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Cerebrum (largest part of the brain)
Cerebrum (largest part of
the brain)
Cerebrum (largest part of
the brain)
Cerebrum (largest part of
the brain)
Cerebr/o
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Cerebellum (little brain)
Cerebell/o
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Spinal cord or bone marrow
Myel/o
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Exaggerated fear or sensitivity
Phob/o
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Order or coordination
Tax/o
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Thalamus (a room)
Thalam/o
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Ventricle (belly or pouch)
Ventricul/o
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Condition of abnormal impulse toward
-mania
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Slight paralysis
-paresis
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Line brain ventricles
Ependymal cells
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Wrap axons, do myelination
Oligodendrocytes
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Support capillaries
Astrocytes
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Engulf invading microorganisms and dead tissues
Microglial cells
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3-8 on Glascow Coma Scale (for brain injury)=
severe trauma
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9-12 on Glascow Coma Scale (for brain injury)=
moderate trauma
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13-15 on Glascow Coma Scale (for brain injury)=
slight trauma
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Lack of order in movements
Ataxia
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Brain and Spinal Cord
Central Nervous System
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Portion of the CNS contained within the cranium
Brain
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Largest portion of the brain; divided into right and left halves, known as cerebral hemispheres, which are connected by a bridge of nerve fibers called the corpus callosum; lobes are named after the skull bones they underlie
Cerebrum
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Anterior section of each cerebral hemisphere; responsible for voluntary muscle movement and personality
Frontal Lobe
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Portion posterior to the frontal lobe; responsible for sensations such as pain, temperature, and touch
Parietal Lobe
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Portion that lies below the frontal lobe; responsible for hearing, taste, and smell
Temporal Lobe
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Portion posterior to the parietal and temporal lobes; responsible for vision
Occipital Lobe
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Outer layer of the cerebrum consisting of gray matter; responsible for higher mental functions (cortex=bark)
Cerebral Cortex
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Each of two gray matter nuclei deep within the brain; responsible for relaying sensory information to the cortex
Thalamus/ Diencephalon
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Convolutions (mounds) of the cerebral hemisphers
Gyri
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Shallow grooves that separate gyri
Sulci
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Deep grooves in the brain
Fissures
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Portion of the brain located below the occipital lobes of the cerebrum; responsible for control and coordination of skeletal muscle
Cerebellum
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Region of the brain that serves as a relay between the cerebrum, cerebellum, and spinal cord; responsible for breathing, heart rate, and body temperature; the three levels are the mesencephalon (midbrain), pons, and medulla oblongata
Brainstem
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Series of interconnected cavities within the cerebral hemispheres and brainstem filled with cerebrospinal fluid
Ventricles
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Plasma-like clear fluid circulating in and around the brain and spinal cord
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)
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Column of nervous tissue from the brainstem through the vertebrae; responsible for nerve conduction to and from the brain and the body
Spinal Cord
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Three membranes that cover the brain and psinal cord, consisting of the dura mater, pia mater, and arachnoid mater
Meninges
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Nerves that branch from the central nervous system including nerves of the brain (cranial nerves) and spinal cord (spinal nerves)
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
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12 pairs of nerves arising from the brain
Cranial Nerves
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31 pairs of nerves arising form the spinal cord
Spinal Nerves
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Nerves that conduct impulses from body parts and carry sensory information to the brain; also called afferent nerves (ad = toward; ferre = carry)
Sensory Nerves
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Nerves that conduct motor impulses from the brain to muscles and glands; also called efferent nerves (e = out; ferre = carry)
Motor Nerves
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Nerves that carry involuntary impulses to smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and various glands
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
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Control center for the ANS located below the thalamus (diencephalon)
Hypothalamus
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Division of the ANS that is concerned with preparing the body in stressful or emergency situation
Sympathetic Nervous System
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Division of the ANS that is most active in ordinary conditions; it counterbalances the effects of the sympathetic system by restoring the body to a restful state after a stressful experience
Parasympathetic Nervous System
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Impairment because of localized brain injury that affects the understanding, retrieving, and formulating of meaningful and sequential elements of language, as demonstarted by an inability to use or comprehend words; occurs as a result of stroke, head trauma, or disease
Aphasia/ Dysphasia
