MED terms quiz 10

Flashcard 1

Q: What is the primary function of the nervous system?
A: The nervous system coordinates all of the body’s voluntary and involuntary actions by transmitting electrical signals to and from different parts of the body.

Flashcard 2

Q: What are the two major regions of the nervous system?
A: The central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).

Flashcard 3

Q: What does the central nervous system (CNS) consist of?
A: The brain and spinal cord.

Flashcard 4

Q: What does the peripheral nervous system (PNS) consist of?
A: All the nerves and ganglia outside of the brain and spinal cord.

Flashcard 5

Q: How many pairs of cranial and spinal nerves are there?
A: 12 pairs of cranial nerves and 31 pairs of spinal nerves.

Flashcard 6

Q: What are the three functional divisions of the nervous system?
A: Sensation, response, and integration.

Flashcard 7

Q: What is sensation in the context of the nervous system?
A: Sensation refers to receiving information about the environment, either external (e.g., heat from the sun) or internal (e.g., muscle activity).

Flashcard 8

Q: What is the role of the motor (efferent) branch of the PNS?
A: The motor branch carries signals away from the CNS to effector organs like muscles and glands to produce a response.

Flashcard 9

Q: What is integration in the nervous system?
A: Integration is the process where the CNS processes sensory information and generates an appropriate response.

Flashcard 10

Q: What are the two main types of cells in nervous tissue?
A: Neurons and glial cells.

Flashcard 11

Q: What is the function of neurons?
A: Neurons are responsible for computation and communication in the nervous system by transmitting electrical signals.

Flashcard 12

Q: What is the function of glial cells?
A: Glial cells provide support and maintenance for neurons and nervous tissue.

Flashcard 13

Q: What are the main parts of a neuron?
A: The cell body (soma), axon, dendrites, axon terminals, and sometimes the myelin sheath.

Flashcard 14

Q: What is the function of the myelin sheath?
A: The myelin sheath insulates the axon and helps propagate the electrical signal quickly.

Flashcard 15

Q: What are the differences between gray matter and white matter?
A: Gray matter contains many cell bodies and dendrites, while white matter contains myelinated axons.

Flashcard 16

Q: What are the three types of neurons based on function?
A: Sensory neurons, motor neurons, and interneurons.

Flashcard 17

Q: What is the role of sensory neurons?
A: Sensory neurons carry signals from sensory organs to the CNS.

Flashcard 18

Q: What is the role of motor neurons?
A: Motor neurons carry signals from the CNS to muscles and glands to produce a response.

Flashcard 19

Q: What is the role of interneurons?
A: Interneurons transmit impulses between other neurons, often within the CNS.

Flashcard 20

Q: What is the function of astrocytes in the CNS?
A: Astrocytes provide support to neurons and maintain the blood-brain barrier.

Flashcard 21

Q: What are the two types of glial cells found in the PNS?
A: Satellite cells and Schwann cells.

Flashcard 22

Q: What is the function of Schwann cells?
A: Schwann cells form the myelin sheath around axons in the PNS.

Flashcard 23

Q: What are the three layers of the meninges?
A: The dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.

Flashcard 24

Q: What is the function of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)?
A: CSF cushions the brain and spinal cord and is involved in nutrient and waste exchange.

Flashcard 25

Q: What can happen if cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) builds up due to a blockage?
A: It can cause swelling in the brain, leading to hydrocephalus, which may result in seizures, cognitive issues, or death if untreated.

Flashcard 26

Q: What are the primary parts of the brain and their functions?
A:

• Cerebrum: Sensory processing and voluntary movement.

• Diencephalon: Controls homeostasis and relays sensory info.

• Cerebellum: Coordinates balance and complex movements.

• Brainstem: Connects brain to spinal cord and controls vital functions.

Flashcard 27

Q: What is the function of the corpus callosum?
A: The corpus callosum connects the two hemispheres of the brain and allows communication between them.

Flashcard 28

Q: What are dermatomes?
A: Dermatomes are areas of the skin that send sensory information to the brain through specific spinal nerves.

Flashcard 29

Q: What is the function of the spinal cord?
A: The spinal cord connects the brain to the body and carries signals to and from the brain.

Flashcard 30

Q: What are the regions of the spinal cord and their functions?
A:

• Cervical: Neck, shoulders, arms.

• Thoracic: Chest, ribs, back muscles.

