain and spinal cord
Central Nervous System
Division of the nervous system that consists nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord: cranial nerves, spinal nerve, and autonomic nerves
Peripheral Nervous System
12 pairs of nerves that carry messages to and from the brain with regard to the head and neck (with one exception)
Cranial nerves
Cranial nerves that carries messages to and from the neck, chest and abdomen
Vagus Nerve
31 pairs of nerves that carry messages between the spinal cord and the chest, abdomen, and extremities
Spinal Nerves
A large network of nerves in the peripheral nervous system
Plexus
Nerves that carry messages related to changes in the environment towards the brain and spinal cord
Afferent (sensory) Nerves
Nerves that carry messages away from the brain and spinal cord to muscles of the body to tell them how to respond to a change in the environment
Efferent (motor) Nerves
System of nerves that control involuntary body functions of muscles, glands, and internal organs
Autonomic Nervous System
Autonomic nerves that stimulate and influence body functions involuntarily in times of stress and crisis
Sympathetic Nerves
Autonomic nerves that regulate normal body functions such as heart rate, breathing, and muscles of the gastrointestinal tract.
Parasympathetic Nerves
Agent of change (light, sound, touch) in the internal or external environment that evokes a response
Stimulus
Branching fibers of a neuron that is the first to receive the nerve impulse
Dendrites
Part of a nerve cell that contains the nucleus
Cell Body
Collection of nerve cell bodies in the peripheral nervous system
Ganglia (sing: ganglion)
Fiber of the neuron that carries the nerve impulse away from the cell body
Axon
Covering of white fatty tissue that surrounds and insulates the axon of a nerve cell and speeds up impulse conduction
Myelin Sheath
The space where the nervous impulse jumps from one neuron to another
Synapse
Chemical messenger releases at the end of a nerve cell. It stimulates or inhibits another cell, which can be a nerve, muscle, or gland cell.
Neurotransmitter
Essential distinguishing tissue of an organ
Parenchyma
Connective and supportive tissue of an organ
Stroma
Supportive and connective nerve cell that does not carry electrical impulses. They can reproduce themselves unlike neurons
Glial (neuroglial) Cells
Type of glial cell that transports water and salts from capillaries. Star-like in appearance
Astrocyte
Small phagocytic glial cells with many branching processes. They protect neurons in response to inflammation by removing waste products from the central nervous system
Microglial Cells
Glial cells with few branching dendrites and form the myelin sheath in the central nervous system
Oligodendroglial Cells (Oligodendrocytes)
Glial cells that line membranes within the brain and spinal cord and helps form CSF
Ependymal cells
Protective separation between the blood and brain cells. This makes it difficult for substances (such as anticancer drugs) to penetrate capillary walls and enter the brain
Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB)
The largest part of the brain, the “thinking area”. Controls many functions: thought, judgement, memory, association, and discrimination as well as voluntary muscular activity, speech and taste
Cerebrum
Sheet of nerve cells on the surface (outer region) of the cerebrum; gray matter of the brain
Cerebral Cortex
Sheets of neurons that form a rounded ridge, or folds, of cerebral cortex
Gyri
Grooves that separate the gyrus; fissure or depression
Sulcus
Spaces, or canals, in the interior middle of the cerebrum that contain CSF
Ventricles
Fluid that protects the brain and spinal cord from shock by acting like a cushion. Usually clear and colorless and contains lymphocytes, sugar, and protein
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)
Process through which spinal fluid is withdrawn for diagnosis or relief of pressure on the brain
Lumbar Puncture (LP)
Relay center of the brain, it selectively processes and relays messages between the thalamus and cerebrum. Plays a major role in maintaining levels of awareness and consciousness
Thalamus
