Clinical Neuroscience for Communication Disorders: Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology (Pages 21-36)

Vocabulary flashcards covering essential neuroanatomy and neurophysiology concepts relevant to clinical communication disorders.

The study of the structure of the nervous system, including brain regions and pathways.

Neuroanatomy

The study of how the nervous system functions, including neural signaling and communication between cells.

Neurophysiology

The brain and spinal cord; processes and integrates information to control the body.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Nerves outside the CNS that convey sensory information to and from the CNS and control peripheral muscles.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The basic nerve cell that transmits electrical impulses and communicates via synapses.

Neuron

Branch-like extensions of a neuron that receive signals from other neurons.

Dendrite

Long projection of a neuron that conducts electrical impulses away from the cell body.

Axon

The junction where neurons communicate with each other or with muscles via neurotransmitters.

Synapse

A rapid, temporary electrical charge that travels along the axon to transmit a signal.

Action potential

Chemicals released at the synapse to relay signals between neurons.

Neurotransmitter

Fatty sheath around many axons that speeds up electrical conduction.

Myelin

The outer layer of the brain involved in higher cognitive functions, sensation, and language.

Cerebral Cortex

Lobe involved in planning, decision-making, and movement; contains motor areas and language-related regions.

Frontal Lobe

Lobe involved in somatosensory processing and language aspects such as reading and math.

Parietal Lobe

Lobe involved in auditory processing and language comprehension; includes language areas.

Temporal Lobe

Lobe responsible for visual processing.

Occipital Lobe

Language production area in the left inferior frontal gyrus; important for speech planning.

Broca's Area

Language comprehension area in the left temporal/parietal region.

Wernicke's Area

White matter tract connecting Broca's and Wernicke's areas; important for language repetition and fluent communication.

Arcuate Fasciculus

Region of the frontal lobe (precentral gyrus) that initiates voluntary movements.

Primary Motor Cortex

Auditory processing region in the temporal lobe (e.g., Heschl's gyrus).

Primary Auditory Cortex

Language disorder caused by brain injury or disease, affecting speech, comprehension, reading, or writing.

Aphasia

affected speech production with relatively preserved comprehension due to damage in Broca's area.

Broca's Aphasia

Fluent but often meaningless speech with poor comprehension due to damage in Wernicke's area.

Wernicke's Aphasia