Question | Answer |
encephal/o | brain |
encephalitis | inflammation of the brain |
encephalsclerosis | abnormal condition of hardening of the brain |
echoencephalography | (echoEG) the process of recording the brain using sound waves |
electroencephalogram | (EEG) a record of the electrical activity of the brain |
electroencephalograph | the machine that records the electrical activity of the brain |
electroencephalography | the process of reocrding the electrical activity of the brain |
cerebr/o | cerebrum (the largest part of the brain) |
The cerebrum contains: | memories, hopes, dreams, wishes, fantasies, imagination, desires, and indivduality |
cerebral thrombosis | abnormal condition of a thrombus (clot) in the cerebrum |
cerebral infarction | occlusion of an artery in the cerebrum |
cerebral cortex | the outer portion of the cerebrum |
cerebral angiography | process of recording the vessels of the cerebrum |
cerebral medulla | the middle or inner portion of the cerebrum |
cerebral aneurysm | a weakness in an arterial septum of the cerebrum |
cerebral concussion | traumatic brain injury (TBI) where the neurological deficits last less than 24 hours |
cerebral contusion | traumatic brain injury (TBI) where the neurological deficits last more than 24 hours |
craniocerebral | pertaining to the cranium and the cerebrum |
lobotomy | surgical incision of a lobe |
lobectomy | surgical removal of a lobe |
hemisphere | half a sphere (brain) |
ventricles | chambers in the brain |
cerebell/o | cerebellum |
cerebellum | located at posterior portion of the brain, responsible for balance and equilibrium |
cerebellar | pertaining to the cerebellum |
cerebellitis | inflammation of the cerebellum |
tax/o | coordination |
ataxia | no coordination |
brain stem | made up of the pons, medulla oblongata, midbrain |
brainstem is responsible for: | ventilation, blood pressure, heart rate |
myel/o | spinal cord |
polio myelitis | inflammation of the spinal cord caused by the polio virus |
myelogram | a record of the spinal cord |
lumbar puncture | (LP) surgical puncture to aspirate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) AKA spinal tap |
mening/o | meninges |
meninges | protective tissue surrounding the brain and spinal cord, made up of dura matter, arachnoid membrane and pia matter |
meningitis | inflammation of the meninges |
meningoma | tumor/mass of the meninges |
meningcele | herniation of a meninx |
meningomyelocele | herniation of the spinal cord thru the meninges |
subdural space | space under the dura matter |
subarachnoid space | space under the arachnoid |
subdermal hematoma | a blood mass in a subdural space |
neurtomy | surgical incision of a nerve |
neurectomy | surgical excision of a nerve |
neuroplasty | surgical repair of a nerve |
neurorrahapy | suturing a nerve |
neuralgia | a condition of nerve pain |
neurosis | (neurotic) abnormal condition of the nerves |
polyneuritis | inflammation of many nerves |
neurasthenia | a condition of nerve weakness |
neuroma | tumor/mass in a nerve |
neuron | nerve cell, sensory neurons allow you to feel, taste, smell, hear, and see. motor neurons allow you to move |
central nervous system | (CNS) made up of brain and spinal cord |
periphal nervous system | (PNS) made up of all the nerves except the brain and spinal cord |
PNS | the neurons of the PNS have the ability to regenerate if damaged |
sciatica | inflammation of the sciatic nerve (leg) |
shingles | (herpes zoster) viral disease affecting the PNS causing pain and vesicles on the skin. only occurs in people who have been infected with the Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) AKA chickenpox |
vesicles | blisters |
autonomic nervous system | (ANS) the ANS is involuntary; has two branches: parasympathetic nervous system, sympathetic nervous system |
parasymphathetic nervous system | controls: normal heart rate (HR), eupnea, peripheral vasodilation (normal pink skin color), bronchoconstriction, pupillary constriction (normal visual field), digestion, reproduction |
sympathetic nervous system | "fight or flight" controls: tachycardia (to increase blood flow in the tissuses), tachypnea, pallor (due to vasoconstriction of the peripheral bld vessels to shunt body), bronchodialition, pupillary dilation, no digestive or reproductive function |
