nerv

Sensory Input

any electrical impulse sent from the sensory organs to the central nervous system

Integration

the CNS processes and interprets the information received through the sensory organs. The CNS does this without your being aware of this activity on a conscious level

Motor Input

After swiftly processing and interpreting the sensory input, the CNS transmits messages to effectors

CNS

Central Nervous system, consists of the brain and spinal cord. The CNS receives, processes, and responds to impulses from all over the body. In essence, the CNS functions as the command center of the body.

PNS

peripheral nervous system is made up of nerves that reach into and extend from the brain and the spinal cord.

Brain

the master commander of the nervous system. Together, with the spinal cord, the brain processes and interprets neural messages. The brain is the center of mental functions

Occipital Lobe

lie in the posterior part of the cerebrum. They control vision

Temporal Lobe

found in the lateral parts of the right and left cerebral hemispheres. They are responsible for your hearing, sense of smell, factual and visual memory, and language processing

Frontal Lobe

located in the anterior part of the cerebrum. They control movement, reasoning, planning, problem solving, speech, and emotions

Parietal Lobe

Situated in the superior part of the cerebrum, are largely responsible for processing sensory stimuli related to touch, pressure, temperature, and pain.

Cerebrum

located in the superior and anterior parts of the brain, is the largest brain region. is the seat of high-level cognitive functions such as language, reasoning, planning, memory, and sensory integration

Diencephalon

situated in the posterior part of the forebrain, directly beneath the cerebrum. It is the site of three key glands of the endocrine system

Thalamus

acts as the sensory traffic director of the brain.

Hypothalamus

located inferior to the thalamus, serves as the monitor and control center of autonomic nervous system functions

Pineal

secretes melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate the body's circadian rhythm.

Brain Stem

connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord. It helps regulate the central nervous system

Pons

connects the cerebellum to the rest of the brain.

Midbrain

serves as the passageway for electrical impulses as they travel between the brain and the spinal cord

Medulla Oblongata

connects the brain to the spinal cord via the pons. helps conduct neural impulses from the brain to the spinal cord. regulates vital autonomic functions

Spinal Cord

a column of neural tissue that extends inferiorly from the medulla oblongata to the second lumbar vertebra

cerebrospinal fluid function

to protect the spinal cord

white matter

made up of ascending spinal tracts and descending spinal tracts

gray matter

composed of nerve cell bodies, dendrites, and axon terminals of the peripheral nerves.

Nerves

a bundle of neuronal fibers that carries electrical impulses or messages from the brain and spinal cord to different parts of the body and then back.

Neuron

the fundamental cells of the nervous system. found in the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. They are responsible for conducting electrical impulses

Afferent

Nerves that conduct messages from sensory receptors to the CNS only

Efferent

conduct messages from the CNS to the muscles or glands of the body.

Meninges

three layers of connective tissue that protect the central nervous system

Dura Mater

thick sac of dense collagen fibers and blood vessels that protects the CNS from injury

Arachnoid mater

contains many thin fibers that connect it to the pia mater below it.

Pia Mater

a thin, delicate tissue membrane that lies directly on the brain and the spinal cord. contains a rich supply of blood vessels that nourish the CNS

Somatic

physical in nature, having physical symptoms and origins

Aneurysm

Localized, balloon-like dilation of a blood vessel, usually an artery

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (AMS)

muscular weakness and atrophy with involuntary contractions and excessive reflexes; caused by the degeneration of motor neurons

Syncope

temporary loss of consciousness due to inadequate blood flow to the brain

Cerebral Palsy

Disorder that affects movement and muscle tone; caused by a defect in the brain before birth.

Guillain Barre

the body's immune system attacks the nerves. starts with legs, feet, and arms, then goes to the brain.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

chronic, slow-progressing disease of the central nervous system marked by development of thin, demyelinated glial patches called plaques

Transient ischemic attack

brief stoppage of blood flow to a part of the brain

Stroke

Death of brain tissue that occurs when an arterial blockage or arterial rupture prevents blood flow to the brain

Bell's Palsy

Unilateral paralysis of the nerves that control the facial muscles, causing one side of the face to droop

Migraine

headache that produces intense throbbing and pain in one area of the head and that is typically accompanied by nausea and/or vomiting

Concussion

traumatic brain injury resulting from a blow to the head or violent shaking of the head and upper body

Paralysis

nerve impulses are impaired, preventing muscular movement

Paraplegia

Loss of voluntary movement in the lower half of the body, including both legs; often as a result of spinal cord injury or disease

Quadriplegia

paralysis in all four extremities/ limbs

Hemiplegia

Paralysis of one side of the body

Paresthesia

Abnormal sensation that typically is not painful, such as tingling, numbness, itching, prickling, or burning

Spina Bifida

Split spine; congenital defect in which part of the membrane covering the spinal cord protrudes through a gap in the spine

