Movement Science 313 Nervous and Sensory Systems Word Bank

Neur/o

Nerve or nervous system

Encephal/o

Brain

Cerebr/o

Cerebellum OR Brain

Cerebell/o

Cerebellum

Myel/o

Spinal cord, Bone marrow, or Myelin (context)

Mening/o, Meningi/o

Meninges

Cortic/o, Cortex

Outer layers of an organ, Cerebral cortex

Gangli/o

Ganglion

Radicul/o

Nerve Root

Esthesi/o

Sensation

Kines/o

Movement

Tax/o

Coordination or Order

Medull/o

Medulla (or marrow)

Ax/o, Axon/o

Axon

Dendr/o, Dendrit/o

Dendrite

Gli/o

Neuroglial tissue

Plex/o

Plexus

Synaps/o

Synapse

Thalam/o

Thalamus

Psych/o

Mind

Hemi-

Half or one side

Para-

Beside, near, or abnormal (context)

-plegia

Paralysis

-paresis

Weakness or Partial paralysis

-esthesia

Sensation

-phasia

Language

Opthalm/o, Ocul/o

Eye

Opt/o, Op/o

Vision or Eye

Conjunctiv/o

Conjunctiva

Kerat/o

Cornea (or hard tissue)

Retin/o

Retina

Blephar/o

Eyelid

Irid/o

Iris

Lacrim/o, Dacry/o

Tear or Lacrimal Structure

Aphasia

Impaired language production or comprehension

Dysarthria

Impaired speech caused by motor speech disorder rather than language

Ataxia

Impaired voluntary movement coordination

Dysmetria

Impaired voluntary movement affecting control of distance, range, or force (often cerebellar)

Aphasia vs. Dysarthria

Aphasia: Language issue

Dysarthria: Motor issue

Ataxia vs. Dysmetria

Ataxia: Broad term for impaired coordination

Dysmetria: Specific difficulty with distance, range, or force of movement

Dyskinesia

Abnormal movement that is often involuntary

Hemiparesis

Weakness on one side of the body

Hemiplegia

Paralysis on one side of the body

Paraplegia

Paralysis affecting both lower extremities

Hemiparesis vs. Hemiplegia

Hemiparesis: Weakness or partial paralysis

Hemiplegia: Total paralysis

Paresthesia

Abnormal tingling sensation

Anesthesia

Absence of sensation

Neuropathy

Disease or dysfunction of one or more nerves

Radiculopathy

Disease affecting a spinal root

Myelopathy

Disease of the spinal cord

Neuropathy vs. Radiculopathy vs. Myelopathy

Neuropathy: Affects nervous system structures (broad)

Radiculopathy: Affects spinal roots

Myelopathy: Affects spinal cord itself

Neuralgia

Pain along a nerve

Neuritis

Inflammation of a nerve

Epilepsy

Neurologic disorder characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures

Meningitis

Inflammation of the meninges

Syncope

Temporary loss of consciousness (reduced cerebral blood flow)

Stroke/CVA

Acute neurologic injury caused by interrupted blood flow or bleeding in the brain

Cataract

Clouding of the eye’s natural lens

Glaucoma

Optic nerve damage, often due to increased intraocular pressure

Conjunctivitis

Inflammation of the conjunctiva

Myopia

Nearsightedness

Retinopathy

Disease or damage affecting the retina

Otitis Media

Inflammation/Infection of the middle ear

Tinnitus

Perception of sound without an external sound source

Vertigo

False sensation that the person or surroundings are moving