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Medi Term Mod 10
Terms & Definitions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| absence seizure | minor form of seizure, consisting of momentary clouding of consciousness & loss of contact with enviroment; petit mal seizure |
| acetylcholine | neurotransmitter chemical released at the ends of nerve cells |
| afferent nerves | carry nervous impulses toward the brain & spinal cord; sensory nerves |
| akinetic | pertaining to loss/absence of voluntary movement |
| Alzheimer disease (AD) | brain disorder marked by progressive, gradual mental deterioration (dementia) along with personality changes & impairment of daily functioning |
| amyotropic lateral sclerosis (ALS) | degenerative disorder of motor neurons in the spinal cord & brainstem; resulting in total body paralysis |
| analgesia | absence of sensitivity to pain |
| anencephaly | congenital condition of partial/complete absence of brain matter |
| anesthesia | lack of feeling/sensation |
| aneurysm | weakening of an arterial wall, which may lead to hemorrhage & cerebrovascular accident (stroke) |
| aphasia | inability to speak; language function is impaired due to injury to cerebral cortex |
| apraxia | inability to perform purposeful acts/manipulate objects |
| arachnoid membrane | middle layer of meninges that surround the brain & spinal cord |
| astrocyte | glial (neuroglial) cell that transports salts & water from capillaries |
| astrocytoma | brain tumor composed of astrocytes (glial cells); most serious of these tumors is glioblastoma multiforme (Grades III & IV malignant brain tumor) |
| ataxia | without coordination |
| aura | peculiar sensation appearing before more definite symptoms |
| autonomic nervous system | nerves that control involuntary body functions of muscles, glands & internal organs |
| axon | microscopic fiber that carries a nervous impulse along a nerve cell |
| Bell palsy | unilateral paralysis of the face caused by a disorder of the facial nerve |
| blood-brain barrier | blood vessels that let certain sunstances enter brain tissue & keep other substance out |
| bradykinesia | slow movement |
| brainstem | lower portion of the brain that connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord |
| cauda equina | collection of spinal nerves below the end of the spinal cord |
| causalgia | intensely unpleasant burning pain in a limb following damage to nerves |
| cell body | part of the nerve cell (neuron) that contains the nucleus |
| central nervous system | brain & spinal cord |
| cephalgia | head pain; headache |
| cerebellar | pertaining to the cerebellum |
| cerebellopontine | pertaining to the cerebellum & pons |
| cerebellum | part of the brain that coordinates muscle movements & maintains balance |
| cerebral angiography | x-ray record of blood vessels in the brain after intravenous injection of contrast material |
| cerebral concussion | temporary brain dysfunction (brief loss of conciousness) after injury; usually clearing within 24 hours |
| cerebral contusion | bruising of brain tissue as a result of direct trauma to the head; neurologic disorder persists longer than 24 hours |
| cerebral cortex | outer region of the cerebrum |
| cerebral hemorrhage | bursting of an artery in the brain |
| cerebral palsy | partial paralysis of muscular coordination caused by loss of oxygen/blood flow to the cerebrum during pregnancy/in the perinatal period |
| cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) | clear, watery fluid that circulates throughout the brain & spinal cord |
| cerebrospinal fluid analysis | samples of cerebrospinal fluid are examined for blood cells, tumor cells, bacteria & other substances |
| cerebrovascular accident (CVA) | disruption of the normal blood supply to the brain; stroke |
| cerebrum | largest part of the brain; responsible for voluntary muscular activity, vision, speech, taste, hearing, thought & memory, among other functions |
| coma | state of unconsciousness from which a patient cannot be aroused |
| comatose | pertaining to a coma |
| computed tomography (CT) | cross-sectional x-ray imaging of an organ (such as the brain/spinal cord) with/without contrast material |
| cranial nerves | 12 pairs of nerves that carry messages to & from the brain |
| dementia | mental decline & deterioration |
| demyelination | desstruction of myelin on axons of nerves (as in multiple sclerosis) |
| dendrite | microscopic branching portion of a nerve cell |
| dopamine | neurotansmitter in the central nervous system; defifient in patients with Parkinson disease |
| doppler/ultrasound studies | sound waves are used to detect blood flow in arteries within the brain & leading to the brain |
| dura mater | thick, outermost layer of the meninges surrounding the brain & spinal cord |
| dyskinesia | impairment of the ability to perform voluntary movements |
| dyslexia | difficulty in reading, writing & learning |
| efferent nerves | carry messages away from brain & spinal cord; motor nerves |
| electroencephalography (EEG) | process of recording the electricity within the brain |
| embolus | blood clot that is carried by the bloodstream from one area of the body to another, where it blocks a blood vessel |
| encephalitis | inflammation of the brain |
| encephalopathy | disease of the brain |
| ependymal cell | neuroglia that line central canal of spinal cord & fluid-filled cavities within brain |
