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Vocab Ch. 10
The Nervous System
Question | Answer |
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central nervous system(CNS) | includes the brain and spinal cord. these structures are protected by the bones of the cranium and the spinal column |
peripheral nervous system(PNS) | includes the 12 pairs of cranial nerves extending from the brain and the 31 pairs of spinal nerves extending from the spinal cord. |
autonomic nervous system(ANS) | includes the peripheral nerves and ganglia on either side of the spinal cord |
nerve | is on or mor bundles of neuron cells(impulse carrying fibers) that connect the brain and the spinal cord with other parts of the body |
tract | is a bundle or group of nerve fibers located with in the brain or spinal cord |
ascending tracts | carry nerve impulses toward the brain |
descending tracts | cary nerve impulses away from the brain |
ganglion | is a knotlike mass or group of nerve cell bodies located outside the central nervous system |
plexus | is a network of intersecting nerves and blood or lymphatic vessels |
innervation | is the supply of nerves to a body part |
receptors | are sites in the sensory organs(eyes, ears, skin, nose, and taste buds) that receive external stimulation |
stimulus | is anything that excites or activates a nerve and causes an impulse |
impules | is a wave of excitation transmitted through nerve fibers and neurons |
reflex | is an automatic, involuntary response to some change, either inside or outside the body |
neuron | is the basic cell of the nervous system |
mnemonic | is a device intended to aid memory |
afferent neurons | also known as SENSORY NEURONS, they emerge from the skin or sense organs and carry impulses toward the brain and spinal cord |
connection neurons | also known as ASSOCIATE NEURONS, they carry impulses form one neuron to another |
efferent neurons | also known as MOTOR NEURONS, they carry impulses away from the brain and spinal cord and toward the muscels and glands |
dendrites | are rootlike structures that receive impulses and conduct them to the cell body |
axon | extends away from the cell body and conducts impulses away from the nerve cell |
myelin | a white fatty tissue covering the protects some, not all axons |
ternminal end fibers | are the branching fibers of the neuron that lead the nervous impulse away from the axon and toward the synapse |
synapse | is the space between two neurons or between a neuron and a receptor organ |
neurotransmitter | is a chemical messenger that transmits messages between nerve cell by making it possible for the nerve impulse to jump across the synapse from one neuron to another |
acetylcholine | released at some synapses in the spinal cord and at neuromuscular junctions; influences muscle diseas |
dopamine | released within the brain; is thought to cause some forms of psychosis and abnormal movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease |
endorphins | released within the spinal cord in the pain condition pathway; inhibit the conduction of pain impulses and act as a natural pain relievers |
neuroglia | also known as GLIAL CELLS, are the supportive and connective cells of the nervous system |
glial | means pertaining to glue |
myelin sheath | is the white protective covering over some nerve cells including parts of the spinal cord, white matter of the brain, and most peripheral nerves |
white matter | myelinated axons of nerves |
myelinated | means having a myelin sheath |
gray matter | portions of the nerves that do not have myelin sheath |
meninges | are three layers of connective tissue membrane that enclose the brain and spinal cord |
dura mater | is the thick, tough, outermost membrane of the meninges |
epidural space | is located above the dura mater and within the surrounding bone walls |
subdural space | is located below the dura membrane and above the arachnoid membrane |
arachnoid membrane | resembles a spider web, is the second layer surrounding the brain and spinal cord |
cerebrum | uppermost, least protected layer is responsible for the highest level of thought including judgment, memory, association, and critical thinking |
thalamus | located below the cerebrum, monitors sensory stimuli by suppressing some and magnifying others |
hypothalamus | below the thalamus, controls vital bodily functions |
crebellum | located in the lower back of the cranium below the cerebrum, coordinates muscular activity for smooth and steady movements |
pons | locted in the brainstem at the base of the brain, nerves cross over so that one side of the brain controls the opposite side of the body |
medull oblongata | mose protected part of the brain, controls the basic vital functions of life. |
subarachnoid space | locate below the arachnoid membrane and above the pia mater, contains cerebrospinal fluid |
pia mater | the third layer of the meninges, is located nearest to the brain and spinal cord |
cerebrospinal fluid | is a clear, colorless, watery fluid produced by special capillaries within the ventricles of the brain |
cerebrum | is the largest and uppermost portion of the brain |
cerebral | means pertaining th the cerebrum or brain |
cerebral cortex | made up of gray matter, is the outer layer of the cerebrum and is arranged in folds |
frontal lobe | controls motor functions |
parietal lobe | receives and nterprets nerve impulses from the sensory receptors |
occipital lobe | controls eyesight |
temporal lobe | controls the senses of hearing and smell |
ventricles | located within the middle region of the cerebrum contain CFS, is a small cavity of the brain and of the heart |
