Medterm Nervous System Test Review

cerebell/o

cerebellum

cerebr/o

cerebrum

dur/o

dura mater

encephal/o

brain

gli/o

glial cells

kines/o

movement

mening/o

meninges

my/o

muscle

myel/o

spinal cord

neur/o

nerves

vag/o

vagus nerve

glial cell

support, help ward off infection, don’t transmit impulses, numerous and can reproduce

types of glial cells

astrocyte, mircoglial, oligdendroglial, ependymal

efferent nerve

motor division, carries information to skeletal muscle, somatic, reflexes, autonomic, involuntary, smooth and cardiac muscle

afferent nerve

sensory division, carries impulses toward the central nervous system, somatic, skin, bones muscle, visceral (organs)

neurotransmitter

A chemical that is made by nerve cells and used to communicate with other cells, including other nerve cells and muscle cells

types of neurotransmitters

serotonin , epinephrine , dopamine , acetylcholine , and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)

plexus

An interwoven network of nerves

axon

a thin fiber that connects neurons (nerve cells) to that they can communicate, long strand underneath myelin sheath

cerebellum

below and posterior to the cerebrum, controls muscular movement, posture, balance, running, and walking

cerebral cortex

outer layer of the cerebrum, 3 mm of gray matter, 70% of all neurons, controls most bodily functions

cerebrospinal fluid

a clear, colorless liquid surrounding the brain and spinal cord, providing protection and nourishment

cerebrum

the largest part of the brain, responsible for higher brain functions such as thought, emotion, and voluntary movement.

cranial nerves

The nerves of the brain, which emerge from or enter the skull (the cranium)

dendrite

projections from the cell body, or soma, of neurons, the cells of the nervous system, small spike looking things that stem from the main part of the nerve

dura mater

The tough, strong, white outer layer of tissue that covers and protects the brain and spinal cord and is closest to the skull

gyri

ridges of the brain

hypothalamus

regulates autonomic control (homeostasis)

medulla oblongata

combining form: medull/o, controls vital bodily functions like breathing and heartbeat

myelin sheath

a sleeve (sheath) that's wrapped around each nerve cell (neurons), looks like bubble wrap around the axon

synapse

The space between the end of a nerve cell and another cell

cell body

contains the nucleus which acts as the cell's control center, nucleus at center and dendrites protrude outward

sulcus or sulci

a groove in the brain

spina bifida

congenital defect of the spine in which part of the spinal cord and its meninges are exposed through a gap in the backbone, often causing paralysis of the lower limbs, looks like a large sac protruding from the spinal cord

alzheimer’s disease

gradual and progressive mental deterioration, personality changes, impairment of daily functions, unknown cause

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

degenerative disorder of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brain stem, weakness and atrophy of muscles in the hands, forearms, and legs

epilepsy

chronic brain disorder characterized by recurrent seizure activity

multiple sclerosis

destruction of myelin sheath on neurons in the central nervous system, progressive muscle weakness, myelin is replaced by hard tissue

myasthena gravis

autoimmune disorder, muscle weakness

Bell’s palsy

paralysis on one side of the face, viral infection

parkinson’s disease

tremors, muscle weakness, slow movement, deficiency of dopamine

cerebral concussion

caused by a blow to the head, no evidence of structural damage

cerebral contusion

bruising of brain tissue resulting from direct trauma to the head

cerebrovascular accident

disruption in the normal blood supply to the brain, STROKE

babinski’s reflex

plantar response to see if toes will curl

CT scan

computed tomography scan to assess the brain for tumors, injuries, intracranial bleeding

kernig’s sign

inability to fully bend knees, used to detect meningitis

lumbar puncture

taking fluid from the lower spine for diagnostic purposes

MRI

used to detect conditions that affect soft tissue such as tumors or brain disorders, magnetic resonance imaging

PET Scan

positron emission tomography, usually for the brain

EEG

electroencephalogram, measures electrical activity of the brain

lobes of the cortex anagram

going clockwise, females (frontal, personality reasoning), pick (parietal, balance, spatial awareness), odd (occipital, vision), types (temporal, hearing language),