Question | Answer |
Axon | single projection of a neuron that conducts impulse away from nerve cell body |
Dendrite | branched process off a neuron that receives impulses and carries them to cell body |
Cell Body | portion of the nerve cell that includes nucleus |
Myelin | tissue that wraps around many of nerve fibers |
Delirium | state of mental confusion with lack of orientation to time and place |
Dementia | progressive impairment of intellectual function that interferes with performing activities of daily living |
Aura | sensations, such as seeing colors or smelling unusual odor, that occur just prior to epileptic seizure or a migraine headache |
Dura Mater | means tough mother, it forms a touch, fibrous sac around the central nervous system |
Subdural space | actual space between the dura mater and arachnoid layers |
Arachnoid layer | meaning spiderlike, it is a thin, delicate layer attached to the pia mater by weblike filaments |
Subarachnoid Space | space between the arachnoid layer and the pia mater; it contains cerebrospinal fluid that cushions the brain from the outside |
Pia Mater | meaning soft mother; it is the innermost membrane layer and is applied directly to the surface of the brain and spinal cord |
Palsy | temporary or permanent loss of ability to control movement |
-plegia | paralysis |
-paresis | weakness |
Syncope | fainting |
Vertigo | dizziness |
Paresthesia | abnormal sensation such as burning or tingling |
Seizure | sudden attack of severe muscular contractions associated with loss of consciousness |
Tremor | involuntary quivering movement of a part of the body |
Convulsion | severe involuntary muscle contractions and relaxations; these have a variety of causes |
Hydrocephalus | accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within ventricles of brain, causing head to be enlarged |
Conscious | condition of being awake and aware of surroundings |
Unconscious | condition or state of being unaware of surroundings with inability to respond to stimuli |
Bell's Palsy | one-sided facial paralysis with unknown cause |
Alzheimer's | chronic, organic mental disorder consisting of dementia that is more prevalent in adults between 40 and 60 |
Parkinson's | chronic disorder of nervous system with fine tremors, muscular weakness, rigidity, and shuffling gait |
Reye's Syndrome | brain inflammation that occurs in children following viral infection, usually flu or chickenpox |
CVA | cerebrovascular accident |
Concussion | injury to brain resulting from blow or impact from object |
Shingles | eruption of vesicles along nerve, causing rash and pain |
Multiple Sclerosis | inflammatory disease of central nervous system; rare in children; generally strikes adults between ages of 20 and 40; there is progressive weakness and numbness |
Guillain-Barre | disease of nervous system in which nerves lose their myelin covering |
Myasthenia Gravis | disorder causing loss of muscle strength and paralysis |
Lumbar Puncture | puncture with needle into lumbar area to withdraw fluid for examination and for injection of anesthesia |
Cerebral Angiography | x-ray of blood vessels of brain after injection of radiopaque dye |
PET | positron emission tomography |
Position Emission tomography | PET |
Spina Bifida | congenital defect in walls of spinal canal in which laminae of vertebra do not meet or close; results in membranes of spinal cord being pushed through opening |
Meningocele | congenital hernia in which meninges, or membranes, protrude through opening in spinal column or brain |
Myelomeningucele | hernia composed of meninges and spinal cord |
Hypercalcemia | condition of having a high level of calcium in the blood |
Hyperglycemia | condition of having a high level of sugar in the blood |
Hypernatremia | condition of having a high level of sodium in the blood |
Hypocalcemia | condition of having a low level of calcium in the blood |
Hypoglycemia | Condition of having a low level of sugar in the blood |
Hyponatremia | Condition of having a low level of sodium in the blood |
Pineal Gland | gland in endocrine system that produces hormone called melatonin |
Adrenal Gland | pair of glands in endocrine system located just above each kidney |
Thymus | endocrine gland located in upper mediastinum that assists body with immune function and development of antibodies |
Gonads | organs responsible for producing sex cells |
Pituitary | pertaining to pituitary gland |
Pancreas | organ in digestive system that produces digestive enzymes |
FSH | follicle-stimulating hormone |
LH | luteinizing hormone |
TSH | thyroid-stimulating hormone |
GH | growth hormone |
Calcitonin (CT) | hormone secreted by thyroid gland; stimulates deposition of calcium into bone |
Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) | hormone secreted by parathyroid glands; the more hormone, the higher the calcium level in blood and the lower the level stored in bone |
Epinephrine | hormone produced by adrenal medulla |
Adrenaline | hormone produced by adrenal medulla; |
Hirsuitism | excessive hair growth over body |
Gynecomastia | development of breast tissue in males |
Exophthalmos | condition in which eyeballs protrude |
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus | insulin-dependent |
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus | non-insulin-dependent |
Cretinism | congenital condition due to lack of thyroid that may result in arrested physical and mental development |
Gigantism | excessive development of body due to overproduction of growth hormone by pituitary gland |
Acromegaly | chronic disease of adults resulting in elongation and enlargement of bones of head and extremities |
Myxedema | condition resulting from hypofunction of thyroid cland |
Tetany | condition resulting from calcium deficiency in blood |
Dwarfism | condition of being abnormally small |
Peripheral Neuropathy | damage to nerves in lower legs and hands as a result of diabetes mellitus |
Ketoacidosis | acidosis due to excess of ketone bodies |
Diabetic Retinopathy | secondary complication of diabetes that affects blood vessels of retina |
Polydipsia | condition of having excessive amount of thirst such as in diabetes |
Cephalalgia | headache |
Dysphasia | impairment of speech as a result of brain lesion |
Quardriplegia | paralysis of all four extremities |
Paraplegia | paralysis of lower portion of body and both legs |
Thymoma | malignant tumor of thymus gland |
Thyromegaly | enlarged thyroid |
Neuralgia | nerve pain |