Med. Terms: Nervous System

Front 1

cerebell/o

Back 1

cerebellum

Front 2

cerebr/o

Back 2

cerebrum

Front 3

dur/o

Back 3

dura mater

Front 4

encephal/o

Back 4

brain

Front 5

gli/o

Back 5

glial cells

Front 6

lept/o

Back 6

thin, slender

Front 7

mening/o, meningi/o

Back 7

membranes, meninges

Front 8

my/o

Back 8

muscle

Front 9

myel/o

Back 9

spinal cord, bone marrow

Front 10

neur/o

Back 10

nerve

Front 11

pont/o

Back 11

pons

Front 12

radicul/o

Back 12

nerve root (of spinal cells)

Front 13

thalam/o

Back 13

thalamus

Front 14

thec/o

Back 14

sheath (refers to the meninges)

Front 15

vag/o

Back 15

vagus nerve (10th cranial nerve)

Front 16

alges/o, -algesia

Back 16

excessive sensitivity to pain

Front 17

-algia

Back 17

pain

Front 18

caus/o

Back 18

burning

Front 19

comat/o

Back 19

deep sleep (coma)

Front 20

esthesi/o, -esthesia

Back 20

feeling, nervous sensation

Front 21

kenes/o, kinesi/o, -kinesia, -kinesis, -kinetic

Back 21

movement

Front 22

-lepsy

Back 22

seizure

Front 23

lex/o

Back 23

word, phrase

Front 24

-phasia

Back 24

speech

Front 25

-plegia

Back 25

paralysis (loss or impairment of the ability to move parts of the body)

Front 26

-praxia

Back 26

action

Front 27

-sthenia

Back 27

strength

Front 28

syncop/o

Back 28

to cut off, cut short

Front 29

tax/o

Back 29

order, coordination

Front 30

Neurotransmitter chemical released at the ends of nerve cells

Back 30

acetylcholine

Front 31

Carries messages toward the brain and spinal cord (sensory nerve).

Back 31

afferent nerve

Front 32

Middle layer of the three membranes (meninges) that surround the brain and spinal cord.

Back 32

arachnoid membrane

Front 33

Type of glial (neuroglial) cell that transports water and salts from capillaries.

Back 33

astrocyte

Front 34

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

Back 34

autonomic nervous system

Front 35

Microscopic fiber that carries the nervous impulse along a nerve cell.

Back 35

axon

Front 36

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

Back 36

blood-brain barrier

Front 37

Lower portion of the brain that connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord; includes the pons and medulla oblongata.

Back 37

brainstem

Front 38

Collection of spinal nerves below the end of the spinal cord.

Back 38

cauda equina

Front 39

Part of a nerve cell that contains the nucleus.

Back 39

cell body

Front 40

Brain and the spinal cord.

Back 40

central nervous system (CNS)

Front 41

Posterior part of the brain that coordinates muscle movements and maintains balance.

Back 41

cerebellum

Front 42

Outer region of the cerebrum, containing sheets of nerve cells; gray matter of the brain.

Back 42

cerebral cortex

Front 43

Circulates throughout the brain and spinal cord.

Back 43

cerebrospinal fluid (CFS)

Front 44

Largest part of the brain; responsible for voluntary muscular activity, vision, speech, taste, hearing, thought, and memory.

Back 44

cerebrum

Front 45

Twelve pairs of nerves that carry messages to and from the brain with regard to the head and neck (except the vagus nerve)

Back 45

cranial nerves

Front 46

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

Back 46

dendrite

Front 47

Thick, outermost layer of the meninges surrounding and protecting the brain and spinal cord. Latin for "hard mother."

Back 47

dura mater

Front 48

Carries messages away from the brain and spinal cord; motor nerve.

Back 48

efferent nerve

Front 49

Glial cell that lines membranes within the brain and spinal cord and helps form cerebrospinal fluid.

Back 49

ependymal cell

Front 50

Collection of nerve cell bodies in the peripheral nervous system.

Back 50

ganglion (plural: ganglia)

Front 51

Supportive and connective nerve cell that does not carry nervous impulses. Examples are astrocytes, microglial cells, ependymal cells, and oligodendrocytes.

Back 51

glial cell (neuroglial cell)

Front 52

Sheet of nerve cells that produces a rounded ridge on the surface of the cerebral cortex; convolution.

Back 52

gyrus (plural: gyri)

Front 53

Portion of the brain beneath the thalamus; controls sleep, appetite, body temperature, and secretions from the pituitary gland.

Back 53

hypothalamus

Front 54

Part of the brain just above the spinal cord; controls breathing, heartbeat, and the size of blood vessels; nerve fibers cross over here.

Back 54

medulla oblongata

Front 55

Three protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.

Back 55

meninges

Front 56

Phagocytic glial cell that removes waste products from the central nervous system.

