Medical Terminology - Chapter 10 Neurology Nervous System

neur/o-

Combining form meaning nerve

-logy

Suffix meaning study of

Neurology

The medical specialty that studies the anatomy, functions, and diseases of the nervous system

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The division of the nervous system consisting of the brain and the spinal cord

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The division of the nervous system consisting of the cranial nerves, spinal nerves, and their branches

Autonomic Nervous System

The part of the PNS that automatically controls involuntary movements of heart muscle, smooth muscle, and glands

Somatic Nervous System

The part of the PNS that controls voluntary skeletal muscles

Parasympathetic Division

The division of the autonomic nervous system active during "rest and digest" conditions

Sympathetic Division

The division of the autonomic nervous system active during exercise and "fight-or-flight" situations

Cerebrum

The largest structure of the brain, divided into two hemispheres and four lobes

Frontal Lobe

Cerebral lobe responsible for conscious thought, intelligence, voluntary muscle control, speech, and taste analysis

Parietal Lobe

Cerebral lobe located on the top and sides that analyzes sensory information like touch, temperature, vibration, and pain

Somatosensory Area

The area of analysis in the parietal lobe for sensory inputs from skin, joints, and muscles

Temporal Lobe

Cerebral lobe located on the sides of the brain that analyzes information about hearing and smells

Occipital Lobe

Cerebral lobe located at the lower back of the brain that houses the visual cortex for 3D vision

Corpus Callosum

The deep white matter connecting bridge that links and crosses over between the two cerebral hemispheres

Left Cerebral Hemisphere

The hemisphere of the cerebrum that handles memories, language, reasoning, logic, and mathematical problem-solving

Right Cerebral Hemisphere

The hemisphere of the cerebrum that handles environmental analysis, emotion, face recognition, and music/art interpretation

Gyri

The elevated folds or ridges on the surface of the cerebrum

Sulci

The grooves or valleys on the surface of the cerebrum

Gray Matter

The outermost tissue layer of the cerebrum that follows the path of the gyri and sulci

White Matter

The tissue layer beneath the gray matter that draws its color from myelin sheaths

Ventricles

Four connected cavities inside the brain lined with ependymal cells that produce cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

The fluid produced in the ventricles that cushions, circulates through, and protects the brain and spinal canal

Thalamus

A structure near the center of the cerebrum that acts as a major relay station for sensory information

Hypothalamus

Structure inferior to the thalamus regulating temperature, hunger, thirst, emotional states, and pons/medulla activities

Hippocampus

An elongated structure in the temporal lobe responsible for transferring short-term memory to long-term memory

Amygdaloid Body

Almond-shaped temporal lobe structure that links visuals to long-term memory, interprets facial expressions, and detects social danger

Brainstem

Structure connecting the brain and spinal cord consisting of the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata

Midbrain

The part of the brainstem that maintains consciousness and coordinates reflex responses

Pons

The part of the brainstem that serves to relay nerve impulses coming up from the spinal cord

Medulla Oblongata

Brainstem part regulating heart rate/respiration, and where nerves cross from the right body side to the left brain side

Cerebellum

Structure located inferior and posterior to the cerebrum that maintains balance, muscle tone, and coordinates intricate movements

Meninges

The three membrane layers surrounding the brain: the dura mater, arachnoid, and pia mater

Dura Mater

The tough, fibrous outermost membrane layer that protects the brain

Arachnoid

The cushioning middle layer of the meninges surrounding the CSF-filled subarachnoid space

Pia Mater

The thin, delicate inner layer of the meninges containing blood vessels

Spinal Cord

A long, narrow column of tissue beginning at the medulla oblongata and traveling down through the spinal canal

Epidural Space

The fat-filled area lying between the dura mater of the spinal cord and the bony vertebrae

Ascending Tracts

Bundles of axons in the spinal cord's white matter carrying sensory information up to the brain

Descending Tracts

Bundles of axons in the spinal cord's white matter carrying motor commands down from the brain to spinal nerves

Cranial Nerves

Twelve pairs of nerves originating in the brain or body receptors that carry sensory, motor, or mixed impulses

Cranial Nerve I (Olfactory)

Cranial nerve that receives sensory information regarding smell

Cranial Nerve II (Optic)

Cranial nerve that receives sensory information about light, dark, and color

Cranial Nerve III (Oculomotor)

Cranial nerve that sends motor commands to control movements of the eye muscles

Cranial Nerve IV (Trochlear)

Cranial nerve that sends motor commands to the extraocular eye muscles

Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal)

Cranial nerve receiving facial sensation data and sending commands to the chewing muscles

Cranial Nerve VI (Abducens)

Cranial nerve sending motor commands to the extraocular eye muscles

Cranial Nerve VII (Facial)

Cranial nerve receiving taste information and commanding tear and saliva secretion

Cranial Nerve VIII (Vestibulocochlear)

Cranial nerve receiving sensory information about loudness, pitch, body position, and balance

Cranial Nerve IX (Glossopharyngeal)

Cranial nerve involved in taste, blood pressure monitoring, blood gases, swallowing, and saliva secretion

Cranial Nerve X (Vagus)

Cranial nerve involved in taste, internal sensations, slowing heart rate, and contracting bronchial/GI muscles

Cranial Nerve XI (Accessory)

Cranial nerve sending commands for swallowing, speech, and back/neck movements

Cranial Nerve XII (Hypoglossal)

Cranial nerve sending commands to move the tongue

Spinal Nerves

Thirty-one pairs of nerves originating along intervals of the spinal cord, each containing dorsal and ventral roots

Dorsal Nerve Roots

Afferent nerve roots entering the posterior spinal cord to deliver dermatome, muscle, and joint sensory information

Ventral Nerve Roots

Efferent nerve roots exiting the anterior spinal cord to carry motor commands away to muscles

Afferent

A term meaning carrying nerve impulses toward the central nervous system or spinal cord

Efferent

A term meaning carrying nerve impulses away from the central nervous system or spinal cord toward muscles

Reflex

A rapid, involuntary muscle reaction controlled entirely by the spinal cord without initial brain involvement

Acetylcholine

The primary neurotransmitter utilized by the parasympathetic division during rest and digest activities

Norepinephrine

The primary neurotransmitter utilized by the sympathetic division during fight-or-flight situations