| epidural hematoma | collection of blood located above the dura mater |
| epilepsy | brain disorder marked by recurrent attacks/seizures of abnormal nervous impulses |
| gait | manner of walking |
| ganglion | collection of nerve cell bodies in the peripheral nervous systeml; plural is ganglia |
| glial cell | nerve cells that are supportive & connective in function; does not carry impulses |
| glioblastoma | rapidly growing malignant tumor of the brain |
| glioblastoma multiforme | highly malignant brain tumor composed of glial cells (astrocytes) |
| gyrus | sheet of nerve cells that produces a rounded fold on the surface of the cerebrum |
| hemiparesis | slight paralysis of the right/left half of the body |
| hemiplegia | paralysis of the right/left half of the body |
| herpes zoster (shingles) | viral infection affecting peripheral nerves |
| HIV encephalopathy | disease of the brain (dementia) caused by infection with the HIV virus, which causes AIDS |
| Huntington disease | hereditary disorder affecting the cerebrum; involving abrupt, involuntary, jerking movements & mental deterioration in later stages |
| hydrocephalus | abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles (canals) of the brain |
| hypalgesia/hypalgia/hypoalgesia | A decreased sense of pain. |
| hyperethesia | An abnormal condition of increased sensitivity, particularly a painful reaction to normally painless touch stimuli. |
| hyperkinesis | excessive movement |
| hypothalamus | portion of the brain beneath the thalamus; controls sleep, appetite, body temp, & secretions from pituitary gland |
| ictal event | pertaining to a sudden/accute onset, of convulsion of an epileptic seizure |
| intrathecal | pertaining to within the membranes (meninges) surrounding the brain & spinal cord |
| leptomeningitis | inflammation of the 2 thinner membranes (arachnoid & pia mater) surrounding the brain & spinal cord |
| lumbar puncture (LB) | withdrawl of cerebrospinal fluid from the subarachnoid space between 2 lumbar vertebrae; spinal tap |
| magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) | magnetic & radio waves create an image of an organ on three planes of the body; brain/spinal can be imaged to detect lesions |
| medulla oblongata | lower part of the brain, closest to the spinal cord; controls breathing, heartbeat & size of blood vessels |
| meningeal | pertaining to the meninges |
| meninges | 3 membranes surrounding & protecting the brain/spinal cord |
| meningioma | tumor (benign) of meninges |
| meningitis | inflammation of the meninges |
| meningocele | hernia of the meninges through a defect/space between vertebrae; a form of spina bifida cystica |
| microglial cell | phagocytic glial cell that removes waste products from the cental nervous system |
| migraine | severe headache, often unilateral, & sometimes accompanied by nasea & vomitting |
| motor nerves | carry impulses from the brain & spinal cord to muscles |
| multiple sclerosis (MS) | chronic neurologic disorder marked by destruction of the myelin sheath on the neuronal axons in the CNS & replacement by plauques of sclerotic tissue |
| myasthenia gravis (MG) | autoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterized by weakness of voluntary muscles |
| myelin sheath | fatty, white covering over the axon of a nerve cell |
| myelogram | xray record (with contrast) of the spinal cord |
| myelomeningocele | congenital hernia of the spinal cord & meninges through a defect/gap in the vertebral column; often associated with spina bifida |
| myoneural | pertaining to muscle & nerve |
| narcolepsy | sudden seizures of sleep |
| nerve | macroscopic cordlike collection of fibers that carry electrical impulses |
| neuralgia | nerve pain |
| neurasthenia | lack of strength in nerves; feeling of weakness & exhaustion |
| neuroglia | supporting cells (strom) of the nervous system; glial cells |
| neuron | nerve cell |
| neuropathy | disease of nerves; primarily in the peripheral nervous system |
| neurotransmitter | chemical messenger released at the end of a nerve cell |
| occlusion | blockage/obstruction |
| oligodendroglial cell | glial (neuroglial) 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 & both legs |
| parasympathetic nerves | involuntary, autonomic nerves that regulate normal body functions i.e.heart rate, breathing & muscles of GI tract |
| parenchyma | essential, functioning cells of any organ |
| paresis | slight paralysis |
| paresthesia | abnormal nervous sensation occuring without apparent cause: i.e. tingling, numbness/prickling sensations |
| Parkinson disease | degeneration of nerve cells that produce the naurotransmitter, dopamine, in the the brain; leads to tremors, weakness of muscles, & slowness of movement |
| peripheral nervous system | nerves outside the brain & spinal cord: i.e. cranial, spinal & autonomic nerves |
| pia mater | thin, delicate, innermost membrane of the meninges |
| plexus | network of nerves outside of the central nervous system: i.e. brachial, cervical, lumbosacral plexuses |
| poliomyelitis | inflammation of the gray matter of spinal cord |
| polyneuritis | inflammation involving a number of related neurons |
| pons | part of the brainstem anterior to the cerebellum, between the medulla & rest of brain; connects upper/lower portions of brain |
| positon emission tomography (PET) | computerized radiologic procedure using radioactive glucose/oxygen to image the metabolic activity of cells, such as brain cells |
