CH 12 Nervous System Pretest Study Guide

Flashcards for vocabulary review.

Psychologist

An expert in the study of the mind, specializing in diagnosing and treating brain diseases, emotional disturbances, and behavior problems using talk therapy; cannot prescribe medications.

Psychiatrist

A physician specializing in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illness; can prescribe medication.

Physiologic function

The nervous system’s interactions with other body tissues and organs.

Psychologic function

Thought processes and how one makes judgements.

Central nervous system

Consists of the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

All aspects of the nervous system outside the brain and spinal cord; nerves divided into motor and sensory nerves.

Somatic nervous system

Nerves involved with conscious/voluntary activities of the body.

Autonomic nervous system

Nerves involved with involuntary/visceral activities of the body.

Sympathetic nervous system

Division of the autonomic nervous system that simulates the fight-or-flight response.

Parasympathetic nervous system

Division of the autonomic nervous system that simulates the rest and digest response.

Dendrites

Multiple projections that receive a nerve impulse and carry the signal toward the cell body.

Nerve cell body

Contains the nucleus of the cell.

Synapse

A junction between the axon of one neuron and the dendrites of another neuron.

Nerve root

The point where a cranial or spinal nerve is attached to the central nervous system.

Myelin

A sheath of insulating material made of white lipid (fat) covering nerve fibers.

Axon

A single projection that carries impulses away from the cell body toward its destination.

Nerve

A cordlike bundle made up of multiple axons.

Neuron

A nerve cell; composed of a cell body, axon, and dendrite; a specialized cell capable of transmitting electrical impulses.

Meninges

Consists of the dura mater, arachnoid layer, and pia mater.

Dura mater

The tough outer layer of the meninges.

Pia mater

The inner layer of the meninges that tightly adheres to the surface of the brain.

Arachnoid layer

The middle layer of the meninges.

Blood brain barrier (BBB)

A physical barrier that keeps harmful substances from reaching the brain.

Brainstem

Consists of the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata.

Cerebellum

The second largest portion of the brain, located beneath the posterior aspect of the large upper portion.

Cerebral cortex

The outer layer of the brain.

Cerebral hemispheres

The right and left halves of the cerebrum, divided by the longitudinal fissure.

Cerebrum

The larger, upper portion of the brain.

Gyri

The elevated portions of the cerebrum’s cerebral cortex.

Occiput

The back of the head.

Spinal cavity

The space within the vertebral column that contains the spinal cord.

Sulci

The fissures or valleys noted in the cerebrum.

Ventricles

Four interconnected cavities within the brain that form cerebrospinal fluid.

Atrophy

Muscle wasting; typically, due to the lack of use or the degeneration of cells.

Dysphasia

Difficulty in producing speech (or writing); commonly due to brain disease or traumatic damage of the brain.

Analgesia

Condition of being without pain.

Coma

A profound unconsciousness from which the patient cannot be aroused.

Syncope

The medical term for fainting/passing out; it is a transient loss of consciousness and postural tone.

Aura

Sensations such as seeing colors or smelling an unusual odor, that may occur just prior to a seizure or migraine.

Ataxia

Lack of muscle coordination due to disease or neural damage.

Paralysis

Loss of muscle function, loss of sensation, or both.

Monoplegia

Paralysis of one limb.

Paraplegia

Paralysis of the lower portion of the body and both legs.

Hemiplegia

Paralysis of one side of the body.

Quadriplegia

Paralysis of all four extremities.

Monoparesis

Muscle weakness of one limb.

Hemiparesis

Muscle weakness or loss of motion on one side of the body.

Anesthesia

A condition in which there is a lack of feeling or sensation.

Paresthesia

Abnormal sensation such as a burning or tingling.

Cerebral angiography

An x-ray of the blood vessels of the brain after the injection of a dye.

Electroencephalography (EEG)

The process of recording the electric activity of the brain.

Hypnotic

A drug that promotes sleep.

Analgesic

An agent that relieves pain.

Anesthetic

Produces a loss of sensation or a loss of consciousness.

Anxiety disorders

Characterized by persistent worry and apprehension.

Kleptomania

An abnormal, uncontrollable, and recurring urge to steal.

Bipolar disorder

Alternating periods of depression and mania.

Dementia

A progressive mental disorder of the brain; characterized by confusion, disorientation, deterioration of memory and intellectual abilities, and personality changes.

Pyromania

An excessive preoccupation with fire.

Claustrophobia

A morbid fear of closed or small places.

Paranoia

Persistent delusions of persecution, mistrust, and combativeness.

Schizophrenia

Literally means a split mind; characterized by gross distortion of reality, hallucinations, disturbances of language and communication, and disorganized behavior.