Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
125 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
cerebell/o
|
cerebellum
|
|
cerebr/o
|
cerebrum
|
|
dur/o
|
dura mater
|
|
encephal/o
|
brain
|
|
gli/o
|
glial cells
|
|
lept/o
|
thin, slender
|
|
mening/o, meningi/o
|
membranes, meninges
|
|
my/o
|
muscle
|
|
myel/o
|
spinal cord, bone marrow
|
|
neur/o
|
nerve
|
|
pont/o
|
pons
|
|
radicul/o
|
nerve root (of spinal cells)
|
|
thalam/o
|
thalamus
|
|
thec/o
|
sheath (refers to the meninges)
|
|
vag/o
|
vagus nerve (10th cranial nerve)
|
|
alges/o, -algesia
|
excessive sensitivity to pain
|
|
-algia
|
pain
|
|
caus/o
|
burning
|
|
comat/o
|
deep sleep (coma)
|
|
esthesi/o, -esthesia
|
feeling, nervous sensation
|
|
kenes/o, kinesi/o, -kinesia, -kinesis, -kinetic
|
movement
|
|
-lepsy
|
seizure
|
|
lex/o
|
word, phrase
|
|
-phasia
|
speech
|
|
-plegia
|
paralysis (loss or impairment of the ability to move parts of the body)
|
|
-praxia
|
action
|
|
-sthenia
|
strength
|
|
syncop/o
|
to cut off, cut short
|
|
tax/o
|
order, coordination
|
|
Neurotransmitter chemical released at the ends of nerve cells
|
acetylcholine
|
|
Carries messages toward the brain and spinal cord (sensory nerve).
|
afferent nerve
|
|
Middle layer of the three membranes (meninges) that surround the brain and spinal cord.
|
arachnoid membrane
|
|
Type of glial (neuroglial) cell that transports water and salts from capillaries.
|
astrocyte
|
|
Nerves that control involuntary body functions of muscles, glands, and internal organs.
|
autonomic nervous system
|
|
Microscopic fiber that carries the nervous impulse along a nerve cell.
|
axon
|
|
Blood vessels (capillaries) that selectively let certain substances enter the brain tissue and keep other substances out.
|
blood-brain barrier
|
|
Lower portion of the brain that connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord; includes the pons and medulla oblongata.
|
brainstem
|
|
Collection of spinal nerves below the end of the spinal cord.
|
cauda equina
|
|
Part of a nerve cell that contains the nucleus.
|
cell body
|
|
Brain and the spinal cord.
|
central nervous system (CNS)
|
|
Posterior part of the brain that coordinates muscle movements and maintains balance.
|
cerebellum
|
|
Outer region of the cerebrum, containing sheets of nerve cells; gray matter of the brain.
|
cerebral cortex
|
|
Circulates throughout the brain and spinal cord.
|
cerebrospinal fluid (CFS)
|
|
Largest part of the brain; responsible for voluntary muscular activity, vision, speech, taste, hearing, thought, and memory.
|
cerebrum
|
|
Twelve pairs of nerves that carry messages to and from the brain with regard to the head and neck (except the vagus nerve)
|
cranial nerves
|
|
Microscopic branching fiber of a nerve cell that is the first part to receive the nervous impulse.
|
dendrite
|
|
Thick, outermost layer of the meninges surrounding and protecting the brain and spinal cord. Latin for "hard mother."
|
dura mater
|
|
Carries messages away from the brain and spinal cord; motor nerve.
|
efferent nerve
|
|
Glial cell that lines membranes within the brain and spinal cord and helps form cerebrospinal fluid.
|
ependymal cell
|
|
Collection of nerve cell bodies in the peripheral nervous system.
|
ganglion (plural: ganglia)
|
|
Supportive and connective nerve cell that does not carry nervous impulses. Examples are astrocytes, microglial cells, ependymal cells, and oligodendrocytes.
|
glial cell (neuroglial cell)
|
|
Sheet of nerve cells that produces a rounded ridge on the surface of the cerebral cortex; convolution.
|
gyrus (plural: gyri)
|
|
Portion of the brain beneath the thalamus; controls sleep, appetite, body temperature, and secretions from the pituitary gland.
