unit 9 (nervous sytem) - medical vocabulary Flashcards
(169 cards)
1
Q
afferent nerves
A
nerves that only conduct messages from the sensory receptors to the central nervous system
2
Q
Alzheimer’s disease (AD)
A
a form of dementia (progressive mental deterioration) resulting from atrophy of the frontal and occipital lobes of the brain
3
Q
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
A
a disease marked by muscular weakness and atrophy with involuntary contractions and excessive reflexes; caused by the degeneration of motor neurons in the spinal cord and in the brain’s medulla and cortex
4
Q
analgesic
A
a drug that relieves pain; includes nonprescription pain relievers, such as aspirin, and prescription pain relievers, such as hydrocodone
5
Q
anesthetic
A
a drug that causes a reversible loss of sensation or pain; used to temporarily deaden pain
6
Q
antianxiety agent
A
a medication used to reduce feelings of anxiety
7
Q
anticonvulsant
A
a drug that prevents or relieves convulsions
8
Q
antidepressant
A
a medication used to treat depression
9
Q
anxiety disorders
A
a group of mental disorders that share the core characteristic of anxiety (excessive worry, nervousness, or uneasiness)
10
Q
anxiolytic
A
an antianxiety drug
11
Q
arachnoid mater
A
the middle layer of the meninges, which consists of many thin fibers that connect it to the pia mater
12
Q
ascending spinal tracts
A
transmit sensory information from organs and glands to the brain
13
Q
astrocytoma
A
a tumor of the neuroglial tissue
14
Q
attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
A
a chronic mental disorder in which a person is frequently distracted, is hyperactive, and displays a lack of impulse control
15
Q
aura
A
a subjective sensation that often occurs before a migraine or seizure
16
Q
autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
A
a developmental disability characterized by difficulty communicating with others and focusing beyond oneself; inability to maintain eye contact; motor activity that is repetitious; and preoccupation with small objects
17
Q
autonomic nervous system (ANS)
A
the division of the nervous system that controls the involuntary bodily functions; can be divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems
18
Q
axon
A
a long, tail-like projection on a neuron, which takes information from the cell body out to the muscles
19
Q
axon terminals
A
an offshoot of the axon that branches out to connect with individual muscle fibers
20
Q
Babinski sign
A
a reflex in which the toes curl upward when the plantar surface (sole) of the foot is stimulated; also known as the Babinski reflex
21
Q
Bell’s palsy
A
a condition characterized by a unilateral (one-sided) paralysis of the nerves that control the facial muscles, causing one side of the face to droop
22
Q
bipolar disorder
A
a mental disorder characterized by alternating periods of mania (emotional “highs”) and depression (emotional “lows”)
23
Q
brain
A
the organ of the body contained in the cranium, which controls the functions, movements, sensations, and thoughts
24
Q
brain stem
A
a structure that is located beneath the diencephalon, connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord, and helps regulate the central nervous system by serving as a conduit for sensory information carried between the cerebrum and cerebellum and the rest of the body
25
brain tumor
any intracranial mass, which may be neoplastic (a new growth), cystic (a sac containing fluid), or inflammatory (an abscess)
26
bulimia nervosa
an eating disorder characterized by binge eating that is followed by induced vomiting, use of laxatives, and/or excessive exercise; often abbreviated to bulimia
27
carotid endarterectomy
the surgical removal of fatty deposits in one or both carotid arteries (arteries that supply blood to the brain); commonly used to prevent a CVA
28
cell body
the main part of the cell, which contains the nucleus
29
central nervous system (CNS)
the collective term for the brain and spinal cord
30
cerebellum
the second largest region of the brain, which controls your body’s sense of balance and equilibrium and coordinates movements of voluntary muscles
31
cerebral aneurysm
an abnormal, localized (limited to one area) dilation of a blood vessel in the cerebrum
32
cerebral angiography
an X-ray of the blood vessels in the brain after a contrast medium (dye) has been injected; used to diagnose a CVA and other injuries and disorders of the brain
33
cerebral contusion
a bruising in the cerebral tissue
34
cerebral cortex
the outer layer of the cerebrum, which contains many folds of curved and depressed areas
35
cerebral palsy (CP)
a disorder that affects movement and muscle tone; caused by a defect in, or trauma to, the brain before birth
36
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
a clear, watery fluid that envelops and protects the brain and spinal cord
