Ch 15 Terms

Alzheimer disease

type of dementia that occurs more frequently after the age of 65, but can begin at any age. The brain shrinks dramatically as nerve cells die and tissues atrophy. The disease is slowly progressive and usually results in profound dementia in 5 to 10 years. A prominent feature of AD is the inability to remember the recent past, while memories of the distant past remain intac

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

progressive muscle atrophy caused by degeneration and scarring of neurons along the lateral columns of the spinal cord that control muscles (also called Lou Gehrig disease)

Bell palsy

paralysis of muscles on one side of the face caused by inflammation or compression of the facial nerve, cranial nerve VII. Signs include a sagging mouth on the affected side and nonclosure of the eyelid; paralysis is usually temporary.

botulism

serious illness caused by a bacterial toxin that interferes with nerve conduction, causing skeletal muscle paralysis

cerebral aneurysm

ballooning of a weakened portion of an arterial wall (aneurysm) in the cerebrum- usually asymptomatic until it ruptures

cerebral palsy

condition characterized by lack of muscle control and partial paralysis, caused by a brain defect or lesion present at birth or shortly afte

chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTA)

progressive degenerative disease of the brain which generally appears years or decades after repeated head trauma. Originally diagnosed in boxers (dementia pugilistica), it has now been found in other professional athletes who experienced repeated head trauma, such as football, ice hockey, soccer, wrestling, and basketball players.

dementia

cognitive impairment characterized by loss of intellectual brain function- not a normal part of aging

epilepsy

condition characterized by recurrent seizures; a general term given to a group of neurologic disorders, all characterized by abnormal electrical activity in the brain

multiple sclerosis (MS)

chronic degenerative disease characterized by sclerotic patches along the brain and spinal cord; signs and symptoms fluctuate over the course of the disease

Parkinson disease (PD)

chronic degenerative disease of the central nervous system. Signs and symptoms include resting tremors of the hands and feet, rigidity, expressionless face, shuffling gait, and eventually dementia. It usually occurs after the age of 50 years

sciatica

inflammation of the sciatic nerve, causing pain that travels from the thigh through the leg to the foot and toes

shingles (herpes zoster)

viral disease that affects the peripheral nerves and causes blisters on the skin that follow the course of the affected nerves

stroke

interruption of blood supply to a region of the brain, depriving nerve cells in the affected area of oxygen and nutrients. The cells cannot perform and may be damaged or die within minutes.

subarachnoid hemorrhage

bleeding between the pia mater and arachnoid layers of the meninges (subarachnoid space), caused by a ruptured blood vessel (usually a cerebral aneurysm).

transient ischemic attack (TIA)

sudden deficient supply of blood to the brain lasting a short time. The symptoms may be similar to those of stroke, but with TIA the symptoms are temporary and the usual outcome is complete recovery.

position emission tomography (PET) scan

nuclear medicine procedure creating computerized images of chemical changes, such as sugar metabolism in brain tissue. Radioactive materials called tracers are bound to molecules used in metabolism.

evoked potential studies (EP studies)

group of diagnostic tests that measure changes and responses in brain waves elicited by visual, auditory, or somatosensory stimuli

deep tendon reflexes (DTR)

portion of the physical examination where gentle strikes at specific locations are performed to assess the possibility of potential neurological abnormalities

lumbar puncture (LP)

diagnostic procedure performed by insertion of a needle into the subarachnoid space usually between the third and fourth lumbar vertebrae; performed for many reasons, including the removal of cerebrospinal fluid (

ataxia

lack of muscle coordination

coma

state of profound unconsciousness

concussion

injury to the brain caused by minor or major head trauma; symptoms include vertigo, headache, and possible loss of consciousnes

convulsion

sudden, involuntary contraction of a group of muscles

disorientation

state of mental confusion as to time place or identity

dysarthria

inability to use speech that is distinct and connected because of a loss of muscle control after damage to the peripheral or central nervous system

paraplegia

paralysis from the waist down caused by damage to the lower level of the spinal cord

seizure

sudden, abdnormal surge of electrical activity in the brain, resulting in involuntary body movements or behaviors

spasticity

continued contraction of certain muscles due to damage of the brain or spinal cord controlling voluntary movement and causing tightness and stiffness that can interfere with normal movement, speech, and gait

syncope

fainting or sudden loss of consciousness caused by lack of blood supply to the cerebrum

unconsciousness

state of being unaware of suroundings and incapable of responding to stimuli as a result of injury, shock, illness, or drugs

