Word List 11

Nervous System

aphasia

without/no speech

ataxia

without/no muscle coordination

clonus

a series of repeated muscle contractions and relaxations

craniotomy

incision of the cranium

dysarthria

difficulty speaking due to loss of control of muscles controlling mouth/face

dysphagia

bad/painful/difficult swallowing/eating

electroencephalography

process of recording the electricity of the brain

encephalitis

inflammation of the brain

epilepsy

above/upon seizure (electrical signals in the brain cause recurring seizures)

glioma

tumor of glial tissue (support cells of the nervous system)

hemiparesis

partial paralysis of one half

hemiplegia

paralysis of one half

hydrocephalus

condition of water head (excess accumulation of CSF in the brain ventricles)

meningitis

inflammation of the meninges

meningioma

tumor of the meninges (membranes covering brain/spinal cord)

meningocele

tumor/swelling of the meninges (membranes covering brain/spinal cord)

neuroblastoma

tumor of a nerve embryonic cell

neurolysis

separation/destruction/loosening of a nerve

neurosis

abnormal condition of a nerve

paralysis

loss of muscle function and/or sensation because of spinal cord injury

paraplegia

paralysis of legs/lower body from spinal cord injury

paresthesia

altered skin sensation such as “burning”, “prickling” or “tingling”

poliomyelitis

inflammation of the gray matter of the spinal cord

quadriplegia

paralysis of four (paralysis of all four limbs)