| quadripelgia | paralysis of all 4 limbs; both arms & legs |
| radiculitis | inflammation of a spinal nerve root |
| radiculopathy | disease of a spinal nerve root |
| receptor | organ that receives nervous stimulation & passes it on to nerves that carry the stimulation to the brain/spinal cord: i.e. skin, ears, eyes & taste buds |
| sciatic nerve | extends from the base of the spine down the thigh, lower leg and foot; sciatica is pain along the course of the nerve |
| sensory nerves | carry messages to the brain & spinal cord from a receptor; afferent nerves |
| shingles | viral illness that affects peripheral nerves, produces blisters & pain on the skin overlying the path peripheral nerves; herpes zoster |
| spina bifida | congenital defect in the lumbar spinal column caused by imperfect union of vertebral parts; sinal cord & meninges may herniate through vertebral gap |
| spinal nerves | each spinal nerve affects a particular area of the skin |
| stereotatic radiosurgery | use of a specialized instrument using 3D cooridantes to locate the operation site |
| stimulus | agent of change (light/cound/touch) that evokes a response |
| stroma | connective & supportive tissue of an organ |
| subdural hematoma | collection of blood in space below the dura mater surrounding brain |
| sulcus | depression/groove in the surface of the cerebral cortex; fissure |
| sympathetic nerves | autonomic nerves that activate responses in times of stress: i.e. heartbeat, respiration & blood pressure are affected |
| synapse | space between nerve cells/between nerve cells & muscle & glandular cells |
| syncopal | pertaining to syncope (fainting) |
| syncope | fainting; temporary loss of conciousness |
| thalamic | pertaining to the thalamus |
| thalamus | main relay center of the brain; located in the central region/diencephalon of the brain |
| thrombosis | abnormal condition of clot formation in a blood vessel |
| tic | involuntary movement of a small group of muscles, as of the face |
| tonic-clonic seizure | a major seizure affecting the brain in epilepsy; grand-mal seizure |
| Tourette syndrome | neurologic disorder characterized by multiple facial and other body tics |
| transient ischemic attack | fleeting episode of ischemia (holding back blood) in the brain |
| trideminal neuralglia | flashes of stab like pain along the course of a branch of the trigeminal nerve (5th cranial nerve); has branches to the eye, upper/lower jaw |
| vagal | pertaining to the vagus nerve |
| vagas nerve | 10th cranial nerve with branches to the chest & abdominal organs |
| ventricles of the brain | fluid (cerebrospinal fluid) filled canals in the brain |
| spina bifida occulta | vertebral defect covered with skin & effident only on x-ray/other imaging examination |
| senile plaques | result of degenerating neurons in the cerebral cortex found during microscopic examination; found in AD |
| neurofibrillary tangles | microscopic bundles of fibrils in cytoplasm of a neuron found in the cerebral cortex; found in AD |
| amyloid | protein occuring in neurofibrillary tangles, senile plaques & blood vessels in AD patients |
| postical events | after seizures there may be neurological symptoms such a weakness |
| thymectomy | method of treatment for MG; removal/excision of the thymus |
| dermatome | skin innvervation by spinal cranial nerves |
| gliomas | brain tumor of the glial cells |
| oligodendroglioma | a neoplasm derived from and composed of oligodendroglia |
| ependymoma | a tumor composed of differentiated cells of the ependyma; most are slow growing and benign, but a few are malignant |
| cerebral edema | swelling of the brain caused by the accumulation of fluid in the brain substance |
| arteriovenous malformations | an abnormal connection between the arteries and veins in the brain that usually forms before birth |
| dural sinuses | channels within dura mater containg blood |
| subdural space | area below dural membrane |
| DMDs | disease modifying drugs |
| diplopia | double vision |
| cartoid endarterectomy | removal of artherosclerotic plaque along with the inner lining of the affected cartoid artery |
| transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation | technique using battery powered device to relieve acute/chronic pain |
| transient ischemic attack | temporary interference with the blood supply to the brain |
| tissue plasminogen activator | a clot-dissolving drug used as therapy for strokes |
| gamma knife | high-energy radiation beam, used to treat deep/inaccessible intracranial brain tumors & abnormal blood vessel masses |
| somatic nervous system | parts of peripheral nervous system that are concerned with the transmission of impulses to and from the nonvisceral components of the body, such as the skeletal muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, skin, and eye and ear. |
| another name for the voluntary vervous system is the | somatic nervouse system |
| the cranial nerves carry signals to/from areas in the head & neck, and ____ & ____ cavities | thoracic; abdominal |
| spinal nerves make ____ and ____ possible | sensation; movement |
| the network of intersecting nerves that meet to form a single peripheral nerve, as they exit the spinal cord, is called a(n) | plexus |
| the sympathetic nervous systems prepares the body to act during times of ____ | stress |
| fight-or-flight response is a product of the | sympathetic nervous system |