• Lumbar: Hips, front of legs.

• Sacral: Buttocks, genitals, back of legs.

Flashcard 31

Q: What are the two divisions of the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?
A: The afferent (sensory) division and the efferent (motor) division.

Flashcard 32

Q: What is the somatic nervous system?
A: The somatic nervous system controls voluntary movements by transmitting motor commands to skeletal muscles.

Flashcard 33

Q: What is the autonomic nervous system?
A: The autonomic nervous system controls involuntary functions like heart rate, digestion, and respiration.

Flashcard 34

Q: What are the two parts of the autonomic nervous system?
A: The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

Flashcard 35

Q: What does the sympathetic nervous system control?
A: The sympathetic nervous system controls the "fight or flight" response, preparing the body for stressful situations.

Flashcard 36

Q: What does the parasympathetic nervous system control?
A: The parasympathetic nervous system controls "rest and digest" functions that conserve energy.

Flashcard 37

Q: What is the role of a neurologist?
A: A neurologist diagnoses and treats conditions related to the nervous system.

Flashcard 38

Q: What is the role of a neurosurgeon?
A: A neurosurgeon performs surgical operations on the nervous system, such as treating injuries or diseases.

Flashcard 39

Q: What is an electroencephalograph (EEG)?
A: An EEG is a device used to record the electrical activity of the brain.

Flashcard 40

Q: What is the function of neurotransmitters?
A: Neurotransmitters are chemicals that assist or inhibit the transmission of signals across synapses.

Flashcard 1:

Front:
Arachnoid Mater

• arachn- = cobweb or spider

• mater = mother

• oid = resembling

Back:
Web-like middle layer of the meninges.

Flashcard 2:

Front:
Pia Mater

• pia = delicate

• mater = mother

Back:
Delicate inner layer of the meninges.

Flashcard 3:

Front:
Subarachnoid Space

• sub- = under

• arachn- = cobweb or spider

• oid = resembling

Back:
Space between pia mater and arachnoid membrane; contains cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), some of which is removed in a spinal tap.

Flashcard 4:

Front:
Neurodegenerative Disorders

Back:
Illnesses characterized by the loss of nervous system functioning, typically caused by neuronal death.

Flashcard 5:

Front:
Alzheimer’s Disease

Back:
The most common form of dementia, characterized by progressive disorientation, speech and gait disturbances, and memory loss.

Flashcard 6:

Front:
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Back:
Neurodevelopmental disorder with deficits in social communication and interaction, often with restricted, repetitive behaviors. More common in males.

Flashcard 7:

Front:
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Back:
Chronic condition with attention difficulty, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. More prevalent in males.

Flashcard 8:

Front:
Parkinson’s Disease

Back:
Chronic, degenerative disease caused by degeneration of neurons in the basal ganglia, leading to tremors, rigidity, and difficulty with movement.

Flashcard 9:

Front:
Altered Level of Consciousness (LOC)

Back:
Patient is not oriented, does not follow commands, or requires persistent stimuli to remain alert.

Flashcard 10:

Front:
Intracranial Pressure (ICP)

Back:
Pressure exerted by intracranial contents within the skull.

Flashcard 11:

Front:
Neurocognitive Disorder (NCD)

Back:
Dementia; disease causing cognitive decline due to neuron death and cerebral cortex shrinkage.

Flashcard 12:

Front:
Epilepsy / Seizure Disorder

Back:
Condition where neurons discharge electrical signals abnormally, resulting in seizures.

Flashcard 13:

Front:
Down Syndrome

Back:
Genetic condition caused by an extra chromosome 21, resulting in developmental and intellectual disability.

Flashcard 14:

Front:
Tourette Syndrome

Back:
A disorder of multiple motor and vocal tics, with rapid, involuntary muscle movements.

Flashcard 15:

Front:
Dyslexia

Back:
Difficulty reading and writing words.

Flashcard 16:

Front:
Narcolepsy

Back:
Condition with sudden, involuntary sleep episodes during the day, often with muscle tone loss, paralysis, and hallucinations.

Flashcard 17:

Front:
Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) / Stroke

Back:
Blockage or rupture of blood vessels in the brain, leading to brain tissue death. Types: ischemic, hemorrhagic, and transient ischemic attacks (TIAs).

Flashcard 18:

Front:
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD)

Back:
Rapid deterioration of mental function and muscle coordination, some cases linked to mad cow disease (BSE).