Portion of the brain under the thalamus; controls sleep, appetite, body temperature, and secretions from the pituitary gland
Hypothalamus
Posterior portion of the brain that connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord; includes the pons and medulla oblongata
Brainstem
Posterior part of the brain that coordinates voluntary movement and maintains balance and posture
Cerebellum
Part of the brainstem that contains nerve fiber tracts that connect the cerebellum and cerebrum with the rest of the brain
Pons
Part of the brainstem that connects the spinal cord with the rest of the brain. Nerve fibers cross over, left to right and right to left; contains centers to regulate heart, blood vessels, and respiratory center
Medulla Oblongata
Column of nervous tissue extending from the medulla oblongata to the second lumbar vertebra within the vertebral column. Carries all the nerves to and from the lower limbs and lower part of the body, and is a pathway for impulses going to and from the brain
Spinal Cord
Collection of spinal nerves below the end of the spinal cord
Cuada Equina
Located within the inner region of the spinal cord, it is made up of cell bodies and dendrites
Gray Matter
Located within the outer region of the spinal cord, it is made up of nerve fiber tracts (axons) with myelin sheaths
White matter
Three layers of connective tissue membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord
Meninges
Thick, tough outermost membrane of the meninges which surround and protect the brain and spinal cord
Dura Mater (Dural Membrane)
Space below the Dural membrane
Subdural space
Spider-like second layer surrounding the spinal cord and brain, it is loosely attached to the other membranes by web-like fibers, so that there is space for fluid btw fibers and third membrane layer
Arachnoid Membrane
Space below the arachnoid membrane that contain CSF
Subarachnoid space
Layer closest to the brain and spinal cord containing connective tissue with a rich supply of blood vessels
Pia Mater
Nerve extending from the base of the spine down the thigh, lower leg, and foot
Sciatic Nerve
Congenital condition of partial or complete absence of brain matter
Anencephaly
Rapidly growing malignant tumor of the brain
Glioblastoma
Leptomeningeal
The pia and arachnoid membranes of the brain and spinal cord because of their thin, slender structure
-ine
pertaining to
analgesia
Absence of sensitivity to pain
hypalgesia
Diminished sensitivity to pain
Para- or Par-
Abnormal
bradykinesia
Condition of slow movement
dyskinesia
Impairment of the ability to perform voluntary movements. Abnormal, involuntary, spasmodic movements
akinetic
Pertaining to loss or absence of voluntary movement
developmental reading disorder occurring when the brain does not properly recognize, process, or interpret language
Dyslexia
Syncope
Fainting
Form of seizure consisting of momentary clouding of consciousness and loss of awareness of surroundings. Minor epileptic seizure
Absence Seizure
Enlarged, weakened area in an arterial wall, which may rupture, leading to hemorrhage and CVA (stroke)
Anuerysm
Destruction of myelin on axons of neurons (as in multiplesclerosis)
Demyelination
Clot of material that travels through the bloodstream and suddenly blocks a vessel
Embolus
Occlusion
Blockage
AD
Alzheimer Disease
ALS
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig Disease)
BBB
Blood Brain Barrier
CT
Computed tomography
CVA
Cerebrovascular accident
EEG
Electroencephalography
LP
Lumbar Puncture
MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
MRA
Magnetic Resonance Analgesia
MS
Multiplesclerosis
PET
Positron Emission Tomography
Sz
Seizure
TBI
Traumatic Brain Injury
TLE
Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Abnormal accumulation of CSF in the brain
Hydrocephalus
Congenital defect in the lumbar spinal column cause by imperfect union of vertebral parts (neural tube defect)
Spina Bifida
Degenerative disorder of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem
ALS- Amyotrphic Lateral Sclerosis
Chronic brain disorder characterized by recurrent seizure activity
Epilepsy
Hereditary disorder marked by degenerative changes in the cerebrum leading to abrupt involuntary movements and mental deterioration