| The parasympathetic nervous system _____ and _____ the body's resources. | conserves; restores |
| Alarms within the body are triggered by strenuous exercise and strong emotions, such as fear and anger, for the | sympathetic nervous system |
| the peripheral nervous system includes 31 pairs of these | spinal nerves |
| this nervous system is composed of spinal and cranial nerves | peripheral |
| another name for glial cells | neuroglia |
| astrocyte, microglial cell, ependymal cells are all examples of | glial cells |
| neurons are the parenchyma of the | nervous system |
| first part of the nerve cell to receive the nervous impulse | dendrites |
| Schwann cells | cells that perform supporting and connecting functions in the peripheral nervous system |
| neurilemma | outermost Schwann cells covering some axons |
| myelinated fiber | when many Schwann cells surround an axon |
| Nodes of Ranvier | indentations between adjecent Schwann cells; areas where axon not covered by myelin |
| this plays a critical role in regeneration of damaged axons | neurilemma |
| the neurilemma is present on many of the peripheral nervous system axons but is not present on the axons of the | central nervous system |
| repair of brain and spinal cord neurons is limited due the lack of _____ being present | neurilemma |
| interneurons | link sensory & motor nerves by transmitting signals between them |
| Impulse conduction begins when the receptors of our sensory neurons detect a | change in the environment |
| Sensing a stimulus sets off complex _____ changes in the neuron | chemical |
| impulse | electrical disturbance that moves like a wave along the length of the cell |
| these chemicals bind to proteins on the membrance of the adjecent neuron, inducing an electrical impulse in that nerve cell | neurotransmitters |
| epinephrine | hormone produced by the adrenal medulla, that helps regulate the sympathetic part of the autonomic nervous system |
| one hormone that has been identified as a neurotransmitter | epinephrine |
| serotonin | a hormone and neurotransmitter found in many tissues; it has many physiologic properties, including inhibiting gastric secretion, stimulates smooth muscles, & produces vasoconstriction. |
| synaptic knob, synaptic cleft & plasma membrane of a postsynaptic neuron | structures making up a synapse |
| synaptic knob | tiny bulge at end of terminal branch, of a presynaptic neuron's axon |
| synaptic cleft | space between the 2 neaurons of a synapse |
| postsynaptic membrane | plasma membrance of the receiving dendrite |
| neurotransmitter molecules are released into synaptic cleft from the | snyaptic knob vesicles |
| a postsynaptic neuron has ____ molecules embedded in it opposite each synaptic knob | protein |
| these serve as receptors that bind the neurotransmitter | proteins on the postsynaptic neuron |
| proteins on the postsynaptic neuron are ____ that bind the neurotransmitter and initiate an ____ in the postsynaptic membrane | receptors; impulse |
| once the impulse has passed the neurotransmitter, activity for that impulse is rapidly | terminated |
| termination of an impulse, after passing, occurs as a result of molecules _____ out of the synaptic cleft | diffusing |
| sometimes the neurotransmitters are _____ due to action of specific _____, making the neurotransmitters inactive compounds | metabolized; enzymes |
| when neurons cannot communicate, metabolize or complete self-repair they | die |
| when neurons die they cause | memory failure, personality changes & other interference in day-to-day tasks |
| reflex arc | the circuit traveled by impulses producing a reflex action |
| sometimes calles a neuron pathway | the route that a nerve impulse travels |
| specialized type of involuntary neuron pathway is called a(n) | reflex arc |
| simple reflex arc | involves only a sensory & motor neuron |
| "two-neuron arc" | simple reflex arc |
| complex reflex arc | involves sensory & motor neurons and interneurons |
| knee-jerk reflex is an example of a(n) | simple reflex arc |
| integration center | consists of one/more synapses in the central nervous system |
| monosynaptic | two-neuron reflex |
| polysynaptic | more than two neurons involoved in the reflex |
| How fast do nerve fibers, innervating the skeletal muscles, conduct impulses? | 130 meters/second or 300 MPH |
| these nervous system cells retain their ability to reproduce throughout the course of a person's life | Neuroglia |
| these nervous system cells are vulnerable to abnormalities of cell division, such as cancer | Neuroglia |
| "star cells" refers to their star shaped extensions | astrocytes |
| the largest and most numerous of the neuroglia | astrocytes |
| attach to neurons and cappillaries in brain to them in proximity to one another | astrocytes |
| small central nervous system cells; important when brain tissue becomes damaged | microglia |
| normally staitionary; although they may migrates to damaged areas, enlarge and consume destructive microorgansims & cellular debris | microglia |
| oilogdendrocytes | help to hold nerve fibers together |
| produce myelin to form sheaths surrounding the brain & spinal cord | oligodendrocytes |
| have hair-like processes/cilia that help the CSF to circulate | ependyma |
| spinal cord | long, cylindrical structure that extends from the medulla oblongata to the upper part of the lumbar region, just above the pelvis |
| The spinal cord is contained within the | vertebral canal |