37
cerebrospinal fluid shunt
a surgically implanted device that drains cerebrospinal fluid in a controlled manner from the brain ventricles to the abdomen or heart; commonly used to treat hydrocephalus
38
cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
the death of brain tissue that occurs when an arterial blockage or arterial rupture prevents blood flow to the brain; commonly called stroke
39
cerebrum
the largest brain region, which is the seat of high-level cognitive functions such as language, reasoning, planning, memory, and sensory integration
40
cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
a form of psychotherapy or mental health counseling wherein the goal is to help the client to gain an improved awareness of negative thought processes and to adopt strategies for counteracting negative thinking
41
coma
a state of extended unconsciousness caused by a medical crisis, such as a traumatic brain injury (TBI), stroke, infection, or illness (diabetes, for example)
42
concussion
a traumatic brain injury (TBI) resulting from a blow to the head or violent shaking of the head and upper body; causes partial or complete loss of brain functions, which can result in memory loss, impaired coordination, balance deficit, and dizziness
43
convulsion
a sudden, abnormal, involuntary contraction (or series of contractions) of the muscles
44
corpus callosum
a bundle of nerve tissue that connects the two hemispheres of the brain
45
craniectomy
the surgical removal of part of the skull to gain access to the brain; most commonly used to treat swelling in the brain
46
craniotomy
an incision into the skull to gain access to the brain
47
cytoplasm
a jelly-like substance that makes up most of the cell body and which protects the nucleus
48
deep tendon reflexes (DTRs)
involuntary muscle contractions that occur when the tendons associated with certain areas of the limbs (for example, the patella, or knee) are percussed with a reflex hammer. DTRs are tested during a standard neurological exam
49
delirium
a state of mental confusion and agitation characterized by disorientation of time and place, usually accompanied by hallucinations (false sensory experiences that are perceived as real) and illusions (misperceptions of environmental stimuli)
50
dementia
a condition of progressive mental deterioration caused by organic brain disease (that is, caused by tissue changes in the brain), which is characterized by memory loss, difficulties with language expression, and inability to perform ordinary daily activities of living
51
dendrites
branches of a neuron that collect stimuli and transport them to the cell body
52
depression
a mood disorder marked by persistent feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and lack of interest in daily activities
53
descending spinal tracts
relay motor commands from the brain to one or more of the peripheral nerves
54
developmental disorders
a group of mental disorders characterized by disruption of normal development during childhood
55
diencephalon
an area of the brain that includes the thalamus, hypothalamus, and pineal gland; also known as the interbrain
56
diskectomy
the surgical removal of a herniated (protruding) vertebral disk
57
dura mater
a thick sac of dense collagen fiber and blood vessels; the outermost layer of the meninges
58
dyslexia
a learning disorder characterized by difficulty in recognizing and comprehending written language; affects reading and spelling abilities as well as self-expression
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eating disorders
a group of mental disorders characterized by an unhealthy focus on weight and food
60
effectors
muscles or glands in the body that generate a response in the form of motor output
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efferent nerves
nerves that conduct messages from the central nervous system to the nucleus or glands of the body
62
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
electrical shock applied to the brain under medical supervision to trigger convulsions
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electroencephalogram (EEG)
a record of the electrical impulses of the brain; used to diagnose neurological conditions that affect brain function and level of consciousness
64
electroneurodiagnostic (END) technologist
a healthcare worker that uses specialized diagnostic equipment to monitor a patient's nervous system
65
epidural hematoma (EDH)
a mass of blood that forms between the skull and the dura mater as a result of the brain colliding against the skull, such as from a head injury or a fall
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epilepsy
a neurological disorder of the central nervous system disorder in which the activity of the neural cells in the brain becomes disrupted, causing seizures, unusual sensations, repeated twitching of the limbs, and, occasionally, loss of consciousness
