Nervous System

cerebrum (largest part of the brain)

cerebellum (little brain)

skull

entire brain

sensation

ganglion (knot)

glue

knowing

movement

word or phrase

meninges (membrane)

spinal cord or bone marrow

stupor or sleep

nerve

speech

exaggerated fear or sensitivity

carry or bear

mind

split

body

sleep

spine (thorn)

vertebra

three-dimensional or solid

order or coordination

thalamus (a room)

tone or tension

place

ventricle (belly or pouch)

down

weakness

seizure

condition of abnormal impulse toward

slight paralysis

paralysis

brain and spinal cord

portion of the central nervous system contained within the cranium

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 of the cerebrum are named after the skull bones they underlie

anterior section of each cerebral hemisphere; responsible for voluntary muscle movement and personality

portion posterior to the frontal lobe; responsible for sensations such as pain, temperature, and touch

portion that lies below the frontal lobe; responsible for hearing, taste, and smell

portion posterior to the parietal and temporal lobes; responsible for vision

outer layer of the cerebrum consisting of gray matter; responsible for higher mental functions

each of two gray matter nuclei deep within the brain; responsible for relaying sensory information of the cortex

convulutions (mounds) of the cerebral hemispheres

shallow grooves that separate gyri

deep grooves in the brain

portion of the brain located below the occipital lobes of the cerebrum; responsible for control and coordination of skeletal muscles

region of the brain that serves as a relay between the cerebrum, cerebellu, and spinal cord; responsible for breathing, heart rate, and body temperature; the three levels are the mesencephalon (midbrain), pons, and medulla oblongata

series of interconnected cavities within the cerebral hemispheres and brainstem filled with cerebrospinal fluid

plasma-like clear fluid circulating in and around the brain and spinal cord

column of nervous tissue from the brainstem through the vertebrae; responsible for nerve conduction to and from the brain and the body

three membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord, consisting of the dura mater, pia mater, and arachnoid mater

nerves that branch from the central nervous system including nerves of the brain (cranial nerves) and spinal cord (spinal nerves)

12 pairs of nerves arising from the brain

31 pairs of nerves arising from the spinal cord

nerves that conduct impulses from body parts and carry sensory information to the brain; also called afferent nerves

nerves that conduct motor impulses form the brain to muscles and glands; also called efferent nerves

nerves that carry involuntary impulses to smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and various glands

control center for the autonomic nervous system located below the thalamus (diencephalon)

division of the autonomic nervous system that is concerned primarily with preparing the body in stressful or emergency situations

division of the autonomic nervous system that is most active in ordinary conditions; it counterbalances the effects of the sympathetic system by restoring the body to the restful state after a stressful experience.

impairment b/c of localized brain injury that affects the understanding, retrieving, and formulating of meaningful and sequential elements of language, as demonstrated by an inability to use or comprehend words; occurs as a result of stroke, head trauma, or disease

a general term referring to levels of decreased consciousness with varying responsiveness, a common method of assessment is the Glasgwo Coma Scale

a state of mental confusion caused by disturbances in cerebral function; the many causes include fever, shock, and drug overdose

an impairment of intellectual function characterized by memory loss, disorientation, and confusion

loss or impairment of muscle function

loss or impairment of sensation

pain along the course of a nerve

temporary or permanent loss of motor control

defective (flabby) or absent muscle control caused by a nerve lesion

stiff and awkward muscle control caused by a central nervous system disorder

partial paralysis of the right or left half of the body

pain that follows the pathway of the sciatic nerve, caused by compression or trauma of the nerve or its roots

sudden, transient disturbances in brain function resulting from an abnormal firing of nerve impulses; may or may not be associated with convulsion

to pull together; type of seizure that causes a series of sudden involuntary contractions of muscles

fainting

evoking a response by touching

increased sensitivity to stimulation such as touch or pain

abnormal sensation of numbness and tingling w/out objective cause

any of many types of loss of neurologic function involving interpretation of sensory information

inability to judge the form of an object by touch

inability to locate a sensation properly, such as an inability to locate a point touched on the body

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

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

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

disorder resulting from a change within one or more blood vessels of the brain

hardening of the arteries of the brain

condition of lipid (fat) buildup within the blood vessels of the brain

dilation of a blood vessel in the brain

presence of a stationary clot in a blood vessel of the brain

obstruction of a blood vessel in the brain by an embolus transported through the circulation