|
hypothalamus
|
|
Part of the brain just above the spinal cord; controls breathing, heartbeat, and the size of blood vessels; nerve fibers cross over here.
|
medulla oblongata
|
|
Three protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.
|
meninges
|
|
Phagocytic glial cell that removes waste products from the central nervous system.
|
microglial cell
|
|
Carries messages away from the brain and spinal cord to muscles and organs; efferent nerve.
|
motor nerve
|
|
Covering of white fatty tissue that surrounds and insulates the axon of a nerve cell and speeds impulse conduction along axons.
|
myelin sheath
|
|
Macroscopic cord-like collection of fibers (axons and dendrites) that carry electrical impulses.
|
nerve
|
|
Nerve cell that carries impulses throughout the body.
|
neuron
|
|
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.
|
neurotransmitter
|
|
Glial cell that forms the myelin sheath covering axons. Also called oligodendrocyte.
|
oligodendroglial cell
|
|
Involuntary, autonomic nerves that regulate normal body functions such as heart rate, breathing, and muscles of the gastrointestinal tract.
|
parasympathetic nerves
|
|
Essential, distinguishing tissue of any organ or system. For the nervous system this includes the brain, spinal cord, and neurons.
|
parenchyma
|
|
Nerves outside the brain and spinal cord; cranial, spinal, and autonomic nerves.
|
peripheral nervous system
|
|
Thin, delicate inner membrane of the meninges.
|
pia mater
|
|
Large, interlacing network of nerves.
|
plexus (plural: plexuses)
|
|
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.
|
pons
|
|
Organ that receives a nervous stimulus and passes it on to afferent nerves. The skin, ears, eyes, and taste buds are examples.
|
receptor
|
|
Nerve extending from the base of the spine down the thigh, lower leg, and foot.
|
sciatic nerve
|
|
Carries messages toward the brain and spinal cord from a receptor; afferent nerve.
|
sensory nerve
|
|
thirty-one pairs of nerves arising from the spinal cord.
|
spinal nerves
|
|
Agent of change (light, sound touch) in the internal or external environment that evokes a response.
|
stimulus (plural: stimuli)
|
|
Connective and supporting tissue of an organ.
|
stroma
|
|
Depression or groove in the surface of the cerebral cortex; fissure
|
sulcus (plural: sulci)
|
|
Autonomic nerves that influence bodily function involuntarily in times of stress.
|
sympathetic nerves
|
|
Space through which a nervous impulse travels between nerve cells or between nerve and muscle or glandular cells.
|
synapse
|
|
Main relay center of the brain. It conducts impulses between the spinal cord and the cerebrum; incoming sensory messages are relayed through it.
|
thalamus
|
|
Tenth cranial nerve (cranial nerve X); its branches reach to the larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs, aorta, esophagus, and stomach.
|
vagus nerve
|
|
Canals in the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid.
