Med Term Ch 8
Terms
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- -asthenia
- weakness
- -lepsy
- seizure
- -mania
- condition of abnormal impulse toward
- -paresis
- slight paralysis
- -plegia
- paralysis
- absence seizure
- seizure involving a brief loss of consciousness without motor involvement; previously termed petit mal (little bad) seizure
- affect
- emotional feeling or mood
- agnosia
- any of many types of loss of neurologic function involving interpretation of sensory information
- Alzheimer disease
- 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
- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- 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 (
- analgesic
- agent that relieves pain
- anencephaly
- 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
- anticonvulsant
- agent that prevents or lessens convulsion
- apathy
- a lack of interest or display of emotion
- aphasia / dysphasia
- impairment because 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 a stroke, head tr
- astereognosis
- inability to judge the form of an object by touch (eg. a coin from a key)
- atopognosis
- inability to locate a sensation properly, such as an inability to locate a point touched on the body
- autonomic nervous system (ANS)
- nerves that carry involuntary impulses to smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and various glands
- Babinski sign / Babinski reflex
- pathologic response to stimulation of the plantar surface of the foot; a positive sign is indicated when the toes dorsiflex (curl upward)
- brain
- portion of the central nervous system contained within the cranium
- brainstem
- 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 oblongota
- carni/o
- skull
- carotid endarterectomy
- 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
- cata-
- down
- catatonia
- a state of unresponsiveness to one's outside environment, usually including muscle rigidity, staring, and inability to communicate
- central nervous system (CNS)
- brain and spinal cord
- cerebell/o
- cerebellum (little brain)
- cerebellum
- portion of the brain located below the occipital lobes of the cerebrum; responsible for control and coordination of skeletal muscles
- cerebr/o
- cerebrum (largest part of the brain)
- cerebral aneurysm
- dilation of a blood vessel in the brain
- cerebral angiogram
- x-ray of blood vessels in the brain after intracarotid injection of contrast medium
- cerebral arteriosclerosis
- hardening of the arteries of the brain
- cerebral atherosclerosis
- condition of lipid (fat) buildup within the blood vessels of the brain
- cerebral cortex
- outer layer of the cerebrum consisting of gray matter; responsible for higher mental functions
- cerebral embolism
- obstruction of a blood vessel in the brain by an embolus transported through the circulation
- cerebral palsy (CP)
- 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 thrombosis
- presence of a stationary clot in a blood vessel of the brain
- cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
- plasma-like clear fluid circulating in and around the brain and spinal cord
- cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
- 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)
- cerebrovascular disease
- disorder resulting from a change within one or more blood vessels of the brain
- cerebrum
- 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 collosum; lobes of the cerebrum are named after the skull bones they underlie
- chemotherapy
- treatment of malignancies, infections, and other diseases with chemical agents to destroy selected cells or impair their ability to reproduce
- coma
- a general term referring to levels of decreased consciousness with varying responsiveness; a common method of assessment is the Glasgow Coma Scale
- computed tomography (CT) of the head
- computed tomographic (x-ray) images of the head used to visualize abnormalities, such as brain tumors and malformations
- convulsion
- to pull together; type of seizure that causes a series of sudden, involuntary contractions of muscles
- cranial nerves
- 12 pairs of nerves arising from the brain
- craniectomy
- excision of part of the skull to approach the brain
- craniotomy
- incision into the skull to approach the brain
- deep tendon reflexes (DTR)
- involuntary muscle contraction after percussion at a tendon (eg. patella or achilles) indicating function; positive findings are either no reflex response or an exaggerated response to stimulus; numbers are often used to record responses
- delirium
- a state of mental confusion caused by disturbances in cerebral function; the many causes include fever, shock, and drug overdose
- delusion
- a persistent belief that has no basis in reality
- dementia
- an impairment of intellectual function characterized by memory loss, disorientation, and confusion
- diskectomy / discectomy
- removal of a herniated disk, often done percutaneously
- dysphoria
- a restless, dissatisfied mood
- electrodiagnostic procedures
- 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
- electroencephalogram (EEG)
