Med Terms- Chapter 15 10th ed. complementary
postictal
occurring after a seizure or attack
preictal
occurring before a seizure or attack
cephalalgia
pain in the head (headache) [also called cephalgia]
paraplegia
paralysis from the waist down caused by damage to the lower level of the spinal cord
quadriplegia
paralysis of four (limbs)
hemiplegia
paralysis of half (right or left side of the body)
monoplegia
paralysis of one (limb)
subdural
pertaining to below the dura mater
cerebral
pertaining to the cerebrum
craniocerebral
pertaining to the cranium and cerebrum
cognitive
pertaining to the mental processes of comprehension, judgment, memory, and reason
mental
pertaining to the mind
intracerebral
pertaining to within the cerebrum
neurologist
physician who studies and treats diseases of the nervous system
neuroid
resembling a nerve
hemiparesis
slight paralysis of half (right or left side of the body)
monoparesis
slight paralysis of one (limb)
myelomalacia
softening of the spinal cord
unconsciousness
state of being unaware of surroundings and incapable of responding to stimuli as a result of injury, shock, illness, or drugs
coma
state of profound unconsciousness
neurology
study of nerves (branch of medicine dealing with diseases of the nervous system)
seizure
sudden, abnormal surge of electrical activity in the brain, resulting in involuntary body movements or behaviors
convulsion
sudden, involuntary contraction of a group of muscles; may be present during a seizure
dysarthria
the inability to use speech that is distinct and connected because of a loss of muscle control after damage to the peripheral or central nervous system
shunt
tube implanted in the body to redirect the flow of a fluid
incoherent
unable to express one's thoughts or ideas in an orderly, intelligible manner
anesthesia
without (loss of) feeling or sensation
conscious
awake, alert, aware of one's surroundings
dysphasia
condition of difficulty speaking
aphasia
condition of without speaking (loss or impairment of the ability to speak)
interictal
(occurring) between seizures or attacks
ataxia
lack of muscle coordination
gait
a manner or style of walking
disorientation
a state of mental confusion as to time, place, or identity
paresthesia
abnormal sensation such as burning, prickling, or tingling sensation, often in the extremities; may be caused by nerve damage or peripheral neuropathy
efferent
conveying away from the center (like nerves carrying information away from the CNS)
afferent
conveying toward a center (for example, afferent nerves carry impulses to the central nervous system)
encephalopathy
disease of the brain
hyperesthesia
excessive sensitivity (to stimuli)
syncope
fainting or sudden loss of consciousness caused by lack of blood supply to the cerebrum
gliocyte
glial cell
concussion
injury to the brain caused by minor or major head trauma; symptoms include vertigo, headache, and possible loss of consequence