cerebellum | is the second largest part of the brain, receives incoming messages regarding movement within joints, muscle tone, and positions of the body |
brainstem | is the stalklike portion of the brain that connects the cerebral hemispheres with the spinal cord |
midbrain | extends from the lower surface of the cerebrum to the pons, is a short narrow segment that provides conduction pathways to and from higher and lower centers |
spinal cord | is the pathway for impulses going to and from the brain |
homeostasis | is the process of maintaining the constant internal environment of the body |
anesthesiologist | is a physician who specializes in administering anesthetic agents before during surgery |
anesthetist | is a person trained in administering anesthesia but who is not necessarily a physician |
neurologist | specializes in diagnosting treating diseases and disorders of the nervous system |
neurosurgeon | is a physician who specializes in surgery of the nervous system |
psychiatrist | holds a Medical Doctor(MD) degree and specializes in diagnosing and treating chemical dependencies, emotional problems, and mental illness |
psychologist | holds an advanced degree, other than a medical degree, and specializes in evaluating and treating emotional problems |
cephalalgia | also known as a HEADACHE, is pain in the head |
migraine headache | is a syndrome characterized by sudden, severe, sharp headache usually present on only one side |
encephalocele | also known as a CRANIOCELE, is a congenital gap in the skull with herniation of brain substance |
hydrocephalus | is an abnormally increased amount of CFS within the brain |
meningitis | is an inflammation of the meninges of the brain or spinal cord |
alzheimer's disease(AD) | is a group of disorders associated with degenerative changes in the brain structure that lead to characteristic symptoms including progresseve memory loss, impaired cognition, and personality changes |
cognition | describes the mental activities associated with thinking, learning, and memory |
encephalitis | is an inflammation of the brain |
parkinson's disease(PD) | is a chronic, slowly progressive, degenerative CNS disorder, characterized by fine muscle tremors, a masklike facial expression, and shuffling gait |
tetanus | also known as LOCKJAW, is an acute and potentially fatal bacterial infection of the CNS caused by the tetanus bacillus |
amnesia | is a disturbance in the memory marked by a total or partial inability to recall past experiences |
concussion | also known as CEREBRAL CONCUSSION, is a violent shaking up or jarring of the brain |
cerebral contusion | is the bruising of brain tissue as a result of a head injury |
cranial hematoma | is a collection of blood trapped in the tissue of the brain |
concious | also known as ALERT, means being awake, aware, and responding appropriatley |
syncope | also known as FAINTING, is the brief loss of consciousness caused by a brief lack of oxygen in the brain |
lethargy | is a lowered level of consciousness marked by listlessness, drowsiness, and apathy |
apathy | means indefference and reduced level of activity |
stupor | is a state of impaired consciousness marked by a lack of responsiveness to environmental stimuli |
coma | is a profound(deep) state of unconsciousness marked by the absence of spontaneous eye movements, no reponse to painful stimuli, and no vocalizaiton(speech) |
comatose | refers to a person who is in a coma |
delirium | is a potentilly reversible condition often associated with a high fever that comes on suddenly |
delirious | is confused, disoriented, and unable to think clearly |
dementia | is a slowly progressive decline in mental abilities including memory, thinking, judgement, and the ability to pay attention |
brain tumor | is an abnormal growth within the brain that may be either benign(not life threatening) or malignant(life threatening) |
stroke | also known as CEREBROVASCULAR ACCIDENT, is damage to the brain that occurs when the blood flow to the brain is disrupted because a blood vessel supplying it either is blocked or has ruptured |
transient ischemic attack | is the temporary interruption in the blood supply to the brain, symptoms include weakness, dizziness, or loss of balance |
ischemic stroke | the flow of blood in the brain is blocked |
cerebral thrombosis | a thrombus (clot) blocks the artery |
aphasia | is the loss of the ability to speak, write, or comprehend the written or spoken word, often due to brain damage associated with a stroke |
carotid endartectomy | performed to prevent an ischemic stroke by opening a blocked artery before a stroke occurs |
hemorrhagic stroke | also known as BLEED, a blood vessel in the brain leakes or ruptures |
insomnia | the prolonged or abnormal inability to sleep |
narcolepsy | is a syndrome characterized by recurrent uncontrollable seizures of drowsiness and sleep |
somnambulism | also known as NOCTAMBULISM/SLEEPWALKING, is the condition of walking without awakening |
somnolence | is a condition of unnatural sleepiness or semiconsciousness approaching coma |
multiple sclerosis | is a progressive autoimmune disorder characterized by scattered patches of demyelination of nerve fibers of the brain and the spinal cord |
polomyelitis | is also known as POLIO, is a viral infection of the gray matter of the spinal cord that may result in paralysis |
postpolio syndrome | is the recurrence later in life of some polio symptoms in individuals who have had poliomyelitis and have recovered from it |
radiculitis | also known as PINCHED NERVE, in an inflammation of the root of a spinal nerve |
