Medical Terminology For Health Professions 8th edition, Chapter 10

caus/o

prefix: burning, burn

cerebr/o

prefix: cerebrum, brain

concuss/o

prefix: shaken together, violently agitated

contus/o

prefix: bruise

encephal/o

prefix: brain

-esthesia

suffix: sensation, feeling

esthet/o

prefix- feeling, nervous sensation, perception

-mania

suffix: madness

mening/o

prefix: membranes, meninges

neur/i, neur/o

prefixes: nerve, nerve tissue

-phasia

suffix: speak or speech

phobia

abnormal fear

psych/o

prefix: mind

radicul/o

prefix: root or nerve root

-tropic

suffix: having an affinity for

acrophobia

abnormal fear of heights

Alzheimer’s disease

progressive brain disorder which slowly destroys memory and thinking skills

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

abnormal hardening of nerve cells that control voluntary muscles, characterized by muscle weakness, twitching, cramping, and eventually paralysis

anesthetic

drugs that temporarily block or reduce sensation to allow for medical procedures

anesthetist

a medical specialist who administers anesthetics

anorexia nervosa

an eating disorder in which a person tries to keep their weight as low as possible

anxiety disorders

a group of mental health conditions characterized by persistent feelings of anxiety and fear

autism spectrum disorder

a condition related to brain development that affects how people see others and socialize with them, including problems with communication

Bell’s palsy

a condition causing sudden, temporary weakness or paralysis on one side of the face due to inflammation of the facial nerve

carotid ultrasonography

a procedure using sound waves to create images of the carotid artery to check for narrowing or blockages

causalgia

a rare, chronic pain condition causing burning in a limb due to injury of a peripheral nerve

cerebral contusion 

brain bruise or area of bleeding on the brain’s surface

cerebral palsy

a group of permanent neurological disorders affecting movement, balance, and posture to to non-progressive brain damage in a developing brain

cerebrovascular accident

occurs when blood supply to the brain is interrupted by a blood clot or a ruptured blood vessel

cervical radiculopathy

a condition in which a nerve root in the neck is compressed or irritated, causing radiating pain in the shoulder and arm

claustrophobia

abnormal fear of tight or enclosed spaces

cognition

the process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thinking and remembering

coma

a deep state of unconsciousness in which a person is alive but cannot respond to their environment

concussion

a mild traumatic brain injury caused by the brain shaking inside the skull due to a blow to the head or body

cranial hematoma

a life-threatening accumulation of blood inside the skull often caused by a head injury, putting pressure on the brain

delirium

a sudden, acute confusional state that can cause disorientation and difficulty focusing

delirium tremens

a psychotic condition typical of withdrawal in chronic alcoholics, involving tremors, hallucinations, anxiety, and disorientation

delusion

a fixed belief that is not supported by evidence and is resistant to reason

dementia

a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life caused by many diseases and conditions, symptoms include memory loss, difficulty thinking, and confusion 

dura mater

the tough covering that surrounds and cushions the brain and spinal cord

dyslexia

a neurobiological learning disability that affects reading and spelling

electroencephalography

the measurement of brain activity and the recording of such activity on a paper

encephalitis

inflammation of the brain typically caused by a virus

epidural anesthesia

a type of regional anesthesia that blocks pain in the lower half of the body, typically used during childbirth

epilepsy

a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, caused by abnormal electrical brain activity

factitious disorder

a mental health condition in which a person fakes or causes physical or psychological harm to themselves to gain attention

hallucination

sensory perceptions that are not real

hemorrhagic stroke

a stoppage of blood flow to the brain caused by a ruptured blood vessel

hydrocephalus

the buildup of CSF in the brain’s ventricles

hyperesthesia

abnormally increased sensitivity to touch, pain, heat, or cold

ischemic stroke

stoppage of blood flow to the brain caused by a blood clot or other blockage

lethargy

a state of unusual lack of energy, mental alertness, and drowsiness that can result from stress, poor diet, or lack of sleep

meningitis

inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord

meningocele

condition in which a fluid filled sac containing the spinal cord’s membranes protrudes through an opening in a baby’s spine, a type of spina bifida

migraine headache

a complex neurological event characterized by symptoms like a headache on one side of the head, lasting 4-72 hours

multiple sclerosis

a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, damaging the protective layer around nerve fibers

myelitis

inflammation of the spinal cord

myelography

a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a contrast dye and X-ray to visualize the spinal cord, nerve roots, and surrounding tissues

narcolepsy

a chronic brain disorder characterized by excessive daytime and sudden sleep attacks

neurotransmitters

chemicals that allow neurons to communicate with each other throughout the body

obsessive-compulsive disorder

a mental health condition in which a person experiences thoughts that cause distress and perform repetitive physical or mental acts to relieve the distress

panic attack

a sudden episode of intense fear that triggers severe physical reactions

parasomnia

sleep disorders causing abnormal behaviors like sleep walking, sleep talking, and night terrors

paresthesia

a sensation of tingling, prickling, burning, or numbness often caused by temporary nerve pressure

Parkinson’s disease

a progressive brain disorder causing unintended or uncontrollable movements such as shaking, stiffness, and balance problems

peripheral neuropathy

nerve damage outside of the brain and spinal cord

post-traumatic stress disorder

a mental health condition that can develop after experiences or witnessing a traumatic event

Reye’s syndrome

a rare, severe illness affecting the brain and liver, presenting with persistent vomiting, confusion, and lethargy

schizophrenia

a chronic brain disorder that causes a person to have a distorted perception of reality, leading to hallucinations and delusions

sciatica

pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve

seizure

a temporary episode of uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain, often leading to muscle spasms

shaken baby syndrome

a severe form of child abuse that occurs when a baby is violently shaken

syncope

a temporary loss of consciousness caused by a sudden drop of blood flow to the brain

tremor

an involuntary, rhythmic shaking of a part of the body

trigeminal neuralgia

a chronic pain disorder causing severe, sudden electric shock-like pain in the face, usually caused by pressure on the fifth cranial nerve