Flashcard 19:

Front:
Syncope

Back:
Fainting or passing out, typically due to decreased blood flow to the brain.

Flashcard 20:

Front:
Migraine Headache

Back:
Intense, throbbing pain often accompanied by nausea, photophobia, and an aura (visual disturbances).

Flashcard 21:

Front:
Encephalitis

Back:
Inflammation of brain cells and tissues.

Flashcard 22:

Front:
Contusion

Back:
A bruised area of the brain due to trauma.

Flashcard 23:

Front:
Concussion

Back:
Traumatic brain injury causing temporary cognitive dysfunction, balance issues, headaches, and memory problems.

Flashcard 24:

Front:
Delirium

Back:
Acute confusion and disorientation, often due to chemical, drug, or alcohol toxicity.

Flashcard 25:

Front:
Huntington’s Chorea

Back:
Progressive brain degeneration caused by an inherited disease.

Flashcard 26:

Front:
Shaken Baby Syndrome

Back:
Brain and bone damage caused by violent shaking of an infant.

Flashcard 27:

Front:
Hematoma

Back:
Localized blood collection, often from cranial trauma or hemorrhage.

Flashcard 28:

Front:
Meningitis

Back:
Inflammation of the meninges, often caused by bacteria or viruses.

Flashcard 29:

Front:
Meningioma

Back:
Benign tumor originating in the meninges (the membranes around the brain and spinal cord).

Flashcard 30:

Front:
Anesthesia

Back:
Absence of sensation, can be temporary or permanent.

Flashcard 31:

Front:
Demyelination

Back:
Destruction of myelin sheath around nerve fibers.

Flashcard 32:

Front:
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Back:
Loss of myelin insulation around nerve fibers in the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves, causing motor and cognitive issues.

Flashcard 33:

Front:
Paresthesia

Back:
Abnormal sensation like tingling or burning, often from nerve damage.

Flashcard 34:

Front:
Exacerbation

Back:
Period of increased severity of disease symptoms.

Flashcard 35:

Front:
Encephalomalacia

Back:
Abnormal softening of brain tissue.

Flashcard 36:

Front:
Aphasia

Back:
Loss of speech or the ability to communicate verbally or in writing.

Flashcard 37:

Front:
Myelitis

Back:
Inflammation of the spinal cord, disrupting nerve impulse transmission.

Flashcard 38:

Front:
Poliomyelitis

Back:
Infectious disease caused by poliovirus, leading to paralysis.

Flashcard 39:

Front:
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) / Lou Gehrig’s Disease

Back:
Progressive motor neuron degeneration leading to muscle weakness and paralysis.

Flashcard 40:

Front:
Neuropathy

Back:
Disorder affecting peripheral nerves, causing pain, weakness, or numbness.

Flashcard 41:

Front:
Mononeuropathy

Back:
Damage to a single peripheral nerve, e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome.

Flashcard 42:

Front:
Neuroplasty

Back:
Surgical repair of a nerve.

Flashcard 43:

Front:
Neurectomy

Back:
Surgical removal of a nerve.

Flashcard 44:

Front:
Congenital

Back:
Born with or present at birth.

Flashcard 45:

Front:
Teratogen

Back:
Agent that causes malformation in an embryo or fetus (e.g., drugs, radiation).

Flashcard 46:

Front:
Anencephaly

Back:
Condition where a fetus lacks cerebral hemispheres, incompatible with life.

Flashcard 47:

Front:
Microcephaly

Back:
Small cerebral hemispheres and reduced head size.

Flashcard 48:

Front:
Hydrocephalus

Back:
Buildup of CSF in the brain, causing enlarged head size.

Flashcard 49:

Front:
Spina Bifida Cystica (Myelomeningocele)

Back:
Congenital defect where the meninges protrude through the spinal column.

Flashcard 50:

Front:
Cerebral Palsy (CP)

Back:
Disorder caused by oxygen deprivation at birth, leading to muscle spasticity, lack of coordination, and intellectual disability.

Flashcard 51:

Front:
Coma

Back:
Deep unconsciousness caused by trauma, disease, or metabolic imbalance.

Flashcard 52:

Front:
Radiculopathy

Back:
Acute or chronic condition caused by pressure and pain on spinal nerve roots, often due to tumors, arthritis, or herniated disks.