67
focal seizure
abnormal electrical activity that occurs in one or more parts of one brain hemisphere; also known as a partial seizure
68
frontal lobes
lobes of the brain located in the anterior part of the cerebrum, which controls movement, reasoning, planning, problem solving, speech, and emotions
69
generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
an anxiety disorder characterized by excessive worry that is not restricted to specific situations or objects; often associated with physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, chest pain, tremors, sweating, nausea, or headaches
70
grand mal seizure
a epileptic seizure characterized by violent muscle contractions and loss of consciousness; also known as a tonic-clonic seizure
71
gray matter
unmyelinated nerve tissue that is composed mostly of nerve cell bodies and dendrites
72
Guillain-Barre syndrome (GB syndrome)
polyneuritis (inflammation of multiple peripheral nerves) characterized by progressive muscle weakness of the extremities, which may lead to paralysis; usually occurs during or after recovery from an infectious disease
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gyri
convolutions in the brain
74
headache
pain that is spread out in one or more parts of the head; unconfined to a particular area of nerve distribution
75
hemiparesis
paralysis on one side of the body; also known as hemiplegia
76
hemiplegia
paralysis of one side of the body; also known as hemiparesis
77
hemorrhagic stroke
a type of cerebrovascular accident (CVA) that occurs when a weakened blood vessel, such as an aneurysm, ruptures and bleeds into the surrounding tissue of the brain
78
hydrocephalus
an accumulation of excess cerebrospinal fluid inside the ventricles of the brain, which causes cephalomegaly (enlargement of the head) and which may cause brain damage; commonly seen in young children
79
hypnotic
a drug that causes sleep or loss of consciousness
80
hypothalamus
a portion of the diencephalon, which regulates functions such as metabolism, heart rate, and blood pressure
81
integration
a process during which the central nervous system processes and interprets the information received through the sensory organs
82
intellectual disability (ID)
a condition of below-average intelligence resulting in the inability to develop skills necessary for daily living; also known as intellectual development disorder (IDD)
83
involuntary movement
movement that is out of a person's control
84
ischemic stroke
a type of cerebrovascular accident (CVA) that occurs when a blood vessel that supplies blood to the brain becomes occluded (blocked)
85
laminectomy
a procedure in which the vertebral lamina, or the part of the bone that makes up a vertebra in the spine, is surgically removed, allowing access to the spinal cord; commonly used to treat a herniated disk
86
light therapy
the use of a specialized light source, which replicated natural sunlight, to treat seasonal affective disorder
87
lumbar puncture (LP)
the insertion of a needle between two lumbar vertebrae (in the lower spine) to remove a sample of cerebrospinal fluid for diagnostic evaluation or therapeutic treatment; commonly used to diagnose meningitis; also known as spinal tap
88
medulla oblongata
one part of the brain stem, which helps conduct neural impulses from the brain to the spinal cord; regulates breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature
89
meninges
three layers of connective tissue that protect the brain and spinal cord
90
meningocele
congenital hernia in which the meninges protrude through an opening of the skull or spinal cord
91
midbrain
one part of the brain stem, which serves as the passageway for electrical impulses as they travel between the brain and spinal cord
92
migraine
a headache that produces intense throbbing and pain in one area of the head and that is typically accompanied by nausea and/or vomiting and hypersensitivity to light and sound
93
mitochondria
specialized tissue cells that ingest, digest, and convert nutrients into energy for the cells of the body
94
mood disorders
a group of mental disorders marked by depression that may alternate with periods of elation (feelings of happiness)
95
mood stabilizer
a drug used to balance brain chemicals that control emotional states and behaviors associated with certain mental disorders
96
motor neurons
neurons that receive electrical impulses from the brain and spinal cord and communicate these impulses to other parts of the body
97
multiple sclerosis (MS)
a chronic, slow-progressing disease of the central nervous system marked by development of thin, demyelinated (without myelin) glial patches called plaques
98
myasthenia gravis (MG)