Back 56

microglial cell

Front 57

Carries messages away from the brain and spinal cord to muscles and organs; efferent nerve.

Back 57

motor nerve

Front 58

Covering of white fatty tissue that surrounds and insulates the axon of a nerve cell and speeds impulse conduction along axons.

Back 58

myelin sheath

Front 59

Macroscopic cord-like collection of fibers (axons and dendrites) that carry electrical impulses.

Back 59

nerve

Front 60

Nerve cell that carries impulses throughout the body.

Back 60

neuron

Front 61

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 are acetylcholine, norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin.

Back 61

neurotransmitter

Front 62

Glial cell that forms the myelin sheath covering axons. Also called oligodendrocyte.

Back 62

oligodendroglial cell

Front 63

Involuntary, autonomic nerves that regulate normal body functions such as heart rate, breathing, and muscles of the gastrointestinal tract.

Back 63

parasympathetic nerves

Front 64

Essential, distinguishing tissue of any organ or system. For the nervous system this includes the brain, spinal cord, and neurons.

Back 64

parenchyma

Front 65

Nerves outside the brain and spinal cord; cranial, spinal, and autonomic nerves.

Back 65

peripheral nervous system

Front 66

Thin, delicate inner membrane of the meninges.

Back 66

pia mater

Front 67

Large, interlacing network of nerves.

Back 67

plexus (plural: plexuses)

Front 68

Part of the brain anterior to the cerebellum and between the medulla and the rest of the midbrain. It is a bridge connecting various parts of the brain.

Back 68

pons

Front 69

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

Back 69

receptor

Front 70

Nerve extending from the base of the spine down the thigh, lower leg, and foot.

Back 70

sciatic nerve

Front 71

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

Back 71

sensory nerve

Front 72

thirty-one pairs of nerves arising from the spinal cord.

Back 72

spinal nerves

Front 73

Agent of change (light, sound touch) in the internal or external environment that evokes a response.

Back 73

stimulus (plural: stimuli)

Front 74

Connective and supporting tissue of an organ.

Back 74

stroma

Front 75

Depression or groove in the surface of the cerebral cortex; fissure

Back 75

sulcus (plural: sulci)

Front 76

Autonomic nerves that influence bodily function involuntarily in times of stress.

Back 76

sympathetic nerves

Front 77

Space through which a nervous impulse travels between nerve cells or between nerve and muscle or glandular cells.

Back 77

synapse

Front 78

Main relay center of the brain. It conducts impulses between the spinal cord and the cerebrum; incoming sensory messages are relayed through it.

Back 78

thalamus

Front 79

Tenth cranial nerve (cranial nerve X); its branches reach to the larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs, aorta, esophagus, and stomach.

Back 79

vagus nerve

Front 80

Canals in the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid.

Back 80

ventricles of the brain

Front 81

Congenital Disorder:

Abnormal accumulation of fluid (CSF) in the brain.

Back 81

hydrocephalus

Front 82

Congenital Disorder:

Congenital defects int he lumbar spinal column caused by imperfect union of vertebral parts (neural tube defect).

Back 82

spina bifida

Front 83

Degenerative, Movement, and Seizure Disorder:

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

Back 83

Alzheimer disease (AD)

Front 84

Degenerative, Movement, and Seizure Disorder:

Degenerative disorder of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem.

Back 84

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Front 85

Degenerative, Movement, and Seizure Disorder:

Chronic brain disorder characterized by recurrent seizure activity.

Back 85

epilepsy

Front 86

Degenerative, Movement, and Seizure Disorder:

Hereditary disorder marked by degenerative changes int he cerebrum leading to abrupt involuntary movements and mental deterioration.

Back 86

Huntington disease

Front 87

Degenerative, Movement, and Seizure Disorder:

Destruction of the myelin sheath on neurons in the CNS and its replacement by plaques of sclerotic (hard) tissue.

Back 87

multiple sclerosis (MS)

Front 88

Degenerative, Movement, and Seizure Disorder:

Autoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterized by weakness of voluntary muscles.

Back 88

myasthenia gravis (MG)

Front 89

Degenerative, Movement, and Seizure Disorder:

Paralysis (partial or complete loss of motor function).

Back 89

palsy

Front 90

Degenerative, Movement, and Seizure Disorder:

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

Back 90

Parkinson disease (parkinsonism)

Front 91

Degenerative, Movement, and Seizure Disorders:

Involuntary, spasmodic, twitching movements; uncontrollable vocal sounds; and inappropriate words.

Back 91

Tourette syndrome

Front 92

Infectious Disorders:

Viral infection affecting peripheral nerves.

Back 92

herpes zoster (shingles)

Front 93

Infectious Disorders:

Inflammation on the meninges; leptomeningitis

Back 93

meningitis

Front 94

Infectious Disorders:

Brain disease and dementia occurring with AIDS.