shunt

tube implanted in the body to redirect the flow of a fluid

cognitive

pertaining to the mental processes of comprehension, judgement memory and reason

conscious

awake, alert, aware of one’s surroundings

gait

manner or style of walking

incoherent

unable to express one’s thoughts or ideas in an orderly, intelligible manner

anorexia nervosa

eating disorder characterized by a disturbed perception of body image resulting in failure to maintain body weight, intensive fear of gaining weight, pronounced desire for thinness, and, in females, amenorrh

anxiety disorder

disorder characterized by feelings of apprehension, tension, or uneasiness arising typically from the anticipation of unreal or imagined danger

attention deficit/hyperactivity diorder (ADHD)

disorder of learning and behavioral problems characterized by marked inattention, distractibility, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity

autism

spectrum of mental disorders, the features of which include onset during infancy or childhood, preoccupation with subjective mental activity, inability to interact socially, and impaired communication

bipolar disorder

major psychological disorder typified by a disturbance in mood. The disorder is manifested by manic (elevated or irritated mood, excessive energy, impulsiveness) and depressive episodes that may alternate; or elements of both may occur simultaneously.

bulimia nervosa

eating disorder characterized by uncontrolled binge eating followed by purging (induced vomiting

major depression

mood disturbance characterized by feelings of sadness, despair, discouragement, hopelessness, lack of joy, altered sleep patterns, and difficulty with decision making and daily function.

obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

disorder characterized by intrusive, unwanted thoughts that result in the tendency to perform repetitive acts or rituals (compulsions), usually as a means of releasing tension or anxiety

panic attack

episode of sudden onset of acute anxiety, occurring unpredictably, with feelings of acute apprehension, dyspnea, dizziness, sweating, and/or chest pain, depersonalization, paresthesia and fear of dying, loss of mind or control

phobia

marked and persistent fear that is excessive or unreasonable cued by the presence or anticipation of a specific situation or object

pica

compulsive eating of nonnutritive substances such as clay or ice.

posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

significant behavioral health disorder in which some people exposed to a traumatic event go on to develop a series of symptoms related to it.

schizophrenia

any one of a large group of psychotic disorders characterized by gross distortions of reality, disturbance of language and communication, withdrawal from social interaction, and the disorganization and fragmentation of thought, perception, and emotional reaction

somatoform disorders

disorders characterized by physical symptoms for which no known physical cause exists

brain

contained within the cranium, the center for coordinating body activities and comprises the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem

cerebrum

largest portion of the brain, divided into left and right hemispheres. controls the skeletal muscles, interprets general senses (such as temperature, pain, and touch), and contains centers for sight and hearing

gray matter

outer portion of the cerebrum, contains neuron cell bodies that collect and process information. forms the inner portion of the spinal cord

white matter

inner portion of the cerebrum, contains axons, long cords that extend from neurons; conveys information to different parts of the brain. forms the outer portion of the spinal cord

ventricles

cavities (spaces) within the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

cerebellum

located under the posterior portion of the cerebrum; assists in the coordination of skeletal muscles to maintain balance

brainstem

stemlike portion of the brain that connects with the spinal cord; contains centers that control respiration and heart rate. comprised of the pons, medulla oblongata, and midbrain

pons

literally means bridge. connects the cerebrum with the cerebellum and brainstem

medulla oblongata

located between the pons and spinal cord. It contains centers that control respiration, heart rate, and the muscles in the blood vessel walls, which assist in determining blood pressure.

midbrain

most superior portion of the brainstem

cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

clear, colorless fluid contained in the ventricles that flows through the subarachnoid space around the brain and spinal cord. It cushions the brain and spinal cord from shock, transports nutrients, and clears metabolic waste

spinal cord

passes through the vertebral canal extending from the medulla oblongata to the level of the second lumbar vertebra. conducts nerve impulses to and from the brain and initiates reflex action to sensory information without input from the brain.

meninges

three layers of membrane that cover the brain and spinal cord

dura mater

tough outer layer of the meninges

arachnoid

delicate middle layer of the meninges- loosely attached to the pia mater by weblike fibers, which allow for subarachnoid space

pia mater

thin inner layer of the meninges

nerve

cordlike structure made up of fibers that carries impulses from one part of the body to another.

ganglion

group of nerve cell bodies located outside the central nervous system

glia

specialized cells located throughout the nervous system that support and nourish nervous tissue

neuron

nerve cell that conducts impulses to carry out the function of the nervous system