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Medical Terminology > Nervous System > Flashcards

Flashcards in Nervous System Deck (159)
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1
Q

An individual nerve cell that carries impulses throughout the body; the parenchyma of the nervous system

A

Neuron

2
Q

Macroscopic bundles of the fibers (axons and dendrites) of microscopic neurons which carry electrical messages all over the body

A

Nerve

3
Q

Neurotransmitter chemical released at the ends of nerve cells

A

Acetycholine

4
Q

Electrical discharges that travel the length of a nerve

A

Nerve Impulse

5
Q

Organ that receives a nervous stimulus and passes it on to afferent nerves. The skin, ears, eyes, and taste buds

A

Receptor

6
Q

Division of the nervous system that consists of the brain and spinal cord

A

Central Nervous System

7
Q

Division of the nervous system that consists nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord: cranial nerves, spinal nerve, and autonomic nerves

A

Peripheral Nervous System

8
Q

12 pairs of nerves that carry messages to and from the brain with regard to the head and neck (with one exception)

A

Cranial nerves

9
Q

Cranial nerves that carries messages to and from the neck, chest and abdomen

A

Vagus Nerve

10
Q

31 pairs of nerves that carry messages between the spinal cord and the chest, abdomen, and extremities

A

Spinal Nerves

11
Q

A large network of nerves in the peripheral nervous system

A

Plexus

12
Q

Nerves that carry messages related to changes in the environment towards the brain and spinal cord

A

Afferent (sensory) Nerves

13
Q

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

A

Efferent (motor) Nerves

14
Q

System of nerves that control involuntary body functions of muscles, glands, and internal organs

A

Autonomic Nervous System

15
Q

Autonomic nerves that stimulate and influence body functions involuntarily in times of stress and crisis

A

Sympathetic Nerves

16
Q

Autonomic nerves that regulate normal body functions such as heart rate, breathing, and muscles of the gastrointestinal tract.

A

Parasympathetic Nerves

17
Q

Agent of change (light, sound, touch) in the internal or external environment that evokes a response

A

Stimulus

18
Q

Branching fibers of a neuron that is the first to receive the nerve impulse

A

Dendrites

19
Q

Part of a nerve cell that contains the nucleus

A

Cell Body

20
Q

Collection of nerve cell bodies in the peripheral nervous system

A

Ganglia (sing: ganglion)

21
Q

Fiber of the neuron that carries the nerve impulse away from the cell body

A

Axon

22
Q

Covering of white fatty tissue that surrounds and insulates the axon of a nerve cell and speeds up impulse conduction

A

Myelin Sheath

23
Q

The space where the nervous impulse jumps from one neuron to another

A

Synapse

24
Q

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.

A

Neurotransmitter

25
Q

Essential distinguishing tissue of an organ

A

Parenchyma

26
Q

Connective and supportive tissue of an organ

A

Stroma

27
Q

Supportive and connective nerve cell that does not carry electrical impulses. They can reproduce themselves unlike neurons

A

Glial (neuroglial) Cells

28
Q

Type of glial cell that transports water and salts from capillaries. Star-like in appearance

A

Astrocyte

29
Q

Small phagocytic glial cells with many branching processes. They protect neurons in response to inflammation by removing waste products from the central nervous system

A

Microglial Cells

30
Q

Glial cells with few branching dendrites and form the myelin sheath in the central nervous system

A

Oligodendroglial Cells (Oligodendrocytes)

31
Q

Glial cells that line membranes within the brain and spinal cord and helps form CSF

A

Ependymal cells

32
Q

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

A

Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB)

33
Q

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

A

Cerebrum

34
Q

Sheet of nerve cells on the surface (outer region) of the cerebrum; gray matter of the brain

A

Cerebral Cortex

35
Q

Sheets of neurons that form a rounded ridge, or folds, of cerebral cortex

A

Gyri

36
Q

Grooves that separate the gyrus; fissure or depression

A

Sulcus

37
Q

Spaces, or canals, in the interior middle of the cerebrum that contain CSF

A

Ventricles

38
Q

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

A

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

39
Q

Process through which spinal fluid is withdrawn for diagnosis or relief of pressure on the brain

A

Lumbar Puncture (LP)

40
Q

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

A

Thalamus

41
Q

Portion of the brain under the thalamus; controls sleep, appetite, body temperature, and secretions from the pituitary gland

A

Hypothalamus

42
Q

Posterior portion of the brain that connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord; includes the pons and medulla oblongata

