Nervous and Sensory System Vocabulary

Flashcards covering key vocabulary terms from lecture notes on the nervous and sensory system.

CNS

Brain + Spinal Cord

PNS

Cranial + Spinal Nerves

RAS (Reticular Activating System)

Controls wakefulness.

Autonomic Nervous System

Controls involuntary functions (sympathetic vs. parasympathetic).

Cerebrum

Higher thinking, movement, sensation.

Cerebellum

Balance, coordination.

Brainstem

Vital functions (breathing, heart rate).

Medulla Oblongata

Controls HR, breathing, vasomotor response; Origin of cranial nerves III to XII.

Reticular Formation

Filters sensory input, coordinates motor control.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Fight or Flight: Increases HR, BP, dilates pupils.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Rest & Digest: Decreases HR, increases digestion and salivation.

Afferent Nerve Fibers

Carry signals Toward CNS (sensory).

Efferent Nerve Fibers

Carry signals Away from CNS (motor).

Stroke

Brain Attack - Time = Brain!

FAST (Stroke)

Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 911

tPA

Treatment for ischemic stroke, administered within 3–4.5 hours.

Monro-Kellie Doctrine

If one component of the skull (brain, CSF, blood) increases, the others must decrease to prevent pressure.

Cushing's Triad

Late sign of increased ICP: ↑ Systolic BP (widened pulse pressure), ↓ HR (bradycardia), ↓ RR (irregular breathing).

Status Epilepticus

Seizure >5 minutes or 2+ without recovery; Medical emergency – can cause brain damage.

PERRLA

Pupils Equal, Round, Reactive to Light and Accommodation

Weber Test

Tuning fork on forehead; assesses conductive vs. sensorineural hearing loss.

Rinne Test

Compare bone vs. air conduction; assesses conductive hearing loss.

Vertigo

Spinning sensation, often inner ear cause (like BPPV).

Meniere’s Disease

Inner ear disorder → excess fluid buildup; Triad: Vertigo, tinnitus, hearing loss.

Tinnitus

Ringing, buzzing, or roaring in the ears.

Myopia

Nearsightedness.

Hyperopia

Farsightedness.

Presbyopia

Age-related loss of near focus.

Astigmatism

Irregular cornea shape.

Glaucoma

↑ Intraocular Pressure (IOP) damages optic nerve.

Macular Degeneration

Loss of central vision.

Retinal Detachment

Separation of retina; EMERGENCY.

Snellen Chart

Test visual acuity (distance).

Tonometry

Test intraocular pressure (for glaucoma).

Olfactory Nerve (I)

Smell

Optic Nerve (II)

Vision

Oculomotor Nerve (III)

Eye movement

Trochlear Nerve (IV)

Eye movement

Trigeminal Nerve (V)

Facial sensation and chewing

Abducens Nerve (VI)

Lateral eye movement

Facial Nerve (VII)

Facial expression and taste

Vestibulocochlear Nerve (VIII)

Hearing and balance

Glossopharyngeal Nerve (IX)

Swallowing and taste

Vagus Nerve (X)

Digestion and heart rate.

Accessory Nerve (XI)

Shrugging shoulders

Hypoglossal Nerve (XII)

Tongue movement

Electrolytes

Minerals that carry electrical charge. Functions: nerve conduction, muscle contraction, fluid balance, acid-base regulation.

Sodium (Na)

Fluid balance, nerve impulses. Normal Range: 135–145 mEq/L

Potassium (K)

Cardiac & muscle contraction. Normal Range: 3.5–5.0 mEq/L

Calcium (Ca²)

Muscle contraction, blood clotting. Normal Range: 8.6–10.2 mg/dL

Magnesium (Mg²)

Nerve/muscle function, enzyme activity. Normal Range: 1.5–2.5 mEq/L

Hyponatremia

SALT LOSS: Stupor/coma, Anorexia, Lethargy, Tendon reflexes ↓, Limp muscles, Orthostatic hypotension, Seizures/headache, Stomach cramping

Hyperkalemia

MURDER: Muscle weakness, Urine changes, Respiratory distress, Decreased cardiac contractility, ECG changes, Reflexes hyper/absent

ADH

Retains water.

Aldosterone

Retains Na, excretes K.

PTH

Increases Ca².

Calcitonin

Decreases Ca².

ANP/BNP

Reduces fluid volume (opposes RAAS).