| The canal also contains the three _____ coverings of the spinal cord | meningeal |
| meningeal coverings of spinal cord | CSF, cushion of fatty tissue & blood vessels |
| total number of spinal nerves arising from the spinal cord | 31 |
| spinal nerves are named for the level of the _______ from which they emerge | vertebral column |
| oval-shaped structure, with two deep grooves—front and back—that cause it to look like the letter H | spinal cord |
| The inner section of the spinal cord consists of | gray matter |
| interneurons & motor neurons are unmyelinated causing them to be | gray |
| a large bundle of myelinated axons, surrounding the core of the spinal cord | white matter |
| nerve tracts | when a large bundle of nerves is divided into smaller bundles |
| In the spinal cord, sensory impulses travel to the brain along | ascending nerve tracts |
| motor impulses are conducted from the brain on | descending tracts |
| two major functions of spinal cord | conduct impulses to & from brain and primary reflex center |
| epilepsy relies on a patient's description of frequency/type of seizures; however this diagnostic procedure may also be performed to help detect abnormal electrical discharges from the brain and to locate the specific area from which they originate | electroencephalography |
| paraparesis | partial paralysis, usually affecting only lower extremities |
| vagotomy | procedure that involves cutting certain branches of the vagus nerve |
| asthenia | term that means weakness/loss of strength |
| dysphagia | a condition in which there is difficulty speaking; an impairment of speech |
| glioma | intracranial tumor arising from the supportive/connective tissue of the brain |
| another term for tonic-clonic seizures is | ictal events |
| rocephalus | in order to relieve pressure, due to build up of CSF in brain, a shunt is placed from ventricle of brain into peritoneal space/right atrium of heart in order to drain CSF from brain |
| hydrocephalus | can occur in adults as result of tumors/infections |
| spina bifida | etiology is unknown; originates in early weeks of pregnancy; diagnosis helped by imaging methods & testing maternal blood for alpha-fetoprotein |
| Alzheimer’s disease | sometimes begins in middle life with slight defects in memory/behavior, but worsens after 70+; no effective treatment yet |
| amyotrophic lateral sclerosis | presents in adulthood w/muscle atrophy in forearms, hands, legs, difficulty swallowing/talking and dyspnea develops; etiology & cure unknown; also known as Lou Gehrig's disease |
| epilepsy | often symptoms of underlying brain pathologic conditions; Greeks thought that victims were laid hold by a mysterious force |
| Huntington disease | typically presents between 35-45; genetic defect in patients located on chromosome 4; testing available but no known cure exists & management is symptomatic |
| multiple sclerosis | chronic disease marked by long periods of stability & worsening; visual & speech disturbances, areas of scarred myelin can be seen on MRI scans of brain; etiology is unknown but probably autoimmune disease of lymphocytes reacting against myelin |
| multiple sclerosis | DMDs can slow progression by preventing immune system from destroying myelin |
| myasthenia gravis | chronic autoimmune disease, where antibodies block ability of acetylcholine to transmit nerve impulses from one nerve to muscle cell; onset usually gradual marked by ptosis of upper eyelid, diplopia, & facial weakness |
| myasthenia gravis | therapy to reverse symptoms include anticholinersease drugs which inhibit the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine; corticosteroids & immunosuppressive drugs also used un treatment; sometimes thymectomy is also a beneficial treatment. |
| Cerebral & Bell palsy | likely caused by viral infection; therapy directed against the virus with antiviral drugs and nerve swelling |
| Parkinson disease | cause is unknown but the pathological process involves loss of neurons in midbrain & inadequate production of dopamine |
| Tourette syndrome | usually begins with a twitching eyelid & muscles of the face; cause is unknown, but is associated with an excess of dopamine or hypersensitivity to dopamine; some success in treating with antipsychotic drugs, antidepressants & mood stabilizers |
| Herpes zoster | reactivation of chickenpox virus, which remained in the body of the patient after the occurrence of chickenpox |
| meningitis | caused by bacteria/viruses; fever, headache, photophobia, stiff neck are all symptoms; lumbar puncture to detect; treated with antibiotics/antivirals |
| brain tumors | may be single or multiple metastic growths; most arise from ling, breast, skin, kidney and gastrointestinal tract spreading to the brain |
| thrombotic CVA | blood clot in arteries leading to brain, resulting in blockage of the vessel; atherosclerosis leads to this common type of stroke; treated with anticoagulant drugs |
| embolic CVA | this type of stroke occurs very suddenly |
| hemorrhagic CVA | this type of stroke can be fatal and found mostly in those of advancing age, atherosclerosis or high blood pressure |
| major risk factors for a stroke | hypertension, diabetes, smoking & heart disease |
| secondary risk factors for a stroke | obesity, substance abuse & elevated cholesterol levels |
| tPA, tissue plasminogen activator | usually started within 3 hours after onset of a stroke |
