Nervous System Pathology, Procedures, and Pharmacology

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering spinal cord trauma, neurosurgical and diagnostic procedures, nervous system pharmacology, and neurological disorders.

Trigeminal nerve (fifth cranial nerve)

Cranial nerve V that divides into three sensory and motor branches—the ophthalmic branch, maxillary branch, and mandibular branch—which stimulate areas of the face including the forehead, nose, cheek, gums, and jaw.

Vertebral fractures and dislocations

Severe injuries to the spinal cord commonly caused by trauma (such as motor vehicle accidents, falls, diving in shallow water, or contact sports) that result in impairment of spinal cord function below the level of the injury.

Paraplegia

Paralysis of the lower portion of the body and both legs, resulting in loss of motor and sensory control below the level of spinal injury.

Quadriplegia

Paralysis of all four extremities and usually the trunk, causing loss of motor and sensory function below the level of injury, including trunk, legs, pelvic organs, and partial or total paralysis of the upper extremities.

Spastic paralysis

A presentation of spinal trauma motor impairment characterized by increased muscular tension and hyperactive reflexes.

Flaccid paralysis

A presentation of spinal trauma motor impairment characterized by a loss of reflexes and muscle tone.

Anesthetics

Pharmacological agents that produce partial or complete loss of sensation with or without loss of consciousness.

General anesthetics

Anesthetics that produce complete loss of feeling accompanied by a loss of consciousness.

Local anesthetics

Anesthetics that produce loss of feeling affecting only a localized area.

Anticonvulsants

Pharmacological agents used to prevent or control seizures.

Antiparkinsonian agents

Medications that reduce signs and symptoms associated with Parkinson disease.

Antipsychotics

Pharmacological agents that alter neurotransmitters in the brain to alleviate symptoms of delusions and hallucinations.

Thrombolytics

Drugs that dissolve blood clots in a process known as thrombolysis.

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN)

A neuropathic pain syndrome involving the facial area innervated by the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V), causing flashes of abrupt, unilateral, brief but severe stabbing pain; it is the most common cause of facial pain.

Gamma Knife radiosurgery

A treatment modality for trigeminal neuralgia that creates a lesion on the trigeminal nerve to block pain signals.

Craniotomy

Surgical procedure that creates an opening in the skull (cranium) to gain access to the brain during neurosurgical procedures.

Thalamotomy

Surgical partial destruction of the thalamus to treat psychosis or intractable pain.

Trephination

Excision of a circular disk of bone using a specialized saw called a trephine to reveal brain tissue during neurosurgery or relieve intracranial pressure (ICP).

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis

Laboratory test that examines a CSF sample obtained via lumbar puncture for the presence of blood, bacteria, malignant cells, protein, and glucose.

Electroencephalography (EEG)

Diagnostic recording of electrical activity within the brain via scalp electrodes; used to evaluate seizure and sleep disorders, unconsciousness, monitor brain surgery, or determine coma and brain death.

Lumbar puncture (LP)

Insertion of a needle into the subarachnoid space of the spinal column to withdraw a sample of CSF for biochemical, microbiological, and cytological analysis; also called a spinal tap or spinal puncture.

Sciatica

Severe pain in the leg along the course of the sciatic nerve, which travels from the hip to the foot.

Shingles

Chronic viral disease in which painful blisters appear on the skin along the course of a peripheral nerve due to inflammation secondary to the herpes zoster virus (the chickenpox virus); also called herpes zoster.

Spina bifida

Congenital neural tube defect characterized by incomplete closure of the spinal canal through which the spinal cord and meninges may or may not protrude.

Spina bifida occulta

The most common and least severe form of spina bifida characterized by the absence of protrusion of the spinal cord or meninges.

Spina bifida cystica

A more severe form of spina bifida that involves protrusion of the meninges (meningocele), spinal cord (myelocele), or both (meningomyelocele).

Stroke

A medical emergency caused by an inadequate supply of blood and oxygen to the brain due to a clot or ruptured blood vessel (hemorrhage), resulting in brain tissue death; also known as a cerebrovascular accident (CVA).