Ch 12 Nervous System

psychologist

an expert or specialist in the study of the mind (psychology); specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of the brain, emotional disturbances and behavior problems; limited to talk therapy as treatment; cannot prescribe medications

psychiatrist

a physician who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of mental illness; a psychiatrist must receive additional training and serve a supervised residency in his specialty; can prescribe medication

physiologic function

the nervous system's interactions with other body tissues and organs

psychologic function

thought processes and how one makes judgements

central nervous system

consists of the brain and spinal cord

peripheral nervous system (PNS)

all aspects of the nervous system that are outside the brain and spinal cord; its nerves are divided into motor nerves and sensory nerves

somatic nervous system

consists of nerves involved with conscious/voluntary activities of the body

autonomic nervous system

consists of nerves involved with involuntary/visceral activities of the body

sympathetic nervous system

the division of the autonomic branch of the peripheral nervous system that simulates the fight-or-flight response

parasympathetic nervous system

the division of the autonomic branch of the peripheral nervous system that simulates the rest and digest response

dendrites

multiple projections that receive a nerve impulse and carry the signal toward the cell body

nerve cell body

contains the nucleus of the cell

synapse

a junction between the axon of one neuron and the dendrites of another neuron

nerve root

the point where a cranial or spinal nerve is attached to the central nervous system

myelin

a sheath of insulating material made of white lipid (fat) covering nerve fibers

axon

a single projection that carries impulses away from the cell body toward its destination

nerve

a cordlike bundle made up of multiple axons

neuron

a nerve cell; composed of a cell body, axon and dendrite; a specialized cell that is capable of transmitting electrical impulses

meninges

consists of the dura mater, arachnoid layer, and pia mater

dura mater

the tough outer layer of the meninges

pia mater

the inner layer of the meninges that tightly adheres to the surface of the brain

arachnoid layer

the middle layer of the meninges

blood brain barrier (BBB)

a physical barrier that keeps harmful substances from reaching the brain

brainstem

consists of the midbrain, pons and medulla oblongata

cerebellum

the second largest portion of the brain and is located beneath the posterior aspect of the large upper portion

cerebral cortex

the outer layer of the brain, which is composed of cerebral hemispheres

cerebral hemispheres

the right and left halves of the cerebrum that are divide by the longitudinal fissure

cerebrum

the larger, upper portion of the brain

gyri

the elevated portions of the cerebrum's cerebral cortex

occiput

the back of the head

spinal cavity

the space within the vertebral column that contains the spinal cord

sulci

the fissures or valleys noted in the cerebrum

ventricles

four interconnected cavities within the brain that form cerebrospinal fluid

atrophy

muscle wasting; typically, due to the lack of use or the degeneration of cells

dysphasia

difficulty in producing speech (or writing); commonly due to brain disease or traumatic damage of the brain

analgesia

condition of being without pain

coma

a profound unconsciousness from which the patient cannot be aroused

syncope

the medical term for fainting/passing out; it is a transient loss of consciousness and postural tone

aura

sensations such as seeing colors or smelling an unusual odor, that may occur just prior to a seizure or migraine

ataxia

lack of muscle coordination due to disease or neural damage

paralysis

loss of muscle function, loss of sensation, or both

monoplegia

paralysis of one limb

paraplegia

paralysis of the lower portion of the body and both legs

hemiplegia

paralysis of one side of the body

quadriplegia

paralysis of all four extremities

monoparesis

muscle weakness of one limb

hemiparesis

muscle weakness or loss of motion on one side of the body

anesthesia

a condition in which there is lack of feeling or sensation

paresthesia

abnormal sensation such as a burning or tingling

cerebral angiography

an x-ray of the blood vessels of the brain after the injection of a dye

electroencephalography (EEG)

the process of recording the electric activity of the brain

hypnotic

a drug that promotes sleep

analgesic

an agent that relieves pain

anesthetic

produces a loss of sensation or a loss of consciousness

anxiety disorders

characterized by persistent worry and apprehension

kleptomania

an abnormal, uncontrollable and recurring urge to steal

bipolar disorder

alternating periods of depression and mania

dementia

a progressive mental disorder of the brain; characterized by confusion, disorientation, deterioration of memory and intellectual abilities and personality changes

pyromania

an excessive preoccupation with fire

claustrophobia

a morbid fear of closed or small places

paranoia

persistent delusions of persecution, mistrust, and combativeness

schizophrenia

literally means a split mind; characterized by gross distortion of reality, hallucinations, disturbances of language and communication and disorganized behavior