Psychological conditions and nervous system anatomy (51–75)

phobia

Extreme, persistent fear of a specific object or situation.

posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Persistent emotional disturbances following traumatic or life-threatening events.

psychosis

Mental disorder involving severe loss of contact with reality, including delusions and hallucinations.

schizophrenia

Group of severe mental disorders involving psychosis, delusions, hallucinations, and unusual behavior.

afferent

Carrying impulses toward the CNS; sensory.

arachnoid mater

Middle layer of the meninges.

autonomic nervous system (ANS)

Division of the nervous system controlling involuntary activities, muscles, and glands.

axon

Neuron fiber that carries impulses away from the cell body.

brain

Nervous tissue inside the cranium, including the cerebrum, diencephalon, brainstem, and cerebellum.

brainstem

Part of the brain consisting of the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata.

central nervous system (CNS)

The brain and spinal cord.

cerebellum

Part of the brain that coordinates movement, balance, and posture.

cerebral cortex

Thin outer layer of gray matter covering the cerebrum.

cerebrum

Large upper portion of the brain, divided into two hemispheres.

cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

Watery fluid circulating around the brain and spinal cord for protection.

cranial nerves

The 12 pairs of nerves connected to the brain.

dendrite

Neuron fiber that carries impulses toward the cell body.

diencephalon

Part of the brain containing the thalamus, hypothalamus, and pituitary gland.

dura mater

Strong, fibrous outermost layer of the meninges.

efferent

Carrying impulses away from the CNS; motor.

ganglion

Collection of neuron cell bodies outside the CNS.

gray matter

Unmyelinated tissue of the nervous system.

gyrus

Raised fold or convolution on the surface of the cerebrum.

hypothalamus

Part of the brain that controls the pituitary gland and maintains homeostasis.

interneuron

Neuron located between sensory and motor neurons, usually within the CNS.

medulla oblongata

Part of the brain that controls breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.