| CSF analysis | measure water, glucose, sodium, chloride & protein, as well as the # of RBCs & WBCs; can detect tumor cells, bacteria & viruses; used to diagnose infection, tumors or MS |
| cerebral angiography | used to diagnose vascular disease in the brain |
| CT of brain | contrast material may be injected to highlight abnormalities; the contrast leaks through the blood-brain barrier from blood vessels into brain & shows tumors, hemorrhages & blood clots |
| myelography | more invasive & being replaced by MRI & CT scans |
| MRI of the brain | CT compliments this is diagnosing brain/spinal cord lesions; excellent for viewing stokes & tumors, or changes caused by trauma or AD |
| PET scan | provides valuable info about function of brain tissue in patients with AD, stroke, schizophrenia & epilepsy |
| Doppler/ultrasound studies | detect occlusion in blood vessels, like the cartoid artery |
| EEG | demonstrates seizure activity resulting from tumors, other diseases & injury to brain |
| LP | measure pressure of CSF; used to administer contrast material for myelography, intracathecal medicine; sometimes patients experience headaches after |
| stereotactic radiosurgery | uses gamma knife to treat deep intracranial brain tumors & abnormal blood vessel masses without surgical incision |
| cause is unknown, however genetic factors may play role, mutation of chromosome 14 has been linked in familial cases | AD - Alzheimer disease |
| part of the damaging effects are damage to neurons in the brain, disrupting the neurons' roles in communication within the system as well the roles in metabolism & self-repair | AD - Alzheimer disease |
| damages oligodendrocytes preventing production of new myelin | MS multiple sclerosis |
| affects the hippocampus deep within the cerebrum; plaques develop in the hippocampus, interfering with its ability to encode memories; plaques will then also develop in other areas of cerebral cortex, including those used in thinking & making decisions. | AD - Alzheimer disease |
| cerebral aneurysm | stroke; sensation, and voluntary motion caused by rupture or obstruction |
| pyogenic meningitis | caused by bacteria |
| aseptic or viral meningitis | caused by viruses |
| Infecting agents enter the central nervous system through the bloodstream or as a consequence of an upper respiratory infection, causing acute inflammation of the pia mater and arachnoid membrane | meningitis |
| marked by a progressive loss of motor neurons; as the motor neurons become incapable of transmitting impulses, weakness of the skeletal muscles ensues | ALS |
| genetically transmitted degenerative disorder caused by a deficiency in specific neurotransmitters produced in the midbrain | Huntington's disease |
| most well-known symptom being tremor; other signs include a shuffling gait, a mask-like facial expression, muscle weakness and rigidity, slow movement, and a stooped posture | Parkinson's disease |
| Treatment of this disorder seeks to provide symptom relief and includes administration of the drug levodopa, a precursor of dopamine capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier | Parkinson's disease |
| involves paralysis of the seventh cranial nerve—a nerve concerned with facial movement and the sensation of taste | Bell's Palsy |
| Atrophy of the cerebral cortex with narrowing of the gyri and widening of the sulci are among the structural changes associated with | AD - Alzheimer disease |
| group of disorders, all of which involve an abnormal discharge of electrical activity from the nerve cells of the cerebral cortex | epilepsy |
| involve generalized—sometimes violent—involuntary muscle contractions that often alternate with rigidity. They are accompanied by a loss of consciousness, labored breathing, tongue biting, and loss of bowel or bladder control | tonic-clonic seizures |
| petit mal | absence seizures characterized by momentary alterations in consciousness |
| two interferon compounds have been shown to help reduce the number of neurologic attacks and slow the progress of physical disability | MS |
| a violent shaking up or jarring of the brain, with no apparent damage to brain tissue; minor head injury | concussion |
| a type of major head injury—the bruising of brain tissue—caused by movement of the brain inside the skull following blunt trauma | contusion |
| cerebral infarction | Cerebrovascular accident (CVA), also known as stroke |
| the formation of a clot or the accumulation of hardened fatty deposits within a blood vessel—is the most frequent cause of stroke | thrombosis |
| the second most common cause of stroke, involves the movement of a clot from a site outside the brain, through the bloodstream, to the neurovasculature | embolism |
| The third cause of stroke, involves bleeding within the brain from a ruptured cerebral blood vessel | hemorrhage |
| manifestations of stroke depend on the | location and size of the area in the brain that has been affected and the rate of onset of the stroke |
| paralyzes left side, left sided neglect, spatial-perceptual deficits, tends to deny/minimize problems, rapid performance/short attention span, impulsive/safety problems, impaired judgment, impaired time concepts | right brain damage from stroke on right side of brain |
| paralyzed right side, impaired speech/language aphasis, impaired right/left discrimination, slow performance/cautious, impaired speech/language, aware of deficits/depression/anxiety, impaired comprehension related to language/math | left brain damage from stroke on left side of brain |
