question

brain

answer

contained within the cranium, the center for coordinating body activities and comprises the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem; the brainstem contains the pons, medulla oblongata, and midbrain

question

cerebrum

answer

largest portion of the brain, divided into left and right hemispheres; controls the skeletal muscles, interprets general senses (like temperature, pain, and touch), and contains centers for sight and hearing; intellect, memory, and emotional reactions also take place here

question

ventricles

answer

spaces within the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which flows through the subarachnoid space around the brain and spinal cord

question

cerebellum

answer

located under the posterior portion of the cerebrum, assists in the coordination of skeletal muscles to maintain balance (also called hindbrain)

question

brainstem

answer

stemlike portion of the brain that connects with the spinal cord; contains centers that control respiration and heart rate; three structures that comprise it are pons, medulla oblongata, and midbrain

question

pons

answer

literally means bridge; connects the cerebrum with the cerebellum and brainstem

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medulla oblongata

answer

located between the pons and spinal cord; contains centers that control respiration, heart rate, and the muscles in the blood vessel walls, which assist in determining blood pressure

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midbrain

answer

most superior portion of the brainstem

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cerebrospinal fluid

answer

CSF; clear, colorless luid contained in the ventricles that flows through the subarachnoid space around the brain and spinal cord; cushions the brain and spinal cord from shock, transports nutrients, and clears metabolic waste

question

spinal cord

answer

passes through the vertebral canal extending from the medulla oblongata to the level of the second lumbar vertebra; spinal cord conducts nerve impulses to and from the brain and initiates reflex action to sensory information without input from the brain

question

meninges

answer

three layers of membrane that cover the brain and spinal cord

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dura mater

answer

tough outer layer of the meninges

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arachnoid

answer

delicate middle layer of the meninges; the arachnoid membrane is loosely attached to the pia mater by weblike fibers, which allow for the subarachnoid space

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pia mater

answer

thin inner layer of the meninges

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nerve

answer

cordlike structure made up of fibers that carries impulses from one part of the body to another; 12 pairs of cranial nerves and 31 pairs of spinal nerves

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ganglion

answer

group of nerve cell bodies located outside the central nervous system

question

glia

answer

specialized cells that support and nourish nervous tissue; some cells assist in the secretion of cerebrospinal fluid and others assist with phagocytosis; do not conduct impulses; three tpes (astroglia, oligodendroglia, and microglia)

question

neuron

answer

nerve cell that conducts nerve impulses to carry out the function of the nervous system; destroyed neurons cannot be replaced

question

cerebell/o

answer

combining form meaning cerebellum

question

cerebr/o

answer

combining form meaning cerebrum, brain

question

dur/o

answer

combining form meaning hard, dura mater

question

encephal/o

answer

combining form meaning brain

question

gangli/o, ganglion/o

answer

combining forms meaning ganglion

question

gli/o

answer

combining form meaning glia, gluey substance

question

mening/o, meningi/o

answer

combining forms meaning meninges

question

myel/o

answer

combining form meaning spinal cord

question

neur/o

answer

combining form meaning nerve

question

radic/o, radicul/o, rhiz/o

answer

combining forms meaning nerve root (proximal end of a peripheral nerve, closest to the spinal cord)

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esthesi/o

answer

combining form meaning sensation, sensitivity, feeling

question

ment/o, psych/o

answer

combining form meaning mind

question

mon/o

answer

combining form meaning one, single

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phas/o

answer

combining form meaning speech

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poli/o

answer

combining form meaning gray matter

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quadr/i

answer

combining form meaning four

question

-iatrist

answer

suffix meaning specialist, physician

question

-iatry

answer

suffix meaning treatment, specialty

question

-ictal

answer

suffix meaning seizure, attack

question

-paresis

answer

suffix meaning slight paralysis

question

duritis

answer

inflammation of the dura mater

question

encephalitis

answer

inflammation of the brain

question

encephalomalacia

answer

softening of the brain

question

encephalomeloradiculitis

answer

inflammation of the brain, spinal cord, and nerve roots

question

gangliitis

answer

inflammation of a ganglion

question

glioblastoma

answer

tumor composed of developing glial tissue (the most malignant and most common primary tumor of the brain)