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 an aneurysm (hemorrhagic stroke)

brief episode of loss of blood flow to the brain, usually caused by partial occlusion that results in temporary neruologic deficit (impairment); often precedes a CVA

inflammation of the brain

disorder affecting the central nervous system; characterized by recurrent seizures

stiffening-jerking; a major motor seizure involving all muscle groups; previously termed grand mal (big bad) seizure

seizure involving a brief loss of consciousness w/out motor involvement; previously termed petit mal (little bad) seizure

seizure involving only limited areas of the brain with localized symptoms

tumor of glial cells graded according to degree of malignancy

protrustion of a degenerated or fragmented intervertebral disk so that the nucleus pulposus protrudes, causing compression on the nerve root

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

hereditary disease fo the central nervous system characterized by bizarre, involuntary body movements and progressive dementia

abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain as a result of developmental anomalies, infection, injury, or tumor

benign tumor of the coverings of the brain (the meninges)

inflammation of the meninges

paroxysmal (sudden, periodic) attacks of mostly unillateral headache, often accompanied by disordered vision, nausea, or vomiting, lasting hours or days and caused by dilation of arteries

disease of the central nervous system characterized by the demyelination (deterioration of the myelin sheath) of nerve fibers, with episodes of neurologic dysfunction (exacerbation) followed by recovery (remission)

autoimmune disorder that affects the neuromuscular junction, causing a progressive decrease in muscle strength; activity resumes and strength returns after a period of rest

inflammation of the spinal cord

sleep disorder characterized by a sudden, uncontrollable need to sleep, attacks of paralysis (cataplexy), and dreams intruding while awake (hypnagogic hallucinations)

congenital deformities of the brain and spinal cord caused by incomplete development of the neural tube, the embryonic structure that forms the nervous system

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

defect in development of the spinal column characterized by the absence of the vertebral arches, often resulting in pouching of the meninges (meningocele) or of the meninges and spinal cord (meningomyelocele); considered to be the most common neural tube defect.

condition of slowly progressive degeneration in an area of the brainstem (substantia nigra) resulting in a decrease of dopamine (a chemical neurotransmitter necessary for proper movement); characterized by tremor; rigidity of muscles, and slow movements (bradykinesia); usually occurs later in life

paralysis

paralysis on one side of the body

paralysis from the waist down

paralysis of all four limbs

inflammation of the gray matter of the spinal cord caused by a virus, often resulting in spinal and muscle deformity and paralysis

inflammation involving two or more nerves, often caused by a nutritional deficiency, such as lack of thiamine

periods of breathing cessation (10 secs or more) that occur during sleep, often causing snoring

diagnostic procedures used to evaluate the function of the nervous system by recording the electrical signals produced in the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.

record of the minute electrical impulses of the brain; used to identify neurologic conditions that affect brain function and level of consciousness

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.

recording of various aspects of sleep to diagnose sleep disorders

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.

nonionizing imaging technique using magnetic fields and radiofrequency waves to visualize anatomic structures (especially soft tissue), such as the tissues of the brain and spinal cord

magnetic resonance imaging of blood vessels to detect pathologic conditions, such as thrombosis and atherosclerosis

magnetic resonance image of the head to visualize the vessels of the circle of Willis (common site of cerebral aneurysm, stenosis, or occlusion)

magnetic resonance image of the neck to visualize the carotid artery

radionuclide organ imaging

scan combining nuclear medicine and computed tomography to produce images of the brain after the administration of radioactive isotopes

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 b/c of cost and the limited availability of the radioisotopes.

x-ray imaging

x-ray of blood vessels in the brain after intracarotid injection of contrast medium

computed tomographic images fo the head used to visualize abnormalities, such as brain tumors and malformations

x-ray of the spinal cord obtained after intraspinal injection of contrast medium

test performed to observe the body's response to a stimulus

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

pathologic response to stimulation of the plantar surface of the foot; a positive sign is indicated when the toes dorsiflex (curl upward)

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

incision of 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

excision of part of the skull to approach the brain

incision into the skull to approach the brain

removal of a herniated disk; often done percutaneously

minimally invasive techniques for diagnosis and treatment of disorders within the blood vessels of the neck, brain, and spinal cord using specialized catheters inserted percutaneously into the femoral artery and guided by angiographic imaging to the treatment site; performed in a specialized angiographic laboratory by interventional neuroradiologists

