Central Nervous System (CNS)
brain and spinal cord
peripheral nervous system
the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body
Neurons
Individual cells in the nervous system that receive, integrate, and transmit information.
Synapse
the junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron
Synaptic Cleft
The narrow gap that separates the presynaptic neuron from the postsynaptic cell.
Myelin
a fatty substance that helps insulate neurons and speeds the transmission of nerve impulses
Cerebell/o
cerebellum
cerebr/o
cerebrum
encephal/o
brain
medull/o
medulla oblongata
mening/o
meninges (membranes covering brain and spinal cord)
myel/o
spinal cord, bone marrow
neur/o
nerve
pont/o
pons
thalam/o
thalamus
scler/o
hardening
tom/o
to cut
vascul/o
blood vessel
meningocele
protrusion of the meninges
-malacia
softening
Four sections of the brain
cerebrum, cerebellum, diencephalon, brain stem
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
record of the electrical activity of the brain
encephalalgia
brain pain
-esthesia
sensation
meninges
three layers of connective tissue in which the brain and spinal cord are wrapped
pia mater
thin, delicate inner membrane of the meninges
arachnoid mater
weblike middle layer of the three meninges
dura mater
thick, outermost layer of the meninges surrounding and protecting the brain and spinal cord
-plegia
paralysis
pons
the part of the brainstem that links the medulla oblongata and the thalamus.
Alzheimer's disease
a progressive and irreversible brain disorder characterized by gradual deterioration of memory, reasoning, language, and, finally, physical functioning
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
progressive muscle atrophy caused by degeneration and scarring of neurons along the lateral columns of the spinal cord that control muscles
anticonvulsant
medication to reduce excitability of neurons and to prevent uncontrolled neuron activity associated with seizures
cerebral palsy
nonprogressive brain damage resulting from defect, trauma, or oxygen deprivation at time of birth
cerebrospinal fluid
Fluid in the space between the meninges that acts as a shock absorber that protects the central nervous system.
infarct
Area of dead tissue after a lack of blood supply
computed tomography (CT)
brain-imaging method using computer-controlled X-rays of the brain
hydrocephalus
accumulation of fluid in the spaces of the brain
multiple sclerosis
myelin sheath destruction. disruptions in nerve impulse conduction
myasthenia gravis
a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the neuromuscular junction and produces serious weakness of voluntary muscles
Parkinson's disease
chronic disorder of the nervous system with fine tremors, muscular weakness, rigidity, and shuffling gait
shingles
viral disease that affects the peripheral nerves and causes blisters on the skin that follow the course of the affected nerves
spina bifida
congenital defects in the lumbar spinal column caused by imperfect union of vertebral parts
subdural hematoma
collection of blood under the dura mater
endocrin
secrete within
exocrin
secrete out of
Endocrinologist
a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and malfunctions of the endocrine glands (hormone imbalances)
hypersecretion
too much hormone
hyposecretion
too little hormone
adrenal glands
a pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine) that help arouse the body in times of stress.
parathyroid glands
small pea-like organs that regulate calcium and phosphate balance in blood, bones, and other tissues
pancreas
An organs in the abdominal cavity with two roles. The first is an exocrine role: to produce digestive enzymes and bicarbonate, which are delivered to the small intestine via the pancreatic duct. The second is an endocrine role: to secrete insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream to help regulate blood glucose levels.
pineal gland
secretes melatonin
pituitary gland
The endocrine system's most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands.
thymus gland
lymphoid organ in the mediastinum that conditions T cells to react to foreign cells and aids in the immune response
thyroid gland
produces hormones that regulate metabolism, body heat, and bone growth
aden/o
gland
adren/o, adrenal/o
adrenal glands
crin/o
to secrete
oophar/oo ovari/o
ovary
orchi/o, testicul/o
testes
pancreat/o
pancreas
Parathyroid/o
parathyroid glands
pineal/o
pineal gland
pituitar/o
pituitary gland; hypophysis
thym/o
thymus gland
thyr/o
thyroid gland
acr/o
extremities
ophthalm/o
eye
outer adrenal cortex
manufactures hormones: mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, and steroid sex hormones
Inner Adrenal Cortex
marrow?
Aldersterone
Made in the Adrenal Cortex, holds on to sodium and water, gets rid of potassium.
cortisol
stress hormone
epinephrine
adrenaline
parathyroid glands
small pea-like organs that regulate calcium and phosphate balance in blood, bones, and other tissues
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
Regulates endocrine activity of the adrenal cortex
prolactin
stimulates milk production
antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Hormone produced by the neurosecretory cells in the hypothalamus that stimulates water reabsorption from kidney tubule cells into the blood and vasoconstriction of arterioles.
Oxytocin
A hormone released by the posterior pituitary that stimulates uterine contractions during childbirth and milk ejection during breastfeeding.
acromegaly
abnormal enlargement of the extremities
Hypothyroidism
A disorder caused by a thyroid gland that is slower and less productive than normal
Corticosteroids
the steroid hormones produced by the adrenal cortex
diabetes mellitus
insulin is not secreted adequately or tissues are resistant to its effects
exphthalmos
abnormal protrusion of the eyeballs
goiter
resulting from enlargement of the thyroid gland
myexedema
severe hypothyroidism. Edema of hands face and periorbital tissues
Pheochromocytoma
a benign tumor of the adrenal medulla that causes the gland to produce excess epinephrine
tetany
condition affecting nerves causing muscle spasms as a result of low amounts of calcium in the blood caused by a deficiency of the parathyroid hormone
thyrotoxicosis
condition caused by the exposure of body tissue to excessive levels of thyroid hormone
opthamology
diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders
conjunctiva
Delicate membrane lining the eyelids and covering the eyeball
lacrimal glands
The glands that produce fluids to keep the eye moist; also called tear glands.
aque/o
water
belphar/o
eyelid
choroid/o
choroid layer
conjunctiv/o
conjunctiva
core/o, pupill/o
pupil
corne/o, kerat/o
cornea
cycl/o
ciliary body or muscle of the eye
dacry/o, lacrim/o
tear, tearing, crying