question

glioma

answer

tumor composed of the glial tissue (glioma is used to describe all primary neoplasms of the brain and spinal cord)

question

meningioma

answer

tumor of the meninges (benign and slow growing)

question

meningitis

answer

inflammation of the meninges

question

meningocele

answer

protrusion of the meninges (through a defect in the skull or vertebral arch)

question

meningomyelocele

answer

protrusion of the meninges and spinal cord (through a neural arch defect in the vertebral column); also called myelomeningocele

question

mononeuropathy

answer

disease affecting a single nerve (such as carpal tunnel syndrome)

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neuralgia

answer

pain in a nerve

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neuritis

answer

inflammation of a nerve

question

neuroarthropathy

answer

disease of nerves and joints

question

neuroma

answer

tumor made up of nerve cells

question

neuropathy

answer

disease of the nerves (peripheral)

question

poliomyelitis

answer

inflammation of the gray matter of the spinal cord (caused by one of three viruses)

question

polyneuritis

answer

inflammation of many nerves

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polyneuropathy

answer

disease of many nerves (most often occurs as a side effect of diabetes mellitus, but may also occur as a result of drug therapy, critical illness such as sepsis, or carcinoma; exhibiting symptoms of weakness, distal sensory loss, and burning)

question

radiculitis

answer

inflammation of the nerve roots

question

radiculopathy

answer

disease of the nerve roots

question

rhizomeningomyelitis

answer

inflammation of the nerve root, meninges, and spinal cord

question

subdural hematoma

answer

pertaining to below the dura mater, tumor of blood (a collection of blood resulting from a broken blood vessel)

question

alzheimer disease

answer

AD; disease characterized by early dementia, confusion, loss of recognition of persons or unfamiliar surroundings, restlessness, and impaired memory

question

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

answer

ALS; progressive muscle atrophy caused by degeneration and scarring of neurons along the lateral columns of the spinal cord that control muscles; also called Lou Gehrig disease

question

bell palsy

answer

paralysis of muscles on one side of the face caused by inflammation or compression of the facial nerve-cranial nerve VII; signs include a sagging mouth on the affected side and nonclosure of the eyelid; paralysis is usually temporary

question

cerebral aneurysm

answer

aneurysm in the cerebrum

question

cerebral embolism

answer

an embolus (usually a blood clot or a piece of atherosclerotic plaque arising from a distant site) lodges in a cerebral artery, causing sudden blockage of blood supply to the brain tissue; atrial fibrillation is a common cause of cerebral embolism, which can lead to ischemic stroke

question

cerebral palsy

answer

CP; condition characterized by lack of muscle control and partial paralysis, caused by a brain defect or lesion present at birth or shortly after

question

dementia

answer

cognitive impairment characterized by loss of intellectual brain function; patients have difficulty in various ways, including difficulty in performing complex tasks, reasoning, learning and retaining new information, orientation, word finding, and behavior; has several causes and is not considered part of normal aging

question

epilepsy

answer

condition characterized by recurrent seizures; a general term given to a group of neurologic disorders, all characterized by abnormal electrical activity in the brain

question

hydrocephalus

answer

congenital or acquired disorder caused by obstructed circulation of cerebrospinal fluid, resulting in dilated cerebral ventricles and impaired brain function; for infants, hydrocephalus can cause enlargement of the cranium

question

intracerebral hemorrhage

answer

bleeding into the brain as a result of a ruptured blood vessel within the brain; symptoms vary depending on the location of the hemorrhage; acute symptoms include dyspnea, dysphagia, aphasia, diminished level of consciousness, and hemiparesis; symptoms often develop suddenly; cause of hemorrhagic stroke and frequently associated with high blood pressure

