MedTech Nervous System

Neuroplasty

surgical repair of a nerve

Hemiplegia

paralysis of one half of the body

Cerebralvascular Accident (CVA)

abbreviation for stroke

Myelomeningocele

spinal cord and meninges protrude through the vertebral column

Aphasia

inability to speak

Paraesthesia

burning or tingling sensation

Hydrocephalus

fluid in the brain

Analgesia

absence of pain

Coma

profound unconsciousness

Encephalitis

inflammation of the brain

Carotid Endarterectomy

surgical procedure to remove a blockage in the carotid artery

Myelogram

record (image) of spinal cord

Gyri (ridges) & Sulci (grooves)

mountains and valleys, which are prominent parts of the cerebrum

Syncope

medical term for fainting

Shingles or Herpes Zoster

condition from herpes zoster virus

Central Nervous System (CNS)

brain and spinal cord

CNS Function

integrates and processes information sent by nerves

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

cranial and spinal nerves

PNS Function

connects CNS to the rest of the body

# Cranial Nerves

12 pairs, 24 total

# Spinal Nerves

31 pairs

- 8 cervical

- 12 thoracic

- 5 lumbar

- 5 sacral

- 1 coccygeal

Cerebrum

thought, judgement, memory, association, and discrimination

Cerebellum

coordination of voluntary movement and balance

Brainstem

controls vital functions (breathing, heartbeat, blood pressure)

Midbrain

vision and hearing reflexes

Pons

connects cerebrum to cerebellum; controls sleep and arousal

Medulla Oblongata

regulates vital life functions (respiration, heart rate, BP)

Thalamus

relay center for sensory impulses

Hypothalamus

controls body temperature, hunger, thirst, and emotions

Diencephalon

Contains thalamus and hypothalamus

Dura Mater

outer layer; tough protective layer

Arachnoid Membrane

middle layer; web-like, cushions brain

Pia Mater

inner layer; delicate, adheres to brain and spinal cord surface

Dendrites

receive impulses

Cell Body (soma)

processes info

Axon

transmits impulses away from the cell body

Myelin Sheath

insulates and speeds up transmission

Synaptic Knobs

release neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters

chemicals that help impulses cross synapses (ex. acetylcholine, dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine)

How a Neuron transmits an Impulse?

1. Stimulus received by dendrites

2. Impulse travels through the cell body and axon

3. Neurotransmitters released into the synaptic cleft

4. Next Neuron receives the impulse from its dendrites

Ischemic Stroke

blood clot or blockage cuts off oxygen to part of the brain

Hemorrhagic Stroke

ruptured blood vessel causes bleeding in or around the brain

Transient Ischemic Stroke (TIA)

"mini-stroke" caused by a temporary loss of blood flow

Hemiplegia

paralysis on one side

Paraplegia

paralysis of lower body

Quadriplegia (tetraplegia)

paralysis to all 4 limbs

Paresis

weakness (partial paralysis)

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

degenerative motor neuron disease

Multiple Sclerosis

myelin sheath destruction in CNS

Parkinson's Disease (PD)

a chronic, degenerative central nervous disorder in which there is a progressive loss of control over movement, resulting in tremors and a shuffling gait

Epilepsy

recurrent seizures from abnormal brain activity

Meningitis

inflammation of meninges

Neuralgia

nerve pain

White Matter

inner part of brain, outer part of spinal cord; myelinated axons

White Matter Function

transmits nerve signals rapidly

Gray Matter

outer part of brain (cortex), inner part of spinal cord; cell bodies and dendrites (unmyelinated)

Gray Matter Function

processes and integrates info