Medical Terminology: Nervous System and Special Senses

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering anatomy, physiology, pathologies, and diagnostic procedures for the nervous system and the special senses (eyes and ears).

Central Nervous System (CNS)

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

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The division of the nervous system consisting of 12 pairs of cranial nerves and 31 pairs of spinal nerves.

Meninges

Three protective layers covering the brain and spinal cord: the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.

Dura mater

The tough outermost protective layer of the meninges.

Arachnoid mater

The web-like middle protective layer of the meninges.

Pia mater

The delicate innermost protective layer of the meninges.

Afferent nerves

Nerves that carry sensory messages toward the spinal cord and brain.

Efferent nerves

Nerves that carry motor messages away from the brain and spinal cord.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

The nervous system division responsible for involuntary control of glands, cardiac muscle, and smooth muscle.

Sympathetic nervous system

A division of the ANS responsible for the "fight or flight" response, causing effects such as increased heart rate and respiration.

Parasympathetic nervous system

A division of the ANS responsible for the "rest and digest" response, causing effects such as slowed heart rate and stimulated digestion.

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

A brief episode of neurological dysfunction, commonly referred to as a "mini stroke."

Ischemic stroke

A cerebrovascular accident caused by a blockage of blood flow, often by an embolus (piece of a thrombus).

Hemorrhagic stroke

A cerebrovascular accident resulting from a vessel rupture that causes bleeding into the brain.

Tissue Plasminogen Activator (TPA)

A thrombolytic medication administered to break up blood clots in ischemic stroke patients.

Coup

A traumatic brain injury occurring at the site of a blow to the skull.

Contracoup

A rebound traumatic brain injury occurring opposite the site of impact.

Contusion

A bruise on the brain resulting from traumatic brain injury.

Concussion

A mild traumatic brain injury caused by impact or head trauma.

Meningitis

Inflammation of the meninges that can be bacterial or viral in origin.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

A neurological disorder characterized by the demyelination of the myelin sheath, which impairs nerve impulse conduction.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

A progressive neurological condition also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE)

A neurological condition known as "mad cow disease," which can lead to Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD).

Orbit

The eye socket.

Canthus

The corners of the eye.

Lacrimal duct

The tear duct.

Blepharon

The eyelid.

Hyperopia

A refractive error commonly called farsightedness.

Myopia

A refractive error commonly called nearsightedness.

Presbyopia

Age-related difficulty with near vision.

Astigmatism

An uneven curvature of the cornea causing blurred focus.

Conjunctivitis

An inflammation of the conjunctiva, commonly referred to as "pink eye."

Glaucoma

A condition caused by the buildup of aqueous humor that increases intraocular pressure, leading to peripheral vision loss.

Cataracts

Clouding of the eye's lens, often related to aging or diabetes.

Diabetic Retinopathy

An ocular pathology marked by retinal hemorrhages and the destruction of photoreceptor rods and cones.

External auditory meatus

The canal of the external ear.

Tympanic membrane

The eardrum, located in the middle ear.

Ossicles

The three small bones of the middle ear: the malleus, incus, and stapes.

Stapes

An ossicle of the middle ear that is the smallest bone in the human body.

Vestibular apparatus

The inner ear structure comprising semicircular canals responsible for equilibrium and balance.

Cochlear apparatus

The inner ear structure responsible for hearing.

Otitis Media

Inflammation of the middle ear; can present as acute otitis media (AOM) or bilateral otitis media (BOM).

Vertigo

A dizziness or spinning sensation, sometimes caused by displaced otoliths (ear crystals).

Otoliths

Ear crystals that can cause vertigo when displaced.

Tinnitus

A ringing sound in the ears.

Conductive hearing loss

Hearing loss caused by a mechanical blockage, such as cerumen (ear wax).

Sensorineural hearing loss

Hearing loss caused by damage to the hearing apparatus, such as the cochlea.

Electroencephalograph (EEG)

A diagnostic recording of electrical activity within the brain.

Electro-neurodiagnostic

A diagnostic procedure that uses electrical information to predict pathology.

Snellen chart

A standardized chart used to measure visual acuity.

Fundoscopy

An examination of the retina using an ophthalmoscope to detect cataracts or vascular changes.

Tonometer

An instrument that measures intraocular pressure to evaluate for glaucoma.

Mydriatics

Medications that induce dilation of the pupil.

Miotics

Medications that induce constriction of the pupil.

Otoscopy

An examination of the external and middle ear using an otoscope.

Cochleography (ECOG) / ABR

Diagnostic testing used to measure the nervous system's response to sound.

Meringotomy

A surgical procedure involving the installation of pressure equalization (PE) tubes in the tympanic membrane.

Cochlear implants

Electronic devices featuring electrodes implanted directly into the hearing apparatus.