Nervous System Define

Synapse

The gap between neurons where messages are passed chemically or electrically.

Guillain Barré Syndrome

An autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks peripheral nerves.

Cerebrum

The largest part of the brain, responsible for thinking, memory, and voluntary movement.

Nerves

A bundle of axons in the peripheral nervous system that transmits signals.

Spinal cord injury

Damage to the spinal cord resulting in loss of function, such as mobility or sensation.

Myasthenia gravis

A chronic autoimmune disorder causing weakness in the skeletal muscles.

Neuron

A nerve cell, the basic unit of the nervous system, responsible for transmitting signals.

Positron Emission Tomography scan

A scan that shows how tissues and organs are functioning using a radioactive tracer.

Intracranial hypertension

The pressure within the skull, affecting brain function when elevated.

Stimulus

Any change or signal in the environment that causes a response in the body.

Axon terminal

The ending of an axon where it sends signals to the next neuron or effector.

Blood-brain barrier

A protective barrier that controls what substances can enter the brain from the blood.

Efferent neuron

A nerve cell that carries motor signals away from the central nervous system.

Parasympathetic nervous system

Part of the autonomic nervous system that promotes rest and digestion responses.

Cerebrospinal fluid

A clear fluid that cushions the brain and spinal cord and removes waste.

Multiple sclerosis

A disease in which the immune system attacks the protective covering of nerves.

Parkinson's disease

A brain disorder that affects movement, causing tremors, stiffness, and balance issues.

Meninges

The three protective membranes (dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater) covering the brain and spinal cord.

Neuroglia

Support cells in the nervous system that protect and assist neurons.

Axon

The long fiber of a neuron that sends impulses away from the cell body.

Neurotransmitter

A chemical messenger released by neurons to transmit signals across a synapse.

Alzheimer's disease

A progressive brain disorder causing memory loss and cognitive decline.

Electromyography

A test that records the electrical activity of muscles.

Traumatic brain injury

Brain dysfunction caused by an external force, like a blow to the head.

Transient Ischemic Attack

A temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain, often called a 'mini-stroke.'

Myelin sheath

A fatty covering around axons that increases the speed of nerve impulse transmission.

Stroke

Sudden loss of brain function due to a disruption in blood flow to the brain.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

A disease affecting nerve cells that control voluntary muscles, leading to paralysis.

Peripheral nervous system

All nerves outside the CNS, connecting the brain/spinal cord to the body.

Spinal cord

A long bundle of nerves inside the spine that transmits messages to/from the brain.

Magnetoencephalography

A technique for mapping brain activity by recording magnetic fields.

Somatic nervous system

The part of the nervous system that controls voluntary muscles.

Seizure

Sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain.

Sympathetic nervous system

Part of the autonomic nervous system that activates the 'fight or flight' response.

Schwann cells

Cells in the PNS that form the myelin sheath around axons.

Computer Tomography scan

A scan using X-rays to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body.

Symptoms

Signs or indicators of a condition or disease experienced by the patient.

Lumbar puncture

A procedure to collect cerebrospinal fluid from the spinal canal for testing.

Soma

The main part of a neuron that contains the nucleus and organelles.

Central nervous system

Includes the brain and spinal cord; controls most body and mind functions.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage

Bleeding in the space between the brain and the tissues covering the brain.

Afferent neuron

A nerve cell that carries sensory information toward the central nervous system.

Magnetic resonance imaging

A scan that uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of organs.

Unconsciousness

A state in which a person is unaware of themselves or their surroundings.

Dendrites

The branch-like extensions of a neuron that receive signals from other neurons.

Cerebral palsy

A group of disorders affecting movement and muscle tone caused by brain damage.

Brain

The main control center of the nervous system, located in the skull.

Nodes of Ranvier

Small gaps in the myelin sheath that help speed up nerve impulses.

Huntington's disease

A genetic disorder causing nerve cell breakdown in the brain, leading to movement, cognitive, and psychiatric symptoms.

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy

A brain condition linked to repeated head trauma, often seen in athletes.

Electroencephalogram

A test that measures electrical activity in the brain.

Autonomic nervous system

The part of the nervous system that controls involuntary body functions.