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Chabner12-Ch10Vocab
Chabner, Language of Medicine 12th Ed, Chapter 10 - Vocabulary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| absence seizure | Minor form of seizure, consisting of momentary clouding of consciousness and loss of awareness. |
| acetylcholine | Neurotransmitter chemical released at the ends of nerve cells. |
| afferent nerve | Carries messages TOWARD the brain and spinal cord. (sensory nerve) |
| akinetic | Pertaining to the loss of absence of voluntary movement. |
| Alzheimer disease | Brain disorder marked by gradual and progressive mental deterioration, personality changes, impairment of daily functioning. Characteristics: confusion, memory failure, disorientation, restlessness, and speech disturbances. |
| amyotrophic lateral sclerosis | [ALS] -- Degenerative disorder of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem leading to progressive muscular paralysis. a.k.a. Lou Gehrig Disease. |
| analgesia | Absense of sensitivity to pain. |
| aneurysm | Weakening of an arterial wall, which may lead to hemorrhage and cerebrovascular accident (stroke) |
| aphasia | Inability to speak. Language function is impaired due to injury to the cerebral cortex. |
| arachnoid membrane | Middle layer of the three membranes (meninges) that surround the brain and spinal cord. |
| astrocyte | Type of glial (neuroglial) cell that transports water and salts from capillaries in nervous system. |
| astrocytoma | Malignant brain tumour composed of astrocytes (glial cells) |
| ataxia | Without coordination. |
| aura | Peculiar sensation appearing before more definite symptoms. |
| autonomic nervous system | Nerves that control involuntary body functions of muscles, glands, and internal organs. |
| axon | Microscopic fiber that is part of a neuron and carries nervous impulse along a nerve cell. |
| Bell palsy | Unilateral paralysis of the face caused by a disorder of the facial nerve. |
| blood-brain barrier | Protective separation between blood and brain cells. Makes it difficult for some substances (ie: anticancer drugs) to penetrate capillary walls and enter the brain. |
| bradykinesia | slow movement. |
| brain tumor | Abnormal growth of brain tissue and meninges. May be benign or malignant. |
| brainstem | Posterior portion of the brain that connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord. (includes: midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata) |
| cauda equina | Collection of spinal nerves below the end of the spinal cord. |
| causalgia | Intense burning pain, often resulting from injury to a peripheral nerve. |
| cell body | Part of a nerve that contains the nucleus. |
| central nervous system | [CNS] -- brain and spinal cord |
| cephalgia | Head pain. Headache. |
| cerebellar | Pertaining to the cerebellum. |
| cerebellopontine | Pertaining to the cerebellum and pons. |
| cerebellum | Posterior part of the brain that coordinates muscle movements and maintains balance. |
| cerebral angiography | X-ray record of blood vessels in the brain after intravenous injection of contrast material. |
| cerebral concussion | Type of traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head. Rest is important to allow brain to heal. (nothing that stimulates the eyes, including computers) |
| cerebral contusion | Bruising of brain tissue resulting from direct trauma to the head. |
| cerebral cortex | Outer region of the cerebrum, containing sheets of nerve cells. "grey matter" of the brain. |
| cerebral hemorrhage | Bursting of an artery in the brain. |
| cerebral palsy | Partial paralysis and lack of muscular coordination due to decreased oxygen to a fetus during pregnancy or to the infant shortly after birth. |
| cerebrospinal fluid | [CSF] -- Circulates throughout the brain and spinal cord. |
| cerebrospinal fluid analysis | Samples of cerebropsinal fuid are examined for blood cells, protein, glucose, tumour cells, bacteria, and other substances. |
| cerebrovascular accident | [CVA] -- Disruption of the normal bloody supply to the brain. Stroke, or CVA. |
| cerebrum | Largest part of the brain. Responsible for voluntary muscular activity, vision, speech, taste, hearing, thought, and memory. |
| coma | State of unconciousness from which a patien cannot be aroused. |
| comatose | Pertaining to a coma. |
| computed tomography | [CT] -- A series of x-ray images are taken in multiple views (especially cross-section) |
| cranial nerves | 12 pairs of nerves that carry messages to and from the brain to all parts of the head and neck. Plus the vagus nerve that carries signals to other parts of the body. |
| dementia | Mental decline and deterioration. |
| demyelination | Destruction of the myelin on axons of nerve cells (as in multiple sclerosis) |
| dendrite | Microscopic branching fiber of a nerve cell (neuron) that is the first part to receive the nervous impule. |
| dopamine | Neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. Difficient in patients with Parkinson disease. |
| doppler ultrasound | Method of focusing sound waves on blood vessels to measure blood flow. |