Huntington Disease
Destruction of the myelin sheath on neurons in the CNS and its replacement by plaques of sclerotic (hard) tissue
Multiple Sclerosis- MS
Palsy
Paralysis (partial or complete loss of motor function)
Autoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterized by weakness of voluntary muscles due to the inability of a neurotransmitter (acytecholine) to transmit impulses from nerve cells to muscle cells
Myasthenia Gravis- MG
Partial paralysis and lack of muscular coordination caused by loss of oxygen (hypoxia) or blood flow to the cerebrum during pregnancy or in the perinatal period
Cerebral Palsy
paralysis on one side of the face
Bell’s Palsy
Degeneration of neurons in the basal ganglia, occurring in later life and leading to tremors, weakness of muscles, and slowness of movement
Parkinson’s Disease
Viral infection affecting peripheral nerves
Herpes Zoster
Stroke; disruption in the normal blood supply to the brain
Cerebrovascular Accident- CVA
Thrombus
Blood Clot
Hemorrhagic
a blood vessel breaks and bleeding occurs
x-ray imaging of the arterial blood vessels in the brain after injection of contrast material
Cerebral angiography
Computerized x-ray technique that generates multiple images of the brain and spinal cord
CT- computed tomography of the brain
Magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy create images of the brain and spinal cord
MRI- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Radioactive glucose is injected and then detected in the brain to image the metabolic activity of cells
PET- Positron emission tomography scan
CSF is withdrawn from between two lumbar vertebra for analysis
Lumbar Puncture- LP
Hemiparesis
unilateral paralysis
Analgesics
medication to relieve pain
Type of medication that relieves pain by stopping inflammation
NSAID- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
Type of medication that relieves fever and mild pain but is not an anti-inflammatory drug
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Typr of drug that relieves pain by affecting receptors in the brain to control the perception of pain
Narcotics
Paresthesia
abnormal sensation such as tingling, tickling, pricking, numbness or burning of a person’s skin with no apparent physical cause.
Poliomyelitis
Inflammation of the gray matter of the spinal cord
Condition of decreased coordination
Ataxia
Condition of increased sensation
Hyperesthesia
Difficulty with speech
Aphasia
Inability to perform a task
Motor apraxia
Inability to perform purposeful acts or manipulate objects
Apraxia
nervous exhaustion (lack of strength) and fatigue
Neurasthenia
weakness and partial loss of movement
Paresis
The spinal column is imperfectly joined (a split in vertebra occurs) and part of the meninges and spinal cord can herniate out of the spinal cavity
Myelomeningocele
Cerebral Contusion
bruising of brain tissue as a result of direct trauma to the head
TBI caused by a blow to the head
Cerebral Concussion
Blockage of a blood vessel in the cerebrum caused by material from another part of the body that suddenly occludes the vessel
Cerebral Embolus
Collection of blood in the brain (can cause a stroke)
Cerebral Hemorrhage
peculiar sensation experienced by a patient before onset of a seizure
aura
Blood flow to the brain stops for a brief period of time
transient ischemic attack
Major epileptic seizure
Tonic-clonic seizure
cerebell/o
cerebellum
Cerebr/o
Cerebrum
Dur/o
Dura mater
Encephal/o
brain
Gli/o
Glial cells
Lept/o
thin, slender
Mening/o, meningi/o
Meninges
my/o
muscle
neur/o
nerve
pont/o
pons
radicul/o
spinal nerve root
thalam/o
thalamus
myel/o
spinal cord (can mean bone marrow in other contexts)
thec/o
meninge’s sheath
vag/o
vagus nerve (10th cranial nerve)
alges/o, -algesia
excessive sensitivity to pain
caus/o
burning
comat/o
deep sleep (coma)
esthesi/o, -esthesia
nervous sensation, feeling
kines/0, kinesi/o, -kinesia, kinesis, -kinetic
movement
-algia
pain
-lepsy
seizure
lex/o
word, phrase
-paresis
weakness
-phasia
speech
tax/o
order, coordination
syncop/o
to cut off, to cut short
-praxia
action
-sthenia
strength
-plegia
paralysis