Hydrocephalus

Accumulation of excess cerebrospinal fluid inside the ventricles of the brain

Shingles

Eruption of a painful rash, often on the torso of the body along a peripheral nerve

Coma

A state of extended unconsciousness caused by a medical crisis, such as a traumatic brain injury, stroke, infection, or illness

Seizure

disruption of electrical activity in the brain that produces physical and mental changes

Aura

subjective sensation that often occurs before a migraine or seizure

Epilepsy

neurological disorder of the central nervous system disorder in which the activity of the neural cells in the brain becomes disrupted

Grand mal seizure

An epileptic seizure characterized by violent muscle contractions and loss of consciousness;

Petit mal seizure

Brief, sudden lapses of consciousness, more common in children

Focal seizure

Abnormal electrical activity that occurs in one or more parts of one brain hemisphere

Dementia

condition of progressive mental deterioration caused by organic brain disease

Amnesia

a partial or total loss of memory (facts and information)

Delirium

state of mental confusion and agitation characterized by disorientation of time and place, usually accompanied by hallucinations and illusions

Meningitis

inflammation of the meninges caused by viral or bacterial infection and marked by intense headache and fever

Alzheimer's Disease (AD)

dementia resulting from atrophy of the frontal and occipital lobes of the brain.

Parkinson's Disease

progressive disease of the nervous system marked by tremor, muscular rigidity, and slow, imprecise movement

Tetanus (lockjaw)

bacterial infection that causes someone's neck and jaw to lock up

Mental

diseases and conditions that affect mental and psychiatric parts of the nervous system

Panic disorder

Disorder characterized by sudden, recurring attacks of intense anxiety and fear

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Condition resulting from an extremely traumatic experience, illness, or injury that triggers persistent thoughts and memories of the experience

Obsessive Compulsive disorder (OCD)

Anxiety disorder in which irrational thoughts and fears cause one to perform repetitive actions

Phobia

Exaggerated fear of a specific object or situation that causes anxiety and panic

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

anxiety disorder characterized by excessive worry that is not restricted to specific situations or objects

Developmental disorders

group of mental disorders characterized by disruption of normal development during childhood

Dyslexia

learning disorder characterized by difficulty in recognizing and comprehending written language

Attention Deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

disorder in which a person is frequently distracted, is hyperactive, and displays a lack of impulse control.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

disability characterized by difficulty communicating with others and focusing beyond oneself

Intellectual disorder (ID)

below-average intelligence resulting in the inability to develop skills necessary for daily living

Mood disorders

group of mental disorders marked by depression that may alternate with periods of elation

Bipolar (Manic depressive disorder)

mental disorder characterized by alternating periods of mania and depression

Depression

mood disorder marked by persistent feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and lack of interest in daily activities

Seasonal Affective disorder (SAD)

form of depression that occurs during the fall and winter seasons as a result of less exposure to natural sunlight

Psychotic disorders

group of mental disorders characterized by loss of touch with reality, hallucinations, and delusions

Postpartum Psychosis

psychiatric condition that develops in 1 to 2 per 1,000 women within the first week after childbirth

Eating disorders

group of mental disorders characterized by an unhealthy focus on weight and food.

Anorexia nervosa

eating disorder characterized by an abnormally low body weight, an irrational fear of gaining weight, and a distorted perception of body image

Bulimia Nervosa

Eating disorder characterized by binge eating that is followed by induced vomiting, use of laxatives, and/or excessive exercise

EEG

Record of the electrical impulses of the brain

Cerebral Angiography

X-ray of the blood vessels in the brain after a contrast medium (dye) has been injected

Lumbar puncture

Spinal tap; needle aspiration of spinal canal fluid in the lumbar area

PET

Procedure that uses nuclear medicine and computerized tomography to generate images of the brain

Babinski Sign

Reflex in which the toes curl upward when the plantar surface (sole) of the foot is stimulated

DTR

Evaluation of involuntary muscular responses with a reflex hammer

CSF shunt

surgically implanted device that drains cerebrospinal fluid in a controlled manner from the brain ventricles to the abdomen or heart

Carotid endarterectomy

Surgical removal of fatty deposits in one or both carotid arteries

Nerve block

Injection of a local or regional anesthetic or anesthesia to prevent pain in an area near a nerve

CBT

counseling wherein the goal is to help the client to gain an improved awareness of negative thought processes and to adopt strategies for counteracting negative thinking.

ECT

Electrical shock applied to the brain under medical supervision to trigger convulsions.

Light therapy

Use of a specialized light source, which replicates natural sunlight, to treat seasonal affective disorder.

Psychotherapy

form of treatment for psychiatric disorders that emphasizes verbal and nonverbal communication

Antianxiety

Medication used to reduce feelings of anxiety.

Hypnotic

Drug that causes sleep or loss of consciousness.