Medical Terminology 1 exam 3

electroencephalogram

pertaining to the use of electricity in the diagnosis of a neurologic disorder.

seizure

event due to excessive electrical activity in the brain

postictal

a period that begins when a seizure subsides and ends when the patient returns to baseline

tonic

in a state of muscular contraction or muscular contraction in a continuous state.

neurology

medical specialty of disorders of the nervous system

epilepsy

chronic brain disorder due to paroxysmal excessive neuronal discharges

ganglia

collection of nerve cell bodies outside the CNS

neuron

technical term for a nerve cell; consists of cell body with its dendrites and axons. cordlike structure that carries impulses from one part to another.

a bundle/group of bundles of nerve fibers outside the CNS that connect the brain and spinal cord with various parts of the body. conduct impulses. receive stimuli and transmit impulses to other neurons or to receptors in other organs.

plexus

a weblike network of joined nerves

dopamine

neurotransmitter in some specific small areas of the brain

endorphin

natural substance in the brain for pain relief

myelin

material of the sheath around the axon of a nerve

dendrite

branched extension of the nerve cell body that receives nervous stimuli

axon

single process of a nerve cell carrying nervous impulses away from the cell body

serotonin

neurotransmitter in central and peripheral nervous systems

synapse

junction between two nerve cells, or a nerve fiber and its target cell; where electrical impulses are transmitted between cells.

white matter

regions in the brain and spinal cord that are occupied by bundles of axons coated w/myelin (conducts nerve impulses)

gray matter

regions of the brain and spinal cord occupied by neural cell bodies, axon terminals, dendrites, synapses

astrocyte

star-shaped connective tissue cell in the nervous system

blood-brain barrier (BBB)

a selective mechanism that protects the brain from toxins and infections

ventricles

\n spaces w/in cerebrum that contain CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) which flows thru subarachnoid space around brain & spinal cord.

cerebrospinal fluid

clear, colorless fluid formed in the ventricles of the brain; flows through subarachnoid space around the brain and spinal cord. Cushions and protects brain. transports nutrients and clears metabolic waste.

oligodendrocytes

connective tissue cell of the central nervous system that forms a myelin sheath

brainstem

region of the brain that includes the thalamus, pineal gland, pons, fourth ventricle, and medulla oblongata.

gyrus

rounded elevation on the surface of the cerebral hemispheres. the ridges

sulcus

groove on the surface of the cerebral hemispheres that separates the gyri. the grooves.

cerebrum

the major portion of the brain divided by two hemispheres (cerebral hemispheres) separated by a fissure pertaining to the brain.

cerebellum (hindbrain)

Located under the posterior portion of the cerebrum. the most posterior area of the brain.

* controls balance for walking and standing, and other complex motor functions.

where is the frontal lobe?

anterior, behind forehead. area of the brain behind the forehead.

frontal lobe functions

memory, intellect, concentration, problem solving, emotion, planning, execution of behavior, voluntary motor muscle control.

where is the parietal lobe?

posterior to the frontal lobe, area of the brain above the ear

parietal lobe functions

interprets sensations of pain, pressure, touch, temp, and body part awareness.

where is the temporal lobe?

below the frontal and parietal lobe, behind the ear. posterior two-thirds of the cerebral hemispheres.

temporal lobe functions

interpreting sensory experiences, sounds, spoken word

where is the occipital lobe

back of the head, posterior part of the hemisphere. posterior area of the cerebral hemispheres.

occipital lobe functions

interprets visual images and written work

cerebral cortex

thin convoluted layer of the gray matter (unmyelinated nerve fibers) that folds into gyrus/gyri, sulcus/sulci and fissures. contains 70% of the neurons. white matter- below here with myelinated nerve fibers that connect neurons of cortex to the rest of the nervous system.

ventricle

A cavity of the heart of brain. spaces w/in cerebrum that contains CSF which flows through subarachnoid space around the brain and spinal cord.

corpus callosum

bridge of nerve fiber connecting the two hemispheres

thalamus

relays sensory information to the cerebral cortex. region of the cerebral hemisphere that receives all sensory impulses and channels them to the appropriate region of the cortex. Crossing over happens in the here. impulses pass through the here, they decussate so impulses from L side of body go to R side of body. impulses from R goes to L.

cerebellum function

assists in coordination of skeletal muscles and maintains balance. Interrelates with brainstem structures to coordinate voluntary movements; speed, trajectory, stopping movements, maintaining posture and balance, walking, running, tracking movements of the eyes.

Pons

connects the cerebrum with the cerebellum and brainstem; "bridge"( connecting upper and lower levels of the CNS).

* relays sensory impulses from the peripheral nerves to higher brain centers.

medulla oblongata

located between pons and spinal cord; lowest part of the brainstem, continuous with spinal cord.

