chapter 5 medical terminology

ADHD

attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

LOC

level of consciousness, loss of consciousness

ALS

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease)

LP

Lumbar puncture

ANS

autonomic nervous system

MRI

magnetic resonance imaging

CNS

central nervous system

MVA

motor vehicle accident (car crash)

CP

cerebral Palsy

MS

multiple sclerosis

CSF

Cerebrospinal fluid

OCD

obsessive-compulsive disorder

CT

computed tomography

PNS

peripheral nervous system

CVA

cerebrovascular accident

SCI

spinal cord injury

EEG

electroencephalography

TBI

traumatic brain injury

EMG

electromyogram

TGA

transient global amnesia

GBS

Guillain-Barré syndrome

TIA

Transient ischemic attack

ICP

intracranial pressure

TN

trigeminal neuralgia

Myein sheath

A special protective layer on the axon, which helps to increase the speed of nerve impulses

Glial cells

Support cells that carry nutrients to neurons

Brainstem

An essential pathway that conducts impulses between the brain and spinal cord and controls autonomic functions such as breathing

Dermatomes

Areas of skin associated with specific spinal nerve roots

Homeostasis

The state of dynamic equilibrium in the internal environment of the body

Sympathetic nerves

The system responsible for the physical changes of the fight-or-flight response

Spinal cord

Contains the pathways for sensory and motor impulses, which carry information to and from the brain

Corpus Callosum

Divides the cerebrum into two hemispheres

Peripheral nervous system

The system that includes nerves in the arms and legs

Cell body

Houses all of the microscopic structures that keep the nerve cell energized and functioning

Sensory impulses

Information from the rest of the body that travels to the brain

Motor nerves

Nerves that control body movement

CNS

The system that includes the brain and the spinal cord

Sensory nerves

Gather information from the skin, muscles, and joints

Cortex

The structure of the brain containing deep folds and shallow grooves on the surface of the cerebrum that increase its surface area

Parasympathetic system

The system that dominates during nonstressful times

Cranium

The hard bones of the skull

Neuron

A nerve cell

Autonomic nervous system

The system that controls involuntary functions

Dendrites

Part of the nerve cell that receives information and brings it to the cell

Referred pain

Pain that is felt at an area of the body away from the actual injury site

Myotomes

Groups of muscles associated with specific spinal nerve roots

Cerebrum

The largest portion of the brain

Motor impulses

Messages from the brain that travel to the rest of the body

Meninges

The group of three membranes that protect the brain and spinal cord

Axon

Part of the cell that sends electrical impulses and transmits signals to other cells

Cerebellum

Area of the brain responsible for posture, balance, and coordination