question

multiple sclerosis

answer

MS; chronic degenerative disease characterized by sclerotic patches along the brain and spinal cord; signs and symptoms fluctuate over the course of the disease; more common symptoms include fatigue, balance, and coordination impairments, numbness, and vision problems

question

parkinson disease

answer

PD; chronic degenerative disease of the CNS; signs and symptoms include resting tremors of the hands and feet, rigidity, expressionless face, and shuffling gait; usually occurs after age 50

question

sciatica

answer

inflammation of the sciatic nerve, causing pain that travels from the thigh through the leg to the foot and toes; can be caused by injury, infection, arthritis, herniated disk, or from prolonged pressure on the nerve from sitting for long periods

question

shingles

answer

viral disease that affects the peripheral nerves and causes blisters on the skin that follow the course of the affected nerves; also called herpes zoster

question

stroke

answer

occurs when there is an interruption of blood supply to a region of the brain, depriving nerve cells in the affected area of oxygen and nutrients; the cells cannot perform and may be damaged or die within minutes; parts of the body controlled by the involved cells experience dysfunction; speech, movement, memory, and other CNS functions may be affected in varying degrees; also called cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or brain attack

question

ischemic stroke

answer

stroke as a result of a blocked blood vessel

question

hemorrhagic stroke

answer

stroke as a result of bleeding

question

subarachnoid hemorrhage

answer

SAH; bleeding caused by a ruptured blood vessel just outside the brain (usually a ruptured cerebral aneurysm) that rapidly fills the space between the piamater and arachnoid layers of the meninges (subarachnoid space) with blood; patient may experience an intense, sudden headache accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and neck pain

question

transient ischemic attack

answer

TIA; sudden deficient supply of blood to the brain lasting a short time; symptoms may be similar to those of stroke, but with TIA the symptoms are temporary and the usual outcome is complete recovery; TIAs are often warning signs for eventual occurrence of a stroke

question

Alzheimer disease

answer

the most common type of dementia, making up 60-80% of all cases; the disease, the cause of which is unknown, is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by diffuse brain atrophy and the presence of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles within the brain cortex; women are affected more than men, and the disease usually occurs after the age of 60; the disease is slowly progressive and usually results in a profound dementia in 5-10 years

question

vascular or multiple infarct dementia

answer

affects approximately 10-20% of patients with dementia; secondary to cerebrovascular disease and usually occurs in older patients

question

central nervous system infection dementia

answer

may be caused by herpes simplex encephalitis or may be seen in patients with AIDS

question

lewy body dementia

answer

usually a rapidly progressive form of dementia seen with Parkinson syndrome

question

parkinson disease

answer

may develop in patients with advanced disease

question

wernicke-korsakoff syndrome

answer

a form of dementia found with chronic alcoholism

question

normal pressure hydrocephalus

answer

may cause dementia in elderly individuals and can be treated with a ventricular peritoneal shunt

question

ganglionectomy

answer

excision of a ganglion; also called gangliectomy

question

neurectomy

answer

excision of a nerve

question

neurolysis

answer

dissolution of a nerve (for pain management)

question

neurorrhaphy

answer

suturing of a nerve

question

neurotomy

answer

incision into a nerve

question

radicotomy, rhizotomy

answer

incision into a nerve root

question

cerebral angiography

answer

process of recording (scan) of the blood vessels of the cerebrum after an injection of contrast medium

question

CT myelography

answer

process of recording (scan) the spinal cord (after an injection of a contrast agent into the subarachnoid space by lumbar puncture; size, shape, and position of the spinal cord and nerve roots are demonstrated)

question

electroencephalogram

answer

EEG; record of electrical activity of the brain

question

electroencephalograph

answer

instrument used to record electrical activity of the brain

question

electroencephalography

answer

process of recording the electrical activity of the brain

question

computed tomography of the brain

answer

computerized radiographic process producing a series of sectional images (slices) of brain tissue; useful in diagnosing brain tumors