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A general term referring to level of decreased consciousness with varying responsiveness; a common method of assessment is the Glasgow Coma Scale
Coma
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A state of mental confusion caused by disturbances in cerebral function; the many causes include fever, shock, and drug overdose (deliro = to draw the furrow awry when plowing, to go off the rails)
Delirium
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An impairment of intellectual function characterized by memory loss, disorientation, and confusino (dementio = to be mad)
Dementia
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Loss or impairment of muscle function
Motor deficit
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Loss of impairment of sensation
Sensory deficit
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Pain along the course of a nerve
Neuralgia
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Temporary or permanent loss of motor control
Paralysis
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Defective (flabby) or absent muscle control caused by a nerve lesion
Flaccid paralysis
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Stiff and awkward muscle control caused by a central nervous system disorder
Spastic paralysis
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Partial paralysis of the right or left half of the body
Hemiparesis
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Pain that follows the pathway of teh sciatic nerve, caused by compression or trauma of the nerve or its roots
Sciatica
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Sudden, transient disturbances in brain function resulting from an abnormal firing of nerve impulses; may or may not be associated with convulsion
Seizure
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To pull together; type of seizure that causes a series of sudden, involuntary contractions of muscles
Convulsion
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Evoking a response by touching
Tactile stimulation
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Increased sensitivity to stimulation such as touch or pain
Hyperesthesia
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Abnormal sensation of numbness and tingling without objective cause
Paresthesia
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Any of many types of loss of neurologic function involving interpretation of sensory information
Agnosia
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Inability to judge the form of an object by touch (e.g. a key from a coin)
Astereognosis
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Inability to locate a sensation properly, such as an inability to locate a point touched on the body
Atopognosis
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Disease of structural changes in the brain resulting in an irreversible deterioration that progresses from forgetfulness and disorientation to loss of all intellectual functions, total disability, and death
Alzheimer Disease
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Condition of progressive deterioration of motor nerve cells resulting in total loss of voluntary muscle control; symptoms advance from muscle weakness in the arms and legs., to the muscles of speech, swallowing, and breathing, to total paralysis and death; also known as Lou Gehrig disease
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
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Condition of motor dysfunction caused by damage to the cerebrum during development or injury at birth; characterized by partial paralysis and lack of muscle coordination
Cerebral palsy (CP)
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Disorder resulting from a change within one or more blood vessels of the brain
Cerebrovascular disease
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Hardening of arteries of the brain
Cerebral arteriosclerosis
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Condition of lipid (fat) buildup within the blood vessels of the brain (ather/o = fatty [lipid] paste)
Cerebral atherosclerosis
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Dilation of a blood vessel in the brain
Cerebral aneurysm
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Presence of a stationary clot in a blood vessel of the brain
Cerebral thrombosis
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Obstruction of a blood vessel in the brain by an embolus transported through the circulation
Cerebral embolism
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Damage to the brain caused by cerebrovascular disease, such as occlusion of a blood vessel by a thrombus or embolus (ischemic stroke) or intracranial hemorrhage after rupture of aneurysm (hemorrhagic stroke)
Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) Stoke
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Brief episode of loss of blood flow to the brain, usually cuased by a partial occlusion that results in temporary neurologic deficit (impairment); often precedes a CVA
Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
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Inflammation of the brain
Encephalitis
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Disorder affecting the central nervous system; characterized by recurrent seizures
Epilepsy
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Stiffening-jerking; a major motor seizure involving all muscle groups; previously termed grand mal (big bad) seizure
Tonic-clonic seizure
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Seizure involving a brief loss of consciousness without motor involvement; previously termed petit mal (little bad) seizure
Absence seizure
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Seizure involving only limited areas of the brain with localized symptoms
Partial seizure
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Tumor of glial cells graded according to degree of malignancy
Glioma
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Protrusion of a degenerated or fragmented intervertebral disk so that the nucleus pulpous protrudes, causing compression on the nerve root
Herniated disk
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Viral disease affecting the peripheral nerves, characterized by painful blisters that spread over the skin following the affected nerves, usually unilateral; also known as shingles
Herpes Zoster
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Hereditary disease of the CNS characterized by bizarre, involuntary body movements and progessive dementia (choros = dance)
Huntington chorea/ Huntington disease (HD)