| a computerized imaging technique that shows the chemical activity of the brain, offers excellent visualization of the extent of tissue damage following a stroke | PET Scan |
| cerebrum | thinking, personality, sensations, movements, memory |
| thalamus | relay station for sensory impulses |
| hypothalamus | body temp, sleep appetite, emotions, control of pituitary gland |
| cerebellum | coordinate voluntary movements & execute then smoothly; balance & posture |
| pons | connection of nerves, to the eyes & face |
| medulla oblongata | nerve fibers cross over, left to right & right to left; contains centers to regulate heart, blood vessels & respiratory system |
| cranial nerve I | Olfactory - smell; sensory nerve to the brain |
| cranial nerve II | Optic - vision; sensory nerve to the brain |
| cranial nerve III | Oculomotor - eye movement; brain to the motor nerve |
| cranial nerve IV | Trochlear - eye movement; brain to the motor nerve |
| cranial nerve V | Trigeminal - forehead & scalp sensations, cheek sensations, chewing; brain to the motor nerve & sensory nerve to the brain |
| cranial nerve VI | Abducens - eye movement; brain to the motor nerve; brain to the motor nerve |
| cranial nerve VII | Facial - face & scalp movement, taste, ear sensations; brain to the motor nerve & sensory nerve to the brain |
| cranial nerve IX | Glossopharyngeal - tongue & throat sensations, throat movement; brain to the motor nerve & sensory nerve to the brain |
| cranial nerve X | Vagus - peristalsis, blood pressure, heart rate, coughing, sneezing; brain to the motor nerve & sensory nerve to the brain |
| cranial nerve XI | Accessory - swallowing, head & shoulder movements; brain to the motor nerve |
| cranial nerve XII | Hypoglossal - speech, swallowing; brain to the motor nerve & sensory nerve to the brain |
| cranial nerve VIII | Vestibulocochlear - hearing, balance; sensory nerve to the brain |
| frontal lobe | language & general sensory functions - left hemisphere |
| parietal lobe | body sensations, visual/spatial perception - left hemisphere |
| occipital lobe | visual images are register, visual associative areas/interpretation of images - left hemisphere |
| Wernickle area | language comprehension - left hemisphere |
| Broca area | language expression - left hemisphere |
| left hemisphere | more concerned with language, mathematical functioning, reasoning & analytical thinking |
| right hemisphere | more concerned with spacial relationships, art, emotions & intuition |
| basal ganglia | inferior to corpus callosum; regulate intentional movements of the body |
| corpus callosum | lies in center of brain; connecting the two hemispheres by a band of nerves at the base of the fissure |
| respiratory center | found in medulla oblongata; controls muscles in response to chemical/other stimuli |
| cardiac center | found in medulla oblongata; slows the heart rate when the heart is beating too rapidly |
| vasomotor center | found in medulla oblongata; affects (constricts/dilates) muscles in walls of blood vessels, influencing blood pressure |
| dorsal root of spinal nerve | afferent - sensory |
| ventral root of spinal nerve | efferent - motor |
| dura mater | 1st membrane of meninges; thick, tough membrane which contains channels that contain blood |
| arachnoid membrane | 2nd membrane of meninges; surrounds brain/spinal cord |
| subdural space | below dural membrane |
| subarachnoid space | loosely attached to other meninges by fibers, so that there is space for fluid between the fibers & the membrane |
| Pia mater | 3rd membrane of meninges; contains delicate connective tissue w/rich supply of blood vessels |
| sulci | depression/grooves in the cerebral cortex |
| deepest sulci are called | fissures |
| divides the cerebrum into right & left halves/hemispheres | fissure |
| largest lobes responsible for voluntary control over most of the skeletal muscles | frontal lobe |
| temporal lobe is found in the cerebrum's | lateral region |
| lobe involved with functions of hearing, taste, small & balance; associated areas for memory & learning | temporal lobe |
| lies behind frontal lobe and above temporal lobe | parietal lobe |
| occupies relatively small, pyramid-shaped areas at posterior of cerebrum | occipital lobe |
| 2nd largest part of brain, lying under occipital lobe of cerebrum | cerebellum |
| lies under the cerebrum, is a small portion of brain, containing thalamus & hypothalamus | diencephalon |
| directs impulses to the cerebral cortex | thalamus |
| help to associate sensations with emotion, helping us recognize a sensory experience as pleasant/painful | thalamus |
| lies inferior to thalamus; exerts control over virtually all internal organs | hypothalamus |
| involved in the experience and expressions of many emotions | hypothalamus |
| body's "internal clock" resides in the | hypothalamus |
| medulla oblongata, pons, and midbrain are all part of the | brainstem |
| lowest part of the brain stem, really an upward extension of the spinal cord | medulla oblongata (medulla) |
| "bridge", lies between medulla & midbrain | pons |
| uppermost portion of the brainstem | midbrain |
| reflex centers for certain cranial nerves reflexes | pons & midbrain |
| cushions vital nervous system structures | CSF |
| AD | Alzheimer disease |
| AFP | alpha-fetoprotein |
| ALS | amyotrophic lateral sclerosis |
| AVM | arteriovenous malformation |
| CNS | central nervous system |