|
ventricles of the brain
|
|
Congenital Disorder:
Abnormal accumulation of fluid (CSF) in the brain. |
hydrocephalus
|
|
Congenital Disorder:
Congenital defects int he lumbar spinal column caused by imperfect union of vertebral parts (neural tube defect). |
spina bifida
|
|
Degenerative, Movement, and Seizure Disorder:
Brain disorder marked by gradual and progressive mental deterioration (dementia), personality changes, and impairment of daily functioning. |
Alzheimer disease (AD)
|
|
Degenerative, Movement, and Seizure Disorder:
Degenerative disorder of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem. |
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
|
|
Degenerative, Movement, and Seizure Disorder:
Chronic brain disorder characterized by recurrent seizure activity. |
epilepsy
|
|
Degenerative, Movement, and Seizure Disorder:
Hereditary disorder marked by degenerative changes int he cerebrum leading to abrupt involuntary movements and mental deterioration. |
Huntington disease
|
|
Degenerative, Movement, and Seizure Disorder:
Destruction of the myelin sheath on neurons in the CNS and its replacement by plaques of sclerotic (hard) tissue. |
multiple sclerosis (MS)
|
|
Degenerative, Movement, and Seizure Disorder:
Autoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterized by weakness of voluntary muscles. |
myasthenia gravis (MG)
|
|
Degenerative, Movement, and Seizure Disorder:
Paralysis (partial or complete loss of motor function). |
palsy
|
|
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. |
Parkinson disease (parkinsonism)
|
|
Degenerative, Movement, and Seizure Disorders:
Involuntary, spasmodic, twitching movements; uncontrollable vocal sounds; and inappropriate words. |
Tourette syndrome
|
|
Infectious Disorders:
Viral infection affecting peripheral nerves. |
herpes zoster (shingles)
|
|
Infectious Disorders:
Inflammation on the meninges; leptomeningitis |
meningitis
|
|
Infectious Disorders:
Brain disease and dementia occurring with AIDS. |
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) encephalopathy
|
|
Neoplastic Disorders:
Abnormal growth of brain tissue and meninges. |
brain tumor
|
|
Traumatic Disorders:
Temporary brain dysfunction (brief loss of consciousness) after injury; usually clearing within 24 hrs. |
cerebral concussion
|
|
Traumatic Disorders:
Bruising of brain tissue as a result of direct trauma to the head; neurologic deficits persist longer than 24 hrs. |
cerebral contusion
|
|
Vascular Disorders:
Disruption in the normal blood supply to the brain; stroke. 3 types: thrombotic, embolic, hemorrhagic |
cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
|
|
Vascular Disorders:
Severe, recurring unilateral, vascular headache. |
migraine
|
|
Minor (petit mal) form of seizure, consisting of momentary clouding of consciousness and loss of awareness of surroundings.
|
absence seizure
|
|
Enlarged, weakened area in an arterial wall, which may rupture, leading to hemorrhage and CVA (stroke)
|
aneurysm
|
|
Malignant tumor or astrocytes (glial brain cells).
|
astrocytoma
|
|
Peculiar symptom or sensation occurring before the onset (prodromal) of an attack of migraine or an epileptic seizure.
|
aura
|
|
Mental decline and deterioration.
|
dementia
|
|
Destruction of myelin on axons of neurons (as in multiple sclerosis).
|
demyelination
|
|
CNS neurotransmitter, deficient in patient with Parkinson disease.
|
dopamine
|
|
Clot of material that travels through the bloodstream and suddenly blocks a vessel.
|
embolus
|
|
Manner of walking.
|
gait
|
|
Pertaining to a sudden, acute onset, as with the convulsions of an epileptic seizure.
|
ictal event
|
|
Blockage.
|
occlusion
|
|
Relieving symptoms but not curing them.
|
palliative
|
|
Removal of the thymus gland (a lymphocyte-producing gland in the chest); used as treatment for myasthenia gravis.
|
thymectomy
|
|
Transient ischemic attack.
|
TIA
|
|
Involuntary movement of a small group of muscles, as of the face; characteristic of Tourette syndrome.
|
tic
|
|
Major (grand mal) convulsive seizure marked by sudden loss of consciousness, stiffening of muscles, and twitching and jerking movements.
|
tonic-clonic seizure.
|
|
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. |
cerebrospinal fluid analysis
|
|
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. |
cerebral angiography
|
|
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. |
computed tomography (CT) of the brain.
|
|
CLINICAL PROCEDURES:
X-ray imaging of the spinal canal after injection of contrast medium into the subarachnoid space. |
myelography
|
|
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. |
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
|
|
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. |
positron emission tomography (PET) scan
|
|
CLINICAL PROCEDURES:
Sound waves detect blood flow in the carotid and intracranial arteries. Detects occlusions. |
Doppler ultrasound studies
|
|
CLINICAL PROCEDURES:
Recording of the electrical activity of the brain. Demonstrates seizure activity resulting from brain tumors, other diseases, and injury to the brain. |
electroencephalography (EEG)
|
|
CLINICAL PROCEDURES:
CSF is withdrawn from between two lumbar vertebrae for analysis. Also called spinal tap. |
lumbar puncture (LP)
|
|
CLINICAL PROCEDURES:
Use of a specialized instrument to locate and treat targets in the brain. |
stereotactic radiosurgery
|