A

Brainstem

43
Q

Posterior part of the brain that coordinates voluntary movement and maintains balance and posture

A

Cerebellum

44
Q

Part of the brainstem that contains nerve fiber tracts that connect the cerebellum and cerebrum with the rest of the brain

A

Pons

45
Q

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

A

Medulla Oblongata

46
Q

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

A

Spinal Cord

47
Q

Collection of spinal nerves below the end of the spinal cord

A

Cuada Equina

48
Q

Located within the inner region of the spinal cord, it is made up of cell bodies and dendrites

A

Gray Matter

49
Q

Located within the outer region of the spinal cord, it is made up of nerve fiber tracts (axons) with myelin sheaths

A

White matter

50
Q

Three layers of connective tissue membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord

A

Meninges

51
Q

Thick, tough outermost membrane of the meninges which surround and protect the brain and spinal cord

A

Dura Mater (Dural Membrane)

52
Q

Space below the Dural membrane

A

Subdural space

53
Q

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

A

Arachnoid Membrane

54
Q

Space below the arachnoid membrane that contain CSF

A

Subarachnoid space

55
Q

Layer closest to the brain and spinal cord containing connective tissue with a rich supply of blood vessels

A

Pia Mater

56
Q

Nerve extending from the base of the spine down the thigh, lower leg, and foot

A

Sciatic Nerve

57
Q

Congenital condition of partial or complete absence of brain matter

A

Anencephaly

58
Q

Rapidly growing malignant tumor of the brain

A

Glioblastoma

59
Q

Leptomeningeal

A

The pia and arachnoid membranes of the brain and spinal cord because of their thin, slender structure

60
Q

-ine

A

pertaining to

61
Q

analgesia

A

Absence of sensitivity to pain

62
Q

hypalgesia

A

Diminished sensitivity to pain

63
Q

Para- or Par-

A

Abnormal

64
Q

bradykinesia

A

Condition of slow movement

65
Q

dyskinesia

A

Impairment of the ability to perform voluntary movements. Abnormal, involuntary, spasmodic movements

66
Q

akinetic

A

Pertaining to loss or absence of voluntary movement

67
Q

developmental reading disorder occurring when the brain does not properly recognize, process, or interpret language

A

Dyslexia

68
Q

Syncope

A

Fainting

69
Q

Form of seizure consisting of momentary clouding of consciousness and loss of awareness of surroundings. Minor epileptic seizure

A

Absence Seizure

70
Q

Enlarged, weakened area in an arterial wall, which may rupture, leading to hemorrhage and CVA (stroke)

A

Anuerysm

71
Q

Destruction of myelin on axons of neurons (as in multiplesclerosis)

A

Demyelination

72
Q

Clot of material that travels through the bloodstream and suddenly blocks a vessel

A

Embolus

73
Q

Occlusion

A

Blockage

74
Q

AD

A

Alzheimer Disease

75
Q

ALS

A

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig Disease)

76
Q

BBB

A

Blood Brain Barrier

77
Q

CT

A

Computed tomography

78
Q

CVA

A

Cerebrovascular accident

79
Q

EEG

A

Electroencephalography

80
Q

LP

A

Lumbar Puncture

81
Q

MRI

A

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

82
Q

MRA

A

Magnetic Resonance Analgesia

83
Q

MS

A

Multiplesclerosis

84
Q

PET

A

Positron Emission Tomography

85
Q

Sz

A

Seizure

86
Q

TBI

A

Traumatic Brain Injury

87
Q

TLE

A

Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

88
Q

Abnormal accumulation of CSF in the brain

A

Hydrocephalus

89
Q

Congenital defect in the lumbar spinal column cause by imperfect union of vertebral parts (neural tube defect)

A

Spina Bifida

90
Q

Degenerative disorder of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem

A

ALS- Amyotrphic Lateral Sclerosis

91
Q

Chronic brain disorder characterized by recurrent seizure activity

A

Epilepsy

92
Q

Hereditary disorder marked by degenerative changes in the cerebrum leading to abrupt involuntary movements and mental deterioration

A

Huntington Disease

93
Q

Destruction of the myelin sheath on neurons in the CNS and its replacement by plaques of sclerotic (hard) tissue

A

Multiple Sclerosis- MS

94
Q

Palsy

A

Paralysis (partial or complete loss of motor function)

95
Q

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

A

Myasthenia Gravis- MG

96
Q

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

A

Cerebral Palsy

97
Q

paralysis on one side of the face

A

Bell’s Palsy

98
Q

Degeneration of neurons in the basal ganglia, occurring in later life and leading to tremors, weakness of muscles, and slowness of movement