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis | also known as LOU GERIG'S DISEASE, is a degenerative disease of the motor neurons in which patients become progressively weaker until they are completely paralyzed |
bells palsy | is paralysis of the facial(seventh cranial) nerve that causes drooping only on the affected side of the face |
guillain-barre syndrome(GBS) | also known as ACUTE ASCENDING POLYNEURITIS, is characterized by rapidly worsening muscle weakness that may lead to temporary paralysis |
peripheral neuropathy | also known as PERIPHERAL NEURITIS, is a painful condition of the nerves of the hands and feet due to peripheral nerve damage that may be caused by desease such as diabetes, alcoholism, autoimmune diseases, and exposure ot toxic substances |
tic douloureux | also known as TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA, is inflammation of the trigeminal(fifth cranial) nerve |
sciatica | is inflammation of the sciatic nerve that results in pain along the course of the nerve through the thigh or leg |
causalgia | is an intense burning pain after an injury to a sensory nerve |
hyperesthesia | means a condition of excessive sensitivity to stimuli |
paresthesia | is an abnormal sensation, such as burning, tingling, or numbness, for no apparent reason |
cerebral palsy | is a condition characterized by poor muscle control, spasticity, and other neurologic dificiencies caused by an injury to the part of the brain that controls muscle movements |
convulsion/seizure | used interchangeably to describe a sudden, violent, involuntary contraction of a group of muscles caused by a disturbance in brain function |
generalized seizure | also known as a GENERALIZED TONIC-CLONIC SEIZURE, is characterized by a loss of consciousness with tonic convulsions followed by clonic convulsions |
tonic convulsion | is a state of continuous muscular contraciton that results in rigidity and violent spasms |
clonic convulsion | is a state marked by the alternate contraciton and relaxation of muscles, resulting in jerking movements of the face, trunk, or extremities |
partial seizure | also known as LOCALIZED SEIZURE, begins with specific motor, sensory, or psychomotor phenomena without loss of consciousness |
epilepsy | is a group of neurologic disorders characterized by recurrent episodes of seizures |
grand mal epilepsy | which is the more severe form, is characterized by generalized tonic-clonic seizures |
petit mal epilepsy | also known as ABSENCE EPILEPSY, is the milder from in which there is sudden, temporary loss of consciousness, lasting only a few seconds |
epileptic aura | is a manifestation, such as a particular smell or light, which may be experienced just before a seizure |
mental retardation | is significantly below average general intellectual functioning that is accompanied by a significant limitation in adaptive functioning |
autistic disorder | also known as AUTISM, is a disorder in which a young child cannot develop normal social relationships, behaves in compulsive and ritualistic ways, and frequently has poor communication skills |
attention deficit disorder(ADD) | is a short attention span and impulsiveness that is inappropriate for the childs developmental age |
attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder(ADHD) | is a pattern of inattention and hyperactivity that is inappropriate for the childs developmental age |
dyslexia | also known as READING DISORDER, is a learning disability characterized by reading achievement that falls substantially below that expected given the individuals chronological age, measured intelligence, and age-appropriate education |
addiction | is the com;ulsive and overwhelming involvement with a specific activity despite the fact that it causes significant health hazards plus recurrent legal and social problems |
alcoholism | is chronic alcohol dependence or abuse with specific signs and symptoms of withdrawal. |
withdrawal | is a psychological or physical syndrome (or both) caused by the abrupt cessation (stopping) of the use of a drug in a habituated individual |
delirium tremens | is a form of acute organic brain syndrome due to alcohol withdrawal and is characterized by sweating, tremor, restlessness, anxiety, mental confusion, and hallucinations |
psychotic | is characterized by the derangement of personality, loss of contact with reality, and deterioration of normal social functioning |
schizophrenia | is a psychotic disorder characterized by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech that is often incoherent, and disruptive or catatonic behavior |
delusion | is a false personal belief that is maintained despite obvious proof or evidence to the contrary |
hallucination | is a sense perception (sight, touch, sound, smell, or taste) that has no basis in external stimulation |
catatonic behavior | is marked by a lack of reponsiveness, stupor, and a tendency to remain in a fixed posture |
manic episode | is a distinct period during which there is an abnormally, and persistently elevated, expansive and irritable mood |
major depressive episode | is a prolonged period during which there is either a depressed mood or the loss of interest or pleasure in nearly all activities |
bipolar disorder | also known as MANIC DEPRESSIVE EPISODE, is a clinical course characterized by the occurence of manic episodes alternating with depressive episodes |
panic disorders | are characterized by the sudden, unanticipated recurrence of a group of symptoms known as a panic attack |
panic attack | includes intense feelings of apprehension, fearfulness, terror, and impending doom |
anxiety state | is a feeling of apprehension, tension, or uneasiness that stems from the anticipation of danger, the source of which is largely unknown or unrecognized |