- record of the minute electrical impulses of the brain; used to identify neurologic conditions that affect brain function and level of consciousness
- encephal/o
- entire brain
- encephalitis
- inflammation of the brain
- endovascular neurosurgery / interventional neuroradiology
- 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 ang
- epilepsy
- disorder affecting the central nervous system; characterized by recurrent seizures
- esthesi/o
- sensation
- euphoria
- an exaggerated, unfounded feeling of well-being
- evoked potentials
- 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
- extracranial MRA
- magnetic resonance image of the neck to visualize the carotid artery
- fissures
- deep grooves in the brain
- flaccid paralysis
- defective (flabby) or absent muscle control caused by a nerve lesion
- flat affect
- significantly dulled emotional tone or outward reaction
- frontal lobe
- anterior section of each cerebral hemisphere; responsible for voluntary muscle movement and personality
- gangli/o
- ganglion (knot)
- gli/o
- glue
- glioma
- tumor of glial cells graded according to degree of malignancy
- gnos/o
- knowing
- grandiose delusion
- a person's false belief that he or she possesses great wealth, intelligence or power
- gyri
- convolutions (mounds) of the cerebral hemispheres
- hallucination
- a false perception of the senses for which there is no reality, most commonly hearing or seeing things
- hemiparesis
- partial paralysis of the right or left half of the body
- hemiplegia
- paralysis of one side of the body
- herniated disk or disc
- protrusion of a degenerated or fragmented intervertebral disk so that the nucleus pulposus protrudes, causing compression on the nerve root
- herpes zoster
- 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
- Huntington chorea / Huntington Disease (HD)
- hereditary disease of the central nervous system chracterized by bizarre, involuntary body movements and progressive dementia
- hydrocephalus
- abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain as a result of developmental anomalies, infection, injury or tumor
- hyperesthesia
- increased sensitivity to stimulation such as touch or pain
- hypnotic
- agent that induces sleep
- hypothalamus
- control center for the autonomic nervous system located below the thalamus (diencephalon)
- ideation
- the formation of thoughts or ideas, such as suicidal ideation
- intracranial MRA
- magnetic resonance image of the head to visualize the vessels of the circle of Willis (common site of cerebral aneurysm, stenosis, or occlusion)
- kinesi/o
- movement
- laminectomy
- excision of one or more laminae of the vertebrae to approach the spinal cord
- lex/o
- word or phrase
- lumbar puncture (LP)
- 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
- magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)
- magnetic resonance imaging of blood vessels to detect pathologic conditions, such as thrombosis and atherosclerosis
- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI(
- 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
- mania
- state of abnormal elation and increased activity
- mening/o, meningi/o
- meninges (membrane)
- meninges
- three membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord, consisting of the dura mater, pia mater, and arachnoid mater
- meningioma
- benign tumor of the coverings of the brain (the meninges)
- meningitis
- inflammation of the meninges
- microsurgery
- use of a microscope to dissect minute structures during surgery
- migraine headache
- paroxysmal (sudden, periodic) attacks of mostly unilateral headache, often accompanied by disordered vision, nausea, or vomiting, lasting hours or days and caused by dilation of arteries
- motor deficit
- loss or impairment of muscle function
- motor nerves
- nerves that conduct motor impulses from the brain to muscles and glands; also called efferent nerves
- multiple sclerosis (MS)
- 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)
- myasthenia gravis
- autoimmune disorder that affects the neuromuscular junction, causing a progressive decrease in muscle strength; activity resumes and strength returns after a period of rest
- myel/o
- spinal cord or bone marrow
- myelitis
- inflammation of the spinal cord
- myelogram
- x-ray of the spinal cord obtained after intraspinal injection of the contrast medium
- narc/o
- stupor or sleep
- narcolepsy
- sleep disorder characterized by a sudden, uncontrollable need to sleep, attacks of paralysis (cataplexy), and dreams intruding while awake (hypnagogic hallucinations)
- neur/o
- nerve
- neural tube defects
- congenital deformities of the brain and spinal cord caused by incomplete development of the neural tube, the embryonic structure that forms the nervous system
- neuralgia
- pain along the course of a nerve
- neuroplasty
- surgical repair of a nerve
- neurosis
- a psychologic condition in which anxiety is prominent
- nuclear medicine imaging
- radionuclide organ imaging
- occipital lobe
- portion posterior to the parietal and temporal lobes; responsible for vision
- paralysis
- temporary or permanent loss of motor control
- paraplegia
