Review of Neurological Disorders

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to neurological disorders as discussed in class.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The part of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The part of the nervous system outside the central nervous system, including cranial and spinal nerves.

Cerebral Cortex

The outer layer of the brain responsible for high-level functions such as thought, language, and perception.

Frontal Lobe

Part of the cerebral cortex involved in personality, behavior, emotions, and intellectual function.

Broca’s Area

An area in the dominant hemisphere responsible for speech production; damage can lead to expressive aphasia.

Wernicke’s Area

An area in the dominant hemisphere that is critical for language comprehension; damage can lead to receptive aphasia.

Basal Ganglia

Subcortical structures involved in the control of voluntary motor movements and learning.

Thalamus

The brain's main relay station for sensory and motor signals to the cerebral cortex.

Hypothalamus

A region of the brain that regulates temperature, sleep, and autonomic nervous system activities.

Cerebellum

The part of the brain that coordinates voluntary movements and maintains posture and balance.

Brain Stem

The part of the CNS that connects the brain to the spinal cord and manages vital life functions.

Cranial Nerves

Twelve pairs of nerves that directly emerge from the brain and supply the head and neck.

Spinal Cord

The part of the CNS that runs down the spine, transmitting signals between the brain and the body.

Motor Pathway

Neural pathways that transmit signals from the CNS to muscles to initiate movement.

Sensory Pathway

Neural pathways that carry sensory information from the PNS to the CNS.

Reflex Arc

A neural pathway that controls a reflex action, involving sensory neurons, interneurons, and motor neurons.

Paresis

Weakness of voluntary movement in a muscle, often resulting from neurological impairment.

Paresthesia

Abnormal sensation in the skin such as tingling, prickling, or numbness.

Tension-Type Headache

A common headache characterized by bilateral, non-throbbing pain often triggered by stress.

Cluster Headache

A severe headache disorder marked by recurring headaches on one side of the head, often occurring in cycles.

Migraine

A type of headache characterized by intense throbbing pain and symptoms like nausea and sensitivity to light.

Delirium

An acute and often reversible disturbance in attention and cognitive function.

Dementia

A chronic decline in cognitive function affecting memory, reasoning, and interpersonal skills.

Seizure

A sudden, transient occurrence of signs and/or symptoms due to abnormal neuronal activity in the brain.

Epilepsy

A neurological disorder characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures.

Generalized Seizures

Seizures that affect the entire brain and often involve loss of consciousness.

Focal Onset Seizures

Seizures that originate in one area of the brain and may or may not affect consciousness.

Emergency Seizure Management

Protecting the patient from injury during a seizure and ensuring safety until recovery.

Temporal Arteritis

Inflammation of blood vessels in the head that can lead to severe complications if untreated.

Dizziness

A general term for a range of sensations such as feeling faint, unsteady, or woozy.

Vertigo

A specific type of dizziness characterized by the sensation of spinning or movement.

Acoustic Neuroma

A benign tumor on the vestibulocochlear nerve that can affect balance and hearing.

Multisensory Integration

The process by which the brain combines information from different sensory modalities.

Migraine Triggers

Factors that can provoke a migraine attack, such as stress, certain foods, or hormonal changes.

Mini-Mental Status Exam (MMSE)

A brief 30-point assessment used to measure cognitive impairment.

Neoplasm

An abnormal mass of tissue that forms when cells grow uncontrollably, can be benign or malignant.

Transcranial Doppler

A non-invasive ultrasound method to measure cerebral blood flow.

Cognitive Function

Mental processes that include thinking, understanding, and memory.

Neurological Assessment

A systematic examination of the nervous system to identify abnormalities.

Neurovascular Disorders

Conditions that affect the blood vessels of the brain, such as strokes and aneurysms.

Degenerative Disorders

A group of diseases characterized by the progressive degeneration of nervous tissue.

Infectious Disorders

Neurological conditions caused by infectious agents such as bacteria or viruses.

Parkinson's Disease

A neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor symptoms including tremors and rigidity.

Cerebral Palsy

A group of disorders affecting movement and muscle tone due to brain damage.

Parkinsonian Tremor

A specific type of tremor associated with Parkinson's disease, characterized by a rhythmic shaking.