obsessive-compulsive disorder | is a pattern of specific behaviors such as repeated hand washing |
posttraumatic stress disorder(PTSD) | is the development of characteristic symptoms after a psychologically traumatic event such as witnessing a shooting, surviving a natural disaster, or being held as a hostage |
phobia | is a persistent irrational fear of a specific thing or situation |
acrophobia | is an excessive fear of being in high places |
agoraphobia | is an overwhelming and irrational fear of leaving the familiar setting of home or venturing into the open |
claustrophobia | is an abnormal fear of being in narrow or enclosed spaces |
conversion disorder | such as paralysis of an arm or disturbance of vision, is characterized by a change in function that suggests a physical disorder but has no physical cause |
hypochondriasis | is characterized by a preoccupation with fears of having, or the idea that one does have, a serious disease based on misinterpretation of one or more bodily signs or symptoms |
kleptomania | is a disorder characterized by a recurrent failure to resist impulses to steal objects not for immediate use or their monetary value |
pyromania | is a disorder characterized by a recurrent failure to resist impulses to set fires |
personality disorder | is an enduring pattern of inner experience and behavior that deviates markedly from the expectations of the individuals culture |
antisocial personality disorder | is a pattern of disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others |
narcissistic personlatity disorder | is a pattern of an exaggerated need for admiration and complete lack of empathy |
empathy | is the ability to understand another persons mental and emotional state without becoming personally involved |
malingering | is characterized by the intentional creation of false or grossly exaggerated physical or psychological symptoms, motivated by external incentives such as avoiding work |
munchausen syndrome | is a condition in which the patient repeatedly makes up clincally convincing simulations of disease for the purpose of gaining medical attention |
munchausen syndrome by proxy | is a form of child abuse |
computed tomography | also known as CT SCAN/MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING(MRI) are important diagnostic tools of the nervous system because they can image the soft tissue structures of the brain and spinal cord |
echoencephalography | is the use of ultrasound imaging to diagnose a shift in the midline structures of the brain |
electroencephalography | is the process of recording the electrical activity of the brain through the use of electrodes attached to the scalp |
encephalography | is a radiographic study demonstrating the intracranial fluid containing spaces of the brain |
myelography | is a radiographic study of the spinal cord after the injection of a ontrast medium |
myelogram | the resulting record |
level of consciousness(LOC) | is an important part of a neurologic evaluation |
tranquilizers | also known as ANTIANXIETY DRUGS, suppress anxiety and relax muscles |
antidepressant | prevents or relieves depression |
psychotropic drugs | are capable of affecting the mind, emotions, and behavior and are used in the treatment of mental illness |
transcutaneous electronic nerve stimulation(TENS) | is a mehtod of pain control by the application of electronic impulses to the nerve endings through the skin |
analgesic | is a drug the relieves pain without affection consciousness |
nonnarcotic analgesics | such as aspirin are used for mild to moderate pain |
narcotic analgesics | such as morphine, demerol, and codeine are used to relieve severe pain |
sedative | depresses the CNS to produce calm and diminished responsiveness without producing sleep |
sedation | is the effect produced by a sedative |
hypnotic | depress the CNS and usually produces sleep |
barbiturate | is a class of drugs whose major action is a calm in or depressed effect on the CNS |
amobarbital | is a barbiturate used as a sedative and hypnotic |
phenobarbital | is a barbiturate used a s a sedative and as an anticonvulsant |
anticonvulsant | prevents seizures and convulsions |
anesthesia | is the absence of normal sensation, especially sensitivity to pain |
anesthetic | is the medication used to induce anesthesia |
topical anesthesia | numbs only the tissue surface and is applied as a liquid, ointment, or spray |
local anesthesia | is the loss of sensation in a limited area and is produced by injection an anesthetic solution near the area |
regional anesthesia | the temporary interruption of nerve conduction, is produced by injection an anesthetic solution near the nerves to be blocked |
epidural anesthesia | is regional anesthesia produced by injection a local anesthetic into the epidural space of the lumbar or sacral regino of the spine |
spinal anesthesia | is produced by injection an anesthetic into the subarachnoid space that is located below the arachnoid membrane and above the pia mater that surrounds the spinal cord |
general anesthesia | involves the total loss of body sensation and consciousness as induced by various anesthetic agents, given primarily by inhalation or intravenous injection |
electroshock therapy | also known as ELECTROCONVULSIVE THERAPY, is a controlled convulsion produced by the passage of an eletric current through the brain |
lobectomy | is surgical removal of a portion of the brain to treat brain cancer or seizure disorders that cannot be controlled with medication |
thalamotomy | is a surgical incision into the thalamus |