A

Parkinson’s Disease

99
Q

Viral infection affecting peripheral nerves

A

Herpes Zoster

100
Q

Stroke; disruption in the normal blood supply to the brain

A

Cerebrovascular Accident- CVA

101
Q

Thrombus

A

Blood Clot

102
Q

Hemorrhagic

A

a blood vessel breaks and bleeding occurs

103
Q

x-ray imaging of the arterial blood vessels in the brain after injection of contrast material

A

Cerebral angiography

104
Q

Computerized x-ray technique that generates multiple images of the brain and spinal cord

A

CT- computed tomography of the brain

105
Q

Magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy create images of the brain and spinal cord

A

MRI- Magnetic Resonance Imaging

106
Q

Radioactive glucose is injected and then detected in the brain to image the metabolic activity of cells

A

PET- Positron emission tomography scan

107
Q

CSF is withdrawn from between two lumbar vertebra for analysis

A

Lumbar Puncture- LP

108
Q

Hemiparesis

A

unilateral paralysis

109
Q

Analgesics

A

medication to relieve pain

110
Q

Type of medication that relieves pain by stopping inflammation

A

NSAID- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug

111
Q

Type of medication that relieves fever and mild pain but is not an anti-inflammatory drug

A

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

112
Q

Typr of drug that relieves pain by affecting receptors in the brain to control the perception of pain

A

Narcotics

113
Q

Paresthesia

A

abnormal sensation such as tingling, tickling, pricking, numbness or burning of a person’s skin with no apparent physical cause.

114
Q

Poliomyelitis

A

Inflammation of the gray matter of the spinal cord

115
Q

Condition of decreased coordination

A

Ataxia

116
Q

Condition of increased sensation

A

Hyperesthesia

117
Q

Difficulty with speech

A

Aphasia

118
Q

Inability to perform a task

A

Motor apraxia

119
Q

Inability to perform purposeful acts or manipulate objects

A

Apraxia

120
Q

nervous exhaustion (lack of strength) and fatigue

A

Neurasthenia

121
Q

weakness and partial loss of movement

A

Paresis

122
Q

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

A

Myelomeningocele

123
Q

Cerebral Contusion

A

bruising of brain tissue as a result of direct trauma to the head

124
Q

TBI caused by a blow to the head

A

Cerebral Concussion

125
Q

Blockage of a blood vessel in the cerebrum caused by material from another part of the body that suddenly occludes the vessel

A

Cerebral Embolus

126
Q

Collection of blood in the brain (can cause a stroke)

A

Cerebral Hemorrhage

127
Q

peculiar sensation experienced by a patient before onset of a seizure

A

aura

128
Q

Blood flow to the brain stops for a brief period of time

A

transient ischemic attack

129
Q

Major epileptic seizure

A

Tonic-clonic seizure

130
Q

cerebell/o

A

cerebellum

131
Q

Cerebr/o

A

Cerebrum

132
Q

Dur/o

A

Dura mater

133
Q

Encephal/o

A

brain

134
Q

Gli/o

A

Glial cells

135
Q

Lept/o

A

thin, slender

136
Q

Mening/o, meningi/o

A

Meninges

137
Q

my/o

A

muscle

138
Q

neur/o

A

nerve

139
Q

pont/o

A

pons

140
Q

radicul/o

A

spinal nerve root

141
Q

thalam/o

A

thalamus

142
Q

myel/o

A

spinal cord (can mean bone marrow in other contexts)

143
Q

thec/o

A

meninge’s sheath

144
Q

vag/o

A

vagus nerve (10th cranial nerve)

145
Q

alges/o, -algesia

A

excessive sensitivity to pain

146
Q

caus/o

A

burning

147
Q

comat/o

A

deep sleep (coma)

148
Q

esthesi/o, -esthesia

A

nervous sensation, feeling

149
Q

kines/0, kinesi/o, -kinesia, kinesis, -kinetic

A

movement

150
Q

-algia

A

pain

151
Q

-lepsy

A

seizure

152
Q

lex/o

A

word, phrase

153
Q

-paresis

A

weakness

154
Q

-phasia

A

speech

155
Q

tax/o

A

order, coordination

156
Q

syncop/o

A

to cut off, to cut short

157
Q

-praxia

A

action

158
Q

-sthenia

A

strength

159
Q

-plegia

A

paralysis