Test 2 - MedTech

Surgical repair of a nerve

Neuroplasty — repair of a severed or damaged nerve to restore its function.

Paralysis of one half of the body

Hemiplegia — total paralysis affecting the right or left side of the body

Abbreviation for stroke

CVA (Cerebrovascular Accident) — sudden loss of blood flow to part of the brain

Spinal cord and meninges protruding through the vertebral column

Myelomeningocele — a form of spina bifida where the spinal cord and meninges herniate through a defect in the vertebral column.

Inability to speak

Aphasia — loss or impairment of the ability to communicate verbally

Burning or tingling sensation

Paresthesia — abnormal sensation such as tingling

Fluid in the brain

Hydrocephalus — abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the brain’s ventricles

Water on the brain

Hydrocephalus — same as above; excessive CSF causes head enlargement and neurological issues if untreated.

Absence of pain

Analgesia — lack or loss of the ability to feel pain while remaining conscious.

Profound unconsciousness

Coma — a deep state of prolonged unconsciousness where a person cannot be awakened and shows minimal or no response to stimuli.

Inflammation of the brain

Encephalitis — swelling and irritation of brain tissue

Test that provides an image of the brain blood vessels

Cerebral angiography — diagnostic imaging test that uses contrast dye and X-rays to view arteries and veins in the brain.

Surgical procedure to remove a blockage in the carotid artery

Carotid endarterectomy — surgery to remove plaque buildup from the carotid artery to restore normal blood flow and prevent stroke.

Record of the spinal cord

Myelogram — X-ray record of the spinal cord obtained after injection of contrast material into the spinal canal.

Valleys of the cerebrum

Sulci — grooves or furrows between gyri that increase the surface area of the cerebral cortex.

Ridges of the cerebrum

Gyri — raised

Medical term for fainting

Syncope — temporary loss of consciousness due to a sudden drop in blood flow to the brain.

Condition from herpes zoster virus

Shingles (Herpes zoster) — viral infection that causes a painful

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Composed of the brain and spinal cord; integrates and processes all incoming and outgoing neural information.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Includes all cranial and spinal nerves that connect the CNS to the rest of the body; controls communication between the brain and limbs/organs.

Number of cranial nerves

12 pairs — control sensory and motor functions of the head and neck.

Number of spinal nerves

31 pairs — transmit signals between the spinal cord and the rest of the body.

Cerebrum function

Responsible for thought

Cerebellum function

Maintains balance

Brainstem function

Controls involuntary actions like breathing

Medulla oblongata function

Regulates vital functions such as heartbeat

Pons function

Connects cerebellum and cerebrum; assists with breathing and facial movement.

Midbrain function

Controls visual and auditory reflexes and transmits motor signals.

Thalamus function

Acts as a relay center for sensory information traveling to the cerebral cortex.

Hypothalamus function

Regulates body temperature

Corpus callosum function

Connects and allows communication between the brain’s right and left hemispheres.

Part of brain housing thalamus and hypothalamus

Diencephalon — central part of the brain located between the cerebrum and midbrain.

Outer layer of meninges

Dura mater — thick

Middle layer of meninges

Arachnoid membrane — web-like layer that cushions the brain and holds cerebrospinal fluid.

Inner layer of meninges

Pia mater — delicate layer that directly adheres to the brain and spinal cord surface.

Dendrites function

Receive incoming nerve impulses and transmit them to the cell body.

Cell body (soma) function

Processes information and maintains the neuron’s metabolic functions.

Axon function

Transmits electrical impulses away from the cell body to other neurons

Myelin sheath function

Protective fatty layer that insulates the axon and increases the speed of impulse transmission.

Synapse

The tiny junction where nerve impulses pass from one neuron to another via neurotransmitters.

Chemicals that help impulses cross synaptic cleft

Neurotransmitters — chemical messengers such as dopamine

How a neuron receives and transmits an impulse

The dendrites receive a stimulus → the cell body processes it → the axon carries it to axon terminals → neurotransmitters cross the synapse → the next neuron or effector receives the signal.

Types of stroke

Ischemic (caused by blockage of blood flow) and Hemorrhagic (caused by rupture and bleeding of a vessel).

Cause of ischemic stroke

Blockage of a cerebral artery by a blood clot or plaque (thrombus or embolus).

Cause of hemorrhagic stroke

Rupture of a weakened blood vessel leading to bleeding inside or around the brain.

CVA

Cerebrovascular Accident — a stroke; disruption of blood supply to the brain causing tissue damage.

TIA

Transient Ischemic Attack — temporary interruption of blood flow to the brain

ALS

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis — degenerative disease causing loss of motor neurons and muscle weakness.

MS

Multiple Sclerosis — chronic disease destroying the myelin sheath of CNS neurons

CP

Cerebral Palsy — nonprogressive brain injury present at birth causing impaired muscle coordination and movement.

PD

Parkinson Disease — degenerative disorder causing tremors

GBS

Guillain-Barré Syndrome — autoimmune condition attacking peripheral nerves

Hemiplegia

Paralysis of one side of the body

Paraplegia

Paralysis of the lower body and legs

Quadriplegia

Paralysis of all four limbs and torso

Paresis

Partial or slight paralysis; muscular weakness resulting from nerve damage.

White matter

Made of myelinated axons; transmits nerve impulses rapidly between different brain regions.

Gray matter

Contains neuron cell bodies