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Abnormal accumulation of cerbrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain as a result of developmental anomalies, infection, injury, or tumor
Hydrocephalus
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Benign tumor of the coverings of the brain (the meninges)
Meningioma
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Inflammation of the meninges
Meningitis
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Paroxysmal (sudden, periodic) attacks of mostly unilateral headache, often accompanied by disordered vision, nauseas, or vomiting, lasting hours or days and caused by dilation of arteries
Migraine headache
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Disease of the CNS characterized by the demyelination (deterioration of the myelin sheath) of nerve fibers, with episodes of neurologic dysfunction (exacerbation) followed by recovery (remission)
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
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Autoimmune disease that affects the neuromuscular junction, causing a progressive decrease in muscle strength; activity resumes and strength returns after a period of rest
Myasthenia Gravis
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Inflammation of spinal cord
Myelitis
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Sleep disorder characterized by a sudden, uncontrollable need to sleep, attacks of paralysis (cataplexy), and dreams intruding while awake (hypnagogic hallucinations)
Narcolepsy
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Congenital deformities of the brain and spinal cord caused by incomplete development of the neural tube, the embryonic structure that forms the nervous system
Neural Tube Defects
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Defect in closure of the cephalic portion of the neural tube that results in incomplete development of the brain and bones of the skull; the most drastic neural tube defect usually results in a stillbirth
Anencephaly
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Defect in development of the spinal column characterized by the absence of vertebral arches, often resulting in pouching of the meninges (meningocele) or of the meninges and spinal cord (meningomyelocele); considered to be th emost common neural tube defect
Spina Bifida
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Condition of slow progressive degeneration in an area of the brainstem (substantia nigra) resulting in a decrease of dopamine; characterized by tremor, regidity of muscled, and slow movements (bradykinesia); usually occurs later in life
Parkinson Disease (PD)
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Paralysis of one side of the body
Hemiplegia
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Paralysis from the waist down
Paraplegia
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Paralysis of all four limbs
Quadriplegia
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Inflammation of the gray matter of the spinal cord caused by a virus, often resulting in spinal and muscle deformity and paralysis (polio = gray)
Poliomyelitis
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Inflammation involving two or more nerves, often caused by a nutritional deficiency, such as lack of thiamine
Polyneuritis
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Periods of breathing cessation (10 seconds of more) that occur during sleep, often causing snoring
Sleep Apnea
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Diagnostic procedures used to evaluate the functions of the nervous system by recording the electrical signals produced in the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves
Electrodiagnostic procedures
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Record of the minute electrical impulses of the brain; used to identify neurologic conditions that affect brain function and level of consciousness
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
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Record of minute electrical potentials (waves) that are extracted from ongoing EEG activity to diagnose auditory, visual, and sensory pathway disorders; also used to monitor the neurologic function of patients during surgery
Evoked potentials
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Recording of various aspects of sleep (e.g. eye and muscle movement, respiration, and EEG patterns) to diagnose sleep disorders
Polysomnography
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Introduction of a specialized needle into the spine in the lumbar region for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, such as to obtain CSF for testing; also called spinal tap
Lumbar Puncture (LP)
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Nonionizing imaging technique using magnetic fields and radiofrequency waves to visualize anatomic structures (esp soft tissue), such as the tissues of the brain and spinal cord
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
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Magnetic resonance imaging of blood vessels to detect pathologic conditions, such as thrombosis and atherosclerosis
Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA)
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Magnetic resonance image of the head to visualize the vessels of the circle of Willis (common site of cerebral aneurysm, stenosis, or occlusion)
Intracranial MRA
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Magnetic resonance image of the neck to visualize the carotid artery
Extracranial MRA
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Radionuclide organ imaging
Nuclear medicine imaging
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Scan combining nuclear medicine and computed tomography to produce images of the brain after the administration of radioactive isotopes
Single-photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) brain scan
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Technique combining nuclear medicine and computed tomography to produce images of brain anatomy and corresponding physiology; used to study stroke, Alzheimer disease, epilepsy, metabolic brain disorders, chemistry of nerve transmissions in the brain, and so on; provides greater accuracy than SPECT, but is used less often because of cost and the limited availability of the radioisotopes
Positron-emission Tomography (PET)
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X-ray imaging
Radiography
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X-ray of blood vessels in the brain after intracarotid injection of contrast medium
Cerebral angiogram
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Computed tomographic (x-ray) images of the head used to visualize abnormalities, such as brain tumors and malformations
