Nervous System and Special Senses

hemiparesis

weakness in one half of the body

hemiplegia

paralysis in one half of the body

aphasia

inability to speak

ataxia

lack of muscle coordination

intracerebral hemorrhage

sudden rupture of an artery within the brain

ischemic stroke

most common stroke caused by narrowing of arteries of brain or neck

subarachnoid hemorrhage

huge amount of blood being released in the area surrounding the brain from a ruptured aneurysm

seizure

any medical condition characterized by sudden changes in behavior or consciousness as a result of uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain

Parkinson’s Disease

progressive neurological disorder affecting the portion of the brain responsible for controlling movement

multiple sclerosis

disease caused by inflammation, hardening, and loss of myelin in the CNS

otitis media

inflammation of the middle ear

cataract

opacity or clouding of the crystalline lens or the surrounding membrane of the eyeball

kinesi/o

movement

lept/o

thin, slender

lex/o

word, phrase

narc/o

stupor, numbness, sleep

radicul/o

nerve root

sthen/o

strength

thec/o

sheath (usually refers to meninges)

ton/o

tension

-al

pertaining to

-algesia, -algia

pain

-asthenia

weakness, debility

-esthesia

feeling

-kinesia

movement

-lepsy

seizure

-paresis

partial paralysis

-phasia

speech

-plegia

paralysis

-taxia

coordination

pachy-

thick

para-

near, besides, beyond

peri-

around

syn-

union, together, joined

uni-

one

ot/o

ear

salping/o

tubes (eustachian)

staped/o

stapes

-acusia, -cusis

hearing

ambly/o

dull, dim

aque/o

water

choroid/o

choroid

dacry/o

tear, lacrimal apparatus (duct, sac, or gland)

dacryocyst/o

lacrimal sac

glauc/o

gray

goni/o

angle

phot/o

light

presby/o

old age

vitr/o

vitreous body of the eye

-opia, -opsia

vision

-tropia

turning

release

freeing a body part from an abnormal physical constraint by cutting or by the use of force

removal

taking out or off a device from a body part

extirpation

taking or cutting out solid matter from a body part

replacement

putting in or on a biological or synthetic material that physically takes the place and/or function of all or a portion of a body part

anesthetics

Produce complete or partial loss of sensation, with or without loss of consciousness

Chirocaine, Lidocaine, Novocain, Procaine, Propofol, Xylocaine

anesthetics

anticonvulsants

Control neuron activity associated with seizures, mood stabilizer

Acetazolamide, Carbamazepine, Diazepam, Dilantin, Gabapentin, Tegretol

anticonvulsants

antiparkinsonian agents

Control muscle rigidity and tremors by increasing dopamine in the brain

Larodopa, Levodopa, Sinement

antiparkinsonian agents

psychiatric antipsychotics

Alters chemicals in the brain that control emotions

Clozapine, Clozaril, Risperdal, Risperidone

psychiatric antipsychotics

antidepressants

Increases levels of certain neurotransmitters

Celexa, Lexapro, Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft

antidepressants

hypnotics

Promotes sleep and sedation by depressing the central nervous system functions

Ambien, Lunesta, Restoril, Secobarbital, Temazepam

hypnotics

psychostimulants

Reduces impulse behavior by increasing the level of neurotransmitters

Dexedrine, Dextroamphetamine, Methylphenidate, Ritalin

psychostimulants

eye antibiotics, ophthalmic

inhibits or destroys bacterial growth in the eye

Ofloxacin, Tobramycin, Tobrex

eye antibiotics, ophthalmic

antiglaucoma agents

Decreases production of aqueous humor

Acetazolamide, Betimole, Diamax, Timolol

antiglaucoma agents

mydriatics

Causes pupils to dilate

atropine sulfate

mydriatic

decongestants, ophthalmic

Relieves conjunctival congestion and decreases eye redness

Murine, Tetrahydrozoline, Visine

decongestants, ophthalmic

moisturizers, ophthalmic

Soothes dry eyes

Akwa tears, Buffered isotonic solutions, Moisture eyes

moisturizers, ophthalmics

ear antiemetics

Reduces the sensitivity of the inner to motion

Antivert, Bonine, Dramamine, Meclizine

ear antiemetics

otic analgesics

Temporarily relieves pain and inflammation of the ear

A/B Otic, Allergan ear drops, Antipyrine, Benzocaine, Otocain

otic analgesics

wax emulsifiers

Helps to loosen and remove impacted ear wax

Carbamide peroxide, Debrox drops, Murine ear drops

wax emulsifiers

afferent

conducting impulses inward toward the spinal cord or brain

autonomic

not voluntary; pertaining to the self-governing visceral motor division of the peripheral nervous system

efferent

conducting impulses outward away from the brain or spinal cord

ganglion

collection of nerve cell bodies outside the CNS

motor

pertaining to nerves that send impulses out to cause muscles to contract or glands to secrete

nerve

a cord of fibers in connective tissue that conduct impulses

neurology

medical specialty of disorder of the nervous system

neurologist

medical specialist in disorders of the nervous system

neurologic

pertaining to the nervous system

neuron

technical term for a nerve cell; consists of the cell body with its dendrites and axons

neurosurgeon

specialist in operating on the nervous system

neurosurgery

medical specialty in surgery of the nervous system

parasympathetic

pertaining to division of autonomic nervous system; has opposite effects of the sympathetic division

peripheral

pertaining to the periphery or external boundary

plexus

a weblike network of joined nerves