question

magnetic resonance imaging of the brain or spine

answer

high-strength computer-controlled magnetic fields producing a series of sectional images (slices) of the soft tissues of the brain or spine; used to visualize tumors, edema, MS, and herniated disks

question

positron emission tomography scan of the brain

answer

nuclear medicine procedure combining CT and radioactive chemicals producing sectional images of the brain to examine blood flow and metabolic activity

question

evoked potential studies

answer

group of diagnostic tests that measure changes and responses in brain waves elicited by visual, auditory, or somatosensory stimuli; visual evoked response (VER) is a response to visual stimuli; auditory evoked response (AER) is a response to auditory stimuli

question

lumbar puncture

answer

LP; diagnostic procedure performed by insertion of a needle into the subarachnoid space usually between the third and fourth lumbar vertebrae; performed for many reasons, including the removal of cerebrospinal fluid (also called a spinal tap)

question

panplegia

answer

total paralysis

question

paresthesia

answer

abnormal sensation such as burning, prickling, or tingling sensation, often in the extremities; may be caused by nerve damage or peripheral neuropathy

question

postictal

answer

occurring after a seizure or attack

question

preictal

answer

occurring before a seizure or attack

question

quadriplegia

answer

paralysis of four (limbs)

question

subdural

answer

pertaining to below the dura mater

question

afferent

answer

conveying toward a center (for example, afferent nerves carry impulses to the central nervous system)

question

ataxia

answer

lack of muscle coordination

question

cognitive

answer

pertaining to the mental processes of comprehension, judgment, memory, and reason

question

coma

answer

state of profound unconsciousness

question

concussion

answer

injury to the brain caused by minor or major head trauma; symptoms include vertigo, headache, and possible loss of consequence

question

conscious

answer

awake, alert, aware of one's surroundings

question

convulsion

answer

sudden, involuntary contraction of a group of muscles; may be present during a seizure

question

disorientation

answer

a state of mental confusion as to time, place, or identity

question

mild cognitive impairment

answer

MCI; the presence of significant memory difficulty wen adjusted for age-related norms; the patient usually has little difficulty performing activities of daily living; may be an early manifestation of Alzheimer disease or other forms of dementia

question

age-associated memory impairment

answer

when memory function tends to decline with aging when compared with young adults; not necessarily a forerunner of dementia

question

delirium

answer

potentially reversible acute disturbance of consciousness with impairment of cognition; a number of conditions can cause this by interfering with brain metabolism; drugs, alcohol, systemic infections, head trauma, hypoglycemia, and electrolyte disturbances are common examples

question

pseudodementia

answer

a disorder resembling dementia but is not caused by a brain disease; can be found in mental illness, such as major depression, and can be reversible with treatment

question

dysarthria

answer

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

question

efferent

answer

conveying away from the center (like nerves carrying information away from the CNS)

question

gait

answer

a manner or style of walking

question

incoherent

answer

unable to express one's thoughts or ideas in an orderly, intelligible manner

question

paraplegia

answer

paralysis from the waist down caused by damage to the lower level of the spinal cord

question

seizure

answer

sudden, abnormal surge of electrical activity in the brain, resulting in involuntary body movements or behaviors

question

shunt

answer

tube implanted in the body to redirect the flow of a fluid

question

syncope

answer

fainting or sudden loss of consciousness caused by lack of blood supply to the cerebrum

question

unconsciousness

answer

state of being unaware of surroundings and incapable of responding to stimuli as a result of injury, shock, illness, or drugs

question

psychiatrist

answer

physician who studies and treats disorders of the mind

question

psychiatry

answer

specialist of the mind (branch of medicine that deals with treatment of mental disorders)

question

psychogenic

answer

originating in the mind

question

psychologist

answer

specialist of the mind

question

psychology

answer

study of the mind (a profession that involves dealing with the mind and mental processes in relation to human behavior)

