The Nervous System and Special Senses

neur/o

nerve (starts with ne-)

cerebr/o

cerebrum or brain (starts with ce-)

encephal/o

brain (starts with en-)

myel/o

spinal cord or bone marrow (starts with my-)

mening/o

meninges or membranes covering the brain (starts with me-)

radicul/o

nerve root (starts with ra-)

thalam/o

thalamus (starts with th-)

esthesi/o

sensation or feeling (combining form starting with es-)

-esthesia

sensation or feeling (suffix starting with -e)

-plegia

paralysis (suffix starting with -p)

-paresis

partial paralysis or weakness (suffix starting with -p)

-phasia

speech (suffix starting with -p)

-lepsy

seizure (suffix starting with -l)

ophthal/o

eye or vision (starts with opht-)

opt/o

eye or vision (starts with op-)

blephar/o

eyelid (starts with bl-)

irid/o

iris or colored part of the eye (starts with ir-)

carat/o

cornea or horny tissue (starts with ke-)

phak/o

lens of the eye (starts with ph-)

retin/o

retina (starts with re-)

scler/o

sclera or white of the eye (starts with sc-)

ot/o

ear (starts with ot-)

myring/o

tympanic membrane or eardrum (starts with myr-)

tympan/o

tympanic membrane or eardrum (starts with ty-)

-opia

vision condition (suffix starting with -o)

-cusis

hearing (suffix starting with -c)

Syncope

The formal clinical term for a sudden, temporary loss of consciousness

Myelin sheath

The white protective covering over some parts of the spinal cord and axon of neurons

Neurotransmitter

Chemical substance that transmits messages and nerve impulses between nerve cells

Meningitis

Acute or chronic inflammation of the meninges or membranes covering the brain and spinal cord

Hydrocephalus

Abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the cavities or ventricles of the brain

Alzheimer's disease

Progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by severe memory loss and language deterioration

Parkinson's disease

Progressive disease of the nervous system marked by tremors, muscle rigidity, and slow body movements

Multiple sclerosis

Autoimmune disease causing the progressive inflammation and destruction of the myelin sheath in the CNS

Cerebrovascular accident

Damage to the brain caused by a sudden disruption or block of blood flow

Transient ischemic attack

A temporary stroke-like episode that resolves quickly without leaving permanent damage

Aphasia

A neurological defect that results in the partial or total loss of speech or articulation abilities

Epilepsy

A chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures

Cataract

The progressive loss of transparency or clouding of the lens of the eye that impairs vision

Glaucoma

An eye disease characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the optic nerve

Macular degeneration

An age-related condition that causes a progressive blurring or loss of sharp central vision

Diplopia

The clinical term for double vision

Strabismus

A disorder in which the eyes point in different directions because eye muscles are unable to focus correctly

Presbyopia

Decline of near vision that occurs with age as the lens becomes less flexible and ciliary muscles weaken

Myopia

The visual refraction error known as nearsightedness

Hyperopia

The visual refraction error known as farsightedness

Nyctalopia

The visual condition commonly called night blindness

Anisocoria

A clinical condition in which the pupils are unequal in size

Ptosis

Drooping of the upper eyelid that is usually due to localized muscle paralysis

Tinnitus

A ringing, buzzing, or tinkling noise heard in one or both ears without an external sound source

Otitis media

Acute or chronic inflammation or infection of the middle ear space

Presbycusis

A gradual sensorineural hearing loss that naturally occurs as the body ages

Vertigo

A sense of whirling, dizziness, and the loss of balance often combined with nausea

Electroencephalography

The process of recording the electrical activity of the brain

Lumbar puncture

The withdrawal of cerebrospinal fluid from between two lumbar vertebrae for diagnostic evaluation

Tympanocentesis

Surgical puncture of the eardrum or tympanic membrane to drain built-up fluid

Audiometry

The clinical measurement of the ability to hear and understand speech sounds based on pitch and loudness