| dura mater | [latin: hard mother] -- Thick, outermost layer of the meninges surrounding and protecting the brain and spinal cord. |
| dyskinesia | Impairment of the ability to perform voluntary movements. |
| dyslexia | Difficulty in reading, writing, and learning. |
| efferent nerve | Carries messages AWAY from the brain and spinal cord. (motor nerve) |
| electroencephalography | Process of recording the electricity in the brain. |
| embolus | (singular) Clot of material that travels through the bloodstream and suddenly blocks a vessel. |
| encephalitis | Inflammation of the brain. |
| encephalopathy | Disease of the brain. |
| ependymal cell | Glial cell that lines the membranes within the brain and spinal cord and helps form cerebrospinal fluid. |
| epidural hematoma | Collection of blood located above the dura mater. |
| epilepsy | Brain disorder marked by recurrent seizures, abnormal nervous impulses. |
| gait | Manner of walking |
| ganglion | [plural: ganglia] -- Collection of nerve cell bodies in the peripheral nervous system. |
| glial cell | Supportive and connective nerve cell that does not carry nervous impulses. Types: astrocytes, microglial cells, ependymal cells, oligodendrocytes. Glial cells can reproduce. |
| glioblastoma | Malignant brain tumour of immature glial cells. |
| gyrus | [plural: gyri] -- Sheet of nerve cells that produces a rounded ridge on the surface of the cerebral cortex. (convolution) |
| hemiparesis | Slight paralysis of the right or left half of the body. |
| hemiplegia | Paralysis of the right or left half of the body. |
| herpes zoster | Viral infection affecting peripheral nerves. Chicken pox virus or its reactivation (shingles) |
| HIV encephalopathy | Disease of the brain (dementia) caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) |
| Huntington disease | Hereditary disorder affecting the cerebrum and involving abrupt, involuntary, jerking movements, and mental deterioration in later stages. |
| hydrocephalus | Abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles (canals) of the brain. |
| hypalgesia | Diminished sensitivity to pain. |
| hyperesthesia | Excessive sensitivity or feeling. Especially of the skin in response to touch or pain. |
| hyperkinesis | Excessive movement. |
| hypothalamus | Region of the brain lying below the thalamus, but above the pituitary gland. Stimulates pituitary gland to secrete and release hormones. |
| ictal event | Pertaining to a sudden, acute onset, as the convulsion of an epileptic seizure. |
| intrathecal injection | Delivery of chemicals within the membranes (meninges) surrounding the brain and spinal cord. |
| leptomeningitis | Inflammation of the two thinner membranes (arachnoid and pia mater) surrounding the brain and spinal cord. |
| lumbar puncture | [spinal tap] -- Withdrawal of cerebrospinal fluid from the subarachnoid space between two lumbar vertebrae. Spinal tap. |
| magnetic resonance imaging | Magnetic waves produce images of organs and tissues in all three planes of the body. |
| medulla oblongata | Lower part of the brain, closest to the spinal cord. Controls breathing, heartbeat, and size of blood vessels. |
| meningeal | Pertaining to the meninges. |
| meninges | Three membranes surrounding and protecting the brain and spinal cord. |
| meningioma | Tumour (benign) of the meninges. |
| meningitis | Inflammation of the meninges. |
| meningocele | Hernia of the meninges through a defect or space between vertebrae. A form of spina bifida. |
| microglial cell | Phagocytic glial cell that removes waste products from the central nervous system. |
| midbrain | Uppermost portion of the brainstem. |
| migrain | Severe headache, often unilateral, and sometimes accompanied by nausea and vomiting. |
| motor nerve | [efferent nerve] -- Carries impulses from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles. |
| multiple sclerosis | Chronic neurologic disorder marked by destruction of the myelin sheath on axons in the CNS and its replacement by plaques of sclerotic (hard) tissue. symptoms: paresthesias, muscle weakness, unsteady gait, paralysis. |
| multiple sclerosis - symptoms | paresthesias (abnormal nervous sensations), muscle weakness, unsteady gait, paralysis. |
| myasthenia gravis | Autoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterized by weakness of voluntary muscles. |
| myelin sheath | Fatty, white covering over the axon of a nerve cell. |
| myelomeningocele | Congenital hernia (protrusion) of the spinal cord and meninges through a defect (gap) in the vertebral column. Associated with spina bifida. |
| myelopathy | Disease of the spinal cord. |
| myoneural | Pertaining to muscle and nerve. |
| narcolepsy | Sudden seizures of sleep. |
| nerve | Macroscopic cordlike collection of fibers that carry electrical signals. |
| neuralgia | Nerve pain. |
| neurasthenia | Lack of strength in nerves. A feeling of weakness or exhaustion. |
| neuroglial cells | Glial cells. Supporting and connective cells of the nervous system. |
| neuron | Nerve cell. |