question

psychopathy

answer

any disease of the mind

question

psychosis

answer

abnormal condition of the mind (major mental disorder characterized by extreme derangement, often with delusions and hallucinations

question

psychosomatic

answer

pertaining to the mind and body (interrelations of)

question

anorexia nervosa

answer

eating disorder characterized by a disturbed perception of body image resulting in failure to maintain body weight, intensive fear of gaining weight, pronounced desire for thinness, and, in females amenorrhea

question

anxiety disorder

answer

emotional disorder characterized by feelings of apprehension, tension, or uneasiness arising typically from the anticipation of unreal or imagined danger

question

attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder

answer

ADHD; disorder of learning and behavioral problems characterized by marked inattention, distractibility, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity

question

autism

answer

spectrum of mental disorders, the features of which include onset during infancy or childhood, preoccupation with subjective mental activity, inability to interact socially, and impaired communication (also referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorders [ASD] or pervasive developmental disorders [PDD])

question

bipolar disorder

answer

major psychological disorder typified by a disturbance in mood; manifested by manic and depressive episodes that may alternate or elements of both may occur simultaneously

question

bulimia nervosa

answer

eating disorder characterized by uncontrolled binge eating followed by purging

question

major depression

answer

mood disturbance characterized by feelings of sadness, despair, discouragement, hopelessness, lack of joy, altered sleep patterns, and difficulty with decision making and daily function; ranges from normal feelings of sadness (resulting from and proportional to personal loss or tragedy), through dysthymia (chronic depressive neurosis) to major depression (also referred to as clinical depression, mood disorder)

question

obsessive-compulsive disorder

answer

OCD; disorder characterized by intrusive, unwanted thoughts that result in the tendency to perform repetitive acts or rituals (compulsions) usually as a means of releasing tension or anxiety

question

panic attack

answer

episode of sudden onset of acute anxiety, occurring unpredictably, with feelings of acute apprehension, dyspnea, dizziness, sweating, and/or chest pain, depersonalization, paresthesia and fear of dying, loss of mind or control

question

phobia

answer

marked and persistent fear that is excessive or unreasonable cued by the presence or anticipation of a specific situation or object (such as claustrophobia, the abnormal fear of being in enclosed spaces)

question

pica

answer

compulsive eating of nonnutritive substances such as clay or ice; often a result of an iron deficiency; when iron deficiency is the cause of pica the condition will disappear in 1 or 2 weeks when treated with iron therapy

question

posttraumatic stress disorder

answer

PTSD; disorder characterized by a chronic, debilitating emotional response to a traumatic event perceived as life threatening or severe emotional stress; may be caused by exposure to repeated physical or emotional trauma, military combat, natural disasters, or serious accidents; symptoms include anxiety, sleep disturbance, nightmares, difficulty concentrating, and depression

question

schizophrenia

answer

any one of a large group of psychotic disorders characterized by gross distortions of reality, disturbance of language and communication, withdrawal from social interaction, and the disorganization and fragmentation of thought, perception, and emotional reaction

question

somatoform disorders

answer

disorders characterized by physical symptoms for which no known physical cause exists

question

alzheimer disease

answer

AD

question

attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

answer

ADHD

question

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

answer

ALS

question

central nervous system

answer

CNS

question

cerebral palsy

answer

CP

question

cerebrospinal fluid

answer

CSF

question

cerebrovascular accident

answer

CVA

question

electroencephalogram

answer

EEG

question

evoked potential studies

answer

EP studies

question

lumbar puncture

answer

LP

question

magnetic resonance imaging

answer

MRI

question

multiple sclerosis

answer

MS

question

obsessive-compulsive disorder

answer

OCD

question

parkinson disease

answer

PD

question

positron emission tomography

answer

PET

question

peripheral nervous system

answer

PNS

question

posttraumatic stress disorder

answer

PTSD

question

subarachnoid hemorrhage

answer

SAH

question

transient ischemic attack

answer

TIA

Medical Terminology Chapter 15 – Flashcards

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