Medical Term

Chapter 8
Vocabulary in the power point slides.
Starting on page 240:
Afferent nerves-transmitters of nerve impulses toward the CNS; sensory nerves
Analgesia-without sensitivity to pain
Anesthesia-without feeling or sensation
Aphasia-inability to communicate through speech, writing, or signs because of injury or disease to certain areas of the brain
Arachnoid membrane-weblike middle layer of the three membranous layers surrounding the brain and spinal cord
Ataxia-without muscular coordination
Autonomic nervous system-part of the nervous system that regulates the involuntary vital functions of the body
Axon-part of the nerve cell that transports nerve impulses away from the nerve cell body
Bradykinesia-abnormally slow movement
Cauda equine-lower end of the spinal cord and the roots of the spinal nerves
Cell body-part of the cell that contains the nucleus and the cytoplasm
Central nervous system-one of the two main divisions of the nervous system
Cephalalgia-pain in the head;headache
Cerebellum-part of the brain responsible for coordination voluntary muscular movement
Cerebral concussion-brief interruption of brain function
Cerebral contusion-small scattered venous hemorrhages in the brain
Cerebral cortex-thin outer layer if nerve tissue
Cerebrospinal fluid- fluid flowing through the brain and around the spinal cord that protects them from physical blow or impact
Cerebrum-largest and uppermost part of the brain
Craniotomy-surgical incision into the cranium or skull
Dementia-progressive irreversible mental disorder in which the person has deteriorating memory
Demyelination-destruction or removal of the myelin sheath that covers a nerve or nerve fiber
Dendrite-projection that extends from the nerve cell body
Dura mater- outermost of the three membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord
Dyslexia-condition characterized by an impairment of the ability to read
Dysphasia-difficult speech
Efferent nerves-transmitters of nerve impulses away from the CNS; know as motor nerves
Epidural space-space immediately outside the dura mater that contains supporting cushion of fat
Epilepsy-neurological condition characterized by recurrent episodes of sudden brief attacks of seizures
Gait-style of walking
Ganglion-knotlike mass of nerve tissue found outside the brain or spinal cord
Gyrus-one of many elevated folds of the surface of the cerebrum
Hemiparesis-slight or partial paralysis of one half of the body
Hemiplegia-paralysis of one half of the body
Hypothalamus-part of the brain located below the thalamus that controls many functions
Medulla oblongata-one of the three parts of the brain stem
Meninges-three layers of protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord
Motor nerves- transmitters of nerve impulses away from the CNS
Myelin sheath-protective sheath that covers the axons of many nerves in the body
Narcolepsy-uncontrolled, sudden attacks of sleep
Nerve-cordlike bundle of nerve fibers that transmit impulses to and from the brain and spinal cord
Nerve block-injection of a local anesthetic along the course of a nerve or nerves to eliminate sensation
Neuralgia-severe, sharp, spasmlike pain that extends along the course of one or more nerves
Neuritis-inflammation of the nerve
Neuroglia-supporting tissue of the nervous system
Neurologist-physician who specializes in treating diseases and disorders of the nervous system
Neurology-study of the nervous system
Neuron-nerve cell
Neurotransmitter-chemical substance within the body that activates or inhibits the transmission of nerve impulses at synapses
Nucal rigidity-rigidity of the neck
Paraplegia-paralysis of the lower extremities and trunk due to spinal cord injuries
Parasympathetic nerves-nerves of the ANS that regulate essential involuntary body functions
Paresthesia-sensation of numbness or tingling
Peripheral nervous system-part of the nervous system outside the CNS
Pia mater-innermost of the three membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord
Plexusn-network of interwoven nerves
Pons-part of the brain located between the medulla oblongata and the midbrain
Quadriplegia-paralysis of all four extremities and the trunk of the body
Sciatica-inflammation of the sciatic nerve
Sensory-pertaining to sensation
Sensory nerves-transmitters of nerve impulses toward the CNS
Shunt-tube or passage that diverts or redirects body fluid from one cavity or vessel to another
Somatic nervous system-part of the PNS that provides voluntary control over skeletal muscle contractions
Stimulus-any agent or factor capable of initiating a nerve impulse
Subarachnoid space-space located just under the arachnoid membrane that contains CSF
Subdural space-space located just beneath the dura mater that contains serious fluid
Sulcus-depression or shallow groove on the surface of an organ
Sympathetic nerves-nerves of the ANS that regulate essential involuntary body functions
Synapse-space between the end of one nerve and the beginning of another
Syncope-fainting
Ventricle-small hollow within the brain filled with cerebrospinal fluid All the word elements on page 250-251 a- without, not an- without, not
-algesia sensitivity to pain alges/o sensitivity to pain
-algia pain brady- slow cerebell/o cerebellum cerebr/o cerebellum crani/o skull, cranium encephal/o brain
-esthesia sensation or feeling esthesi/o feeling, sensation gli/o neuroglia or gluey substance
-kinesia movement kinesi/o movement
-lepsy seizure, attack
-lexia reading mening/o meninges myel/o spinal cord or bone marrow narc/o sleep neur/o nerve
-paresis partial paralysis
-phasia speech
-plegia paralysis
-praxia perform
-sthenia strength thec/o sheath ton/o tension, tone ventricul/o ventricle or the heart or brain

Starting on page 252: just know the main bolded information
Alzheimer’s disease- deterioration of a person’s intellectual functioning begins with minor memory loss to complete loss of mental, emotional, and physical functioning.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-severe weakening and wasting of the involved muscle groups
Anencephaly-an absence of the brain and spinal cord at birth, a congenital disorder.