| neuropathy | Disease of nerves, primarily in the peripheral nervous system. |
| neurotransmitter | chemical messenger released at the end of a nerve cell. ie: dopamine, seratonin, acetylcholine, norepinephrine, GABA, epinephrine, histamine, oxytocin, etc. |
| occlusion | Blockage or obstruction. |
| oligodendroglial cell | Glial cell that forms the myelin sheath covering the axon of a neuron. |
| palliative | Relieving symptoms, but not curative. |
| palsy | Paralysis. |
| paraplegia | Paralysis of the lower part of the body and both legs. |
| parasympathetic nerves | Involuntary, autonomic nerves that regulate normal body functions, such as heart rate, breathing, and muscles of the gastrointestinal tract. |
| parenchyma | essential main functioning tissues. Lungs: alveolar tissue. Kidney: nephrons. etc. |
| paresis | Slight paralysis. |
| paresthesia | Abnormal nervous sensation occuring without apparent cause. Examples: tingling, numbness, or prickling sensations. |
| Parkinson disease | Degeneration of nerve cells that produce the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain. Leads to tremors, weakness of muscles, and slowness of movement. |
| peripheral nervous system | Nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. |
| pia mater | Thin, delicate, and innermost membrane of the meninges. |
| plexus | network of nerves outside of the central nervous system. includes brachial, cervical, and lumbosacral plexuses. |
| poliomyelitis | Inflammation of the grey matter of the spinal cord. |
| polyneuritis | Inflammation of many nerves |
| pons | Part of the brainstem anterior to the cerebellum, between the medulla and the rest of the brain. The pons connects the upper and lower portions of the brain. |
| positron emission tomography | [PET scan] -- Radioactive glucose is injected and then detected in tissues of the body to image the metabolic activity of the cells. |
| quadriplegia | Paralysis of all four limbs (both arms and both legs) |
| radiculitis | Inflammation of a central nerve root. |
| radiculopathy | Disease of a spinal nerve root. |
| receptor | Organ that receives and transmits a stimulus to sensory nerves (skin, ears, eyes, taste buds). In pharmacology: a target substance with which a drug interacts in the body. |
| sciatic nerve | Extends from the base of the spine down the thigh, lower leg, and foot. |
| sciatica | Pain or inflammation along the course of the sciatic nerve. |
| sensory nerve | [afferent] -- Carries messages to the brain and spinal cord from a receptor. |
| shingles | Viral (herpes zoster) illness that affects peripheral nerves. Produces blisters and pain on the skin overlying the path of peripheral nerves. |
| spina bifida | Congenital defect in the lumbar spinal column caused by imperfect union of vertebral parts. Spinal cord and meninges may herniate through the vertebral gap. |
| spina bifida - symptoms | --- |
| spinal nerves | Pairs of nerves, one on each side of the spinal column. They transmit messages to and from the spinal cord. |
| stereotactic radiosurgery | Single large dose of radiation delivered under stereotactic (highly precise) guidance to destroy a vascular abnormality or treat small brain tumours. |
| stimulus | Agent of change (light, sound, touch) that evokes a response. |
| stroma | Connective and supportive tissue of an organ. |
| subdural hematoma | Collection of blood in the space below the dura mater surrounding the brain. |
| sulcus | [plural: sulci] -- Depression or groove in the surface of the cerebral cortex. (fissure) |
| sympathetic nerves | Autonomic nerves that active responses in time of stress. Heartbeat, respiration, and blood pressure are affected. |
| synapse | Space through which a nervous impulse travels between nerve cells or between nerve and muscle or glandular cells. |
| syncopal | Pertaining to syncope (fainting) |
| syncope | Fainting. Temporary loss of consciousness. |
| thalamic | Pertaining to the thalamus. |
| thalamus | Main relay centre of the brain. Optic nerve fibers pass through the thalamus on their way to the cerebral cortex. |
| thrombus | Abnormal condition of clot formation in a blood vessel. |
| tic | Involuntary movement of a small group of muscles. |
| tonic-clonic seizure | [grand-mal seizure.] -- Major seizure affecting the brain in epilepsy. |
| Tourette syndrome | involuntary, spasmodic movements, uncontrollable vocal sounds, or inappropriate words. |
| transient ischemic attack | [TIA] -- Fleeting episode of ischemia (holding back blood) in the brain. |
| trigeminal neuralgia | Flashes of stab-like pain along the trigeminal nerve (5th cranial nerve). Trigeminal nerve has branches to the eye, upper jaw, and lower jaw. |
| vagal | Pertaining to the vagus nerve. |
| vagus nerve | Tenth cranial nerve with branches to the chest and abominal regions. |
| ventricles of the brain | Canals in the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid. |
| decussate | a band of nerve fibers that connects unlike centers on opposite sides of the nervous system. (google) |
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