Computed Tomography (CT) of the head
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X-ray of the spinal cord obtained after intraspinal injection of contrast medium
Myelogram
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Test perfomed to observe the body's response to a stimulus
Reflex testing
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Involuntary muscle contraction after percussion at a tendon indicating function; positive findings are either no reflex response or an exaggerated response to stimulus; numbers are often used to record responses
0 = no response (absent reflex)
1+ = diminished response
2+ = normal response
3+ = more brisk tan average response
4+ = hyperactive response
Deep Tendon Reflexes (DTR)
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Pathologic response to stimulation of the plantar surface of the foot; a postive sign is indicated when the toes dorsiflex (curl upward)
Babinski sign/ Babinski reflex
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Image made by sending ultrasound beams through the skull to assess blood flow in intracranial vessels; used in the diagnosis and management of stroke and head trauma
Transcranial Doppler Sonogram
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Incision and coring of the lining of the carotid artery to clear a blockage caused by the buildup of atherosclerotic plaque or a clot; an open procedure used to treat patients who are at risk for stroke
Carotid Endarterectomy
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Excision of part of the skull to approach the brain
Craniectomy
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Incision into the skull to approach the brain
Craniotomy
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Removal of a herniated disk; often done percutaneously (per = through; cutaneous = skin)
Diskectomy
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Minimally invasive techniques for diagnosis and treatment of disorders within blood vessels of the neck, brain, and spinal cord using specialized catheters inserted percutaneously (through the skin) into the femoral artery (in the groin) and guided by angiographic imaging to the treatment site; performed in a specialized angiographic lab by interventional neuroradiologists; common procedures are:
-Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) with stent
- Embolization (plugging) of intracranial aneurysms and vascular malformations
Endovascular neurosurgery/ Interventional neuroradiology
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Excision of one or more laminae of the vertebrae to approach the spinal cord
Laminectomy
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Flattened posterior portion of the vertebral arch
Vertebral lamina
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Use of a microscope to dissect minute structures during surgery
Microsurgery
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Surgical repair of a nerve
Neuroplasty
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Spinal fusion
Spondylosyndesis
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Treatment of malignancies, infections, and other diseases with chemical agents to destroy selected cells or impair their ability to reproduce
Chemotherapy
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Treatment of neoplastic disease using ionizing radiation to impede the proliferation of malignant cells
Radiation therapy
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Radiation treatment to inactive malignant lesions using multiple, precise extermal radiation beams focused on a taret with the aid of a stereotactic frame and imaging such as CT, MRI, or angiography; used to treat inoperably brain tumors and other lesions
Stereotactic/ Stereotaxic radiosurgery
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Mechanical device used to localize a point in space, targeting a precise site
Stereotactic or stereotaxic frame
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Agent that relieves pain
Analgesic
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Agent that prevents or lessens convulsions
Anticonvulsant
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Agent that induces sleep
Hypnotic
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Emotional feeling or mood
Affect
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Significantly dulled emotional tone or outward reaction
Flat affect
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A lack of interest or display of emotion
Apathy
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A state of unresponsiveness to one's outside environment, usually including muscle rigidity, staring, and inability to communicate
Catatonia
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A persistent belief that has no basis in reality
Delusion
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A person's false belief that he or she possesses great wealth, intelligence, or power
Grandiose delusion
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A person's false belief that someone is plotting against him or her with intent to harm
Persecutory delusion
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A restless, dissatisfied mood
Dysphoria
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An exaggerated, unfounded feeling of well-being
Euphoria
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A false perception of the senses for which there is no reality; most commonly hearing or seeing things (alucinor = to wander in mind)
Hallucination
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The formation of thoughts or ideas, such as suicidal ideation (thoughts of suicide)
Ideation
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State of abnormal elation and increased activity
Mania
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A psychologic condition in which anxiety is prominent
Neurosis
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A mental condition characterized by distortion of reality resulting in the inability to communicate or function within one's environment
Psychosis
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Thought that lacks clear processing or logical direction
Thought disorder
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A disorder causing periodic disturbances in mood that affect concentration, sleep, activity, appetite, and social behavior; characterized by feelings of worthlessness, fatigue, and loss of interest
- Major Depression
- Major Depressive Illness
- Clinical Depression
- Major Affective Disorder
- Unipolar Disorder
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A milder affective disorder characterized by chronic depression
