Nervous System Diseases Review

50 vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to the nervous system and associated diseases.

Meninges

The protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.

Blood-brain barrier

A selective barrier that prevents certain substances from entering the brain from the bloodstream.

Meningoencephalitis

A simultaneous inflammation of the meninges and the brain.

Haemophilus influenzae type b

A bacterium commonly associated with bacterial meningitis in unvaccinated children.

Meningococcal meningitis

Meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis, characterized by fever, stiff neck, and purplish rash.

Streptococcus pneumoniae

A gram-positive bacterium often responsible for meningitis in adults and children.

Lumbar puncture

A medical procedure to collect cerebrospinal fluid for diagnosis.

Clostridium tetani

A bacterium that produces a toxin causing tetanus.

Botulism

Illness caused by botulinum toxin leading to flaccid paralysis.

Flaccid paralysis

A state of weakness or paralysis with reduced muscle tone.

Rabies virus

A virus causing a fatal encephalitis usually transmitted by animal bites.

Zika virus

A virus that can cause birth defects such as microcephaly when contracted during pregnancy.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

Fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, providing cushioning and nutrients.

Negri bodies

Inclusion bodies in neurons, indicative of rabies infection.

Cryptococcus neoformans

A yeast-like fungus that can cause meningitis in immunocompromised patients.

Trypanosoma brucei

A protozoan parasite that causes African sleeping sickness.

Microcephaly

A condition where a baby is born with a smaller than normal head, often because of Zika virus.

Chronic wasting disease

A prion disease affecting deer, leading to weight loss and neurological decline.

Antimicrobial treatment

Medications started to combat bacterial infections such as meningitis.

Gram-negative diplococci

A type of bacteria characterized by its shape and staining properties, often involved in meningococcal infection.

E. coli

A common bacterium that can lead to infections in the urinary tract and other areas but not typically associated with meningitis.

Vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV)

A strain of poliovirus that arises from the mutation of the live strains used in oral polio vaccines.

Arboviruses

Viruses that are transmitted by arthropod vectors such as mosquitoes.

Intracranial pressure

The pressure within the skull, which can increase due to infection or swelling.

Exotoxins

Toxins released by bacteria into the surrounding environment.

Entamoeba histolytica

A parasite that can cause intestinal infections; not primarily associated with the nervous system.

Hydrophobia

Fear of water, often a symptom of rabies.

Acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter that plays a key role in muscle contraction and signaling in the nervous system.

Prions

Infectious proteins that cause neurodegenerative diseases.

Antitoxin

An antibody that can neutralize a toxin.

Inflammation

The body's response to injury or infection, often resulting in redness, heat, swelling, and pain.

Neurodegeneration

The gradual loss of structure or function of neurons.

Poliomyelitis

A viral disease that can cause paralysis and is primarily spread via the fecal-oral route.

Spinal cord

A major component of the central nervous system that transmits signals between the brain and the body.

Chronic infection

An infection that persists over a long period of time.

Acute infection

An infection that comes on rapidly and often results in severe symptoms.

Cerebral edema

Swelling of the brain due to the accumulation of excess fluid.

Inclusion bodies

Aggregates of viruses or proteins found in infected cells.

Thrombocytopenia

A condition characterized by low platelets, which can stem from various infections.

Neurotropic virus

A virus that preferentially infects neurons.

Active immunity

Immunity that develops after exposure to a pathogen or vaccination.

Passive immunity

Immunity acquired through transfer of antibodies, such as from mother to child.

Cerebrospinal fluid analysis

A diagnostic procedure involving examination of CSF to identify diseases.

Myelin sheath

A fatty layer surrounding nerves that aids in the transmission of electrical impulses.

Environmental reservoir

A natural habitat for pathogens outside a host.

Pathogen transmission

The process by which an infectious agent is spread from one host to another.