a disease of the skeletal muscles caused by disruption in neural communication between the muscles and the nerves; marked by severe weakness and fatigue
99
myelin sheath
a protective covering that is made up of fats and proteins and which surrounds the axons; provides electrical insulation
100
myelogram
a procedure in which an X-ray of the spinal cord is taken after a contrast agent (dye) has been injected into the spine
101
myelomeningocele
a form of spina bifida (split spine) marked by protrusion of a portion of the spinal cord and the meninges through the spine
102
narcotic
a drug that, in moderate doses, depresses the central nervous system, relieves pain and induces sleep
103
nerve block
the injection of a local or regional anesthetic or anesthesia to prevent pain in an area near a nerve
104
nerve condition velocity (NCV)
a procedure in which electrodes are placed on the surface of the body over specific nerve areas and a mild electrical impulse is delivered to the areas
105
nerve root
the origin point of the nerve
106
neuroglial cells
specialized cells that support the vital functions of the nervous systems; commonly known as glial cells
107
neuroleptic agent
a medication used to treat psychotic disorders, mainly schizophrenia
108
neurons
the fundamental cells of the nervous system; also known as nerve cells
109
neuroplasty
the surgical repair of a nerve
110
neurosurgeon
a physician who specializes in treating diseases and conditions of the nervous system
111
neurotransmitters
chemical messengers that pass neural impulses across the cleft from one neuron to another
112
nucleus
the organelle that contains genetic material and controls the cell's activity
113
obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
an anxiety disorder in which irrational thoughts and fears cause one to perform repetitive actions (for example, excessive handwashing due to the fear of becoming contaminated by germs)
114
occipital lobes
lobes of the brain located in the posterior part of the cerebrum, which control vision
115
organelles
other specialized parts of a cell that perform specific functions for the body
116
panic disorder (PD)
a disorder characterized by sudden, recurring attacks of intense anxiety and fear; includes physical symptoms that imitate a heart attack, as well as a general sense of loss of control
117
paralysis
the temporary or permanent loss of voluntary movement (motor function)
118
paraplegia
a loss of voluntary movement (motor function) in the lower half of the body, including both legs; often as a result of spinal cord injury (SCI) or disease
119
parasympathetic nervous system
the branch of the autonomic nervous system that controls the "rest-and-digest" response; counteracts the adrenalized response generated by the sympathetic nervous system during a fight-or-flight experience
120
paresthesia
the sensation of numbness, prickling, or tingling, usually in the upper or lower extremities; caused by irritation of, or injury to, sensory nerves or nerve roots
121
parietal lobes
lobes of the brain located in the superior part of the cerebrum, which are largely responsible for processing sensory stimuli related to touch, pressure, temperature, and pain
122
Parkinson's disease (PD)
a progressive disorder of the nervous system marked by signs such as tremor, bradykinesia (slow movement), muscular rigidity, and an irregular gait
123
peripheral nervous system (PNS)
the collective term for nerves that reach into and extend from the brain and spinal cord
124
petit mal seizure
brief, sudden lapses of consciousness, most commonly characterized by vacant starting for 10 to 15 seconds; also known as an absence seizure
125
phobia
an exaggerated fear of a specific object or situation that causes anxiety and panic
126
physician anesthesiologist
a doctor who administers general anesthesia or an anesthetic to patients before surgery
127
pia mater
a thin, delicate tissue membrane that lies directly on the brain and spinal cord; contains a rich supply of blood vessels that nourish the central nervous system
128
pineal gland
a small gland that is included in the diencephalon and which secretes melatonin
129
poliomyelitis (polio)
inflammation of the gray matter of the spinal cord; caused by a highly contagious virus
130
pons
one part of the brain stem, which connects the cerebellum to the rest of the brain
131
positron emission tomography (PET)
a procedure that uses nuclear medicine and computerized tomography to generate images of the brain; commonly used to diagnose a CVA, Alzheimer’s disease, and epilepsy; also known as a brain scan
132
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
a condition resulting from an extremely traumatic experience, illness, or injury that triggers persistent thoughts and memories of the experience
133
postpartum psychosis
