ENRICHMENT – GROUP 1

acetylcholine (ACh)

A neurotransmitter; activity involving acetylcholine is called cholinergic.

basal ganglia

Four masses of gray matter in the brain involved in movement and coordination; also called basal nuclei.

blood–brain barrier

Protective membrane between blood and the brain that blocks certain harmful substances.

Broca area

Area in the left frontal lobe that controls speech production.

cerebral arterial circle

Network of arteries supplying blood to the brain; also called the circle of Willis.

contralateral

Affecting the opposite side of the body.

corpus callosum

Large band of nerve fibers connecting the two cerebral hemispheres.

dermatome

Area of skin supplied by one spinal nerve.

ipsilateral

On the same side of the body.

leptomeninges

The pia mater and arachnoid mater together.

norepinephrine

Neurotransmitter similar to epinephrine; also called noradrenaline.

nucleus

Collection of nerve cells within the central nervous system.

plexus

Network of nerves or blood vessels.

pyramidal tracts

Motor nerve pathways involved in fine movement coordination; most fibers cross to the opposite side.

reticular activating system (RAS)

Brain system that helps maintain wakefulness and alertness.

Schwann cells

Cells that produce the myelin sheath around peripheral nerves.

Wernicke area

Area in the temporal lobe responsible for understanding speech.

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Disease involving degeneration of motor neurons, causing muscle weakness and movement difficulties; also called Lou Gehrig disease.

amnesia

Loss of memory.

apraxia

Inability to perform purposeful movements or use objects correctly.

ataxia

Lack of muscle coordination.

athetosis

Slow, involuntary twisting movements, especially in the hands and fingers.

Bell palsy

Paralysis of the facial nerve.

berry aneurysm

Small, sac-shaped aneurysm of a brain artery.

catatonia

State involving unresponsiveness and remaining in a fixed position without moving or talking.