Contains centers for respiration, heart rate, muscles in blood vessel wall; vasoconstriction/vasodilation (determines BP)

also regulates other reflexes like coughing, sneezing, swallowing, and vomitting.

midbrain

connects pons and cerebellum with hemispheres of cerebrum; aka mesencephalon.

contains reflex centers for eye and head movements in response to visual and auditory stimuli.

dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater

What are the 3 layers of membrane that cover the brain & spinal cord

hypothalamus

area of gray matter forming part of the walls and floor of the third ventricle. Essential for homeostatic balance. BP, temperature, water and electrolyte balance, hunger, sleep, aids in digestion.

decussate

To cross in the form of an "X"

nerves

axons collected together. Bundles of neuron's axons outside the CNS.

dura mater

tough outer laye, strong membrane composed of fibrous connective tissues.

arachnoid mater

delicate mid layer loosely attached to pia mater by web like fibers.

Pia mater

thin innermost layer; delicate vascular membrane of loose connective tissue, supplies nerves and blood vessels that nourish outs cells of brain and spinal cord.

cada equina

bundle of spinal nerves in the vertebral canal below the ending of the spinal cord

* “Horse tail”

meninges

three-layered covering of the brain and spinal cord

neuroglia

connective tissue holding nervous tissue together

cognitive

pertaining to the mental activities of thinking and learning

confusion

mental state in which environmental stimuli are not processed appropriately

delirium

acute altered state of consciousness with agitation and disorientation; condition is reversible

dementia

chronic, progressive, irreversible loss of the mind's cognitive and intellectual functions

Alzheimer's disease

common form of dementia; brain tissue has protein clumps and tangles

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Lou Gehrig’s disease - a progressive nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing loss of muscle control

aneurysm

circumscribed dilation of an artery or cardiac chamber

cerebrovascular accident / stroke

sudden loss of neurological function, caused by vascular injury (loss of blood flow) to an area of the brain.

ischemic stroke

90% of all strokes

* Atherosclerosis - build up of plaque in cerebral artery
* Embolism - blood clot in cerebral artery

hemorrhagic stroke

intercranial hemorrhage - Caused by: \n o Aneurysm – dilation of artery

o Arteriovenous malformation – abnormal connection between artery & vein

hemiparesis

weakness on one side of the body

hemiplegia

paralysis of one side of the body

ataxia

inability to coordinate muscle activity, leading to jerky movements

athetosis

slow, writhing involuntary movements

clonic

alternating muscular contraction and relaxation

spasm

sudden involuntary contraction of a muscle group

paraplegia

paralysis of both lower extremities

tourette syndrome

disorder of multiple motor and vocal tics

transient ischemic attack (TIA)

short-term, small strokes, w/symptoms lasting

quadriplegia

paralysis of all four limbs

syncope

temporary loss of consciousness and postural tone due to diminished cerebral blood flow

Parkinson's disease

disease of muscular rigidity, tremors, and a masklike facial expression

bell's palsy

paresis or paralysis of one side of the face

exacerbation

period when there is an increase in the severity of a disease

remission

period when there is a lessening or absence of the symptoms of a disease

spina bifida

failure of one or more vertebral arches to close during fetal development

anencephaly

born without cerebral hemispheres

homeostasis

maintained by the nervous system. state of dynamic equilibrium of the internal environment of the body that is maintained by the constant processes of feedback and regulation in response to external/internal changes. stability or equilibrium of a system or the body's internal environment.

Olfactory 1

first cranial nerve. carries information regarding sense of smell

Optic 2

sensory nerve for vision. carries visual information.

trigeminal 5

3 branches supplying the face. sensory and motor nerves responsible for face nose and mouth sensations and for chewing.

Vestibulocochlear 8

carries information for the senses of hearing and balance.

Glossopharyngeal 9

mixed nerves for sensation and swallowing in the pharynx. supplies the tongue and pharynx.

Vagus 10

mixed sensory and parasympathetic nerves supplying the pharynx, larynx, and the viscera of the thorax and abdomen. supplies many different organs throughout the body.

myasthenia gravis

disorder of fluctuating muscle weakness

CNS (central nervous system)

composed of the brain and spinal cord

PNS (peripheral nervous system)

the sensory and motor neurons that connect the CNS to the rest of the body

Afferent division

==aka sensory division==. arrives to the brain. sensory nerves carry messages toward the spinal cord and brain from the sense organs.

Somatic sensory nerve cells

carries signals from skin, muscles, bones & joints

Visceral sensory nerve cells

carries signals from viscera in thoracic and abdominal cavities. (heart lungs stomach and intestines)

efferent division

==aka motor division==. exits the brain ; motor nerves carry messages away from the brain and spinal cord to muscles and organs.

sedative

agent that calms nervous excitement

tranquilizer

agent that calms without sedating or depressing

stimulant

agent that excites or strengthens functional activity

shunt

a bypass or diversion of fluid

Ependyma

the thin membrane of glial cells lining the ventricles of the brain and the central canal of the spinal cord.