Bell’s palsy-temporary or permanent unilateral weakness or paralysis of the muscles in the face following trauma to the face.
Carpal tunnel syndrome-pinching or compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel due to inflammation and swelling of the tendons, causing intermittent or continuous pain that is greatest at night.
Cerebral concussion-brief interruption of brain function
Cerebral contusion-small scattered venous hemorrhage in the brain
Cerebral palsy-congenital brain damage that is permanent but not progressive
Cerebrovascular accident – STROKE
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) – brief periods of ischemia in the brain; mini strokes
Encephalitis-inflammation of the brain or spinal cord tissue largely caused by a virus that enters the CNS when the person experiences a viral disease
Epilepsy-syndrome of recurring episodes of excessive irregular electrical activity of the brain resulting in involuntary muscle movements called seizures
Grand mal seizure-epileptic seizure characterized by a sudden loss of consciousness
Petit mal seizure-small seizures in which there is a sudden temporary loss of consciousness
Hematoma, epidural-collection of blood located above the dura mater and just below the skull
Hematoma, subdural-collection of blood below the dura mater and above the arachnoid layer of meninges
Herniated disc-rupture or herniation of the disc center through the disc wall and into the spinal canal causing pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots
Hydrocephalus-abnormal increase of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain
Meningitis-serious bacterial infection of the meninges
Multiple sclerosis-degenerative inflammatory disease of the CNS attacking the myelin sheath in the spinal cord and brain
Myasthenia gravis-chronic progressive neuromuscular disorder causing severe skeletal muscle weakness and fatigue
Narcolepsy-rare syndrome of uncontrolled sudden attacks of sleep
Parkinson’s disease-degenerative, slowly progressive deterioration of nerves in the brain stem’s motor system
Spina bifida cystic-congenital defect of the CNS which the back portion of one or more vertebrae is not closed normally and a cyst protrudes through the opening in the back
Meningocele-cystlike sac covered with skin or a thin membrane protruding through the bony defect in the vertebrae containing meninges and CSF
Meningomyelocele-cystlike sac covered with skin or a thin membrane protruding through the bony defect in the vertebrae that contains meninges, CSF, and spinal cord segments spina bifida occulta-congenital defect of the CNS in which the back portion of one or more vertebrae is not closed paraplegia-paralysis of the lower extremities quadriplegia-follows severe trauma to the spinal cord between the fifth and seventh cervical vertebrae trigeminal neuralgia-short periods of severe unilateral pain, which radiates along the fifth cranial nerve Procedures:
Craniotomy-surgical procedure that makes an opening into the skull
Electroenceophalography (EEG)-measurement of electrical activity produced by the bran and recorded through electrodes placed on the scalp
Electromyography (EMG)-process of recording the electrical activity of the muscle by inserting a small needle into the muscle and delivering a small current that stimulates the muscle
Lumbar puncture-insertion of a hollow needle and stylet into the subarachnoid space, generally between the third and fourth lumbar vertebrae below the level of the spinal cord under strict aseptic technique Abbreviations:
CNS Central nervous system
CSF Cerebrospinal fluid
EEG Electromyography