Dysthymia
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An affective disorder characterized by mood swings of mania and depression (extreme up and down states)
Manic Depression/ Bipolar Disorde (BD)
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An affective disorder marked by episodes of depression that most often occur during the fall and winter and that remit in the spring
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
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The most common anxiety disorder; characterized by chronic, excessive, uncontrollable worry about everyday problems; affects the ability to relax or concentrate, but does not usually interfere with social interactions or employment; physical symptoms include muscle tension, trembling, twitching, fatigue, headaches, nausea, and insomnia
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
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A disorder of sudden, recurrent attacks of intense feelings, including physical symptoms that mimic a heart attack (rapid heart rate, chest pain, shortness of breath, chills, sweating, and dizziness) with a general sense of loss of control or feeling that death is imminent; often progresses to agoraphobia
Panic Disorder
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Exaggerated fear of a specific object or circumstances that causes anxiety and panic; name for the object or circumstance, such as agoraphobia (fear of the marketpalce), claustrophobia (fear of confinement), and acrophobia (fear of high places)
Phobia
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A condition resulting from an extremely traumatic experience, injury, or illness that leaves the sufferer with persistent thoughts and memories of the ordeal; may occur after a war, violent personal assault, physical or sexual abuse, serious accident, or natural disaster; symptoms include feelings of fear, detachment, exaggerated startle response, restlessness, nightmares, and avoidance of anything or anyone who triggers the painful recollections
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
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An anxiety disorder featuring unwanted, senseless obsessions accompanied by repeated compulsion; can interfere with all aspects of a person's daily life; for example, the thought that a door is not locked causing repeptitive checking to make sure it is locked, or thought that one's body has been comtaminated causing repetitibe washing
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
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A preoccupation with thoughts of disease and concern that one is suffering from a serious condition that persists medical reassurance to the contrary
Hypochondriasis
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A developmental disability, commonly appearing during the first three years of life, resulting from a neurologic disorder affecting brain function, as evidenced by difficulties with verbal and nonverbal communication and an inability to relate to anything beyond oneself in social interactions; persons often exhibit body movements such as rocking and repetitive hand movements; persons commonly become preoccupied with observing parts of small objects or moving parts or with performing meaningless rituals
Autism
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A developmental disability characterized by difficulty understanding written or spoken words, sentences, or paragraphs that affects reading, spelling, and self-expression
Dyslexia
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A dysfunction characterized by consistent hyperactivity, distractibility, and lack of control over impulses, which interferes with ability to function normally at school, home or work
Attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
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A condition of sub-average intelligence characterized by an IQ of 70 or less, resulting in their inability to adapt to normal social activities
Mental Retardation
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A sever disturbance in eating behavior caused by abnormal perceptions about one's weight, as evidenced by an overwhelming fear of becoming fat that results in a refusal to eat and body weight well below normal
Anorexia nervosa
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An eating disorder characterized by binge eating followed by efforts to limit digestions through induced vomiting, use of laxatives, or excessive exercise
Bulimia nervosa
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Mental disorders resulting from abuse of substances such as drugs, alcohol, or other toxins, causing personal and social dysfunction; identified by the abused substance, such as alcohol abuse, amphetamine abuse, opiod (narcotic) abuse, and polysubstance abuse
Substance Abuse Disorder
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A disease of brain chemistry causing a distorted cognitive and emotional perception of one's environment; symptoms include distortions of normal function (such as disorganized thought, delusions, hallucinations, and catatonic behavior), flat affect, apathy, and withdrawal from reality
Schizophrenia
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Electrical shock applied to the brain to induce convulsions; used to treat patients with severe depression
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
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Use of specialized illuminating light boxes and visors to treat seasonal affective disorders
Light therapy
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Treatment of psychiatric disorders using verbal and nonverbal interaction with patients, individually or in a group, employing specific actions and techniques
Psychotherapy
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Treatment to decrease or stop unwatned behavior
Behavioral Therapy
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Treatment to change unwanted patterns of thinking
Cognitive Therapy
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Medications used to treat mental illnesses (trop/o = a turning)
Psychotropic drugs
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Drugs used to reduce anxiety
Antianxiety agents/ Anxiolytic agents
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Agent that counteracts depression
Antidepressant
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Drugs used to treat psychosis, esp schizophrenia
Neuroleptic agents
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Agent that has a calming effect and quits nervousness
Sedative
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