Neurology Lecture Review – Key Vocabulary

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering neurological anatomy, stroke types, infections, degenerative diseases, movement disorders, sleep disorders, headaches, vestibular conditions, cranial nerve disorders, and peripheral nerve pathologies discussed in the lecture.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The brain and spinal cord, which integrate and coordinate all nervous system functions.

Synapse

Junction where nerve impulses pass from one neuron to another via neurotransmitters.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

Part of the peripheral nervous system that regulates glands and internal organs involuntarily.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Division of ANS that prepares the body for ‘fight-or-flight’ responses.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Division of ANS that conserves energy and promotes ‘rest-and-digest’ activities.

Stroke (Cerebrovascular Accident)

Sudden interruption of cerebral blood flow causing neurological deficit.

Ischemic Stroke

Stroke caused by arterial obstruction from thrombosis or embolism (≈80% of strokes).

Hemorrhagic Stroke

Stroke caused by rupture of a cerebral blood vessel and bleeding into brain tissue (≈20%).

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

Temporary neurological symptoms (<1 hr) due to brief cerebral ischemia; no permanent tissue damage.

Thrombosis

Local clot formation within a blood vessel that obstructs blood flow.

Embolism

Obstruction of a vessel by a clot or debris that traveled from another location.

Hypercoagulability

Increased tendency of blood to clot, predisposing to thrombotic stroke.

Atrial Fibrillation

Irregular atrial contractions causing blood stasis and potential cerebral emboli.

Intracranial Aneurysm

Localized dilation of a cerebral artery that can rupture, leading to subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Bleeding between the arachnoid and pia mater; often presents with sudden severe headache.

Aphasia

Impaired ability to produce or understand language, often after stroke.

Atelectasis

Collapse of lung tissue; common pulmonary complication after stroke.

Cardiogenic Embolism

Cerebral embolus originating from the heart, often due to atrial fibrillation.

Atherosclerosis

Build-up of lipid plaques in arterial walls, predisposing to thrombosis.

Infarction

Irreversible tissue death from prolonged ischemia.

Edema (Cerebral)

Swelling of brain tissue due to fluid accumulation after ischemia.

CT Scan (Computed Tomography)

Imaging modality used to quickly differentiate ischemic from hemorrhagic stroke.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

Imaging technique providing detailed brain images; detects early ischemic changes.

Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Bleeding within brain parenchyma, usually from hypertension-damaged arteries.

Meninges

Protective membranes of brain and spinal cord: dura, arachnoid, pia mater.

Epidural Hemorrhage

Bleeding between skull and dura mater.

Subdural Hemorrhage

Bleeding between dura and arachnoid mater.

Bacterial Meningitis

Inflammation of meninges caused by bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae or Neisseria meningitidis.

Viral (Aseptic) Meningitis

Meningeal inflammation caused by viruses or noninfectious factors.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Analysis

Laboratory examination of spinal fluid used to diagnose meningitis and other CNS disorders.

Encephalitis

Inflammation of brain parenchyma, usually viral (e.g., West Nile virus).

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Autoimmune demyelinating disease with episodic neurological deficits and remissions.

Demyelination

Loss of myelin sheath around CNS neurons, impairing nerve conduction.

Paresthesia

Abnormal sensations such as tingling or burning, common in MS.

Diplopia

Double vision; may occur in MS or cranial nerve lesions.

Optic Neuritis

Inflammation of the optic nerve causing painful vision loss; often an early MS sign.

Dementia

Chronic, progressive, usually irreversible decline in cognition affecting memory and function.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Most common form of dementia, characterized by progressive memory loss and cognitive decline.

Delirium

Acute, reversible disturbance in attention and cognition due to illness or drugs.

Parkinson’s Disease

Degenerative CNS disorder marked by resting tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability.

Resting Tremor

Slow, rhythmic shaking occurring at rest, typical of Parkinson’s disease.

Bradykinesia

Slowness and reduction of movement; core Parkinsonian symptom.

Carbidopa/Levodopa

Drug combination supplying dopamine to treat Parkinson’s motor symptoms.

Coma

State of unarousable unresponsiveness involving both cerebral hemispheres or the reticular activating system.

Stupor

Condition in which a patient can be aroused only by vigorous stimuli.

Reticular Activating System (RAS)

Brainstem network regulating wakefulness; dysfunction leads to impaired consciousness.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Brain dysfunction caused by external force; may produce concussion or structural damage.

Concussion

Transient alteration in mental status after head injury, typically without detectable structural damage.

Insomnia

Difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep or non-refreshing sleep.

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS)

Persistent tendency to fall asleep during normal wakefulness.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Recurrent airway obstruction during sleep causing hypoxia and fragmented sleep.

Narcolepsy

Disorder with chronic EDS, cataplexy (loss of muscle control/tone) sleep paralysis, and hallucinations.

Cataplexy (think bendy)

Sudden loss of muscle tone triggered by emotions; characteristic of narcolepsy.

Headache

Pain in any region of the head; may be primary or secondary.

Cluster Headache

Excruciating unilateral periorbital pain with autonomic symptoms, occurring in bouts.

Migraine

Recurrent unilateral throbbing headache often with nausea, photophobia, and aura.

Tension Headache

Most common primary headache; bilateral mild pressure without nausea or photophobia.

Photophobia

Sensitivity to light, common in migraine attacks.

Vertigo

Illusion of movement of self or environment, often due to vestibular dysfunction.

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

Short episodes of vertigo triggered by head position changes due to displaced otoliths.

Meniere’s Disease

Inner-ear disorder with vertigo, tinnitus, and fluctuating hearing loss from endolymph buildup.

Labyrinthitis

Inflammation of the inner ear causing vertigo and hearing loss, usually viral.

Trigeminal Neuralgia

Severe, brief facial pain attacks caused by irritation of the fifth cranial nerve.

Bell’s Palsy

Idiopathic unilateral peripheral facial nerve paralysis causing hemifacial weakness.

Radiculopathy

Disorder of a spinal nerve root causing dermatomal pain, weakness, or sensory loss.

Herniated Intervertebral Disk

Protrusion of disk material pressing on nerve roots, often causing radiculopathy.

Sciatica

Pain radiating along the sciatic nerve from lumbar root compression.

Straight Leg Raise Test

Physical exam maneuver to elicit radicular pain suggestive of lumbar disk herniation.

Hyperthermia (in Stroke)

Elevated body temperature that accelerates ischemic brain injury.

Hypothermia (Therapeutic)

Lowering body temperature to slow ischemic damage after stroke.

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