Medical Terminology Final - CHAPTER 8
petit mal seizure
are small seizures in which there is a sudden temporary loss of consciousness, lasting only a few seconds; also known as absence seizure.
central nervous system
consists of the brain and the spinal cord
agraphia
inability to convert one's thoughts into writing
aphasia
inability to speak
ganglionitis
inflammation of many nerve cell bodies or ganglions
encephalitis
inflammation of the brain usually caused by a virus
viral hepatitis
inflammation of the liver caused by a virus
huntington's chorea
is a neurodegenerative genetic disorder that affects muscle coordination and leads to cognitive decline and psychiatric problems.
Cheyne-stokes respiration episode
is an abnormal pattern of breathing characterized by progressively deeper and sometimes faster breathing, followed by a gradual decrease that results in a temporary stop in breathing called an apnea.
reye's syndrome
is sudden (acute) brain damage and liver function problems of unknown cause. The syndrome has occurred in children who have been given aspirin when they have chicken pox or the flu.
cephalalgia
pain in the head; also known as a headache
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
dendrite
receives impulses and conducts them on to the nerve cell body
autonomic nervous system
regulates the involuntary vital functions of the body, such as the activities involving the heart muscle, smooth muscles, and the glands.
Anencephaly
the absence of the brain and spinal cord at birth
aura
transports nerve impulses away from the nerve cell body
apoplexy
unconsciousness or incapacity resulting from a cerebral hemorrhage or stroke
anesthesia
without feeling or sensation
ataxia
without muscle coordination
analgesia
without sensitivity to pain
Myasthenia Gravis
A chronic autoimmune condition that interferes with proper nerve transmission in the skeletal muscles, causing selective muscle weakness
multiple sclerosis
A chronic disease of the central nervous system marked by damage to the myelin sheath. Plaques occur in the brain and spinal cord causing tremor, weakness, incoordination, paresthesia, and disturbances in vision and speech
Encephalopathy
A condition of disturbances of consciousness and possible progression to coma
epilepsy
A disorder of the central nervous system characterized by loss of consciousness and convulsions.
cerebral palsy
A loss or deficiency of motor control with involuntary spasms caused by permanent brain damage present at birth
lumbar puncture
A procedure used to remove cerebrospinal fluid from the spinal canal.
Parkinson's Disease
A progressive disease that destroys brain cells and is identified by muscular tremors, slowing of movement, and partial facial paralysis
Bell's Palsy
A temporary or permanent unilateral weakness or paralysis of the muscles in the face following trauma to the face or an unknown infection
grand mal seizure
A type of generalized epileptic seizure in which nerve cells fire in high-frequency bursts, usually accompanied by involuntary rhythmic contractions of the body.
hydrocephalus
Abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluids in the ventricles of the brain. "water in the brain "
hydrocele
Abnormal accumulation of serous fluid between the layers of the tunica vaginales which results in painless scrotal swelling
bacterial meningitis
An acute inflammation of the meningeal tissues surrounding the brain and the spinal cord; specifically, the arachnoid mater and the CSF
meningitis
An acute inflammation of the meninges, usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection.
babinski reflex
An infant fans out its toes in response to a stroke on the outside of its foot
guillain-barre syndrome
Autoimmune neurologic disorder marked by weakness and paresthesia that usually travel up the legs
wrist drop
Condition which results from radial and median nerve damage
Peripheral nervous system
Consists of 12 pairs of cranial nerves and 31 pairs of spinal nerves
Cerebrum
Controls consciousness, memory, sensations, emotions, and voluntary movements
romberg test
Determines the integrity of the dorsal white column of spinal cord which transmits impulses to the brain from the proprioceptors involved with posture.
shingles
Development of painful, inflamed blisters that follow the nerve routes; caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox.
Aphasia
Inability to speak
polyarthritis
Inflammation of more than one joint
spinal anesthesia
Is spinal or epidural anesthesia for cesarean section easier to perform & results in more rapid & intense neural blockade
cardiovascular accident
Medical Term for a Stroke, death of part of the brain tissue that is usually due to a blood clot
cluster headache
Occurs in series (cluster periods) lasting for weeks or months separated by remission periods usually lasting months or years.
paraplegia
Paralysis (loss of sensation of voluntary movement) of the lower part of the body and both legs.
quadriplegia
Paralysis of all four limbs
hemiplegia
Paralysis on one side of the body
causalgia
Persistent, severe burning pain that usually follows an injury to a sensory nerve
kernig's sign
Sign of meningitis; positive when the leg is fully bent at the hip and knee, and subsequent extension of the knee leads to pain
cerebral concussion
Temporary brain dysfunction (brief loss of consciousness) after injury; usually clearing within 24 hours.
Agraphia
The inability to convert ones thoughts into writing
Efferent nerves
Transmit nerve impulses away from the central nervous system
echoencephalograph
Use of ultrasound imaging to create a detailed visual image of the brain for diagnostic purposes.
Anesthesia
Without feeling or sensation
Ataxia
Without muscle coordination
Analgesia
Without sensitivity to pain
lupus erythematosus
a chronic inflammatory collagen disease affecting connective tissue (skin or joints)
Carpal tunnel syndrome
a disorder caused by compression of a nerve in the carpal tunnel (where the nerve passes through the wrist)
stress headache
a headache characterized by high stress, "band" around the heard or muscle strain
cerebrovascular accident
a sudden loss of consciousness resulting when the rupture or occlusion of a blood vessel leads to oxygen lack in the brain
encephaloma
abnormal softening of the brain
badykinesia
abnormally SLOW movement
hydrocephaly
an abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the ventricles of the brain