MA 161

nerves that control involuntary body functions of muscles, glands, and internal organs

blood vessels (capillaries) that selectively let certain substances enter the brain tissue and keep other substances out

brain and the spinal cord

microscopic branching fiber of a nerve cell that is the first part to receive the nervous impulse

carries messages away from the brain and spinal cord; motor nerve

nerve cell that carries impulses throughout the body

chemical messenger released at the end of a nerve cell. It stimulates or inhibits another cell, which can be a nerve cell, muscle cell, or gland cell. Examples of neurotransmitters are acetylcholine, norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin.

nerves outside the brain and spinal cord; crainal, spinal, and autonomic nerves

organ that receives a nervous stimulus and passes it on to afferent nerves. The skin, ears, eyes, and taste buds are receptors.

carries messages toward the brain and spinal cord from a receptor; afferent nerve

autonomic nerves that influence bodily functions involuntarily in times of stress

tenth crainal nerve (cranial nerve X); its branches reach to the larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs, aorta, esophagus, and stomach. Latin vagus means wandering. Unlike the other crainal nerves, the vagus leaves the head and "wanders" into the abdominal and thoracic cavities.

canals in the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid

brain disorder marked by gradual and progressive mental deterioration (dementia), personality changes, and impairment of daily functioning.

chronic brain disorder characterized by recurrent seizure activity

autoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterized by weakness of voluntary muscles.

paralysis (partial or complete loss of motor function)

degeneration of neurons in the basal ganglia, occurring in later life and leading to tremors, weakness of muscles, and slowness of movement.

viral infection affecting peripheral nerves

bruising of brain tissue as a result of direct trauma to the head; neurologic deficits persist longer than 24 hours.

disruption in the normal blood supply to the brain; stroke

severe, recurring, unilateral, vascular headache

X-ray technique that generates computerized multiple images of the brain and spinal cord.

sound waves detect blood flow in the carotid and intracranial arteries

CSF is withdrawn from between two lumbar vertebrae for analysis