Nervous System Anatomy, Diseases, and Disorders

Afferent nerves

nerves that carry impulses toward the CNS; also known as sensory nerves

Brain

the prominent organ located within the cranial cavity; it is the center of conscious thought, memory, emotions, and muscle stimulus.

Brain stem

the lowermost part of the brain; it includes the medulla and the pons, which transmit impulses between the spinal cord and other parts of the brain. Controls basic body functions such as breathing, swallowing, heart rate, blood pressure, consciousness, and whether one is awake or sleepy.

Central nervous system

a main division of the nervous system that contains the brain and spinal cord; abbreviated CNS

Efferent nerves

nerves that carry impulses away from the CNS; also called motor nerves

Peripheral nervous system

a main division of the nervous system that contains the peripheral nerves and ganglia

Synapse

a tiny gap between an axon of one neuron and a dendrite or cell body of another neuron, across which information travels by way of neurotransmitters

Parkinson's disease

Chronic degenerative disease of the brain indicated by hand tremors, rigidity, expressionless face, and shuffling gait; also called Parkinsonism and abbreviated PD

Alzheimer's Disease

deterioration of brain function characterized by confusion, short term memory loss, and restlessness; abbreviated AD

dementia

literally "not in the mind,"impairment of mental function that is characterized by memory loss, disorientation, and confusion

Palsy

Paralysis of localized areas; the most common is Bell's palsy, in which facial muscles are paralyzed on one side of the head

Seizure

A sudden attack of spasms or convulsions; seizures are classified as grand mal which involves all muscle groups, petit mal which involves brief losses of consciousness without motor involvement, or partial which involves only limited areas of the brain with local symptoms

Transient ischemic attack

A brief episode of loss of blood flow to the brain that results in a temporary neurologic impairment, and often precedes a CVA; abbreviated TIA

Magnetic resonance imaging

Use of magnets to identify structural details of soft tissues within the body, coupled with computer imaging, to produce 3-dimensional images that are useful in targeting brain tumors, brain trauma, MS and other conditions; abbreviated MRI

cerebellum

coordinates voluntary movements such as posture, balance, coordination, and speech, resulting in smooth and balanced muscular activity

frontal lobe

Involved in problem solving, spontaneity, memory, language, initiation, judgement, impulse control, and social and sexual behavior.

temporal lobe

Involved in hearing and selective listening. It receives sensory information such as sounds and speech from the ears. It is also key to being able to comprehend, or understand meaningful speech

occiptal lobe

Lobe in the brain which makes sense of visual information so that we are able to understand it.

parietal lobe

portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position

cerebrovascular accident

disruption in the normal blood supply to the brain; stroke

transient ischemic attack

temporary interruption in the blood supply to the brain

cerebral palsy

paralysis caused by damage to the area of the brain responsible for movement

Epilepsy

chronic brain disorder characterized by recurrent seizure activity

Huntington chorea/disease

hereditary disease of the central nervous system characterized by bizarre, involuntary body movements and progressive dementia

multiple sclerosis

myelin sheath destruction. disruptions in nerve impulse conduction

poliomyelitis

inflammation of the gray matter of the spinal cord caused by a virus, commonly resulting in spinal and muscle deformity and paralysis

Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's Disease)

A nervous system disease that weakens muscles and impacts physical function. In this disease, nerve cells break down, which reduces functionality in the muscles they supply. The cause is unknown. The main symptom is muscle weakness. Medication and therapy can slow ALS and reduce discomfort, but there's no cure.

carpal tunnel syndrome

A condition caused by compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel and characterized especially by weakness, pain, and disturbances of sensation in the hand and fingers

herpes zoster

viral disease affecting the peripheral nerves, characterized by painful blisters that spread over the skin following the affected nerves, usually unilateral; also known as shingles

myasthenia gravis

a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the neuromuscular junction and produces serious weakness of voluntary muscles

Botulism

a rare but serious illness caused by a toxin that attacks the body's nerves. Symptoms usually start with weakness of the muscles that control the eyes, face, mouth, and throat. This weakness may spread to the neck, arms, torso, and legs.

hydrocephalus

accumulation of fluid in the spaces of the brain

spina bifida

a congenital defect that occurs during early pregnancy when the spinal canal fails to close completely around the spinal cord to protect it

hemmorhagic stroke

Type of CVA that occurs when a weakened blood vessel, such as an aneurysm, ruptures and bleeds into the surrounding tissue of the brain.

ischemic stroke

occurs when a blood clot blocks or narrows an artery leading to the brain.

sciatica

pain that follows the pathway of the sciatic nerve, caused by compression or trauma of the nerve or its roots