- paralysis from the waist down
- parasympathetic nervous systems
- 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 a restful state after a stressful experience
- paresthesia
- abnormal sensation of numbness and tingling without objective cause
- parietal lobe
- portion posterior to the frontal lobe; responsible for sensations such as pain temperature, and touch
- Parkinson disease
- 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 (
- partial seizure
- seizure involving only limited areas of the brain with localized symptoms
- peripheral nervous system (PNS)
- nerves that branch from the central nervous system including nerves of the brain (cranial nerves) and spinal cord (spinal nerves)
- persecutory delusion
- a person's false belief that someone is plotting against him or her with the intent to harm
- phas/o
- speech
- phob/o
- exaggerated fear or sensitivity
- phor/o
- carry or bear
- phren/o, psych/o, thym/o
- mind
- plegia
- paralysis
- poliomyelitis
- inflammation of the gray matter of the spinal cord caused by a virus, often resulting in spinal and muscle deformity and paralysis
- polyneuritis
- inflammation involving two or more nerves, often casued by a nutritional deficiency, such as lack of thiamine
- polysomnography (PSG)
- recording of various aspects of sleep (eg. eyes and muscle movements, respiration, and EEG patterns) to diagnose sleep disorders
- positron-emission tomography (PET)
- 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
- psychosis
- a mental condition characterized by distortion of reality resulting in the inability to communicate or function within one's environment
- quadriplegia
- paralysis of all four limbs
- radiation therapy
- treatment of neoplastic disease using ionizing radiation to impede the proliferation of malignant cells
- radiography
- x-ray imaging
- reflex testing
- test performed to observe the body's response to a stimulus
- schiz/o
- split
- sciatica
- pain that follows the pathway of the sciatic nerve, caused by compression or trauma of the nerve or its roots
- seizure
- sudden, transient disturbances in brain function resulting from an abnormal firing of nerve impulses; may or may not be associated with convulsion
- sensory deficit
- loss or impairment of sensation
- sensory nerves
- nerves that conduct impulses from body parts and carry sensory information to the brain; also called afferent nerves
- single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) brain scan
- scan combining nuclear medicine and computed tomography to produce images of the brain after the administation of radioactive isotopes
- sleep apnea
- periods of breathing cessation (10 seconds or more) that occur during sleep, often causing snoring
- somat/o
- body
- somn/o, somn/i, hypn/o
- sleep
- spastic paralysis
- stiff and awkward muscle control caused by a central nervous system disorder
- spin/o
- spine (thorn)
- spina bifida
- 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 the most common neural tube defe
- spinal cord
- column of nervous tissue from the brainstem through the vertebrae; responsible for nerve conduction to and from the brain and the body
- spinal nerves
- 31 pairs of nerves arising from the spinal cord
- spondyl/o, vertebr/o
- vertebra
- spondylosyndesis
- spinal fusion
- stere/o
- three-dimensional or solid
- stereotactic or stereotaxic frame
- mechanical device used to localize a point in space, targeting a precise site
- stereotactic or stereotaxic radiosurgery
- radiation treatment to inactivate malignant lesions using multiple, precise external radiation beams focused on a target with the aid of a stereotactic frame and imaging such as CT, MRI, or angiography; used to treat inoperable brain tumors and lesions
- sulci
- shallow grooves that separate gyri
- sympathetic nervous system
- division of the autonomic nervous system that is concerned primarily with preparing the body in stressful or emergency situations
- syncope
- fainting
- tactile stimulation
- evoking a response by touching
- tax/o
- order or coordination
- temporal lobe
- portion that lies below the frontal lobe; responsible for hearing, taste and smell
- thalam/o
- thalamus (a room)
- thalamus / diencephalon
- each of two gray matter nuclei deep within the brain; responsible for relaying sensory information to the cortex
- thought disorder
- though that lacks clear processing or logical direction
- ton/o
- tone or tension
- tonic-clonic seizure
- stiffening-jerking; a major motor seizure involving all muscle groups; previously termed grand mal (big bad) seizure
- top/o
- place
- transcranial Doppler sonogram
- 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
- transient ischemic attack (TIA)
- brief episode of loss of blood flow to the brain, usually caused by a partial occlusion that results in temporary neurologic deficit (impairment); often precedes a CVA
- ventricles
- series of interconnected cavities within the cerebral hemispheres and brainstem filled with cerebrospinal fluid
- ventricul/o
- ventricle (belly or pouch)
- vertebral lamina
- flattened posterior portion of the vertebral arch