Traumatic Brain Injury and Neurological Disorders

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to traumatic brain injury and neurological disorders, essential for understanding the material and preparing for exams.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

An injury to the brain caused by an external force, resulting in damage.

Contusion

A bruise on the brain resulting from a traumatic injury.

Skull Fracture

A break in the bone structure of the skull, often associated with traumatic brain injuries.

Hematoma

A localized collection of blood outside of blood vessels, often causing pressure on brain tissue.

Intracranial Pressure (ICP)

The pressure inside the cranial cavity; can increase due to swelling or bleeding.

Bleeding and Edema

Common secondary complications after a traumatic brain injury leading to increased intracranial pressure.

Hypoxia

Low oxygen levels in the brain, which can result from increased pressure.

Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)

A scale used to assess a person's level of consciousness after a brain injury.

Mild TBI

Also known as a concussion; characterized by temporary symptoms and no structural damage.

Anticoagulants

Medications that prevent blood clotting, increasing the risk of bleeding in elderly patients.

Subdural Hematoma

A type of hematoma that forms beneath the dura mater of the brain.

Epidural Hematoma

A hematoma that occurs above the dura mater, often resulting from traumatic injury.

Intracerebral Hematoma

A hematoma that occurs within the brain tissue itself.

Pressure Cooker Analogy

A metaphor used to describe how increased intracranial pressure affects brain function.

Cushing's Triad

Classic signs of increased intracranial pressure: hypertension, bradycardia, and irregular respirations.

Meningitis

An infection/inflammation of the meninges surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

Nuchal Rigidity

Stiffness in the neck, often a sign of meningitis.

Brudzinski's Sign

A clinical sign that indicates meningeal irritation; involves involuntary lifting of legs when the neck is flexed.

Kernig's Sign

A clinical sign of meningitis; shows discomfort when straightening the leg after flexing the hip.

Myasthenia Gravis

An autoimmune disorder affecting the neuromuscular junction, leading to muscle weakness.

Anticholinesterase Inhibitor

A type of medication used to increase the availability of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction.

Myasthenic Crisis

A severe exacerbation of symptoms in myasthenia gravis that leads to respiratory failure.

Cholinergic Crisis

A potential complication from too much medication in myasthenia gravis, causing excessive secretions.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)

An autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the peripheral nervous system, causing weakness.

Ascending Paralysis

A symptom of GBS where weakness starts in the legs and ascends to the upper body.

Plasmapheresis

A therapeutic procedure to remove antibodies from the blood, often used in GBS.

Autonomic Dysreflexia

A life-threatening condition occurring in people with spinal cord injury affecting autonomic function.

Spinal Shock

Temporary loss of all neurological function below the level of injury in spinal cord injury.

ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)

A progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons, leading to weakness and atrophy.

Riluzole

A medication used to slow the progression of ALS, but not a cure.

Advanced Directives

Legal documents indicating a person's preferences for medical treatment if they become unable to communicate.

MNEMONIC

A technique used to aid memory retention; often useful in studying complex medical topics.

Ventriculostomy

A surgical procedure to drain cerebrospinal fluid, used in managing increased intracranial pressure.

Therapeutic Hypothermia

A treatment used to cool the brain in severe traumatic brain injuries to reduce metabolic rate.

Hypercapnia

Excessive carbon dioxide in the bloodstream, which can cause vasodilation in brain blood vessels.