NEURO VOCAB PT1

Absence/Petit Mal Seizure

A type of generalized seizure characterized by brief lapses in awareness, often mistaken for daydreaming.

Afferent/Sensory Neurons

Neurons that carry sensory information from the body to the central nervous system (CNS).

Aphasia

A language disorder affecting speech, comprehension, or both.

Expressive aphasia (Broca’s aphasia)

Difficulty speaking but comprehension remains intact.

Receptive aphasia (Wernicke’s aphasia)

Impaired comprehension with fluent but nonsensical speech.

Global aphasia

Severe impairment in both expression and comprehension.

Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM)

A tangle of abnormal blood vessels in the brain or spine that disrupts normal blood flow and may cause hemorrhage.

Ataxia

Lack of muscle coordination affecting movement, speech, or balance.

Aura

A sensory warning sign before a seizure or migraine.

Automatisms

Involuntary, repetitive movements often seen during seizures.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

The part of the nervous system controlling involuntary functions like heart rate, digestion, and respiration.

Basal Ganglia

A group of structures in the brain that help control movement and coordination.

Blood-Brain Barrier

A protective barrier that prevents harmful substances from entering the brain from the bloodstream.

Brain Herniation

A life-threatening condition where brain tissue shifts abnormally due to increased pressure.

Brain Stem

The structure connecting the brain to the spinal cord, responsible for basic functions like breathing and heart rate.

Broca’s Area

The brain region in the frontal lobe responsible for speech production.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The brain and spinal cord, which process and transmit neural information.

Cerebellum

A brain structure involved in balance, coordination, and fine motor control.

Cerebral Cortex

The outer layer of the brain, responsible for higher-level thinking, sensation, and voluntary movement.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

A clear fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord, providing cushioning and nutrient transport.

Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)/Stroke

A condition where blood flow to part of the brain is disrupted, causing damage.

Cerebrum

The largest part of the brain, controlling thought, memory, sensation, and voluntary movement.

Contralateral

Referring to the opposite side (e.g., the left brain controls the right side of the body).

Demyelination

The loss or damage of myelin seen in conditions like multiple sclerosis.

Diencephalon

A brain region including the thalamus and hypothalamus, involved in sensory processing and homeostasis.

Dysphagia

Difficulty swallowing.

Efferent/Motor Neurons

Neurons that carry signals from the CNS to muscles or glands to cause movement or secretion.

Epileptic Syndrome/Seizure Disorder

A neurological condition characterized by recurrent seizures.

Falx Cerebri

A fold of dura mater that separates the two cerebral hemispheres.

Focal/Partial Seizure

A seizure that starts in one area of the brain and may or may not spread.

Foramen Magnum

A large opening at the base of the skull where the spinal cord connects to the brain.

Frontal Lobe

The brain region responsible for decision-making, personality, movement, and speech production.

Generalized Seizure

A seizure that affects both hemispheres of the brain from the onset.

Grand Mal/Tonic-Clonic Seizure

A type of generalized seizure with muscle stiffening and rhythmic jerking.

Hemi-Inattention/Hemi-Neglect

A condition where a person ignores one side of their body or environment.

Hemiparesis

Weakness on one side of the body.

Hemiplegia

Paralysis on one side of the body.

Hemorrhagic Stroke

A stroke caused by bleeding in the brain.

Hypothalamus

A brain region controlling hormones, temperature, hunger, and the autonomic nervous system.

Incisura/Tentorial Notch

An opening in the tentorium cerebelli allowing the brainstem to pass through.

Intracranial Pressure (ICP)

The pressure inside the skull, which can increase due to swelling, bleeding, or fluid buildup.

Ischemic Stroke

A stroke caused by a blockage in a blood vessel supplying the brain.

Limbic System

A group of brain structures involved in emotions, memory, and motivation.

Medulla Oblongata

The lower part of the brainstem controlling vital functions like breathing and heart rate.

Meninges

The three protective layers covering the brain and spinal cord.

Monro-Kellie Hypothesis

A principle stating that the skull is a closed space where brain, blood, and CSF must remain in balance.

Myelin

A fatty substance that insulates nerve fibers and speeds up electrical impulses.

Neurotransmitter

A chemical messenger that transmits signals between neurons.

Nodes of Ranvier

Small gaps in the myelin sheath where nerve signals are boosted.

Occipital Lobe

The brain region responsible for processing vision.

Parasympathetic Nervous System (PSNS)

The part of the ANS that promotes rest and digestion.

Parietal Lobe

The brain region involved in sensation, spatial awareness, and body perception.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The network of nerves outside the CNS that connects the body to the brain and spinal cord.

Post-Ictal State

The recovery phase after a seizure, often involving confusion, fatigue, or weakness.

Provoked/Secondary/Acute Symptomatic Seizures

Seizures triggered by external factors like fever, injury, or infection.

Receptor

A structure on a cell that detects and responds to neurotransmitters, hormones, or other stimuli.

Reticular Activating System (RAS)

A brain network that regulates wakefulness and alertness.

Saltatory Conduction

The rapid jumping of nerve impulses between Nodes of Ranvier.

Somatic Nervous System

The part of the nervous system controlling voluntary muscle movements.

Spinal Reflexes

Automatic responses to stimuli that occur without brain involvement.

Status Epilepticus

A life-threatening condition where seizures persist without stopping.

Supporting Cells

Cells that assist neurons, including glial cells that provide protection and nourishment.

Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)

The part of the ANS responsible for the 'fight or flight' response.

Temporal Lobe

The brain region involved in hearing, memory, and language comprehension.

Tentorium Cerebelli

A fold of dura mater that separates the cerebrum from the cerebellum.

Thalamus

A brain structure that relays sensory and motor signals to the cerebral cortex.

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

A temporary stroke-like event caused by a brief loss of blood flow to the brain.

Tonic-Clonic Movement

The muscle stiffening and jerking seen in grand mal seizures.

Unprovoked/Primary/Idiopathic Seizures

Seizures with no identifiable cause.

Wernicke’s Area

The brain region in the temporal lobe responsible for language comprehension.