| CSF | cerebrospinal fluid |
| CT | computed tomography |
| CVA | cerebrovascular accident |
| EEG | electroencephalography |
| GABA | gamma-aminobutyric acid (neurotransmitter) |
| ICP | intracranial pressure (normal is 5 to 15 mm Hg) |
| LP | lumbar puncture |
| MAC | monitored anesthetic care |
| MG | myasthenia gravis |
| MRA | magnetic resonance angiography |
| MRI | magnetic resonance imaging |
| MS | multiple sclerosis |
| 1/2P | hemiparesia |
| PET | positron emission tomography |
| PSRS | proton stereotatic radiosurgery |
| Sz | seizure |
| TBI | traumatic brain injury |
| TENS | transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation |
| TIA | transient ischemic attach |
| tPA | tissue plasminogen activator |
| there are 12 pairs of cranial & 31 pairs of spinal nerves in | the peripheral nervous system |
| the only cranial nerve to leave the head/neck region | vagus nerve |
| after exiting spinal cord, spinal nerves intersect forming a single peripheral network called | a plexus |
| somatic nervous system controls | voluntary activities |
| autonomic nervous system controls | involuntary activities |
| cranial nerves carry signals to/from structures of head/neck and | thoracic & abdominal cavities |
| make sensation & movement possible | spinal nerves |
| spinal nerve designation is based on | the level of vertebrae of the spinal cord i.e. T4 |
| prepares body for muscle work an emergnecy may require | sympathetic nervous system |
| sends signals to protect, conserve & restore body's resources | parasympathetic nervous system |
| parasympathetic nervous system counteracts | the sympathetic nervous system |
| nervous system composed of spinal & cranial nerves | peripheral NS |
| nerves are the ___ of the nervous system | parenchymal tissue |
| outer cell membrane of a Schwamm cell is called | neurilemma |
| interneurons | link sensory & motor nerves by transmitting signals between them |
| animpulse travels along the ___ of a neuron | axon |
| do not carry nerve impulses, rather provide structural support & protection | neuroglia |
| wrap around capillaries to form, with capillary wall, the blood-brain barrier | astrocytes |
| astrocytes attach to neurons & capillaries, holding structures in proximity to one another in | the brain |
| microglia | small CNS cells usually stationary, but may migrate to damaged areas |
| produce myelin sheaths that surround the brain & spinal cord | oligodendrocytes |
| involved in production of cerebrospinal fluid | ependyma |
| ependyma have cilia that helps | fluid to circulate |
| sensory nerves are also called | afferent nerves |
| stimulus creates wave of excitability beginning at which part of neuron? | the dendrite |
| AD affects brain neurons, as well as development of plaque in the | hippocampus |
| "internal clock" resides in | the hypothalamus |
| spinal cord is contained within | the vertebral canal |
| unmyelinated cell bodies & dendrites | give gray matter its color |
| protect both spinal cord & brain | meningeal coverings |
| one way to test for cerebral aneurysm is | to examine sample of cerbrospinal fluid |
| fluid accumulation in/around brain; may be congenital/later onset | hydrocephalus |
| infants born with hydrocephalus need to have a ___ surgically inserted to relieve pressure | shunt |
| spina bifida occulta | milder form of disorder, incomplete closure of spinal cavity but no protruction through opening |
| meninges may push through defective closure creating a myelomeningocele | spina bifida cystica |
| spina bifida cystica may result in other neurological deficits, & associated with | hydrocephalus |
| in more severe forms surgery may be necessary to remove herniated tissue | spina bifida |
| diagnosis of meningitis is usually confirmed by | CSF analysis through a lumbar puncture |
| fluid withdrawn by inserting needle into spinal cavity | lumbar puncture |
| treament of meningitis includes | antibiotic medications |
| shingles affects | the peripheral nerves |
| in shingles the painful eruptions follow the path of | spinal/cranial nerves |
| antiviral medication, antipruritics & pain medications are treatments for | shingles |
| radiculitis | disorder which nerve root of spinal nerve becomes inflammed |
| often a result of radiculitis | polyneuritis & loss of function of that nerve |
| polyneuritis | inflammation involving a number of related neurons |
| inflammatory disorders result from | infections, chronic diseases (diabetes, gout, arthritis, SLE), or vitamin deficiencies |
| primary tumors of brain | arise from within the brain tissue |
| secondary tumors of brain | result of cencerous cells spreading from other sites in the body |
| most primary brain tumors form from | the meninges or neurglia |
| most malignant & rapidly growing form of gliona is | glioblastoma multiforme |
| glioblastoma multiforme is composed of | immature neuroglia |
| used to detect both brain tumors & ischemic/hemorrahagic strokes | CT &/or MRI |
| MRI is especially useful in detection of | small tumors |
| cerebral cortex atrophy, gyri narrowing & sulci widening | structural changes associated with AD |
| medications designed to prevent breakdown of neurotransmitters may provide | AD symptom relief |
| involve abnormal discharge of electrical activity from nerve cells of cerebral cortex | epilepsy |
| used to diagnose seizure disorders | electroencephalography |
Created by:
lfrancois
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