HLTH Ch. 10

cerebrum

the upper, largest region of the brain; it is responsible for higher brain functions; is divided into two hemispheres by the longitudinal fissure

cerebral

pertaining to the cerebrum or the brain

cerebellum

a posterior region of the brain located inferior to the cerebrum and is positioned below the occipital lobe

brainstem

a stalk-like structure that connects the brain to the spinal cord; consists of the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata

brain lobes

four distinct regions of the cerebrum, separated by sulci; each is home to specific functions

frontal lobe

the anterior lobe of the brain, located just behind the forehead

frontal

pertaining to the front

occipital lobe

the posterior brain lobes of the brain

occipital

pertaining to the occipital lobe, occiput or back of the head

temporal lobe

the inferior/lateral lobes of the brain located on the sides of the brain near the ear

temporal

pertaining to the temple area or time

parietal lobe

the superior and middle lobes of the brain, which make the upper “wall” of the brain

parietal

pertaining to a wall-like structure

blood brain barrier

a membrane lining the walls of blood vessels of the brain; a physical “fence” that selectively regulates molecule and ion movement between the blood and the brain, blocking pathogens and toxins

cerebral hemispheres

the right and left halves of the cerebrum

cerebral cortex

the outer layer of the brain

gyri

the rounded elevations (convolutions) on the surface of the cerebral cortex

sulci

depressions/shallow grooves on the surface of the cerebral cortex

ventricle(s)

any one of the 4 cavities within the brain that produce cerebrospinal fluid

meninges

three protective layers that surround the brain and spinal cord

epidural space

a potential space above the dura mater between the skull/vertebral canal and the dura mater

dura mater

the tough, fibrous outer layer of the meninges

subdural space

a potential space below the dura mater and above the arachnoid layer

arachnoid mater

the middle layer of the meninges; appears like a cobweb due to the connective tissue strands that bridge the subarachnoid space

subarachnoid space

a space that exists below the arachnoid mater; it lies between the arachnoid layer and the pia mater

pia mater

the thin inner layer of the meninges that adheres to the surface of the brain and spinal cord

white matter

regions of the brain and spinal cord that consist of myelinated bundles of axons, causing to be white in color

neuron/nerve cell

a single nerve cell; a specialized cell capable of transmitting electrical impulses; consists of the dendrites, cell body, and an axon

dendrite

a multi-branched extensions of the nerve cell that receive a stimulus/a nerve impulse

axon

a single nerve fiber (axon) that extends from a nerve cell; it carries the nerve impulse away from the cell body

nerve

a cord-like bundle of many axons in the PNS that transmits signals throughout the PNS and to and from the CNS

sensory spinal tracts aka afferent tracts ascending tracts

nerve tracts carrying sensory information up (ascending) the spinal cord toward (afferent) the brain

motor spinal tracts aka efferent tracts descending tracts

nerve tracts carrying motor signals down (descending) the spinal cord away from (efferent) the brain

efferent

to convey or conduct away from

neuroglia

nervous system cells that provide structural and metabolic support to neurons and regulate the environment around neurons

neurotransmitter

a chemical messenger secreted by a neuron to affect the next neuron, muscle, or gland on the other side of a synapse (i.e. epinephrine, dopamine)

cerebral aneurysm

an abnormal dilation or ballooning out of an artery within the brain

cerebral contusion

a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to brain tissue being bruised

encephalitis

inflammation/infection of the brain cells/tissue

hydrocephalus

an excessive amount of CSF produced by the ventricles; can lead to an enlarged head, increased intracranial pressure and/or brain damage

microcephaly

an abnormally small head, which affects brain development

migraine

a type of cephalgia; intense throbbing, pulsating pain in one area of the head, often with nausea and vomiting, photophobia, and/or phonophobia

syncope

fainting; a temporary loss of consciousness

epidural hematoma

a collections of blood from an intracranial bleed above the dura mater

cerebrovascular accident (CVA) aka stroke

impaired cerebral circulation caused by a blood vessel that is either blocked by a clot (ischemic stroke) or the vessel bursts (hemorrhagic stroke) causing a hemorrhage

Bell’s palsy

paresis, or paralysis, of one side of the face due to inflammation of the nerve that innervates the face; usually temporary

neuroma

a general term for a tumor arising from cells in the nervous system

neuropathy

a general term for any disease/disorder of the neurons/nerves

paralysis

a condition of loss of muscle function, loss of sensations, or both

hemiparesis

muscular weakness of one side of the body

paraparesis

muscle weakness of both legs

quadriplegia

paralysis of all four limbs

quadriplegic

pertaining to the person suffering from quadriplegia

paresthesias

an abnormal sensation, such as a tingling, burning, prickling sensation; usually noted in the body limbs

aura

a sensory experience preceding a seizure or a migraine; may consist of an odor, flashing lights, numbness etc.

epilepsy

a condition of chronic electrical brain disturbances causing recurrent seizures

status epilepticus

a persistent seizure or recurrent seizures without regaining consciousness for 30min or more

febrile seizure

a seizure that is the result of a fever; generally, affects babies/toddlers due to prematurity of the brain

febrile

pertaining to a fever

tonic-clonic seizure

a seizure characterized by alternating excessive muscular contractions (tonic) and rhythmical jerking (clonic)

postictal state

a temporarily altered state of consciousness after and in response to having had a seizure

neurologist

the medical specialty/specialist that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and study of disorders affecting physical components of the nervous system

cerebrospinal fluid shunt

a surgically implanted tube to redirect excess cerebrospinal fluid away from the brain and into the abdomen

lumbar puncture aka spinal tap

the insertion of a spinal needle into the intrathecal space associated with the lower lumbar area to collect a specimen of cerebrospinal fluid

electroencephalography

the process of recording the electrical activities of the brain