Nervous System Procedures, Pharmacology, and Pathology

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing neurosurgical procedures, nervous system pharmacology, trigeminal neuralgia, and spinal cord injuries.

Lumbar puncture

A procedure involving needle insertion into the subarachnoid space containing cerebrospinal fluid, typically between the L3 and L4 vertebrae.

Craniotomy

Surgical procedure that creates an opening in the skull to gain access to the brain during neurosurgical procedures.

Thalamotomy

Partial destruction of the thalamus to treat psychosis or intractable pain.

Trephination

Excision of a circular disk of bone by using a specialized saw, called a trephine, to reveal brain tissue during neurosurgery or to relieve intracranial pressure (ICP).

General anesthetics

Agents that produce complete loss of feeling with loss of consciousness.

Local anesthetics

Agents that produce loss of feeling and affect a local area only.

Anticonvulsants

Pharmacological agents that prevent or control seizures.

Antiparkinsonian agents

Pharmacological agents that reduce signs and symptoms associated with Parkinson disease.

Antipsychotics

Pharmacological agents that alter neurotransmitters in the brain to alleviate symptoms of delusions and hallucinations.

Thrombolytics

Agents that dissolve blood clots in a process known as thrombolysis.

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN)

A neuropathic pain syndrome involving the facial area stimulated by the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V), presenting with unilateral, abrupt flashes of severe pain; most commonly caused by blood vessels pressing on the root of the nerve.

Trigeminal nerve

The fifth cranial nerve, which divides into ophthalmic, maxillary, and mandibular branches to stimulate areas of the face including the forehead, nose, cheek, gums, and jaw.

Gamma Knife radiosurgery

A radiosurgical intervention that creates a lesion on the trigeminal nerve to block pain signals in patients with trigeminal neuralgia.

Paraplegia

Paralysis of the lower portion of the body and both legs resulting in loss of sensory and motor control below the level of injury (such as from a T6 or L1 spinal injury).

Quadriplegia

Paralysis of all four extremities and, usually, the trunk, resulting in loss of motor and sensory function below the level of injury (such as from a C4 or C6 spinal injury).

Spastic paralysis

Motor function impairment accompanied by increased muscular tension and hyperactive reflexes.

Flaccid paralysis

Motor function impairment accompanied by a loss of reflexes and muscle tone.