a rare psychiatric condition that develops in 1 to 2 per 1,000 women within the first week after childbirth; characterized by confusion, disorientation, hallucinations, delusions, obsessive thoughts about the infant, paranoia, sleep disturbances, and/or attempts to harm the infant or self
134
psychotherapy
a form of treatment for psychiatric disorders that emphasizes verbal and nonverbal communication, in a one-on-one setting or in a group environment, to attain a desired response or action
135
psychotic disorders
a group of mental disorders characterized by loss of touch with reality, hallucinations, and delusions; also known as psychoses
136
reflex
an involuntary reaction to a stimulus
137
reflex testing
a diagnostic test in which a part of the body is percussed (tapped) with a reflex hammer or other diagnostic stimulus to measure the presence and strength of muscular reflexes
138
Reye's syndrome
a rare but serious condition that results in acute encephalopathy (brain malfunction) and hepatomegaly (liver enlargement); typically seen in children under 18 years of age after a viral infection. Signs and symptoms include confusion, seizures, and loss of consciousness
139
schizoaffective disorder
a chronic disorder in which a person experiences symptoms of both schizophrenia and symptoms of a mood disorder
140
schizophrenia
a mental disorder that produces distorted thought processes and emotional perceptions; characterized by delusions, hallucinations, and/or periods of unresponsiveness
141
seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
a form of depression that occurs during the fall and winter seasons as a result of less exposure to natural sunlight
142
sedative
a drug that produces a soothing or tranquilizing effect
143
seizure
a disruption of electrical activity in the brain that produces physical and mental changes, such as convulsions, sensory disturbances, and loss of consciousness
144
sensory input
any electrical impulse sent from the sensory organs to the central nervous system
145
sensory neurons
neurons that conduct electrical signals from various parts of the body to the brain and spinal cord
146
sensory organs
term for the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin
147
sensory receptors
nerve endings in the sensory organs
148
shingles
an eruption of a painful rash, often on the trunk (torso) of the body along a peripheral nerve; caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which also causes chickenpox
149
somatic nervous system (SNS)
the division of the nervous system that controls the voluntary, conscious activities of the body
150
spina bifida
a congenital defect in which part of the membrane covering the spinal cord protrudes through a gap in the spine; split spine
151
spinal cord
a column of neural tissue that extends inferiorly from the medulla oblongata to the second lumbar vertebra
152
stereotactic radiosurgery
a form of radiation therapy in which a specially constructed frame is used to focus beams of radiation toward precise areas of the brain; used to treat inoperable tumors
153
stimulant
a drug that increases activity in the nervous system
154
stimuli
changes in the external and internal environment
155
subdural hematoma (SDH)
a mass of blood between the dura mater and the arachnoid mater of the brain; the most common type of traumatic brain injury (TBI)
156
substance-abuse disorders
mental disorders resulting from abusive use of substances such as drugs, alcohol, or toxins; characterized by social and personal dysfunction
157
sulci
depression in the brain
158
sympathetic nervous system
the brain of the autonomic nervous system that controls the body's "fight-or-flight" response in times of crisis
159
synapse
the contact point at which one neuron communicates with another
160
synaptic cleft
a microscopic gap between two neurons
161
syncope
a temporary loss of consciousness due to inadequate blood flow to the brain; commonly known as fainting
162
temporal lobes
lobes of the brain located in the lateral parts of the right and left cerebral hemispheres, which are responsible for your hearing, sense of smell, factual and visual memory, and language processing
163
thalamus
the largest portion of the diencephalon, which communicates sensory and motor information between the body and the cerebral cortex
164
transient ischemic attack (TIA)
a brief stoppage of blood flow (ischemia) to a part of the brain; precursor to, or warning sign of, a stroke
165
tremor
an involuntary, repetitive trembling of the body or limbs
166
unconsciousness
a lack of awareness of oneself and the inability to respond to environmental stimuli due to injury, shock, or oxygen deprivation
167
vertebral (spinal) column
the series of vertebrae that extend from the cranium to the coccyx, providing support and forming a flexible body case for the spinal cord
168
voluntary movement
movement that is under a person's control
169
white matter
myelinated nerve tissue