• excision of one or more laminae of the vertebrae to approach the spinal cord.
• flattened posterior portion of the vertebral arch

use of a microscope to dissect minute structures during surgery

surgical repair of a nerve

spinal fusion

treatment of malignancies, infections, and other diseases with chemical agents to destroy selected cells or impair their ability to reproduce

treatment of neoplastic disease using ionizing radiation to impede the proliferation of malignant cells

radiation treatment to inactive malignant lesions using multiple, precise external radiation beams focused on a target with the aid of stereotactic frame and imaging such as CT, MRI or angiography; used to treat inoperable brain tumors and other lesions

mechanical device used to localize a point in space, targeting a precise site

agent that relieves pain

agent that prevents or lessens convulsion

agent that induces sleep

emotional feeling or mood

significantly dulled emotional tone or outward reaction

a lack of interest or display of emotion

a state of unresponsiveness to one's outside environment, usually including muscle rigidity, staring, and inability to communicate

a persistent belief that has no basis in reality

a person's false belief that he or she possesses great wealth, intelligence, or power

a person's false belief that someone is plotting against him or her with the intent to harm

a restless, dissatisfied mood

an exaggerated, unfounded feeling of well-being

a false perception of the senses for which there is no reality; most commonly hearing or seeing things

the formation of thoughts or ideas, such as suicidal ideation

state of abnormal elation and increased activity

a psychologic condition in which anxiety is prominent

a mental condition characterized by distortion of reality resulting in the inability to communicated or function within one's environment

thougth that lacks clear processing of logical direction.

a disorder causing periodic disturbances in mood that affect concentration, sleep, activity, appetite, and social behavior; characterized by feelings of worthlessnes,s fatigue, and loss of interest

a milder affective disorder characterized by chronic depression

an affective disorder characterized by a mood swings of mania and depression (extreme up and down states)

an affective disorder marked by episodes of depression that most often occur during the fall and winter and that remit in the spring

a developmental disability characterized by difficulty understanding written or spoken words, sentences, or paragraphs that affects reading, spelling, and self-expression

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

a condition of subaverage intelligence characterized by an IQ of 70 or less, resulting in the inability to adapt to normal social activities

a severe disturbance in eating behavior caused by abnormal perceptions about one's body weight, as evidenced by an overwhelming fear of becoming fat that results in a refusal to eat and body weight well below normal

an eating disorder characterized by binge eating followed by efforts to limit digestion though induced vomiting, use of laxitives, or excessive exercise

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, opioid (narcotic) abuse, and polysubstance abuse.

a disease of brain chemistry causing a distorted cognitive and emotional perception of one's environment; symptoms include disortions of normal function (such as disorgazied thought, delusions, hallucinations, and catatonic behavior), flat affect, apathy, and withdrawal from reality

electrical shock applied to the brain to induce convulsions; used to treat patients with severe depression

use of specialized illuminating light boxes and visors to treat seasonal affective disorder

treatment of psychiatric disorders using verbal and nonverbal interaction with patients, individually or in a group, employing specific actions and techniques

treatment to decrease or stop unwanted behavior

treatment to change unwanted patterns of thinking

medications used to treat mental illnesses

drugs used to reduce anxiety

agent that counteracts depression

drugs used to treat psychosis, especially schizophrenia

agent that has a calming effect of quiets nervousness

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

autonomic nervous system

bipolar disorder

central nervous system

cerebral palsy

cerebrospinal fluid

computed tomography

cerebrovascular accident

deep tendon reflexes

electroconvulsive therapy

electroencephalogram

generalized anxiety disorder

Huntington disease

lumbar puncture

magnetic resonance anngiography

magnetic resonance imaging

multiple sclerosis

nerve conduction velocity

obsessive-compulsive disorder

positron-emission tomography

peripheral nervous system

polysomnography

posttraumatic stress disorder

seasonal affective disorder

single-photon emission computed tomography

transient ischemic attack

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

a disorder of sudden, recurrent attacks of intense feelings, including physical symptoms that mimic a heart attack with a general sense of loss of control or feeling that death is imminent; often progresses to agoraphobia

exaggerated fear of a specific object or circumstance that causes anxiety an dpanic; named for the object or circumstance, such as agoraphobia, claustrophobia, and acrophobia

a condition resulting from an extremely traumatic experience, injury, or illness that leaves the sufferere with persistent thoughts and memories or the ordeal; symptoms include feelings of fear, detachment, exaggerated startle response, restlessness, nightmares, and avoidance of anything or anyone who triggers the painful recollections

an anxiety disorder featuring unwanted, senseless obsessions accompanied by repeated compulsions; can interfere with all aspects of a person's daily life

a preoccupation with thoughts of disease and concern that one is suffering from a serious condition of persists despite medical reassurance to the contrary

a develpomental disability, commonly appearing during the fist 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