Back 94

human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) encephalopathy

Front 95

Neoplastic Disorders:

Abnormal growth of brain tissue and meninges.

Back 95

brain tumor

Front 96

Traumatic Disorders:

Temporary brain dysfunction (brief loss of consciousness) after injury; usually clearing within 24 hrs.

Back 96

cerebral concussion

Front 97

Traumatic Disorders:

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

Back 97

cerebral contusion

Front 98

Vascular Disorders:

Disruption in the normal blood supply to the brain; stroke. 3 types: thrombotic, embolic, hemorrhagic

Back 98

cerebrovascular accident (CVA)

Front 99

Vascular Disorders:

Severe, recurring unilateral, vascular headache.

Back 99

migraine

Front 100

Minor (petit mal) form of seizure, consisting of momentary clouding of consciousness and loss of awareness of surroundings.

Back 100

absence seizure

Front 101

Enlarged, weakened area in an arterial wall, which may rupture, leading to hemorrhage and CVA (stroke)

Back 101

aneurysm

Front 102

Malignant tumor or astrocytes (glial brain cells).

Back 102

astrocytoma

Front 103

Peculiar symptom or sensation occurring before the onset (prodromal) of an attack of migraine or an epileptic seizure.

Back 103

aura

Front 104

Mental decline and deterioration.

Back 104

dementia

Front 105

Destruction of myelin on axons of neurons (as in multiple sclerosis).

Back 105

demyelination

Front 106

CNS neurotransmitter, deficient in patient with Parkinson disease.

Back 106

dopamine

Front 107

Clot of material that travels through the bloodstream and suddenly blocks a vessel.

Back 107

embolus

Front 108

Manner of walking.

Back 108

gait

Front 109

Pertaining to a sudden, acute onset, as with the convulsions of an epileptic seizure.

Back 109

ictal event

Front 110

Blockage.

Back 110

occlusion

Front 111

Relieving symptoms but not curing them.

Back 111

palliative

Front 112

Removal of the thymus gland (a lymphocyte-producing gland in the chest); used as treatment for myasthenia gravis.

Back 112

thymectomy

Front 113

Transient ischemic attack.

Back 113

TIA

Front 114

Involuntary movement of a small group of muscles, as of the face; characteristic of Tourette syndrome.

Back 114

tic

Front 115

Major (grand mal) convulsive seizure marked by sudden loss of consciousness, stiffening of muscles, and twitching and jerking movements.

Back 115

tonic-clonic seizure.

Front 116

LAB TESTS:

Samples of CSF are examined. Measures water, glucose, sodium, chloride, and protein; counts number of red (RBC) and white (WBC) blood cells. Can detect tumor cells, bacteria, and viruses to diagnose infection, tumors, or multiple sclerosis.

Back 116

cerebrospinal fluid analysis

Front 117

CLINICAL PROCEDURES:

X-ray imaging of the arterial blood vessel in the brain after injection of contrast material. Used to diagnose vascular disease (aneurysm, occlusion, hemorrhage) in the brain.

Back 117

cerebral angiography

Front 118

CLINICAL PROCEDURES:

X-ray technique that generates computerized multiple images of the brain and spinal cord. Shows tumors, aneurysms, bleeding, brain injury, skull fractures, and blood clots. Operations may rely on scans as a road map.

Back 118

computed tomography (CT) of the brain.

Front 119

CLINICAL PROCEDURES:

X-ray imaging of the spinal canal after injection of contrast medium into the subarachnoid space.

Back 119

myelography

Front 120

CLINICAL PROCEDURES:

Magnetic field and pulses of radiowave energy create images of the brain and spinal cord. May be used with CT to diagnose brain and spinal cord lesions. Excellent for viewing brain damage related to infection, inflammation or tumors and to find causes of headaches, diagnose stroke, and detect bleeding.

Back 120

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Front 121

CLINICAL PROCEDURES:

Radioactive glucose is injected and then detected in the brain to image the metabolic activity of cells. Provides information about function of brain tissue, detects malignancy, evaluates brain abnormalities in Alzheimer, stroke, schizophrenia, and epilepsy.

Back 121

positron emission tomography (PET) scan

Front 122

CLINICAL PROCEDURES:

Sound waves detect blood flow in the carotid and intracranial arteries. Detects occlusions.

Back 122

Doppler ultrasound studies

Front 123

CLINICAL PROCEDURES:

Recording of the electrical activity of the brain. Demonstrates seizure activity resulting from brain tumors, other diseases, and injury to the brain.

Back 123

electroencephalography (EEG)

Front 124

CLINICAL PROCEDURES:

CSF is withdrawn from between two lumbar vertebrae for analysis. Also called spinal tap.

Back 124

lumbar puncture (LP)

Front 125

CLINICAL PROCEDURES:

Use of a specialized instrument to locate and treat targets in the brain.

Back 125

stereotactic radiosurgery