shunt | redirect, divert, detour |
esthesi/o | feeling or nervous sensation |
anesthesia | (anesthetic) a condition of no feeling or nervous sensation |
hyperesthesia | (hyperesthesic) a condition of excessive nervous sensitivity to stimuli |
psych/o | mind |
ment/o | mind |
psychology | the study of the mind |
psychogenic | pertaining to originating in the mind |
psychologist | a specialist in the study of the mind |
psychosis | (psychotic) abnormal condition of the mind |
psychopathy | (psychopathic) diseased condition of the mind |
psychosomatic | pertaining to mind over body |
mental | pertaining to the mind |
pleg/o | a condition of paralysis AKA palsy |
monoplegia | (monoplegic) a condition of paralysis of one limb |
quadriplegia | a condition of paralysis of the four extemities (spinal cord injury {SCI}) |
paraplegia | condition of paralysis of the lower trunk and both legs (SCI) |
hemi- | half |
hemiplegia | condition of paralysis of the right or left side of the body (brain damage) |
-paresis | partial paralysis (you can feel it, but not move it or vice-versa) |
monoparesis | partial paralysis of one limb |
interictal | pertaining to between seizures |
convulsion | sudden rapid involuntary contraction and relaxation of group muscles (seizure) |
epilesy | associated with seizures |
tonic-clonic seizures | (grand mal) refers to the rapid contraction and relaxation of a group muscles associated with seizures |
aura | a warning of an impending seizure |
-iatry | treatment (Tx) |
psychiatry | treatment of the mind |
kines/o | movement |
bradykinesia | slow movement |
hyperkinesia | excessive movement |
crani/o | cranium (skull) |
intracranial hemorrage | pertaining to a rapid flow of blood within the cranium (skull) |
alges/o | pain |
non-narcotic anagesic | pertaning to no pain with use of an over the counter (OTC) medication |
cephal/o | head |
-algia | pain |
cephaalgia | a condition of head pain AKA headache |
conscious | awake, alert, and aware |
semi-conscious | partialy awake, alert, or aware |
LOC | levels of consciousness: alert (awake and aware), lethargy (mental sluggishness), stupor (very groggy), unconscious ( unaware, respones to stimuli), coma (comatose, unconscious no response to stimuli) |
GCS | glascow coma scale - standardized system to assess neurologica impairment |
cerebrospina otorrhea | cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) draining from the ears |
papilledema | edema and inflammation of the optic nerve indicative of increase intracrania pressure (ICP) |
cognitive | pertaining to the mental processes of comprehension, judgement, memory and reasoning |
MCI | mild cognitive impairment |
disorientation | a state of mental confusion to person, place, or time AKA the three spheres |
inchoherent | unable to express one's thoughts in an intelligible manner |
OBS | organic brain syndrome, a mental decline (dementia + senility) |
vertigo | dizziness, whirling sensation |
syncope | (syncopal episode) fainting |
gait | stable or unstable manner/syle of walking |
NVS | neurological vital signs, periodic assessment of a persons neurological status AKA neuro checks |
NVS include: | ALERT + oriented x 3 (spheres) which is the highest level of consciousness with a clear understanding of person, place, and time, PERRLA, which stands for pupils equal and round, react to light and accommodation, GAIT and reflex assessment |
CAT | computerized axial tomography - process of recording using x-ray picture slices and a computer |
MRI | magnetic resonance imaging, a diagnostic imaging technique using magnetics to obtain an image |
PET | positron emission tomography - x-ray picture slices of the brain after an IV injecion of a radiopaque dye |
AD | alzheimer's disease or right ear |
ADHD | attention defict hyperactivity disorder |
MVA | motor vehicle accident |
CVA | cerebral vascular accident AKA stroke |
TIA | transient ischemic attack AKA mini stroke, little stroke |
MS | multiple sclerosis or morphine sulfate |
TBI | traumatic brain injury |
CP | cerebral palsy |
TENS | transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation which is used to stimulate healing and for treatment of chronic pain (back) |
EMG | electromyogram |
LOC | level of consciousness or loss of consciousness |