Ch14 Neurology/Nervous System

neurology

study of the nervous system

neurologist

treats the brain, spinal cord, nerve conditions, and muscle conditions related to the nervous sytsem

The nervous system coordinates body activities by…

receiving info from sensory receptors and adjusting muscle and gland activity.

What are the two parts of the nervous system?

central (CNS) and peripheral (PNS)

central nervous system (CNS)

consists of brain and spinal cord

peripheral nervous system (PNS)

consists of nerves that go between the CNS and the organs

neurons

composed the nervous structures; conduct electrical impulses that carry info between the CNS and the body

synapse

where neurons meet, creating a small synaptic cleft

synaptic cleft

gap b/n two neurons where traveling impulses need a neurotransmitter to cross the gap

myelin sheath

covering of neurons that acts as an insulator to improve impulse conduction

alges/o

sense of pain

cerebell/o

cerebellum

cerebr/o

cerebrum

encephal/o

brain

esthesi/o

sensation

medull/o

medulla oblongata

mening/o

meninges

myel/o

bone marrow

neur/o

nerve

pont/o

pons

radicul/o

nerve root

thalam/o

thalamus

angi/o

vessel

cephal/o

head

electr/o

electricity

hemat/o

blood

hydr/o

water

lumb/o

low back

my/o

muscle

scler/o

hardening

spin/o

spine

tom/o

to cut

vascul/o

blood vessel

-asthenia

weakness

-esthesia

sensation

brain

center for thought, memory, emotion, judgment; coordinates body activities; cerebrum, cerebellum, diencephalon, brainstem divisions

The right brain controls the ___ side of the body; the left brain controls the ___ side of the body.

left; right

cerebrum

largest and uppermost portion of the brain; receives sensory info, integrates incoming messages, selects responses, and sends back motor commands; frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes

cerebellum

2^nd-largest part of the brain below the post. cerebrum; works with cerebrum to coordinate body movements and maintain balance

diencephalon

thalamus, hypothalamus, epithalamus of the brain

thalamus

relays incoming sensory info to the correct area of the cerebrum; located below the majority of the cerebrum

brainstem

midbrain, pons, medulla of the brain

midbrain

pathway for impulses conducted b/n the brain and spinal cord

pons

connects the cerebellum to the rest of the brain

medulla oblongata (medulla)

connects the brain to the spinal cord; controls RR, HR, BP, and temperature; inferior most part of the brain

spinal cord

extends from medulla oblongata to L2 vertebra; provides path for messages traveling to/from the brain

How does sensory info enter the spinal cord?

enters gray matter via dorsal roots and rises through ascending tracts of white matter

How does the spinal cord send motor commands?

through descending tracts of white matter and exiting the gray matter via ventral roots

meninges

3-layered protective sac around the brain and spinal cord; dura mater, arachnoid, pia mater layers

cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

circulates in subarachnoid space (b/n arachnoid and pia mater layers)

nerve

bundle of neurons that carry messages b/n the CNS and the body; sensory (to the CNS) and motor (from the CNS) nerves; 12 paired cranial nerves and 31 paired spinal nerves

cerebellitis

inflammation of the cerebellum

meningocele

protrusion of the meninges

cerebral

pertaining to the cerebrum

cerebromalacia

abnormal softening of the cerebrum

cerebrosclerosis

hardening of the cerebrum

electroencephalogram

record of electric activity of the brain

encephaloma

brain tumor

anesthesisa

without sensation

hyperesthesia

excessive sensation

medullary

pertaining to the medulla oblongata

meningomyelitis

inflammation of the meninges and bone marrow

myelography

process of recording bone marrow

myelotomy

cutting into bone marrow

polyneuritis

inflammation of many nerves

neurorrhaphy

to suture nerves

hemiparesis

weakness of one half of a pair

aphasia

without speech

dysphasia

difficulty speaking

monoplegia

paralysis of one (limb)

hemiplegia

paralysis of one half

pontine

pertaining to the pons

pontocerebellar

pertaining to the ponsand cerebellum

radiculitis

inflammation of the nerve roots

radiculopathy

disease of the nerve roots

thalamic

pertaining to the thalamus

thalamotomy

cutting into the thalamus

syncope

fainting

dyslexia

impairment of ability to read

carpoptosis

wrist drop due to nerve damage → prolonged flexed wrist

ataxia

lack of muscle coordination → no balance

algesia

sensitivity to pain; also a suffix

analgesia

condition w/o pain

anesthesia

condition in which there is lack of feeling/sensation

paresthesia

subjective sensation; numbness, tingling, “pins and needles” feeling in absence of an external stimulus

pseudesthesia

imaginary or false sensation

hyperesthesia

condition of excessive sense of feeling, pain, or touch sensitivity

palsy

temporary or permanent loss of function or voluntary movement

paralysis

temporary or permanent loss of muscle function and movement

hemiparesis

weakness or loss of motion on 1 half of the body

hemiplegia

paralysis of 1 half of the body

spasticity

having above normal muscle tone and hyperactive deep tendon reflexes

convulsion

severe, involuntary, alternating muscle contractions and relaxations; caused by epilepsy, fever, or toxic conditions

seizure

sudden, uncontrollable onset of symptoms; absence/petit mal, tonic-clonic/grand mal, or focal seizures

absence/petit mal seizure

appears as loss of awareness and absence of activity

tonic-clonic/grand mal seizure

loss of consciousness and convulsions; tonic: strong and continuous muscle spasms; clonic: rhythmic muscle contractions and relaxation

focal seizure

localized seizure affecting 1 limb

aura

sensations that occur prior to epileptic seizure or migraine headaches (ex: seeing colors or unusual odors)

cephalagia/cephalgia

headache from any course

tension headaches

from prolonged contraction of skeletal muscles around the scalp, face, neck, and upper back; associated w/ excessive emotional tension, anxiety, depression