NEURO VOCAB PT1

Absence/Petit Mal Seizure – A type of generalized seizure characterized by brief lapses in awareness, often mistaken for daydreaming.

Afferent/Sensory – Neurons that carry sensory information from the body to the central nervous system (CNS).

Aphasia (Expressive, Receptive, or Global) – A language disorder affecting speech, comprehension, or both:

• Expressive aphasia (Broca’s aphasia) – Difficulty speaking but comprehension remains intact.

• Receptive aphasia (Wernicke’s aphasia) – Impaired comprehension with fluent but nonsensical speech.

• Global aphasia – Severe impairment in both expression and comprehension.

Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) – A tangle of abnormal blood vessels in the brain or spine that disrupts normal blood flow and may cause hemorrhage.

Ataxia – Lack of muscle coordination affecting movement, speech, or balance.

Aura – A sensory warning sign (such as flashing lights, strange smells, or tingling) before a seizure or migraine.

Automatisms – Involuntary, repetitive movements (e.g., lip-smacking, blinking, hand motions) often seen during seizures.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) – The part of the nervous system controlling involuntary functions like heart rate, digestion, and respiration.

Basal Ganglia – A group of structures in the brain that help control movement and coordination.

Blood-Brain Barrier – A protective barrier that prevents harmful substances from entering the brain from the bloodstream.

Brain Herniation (Supratentorial or Infratentorial) – A life-threatening condition where brain tissue shifts abnormally due to increased pressure.

Brain Stem – The structure connecting the brain to the spinal cord, responsible for basic functions like breathing, heart rate, and consciousness.

Broca’s Area – The brain region in the frontal lobe responsible for speech production.

Central Nervous System (CNS) – The brain and spinal cord, which process and transmit neural information.

Cerebellum – A brain structure involved in balance, coordination, and fine motor control.

Cerebral Cortex – The outer layer of the brain, responsible for higher-level thinking, sensation, and voluntary movement.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) – A clear fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord, providing cushioning and nutrient transport.

Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)/Stroke – A condition where blood flow to part of the brain is disrupted, causing damage.

Cerebrum – The largest part of the brain, controlling thought, memory, sensation, and voluntary movement.

Contralateral – Referring to the opposite side (e.g., the left brain controls the right side of the body).

Demyelination – The loss or damage of myelin (the protective sheath around nerves), seen in conditions like multiple sclerosis.

Diencephalon – A brain region including the thalamus and hypothalamus, involved in sensory processing and homeostasis.

Dysphagia – Difficulty swallowing.

Efferent/Motor – Neurons that carry signals from the CNS to muscles or glands to cause movement or secretion.

Epileptic Syndrome/Seizure Disorder – A neurological condition characterized by recurrent seizures.

Falx Cerebri – A fold of dura mater that separates the two cerebral hemispheres.

Focal/Partial Seizure – A seizure that starts in one area of the brain and may or may not spread.

Foramen Magnum – A large opening at the base of the skull where the spinal cord connects to the brain.

Frontal Lobe – The brain region responsible for decision-making, personality, movement, and speech production.

Generalized Seizure – A seizure that affects both hemispheres of the brain from the onset.

Grand Mal/Tonic-Clonic Seizure – A type of generalized seizure with muscle stiffening (tonic phase) and rhythmic jerking (clonic phase).

Hemi-Inattention/Hemi-Neglect – A condition where a person ignores one side of their body or environment, often due to stroke.

Hemiparesis – Weakness on one side of the body.

Hemiplegia – Paralysis on one side of the body.

Hemorrhagic Stroke – A stroke caused by bleeding in the brain.

Hypothalamus – A brain region controlling hormones, temperature, hunger, and the autonomic nervous system.

Incisura/Tentorial Notch – An opening in the tentorium cerebelli allowing the brainstem to pass through.

Intracranial Pressure (ICP) – The pressure inside the skull, which can increase due to swelling, bleeding, or fluid buildup.

Ischemic Stroke – A stroke caused by a blockage in a blood vessel supplying the brain.

Limbic System – A group of brain structures involved in emotions, memory, and motivation.

Medulla Oblongata – The lower part of the brainstem controlling vital functions like breathing and heart rate.

Meninges (Pia, Arachnoid, and Dura Mater) – The three protective layers covering the brain and spinal cord.

Monro-Kellie Hypothesis – A principle stating that the skull is a closed space where brain, blood, and CSF must remain in balance.

Myelin – A fatty substance that insulates nerve fibers and speeds up electrical impulses.

Neurotransmitter – A chemical messenger that transmits signals between neurons.

Nodes of Ranvier – Small gaps in the myelin sheath where nerve signals are boosted.

Occipital Lobe – The brain region responsible for processing vision.

Parasympathetic Nervous System (PSNS) – The part of the ANS that promotes rest and digestion, slowing heart rate and conserving energy.

Parietal Lobe – The brain region involved in sensation, spatial awareness, and body perception.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) – The network of nerves outside the CNS that connects the body to the brain and spinal cord.

Post-Ictal State – The recovery phase after a seizure, often involving confusion, fatigue, or weakness.

Provoked/Secondary/Acute Symptomatic Seizures – Seizures triggered by external factors like fever, injury, or infection.

Receptor – A structure on a cell that detects and responds to neurotransmitters, hormones, or other stimuli.

Reticular Activating System (RAS) – A brain network that regulates wakefulness and alertness.

Saltatory Conduction – The rapid jumping of nerve impulses between Nodes of Ranvier in myelinated neurons.

Somatic Nervous System – The part of the nervous system controlling voluntary muscle movements.

Spinal Reflexes – Automatic responses to stimuli that occur without brain involvement (e.g., knee-jerk reflex).

Status Epilepticus – A life-threatening condition where seizures persist without stopping.

Supporting Cells – Cells that assist neurons, including glial cells that provide protection and nourishment.

Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) – The part of the ANS responsible for the "fight or flight" response.

Temporal Lobe – The brain region involved in hearing, memory, and language comprehension.

Tentorium Cerebelli – A fold of dura mater that separates the cerebrum from the cerebellum.

Thalamus – A brain structure that relays sensory and motor signals to the cerebral cortex.

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) – A temporary stroke-like event caused by a brief loss of blood flow to the brain.

Tonic-Clonic Movement – The muscle stiffening and jerking seen in grand mal seizures.

Unprovoked/Primary/Idiopathic Seizures – Seizures with no identifiable cause.

Wernicke’s Area – The brain region in the temporal lobe responsible for language comprehension.