Medical Terminology Mrs. Opland The Nervous System Medical Terminology Mrs. Opland

Functions Of … Coordinates and controls all bodily activities

Structures of the Nervous System Central Nervous System (CNS) Brain and Spinal Cord Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) Cranial nerves Spinal nerves

The Nerves Nerve One or more bundles of neuron cells the brain and spinal cord with other parts of the body Impulse carrying fibers

The Nerves Terms Receptors: sites that receive external stimulation. These external stimuli are sent to the brain for interpretation

Stimulus: anything that excites or activates a nerve and causes an impulse Impulse: A wave of excitation transmitted through nerve fibers and neurons.

The Reflexes… Reflex: automatic, involuntary response to some change, either inside or outside the body Maintenance of the heart rate, breathing rate, and b/p Coughing, sneezing, and reactions to painful stimuli

The Neuron… Neuron: basic cell of the nervous system

Synapses … Synapses: space between two neurons or between a neuron and receptor organ

Neurotransmitters … Neurotransmitters: a chemical messenger that transmits messages between nerve cells

Myelin Sheath Myelin Sheath: white protective covering over some nerve cells White matter: myelin sheath gives nerve fibers a white color Myelinated: means having a myelin sheath

Myelin Sheath Gray matter: portions of nerves that do not have a myelin sheath are gray and make up the gray matter of the brain and spinal cord

The Central Nervous System CNS: central nervous system Brain Spinal Cord

The Meninges Meninges: three membrane that enclose the brain and spinal cord

Cerebrospinal Fluid … Cerebrospinal fluid: watery fluid, functions are to nourish, cool, and cool the brain and spinal cord from shock or injury

Cerebrum Cerebrum: largest and upper most portion of the brain Responsible for thought, judgment, memory, association, and discrimination

Lobes: areas of the brain

Ventricles: small cavity within the middle region of the cerebrum

Cerebellum Cerebellum: 2nd largest part of brain Controls skeletal muscles

Brainstem Midbrain: extends from the lower surface of the cerebrum to the pons Conduction pathways to and from higher and lower centers

The pons: means bridge At base of brain Nerve cells cross from one side to the other side of the brain to control the opposite side of the body.

Medulla Oblongata: Located at the lowest part of brainstem Controls basic life functions including respiration, heart rate, b/p

Spinal Cord … Spinal Cord: pathway for impulses going to and from the brain

Peripheral Nervous System Peripheral nervous system (PNS): cranial nerves (extending from the brain) Spinal nerves (extending from the spinal cord)

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) 12 pairs of cranial nerves extending from the brain 31 pairs of spinal nerves extending from the spinal cord

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS): controls involuntary actions of the body Sympathetic Nervous System Decreases digestive system Increases B/P Increases heart rate Increases pulse Increases breathing rate

Parasympathetic Nervous System Increases digestive system Decreases pulse Decreases heart rate Decreases b/p Decreases breathing rate

Medical Specialties Anesthesiologist: Anesthetist:                                                                                                    Anesthesiologist: Physician who specializes in administering anesthetic agents before and during surgery (an- without esthesi feeling -ologist specialist) Anesthetist: Person trained in administering anesthesia but is not necessarily a physician

Neurologist: Neurosurgeon: Specialist of diseases and disorders of the nervous system Neurosurgeon: Physician who specializes in surgery of the nervous system

Psychiatrist: Psychologist: MD specializing in dx & tx chemical dependencies, emotional problems, and mental illness (psych – mind -iatrist – specialist Psychologist: Holds an advanced degree, other than a medical degree, and specializes in evaluating and treating emotional problems (psych – mind -ologist – specialist)                                                                                                                                           

Pathology of the Nervous System Cephalalgia: Migraine headache: Encephalocele: headache sudden, severe, sharp headache congenital gap in the skull with herniation of brain substance

Hydrocephalus: Meningocele:                                     Abnormal increase of cerebrospinal fluid within the brain Protrusion of the membranes of the brain or spinal cord through a defect in the skull or spinal column

Meningitis: Inflammation of the meninges of the brain or spinal cord

Disorders of the brain … Alzheimer’s disease: Cognition: Encephalitis: Degenerative changes in the brain structure: progressive memory loss, impaired thinking, and personality changes                        Mental activities associated with thinking, learning, and memory Inflammation of the brain

Disorders of the brain … Parkinson’s disease: Tetanus: Chronic, slow progressive, CNS disorder: characterized by tremors, mask-like facial expression, and shuffling gait “Lockjaw”: acute, potentially fatal bacterial infection of the CNS

Violent shaking or jarring of the brain Brain Injuries … Amnesia: Concussion (cerebral concussion): Disturbance in memory characterized by partial or complete memory loss Violent shaking or jarring of the brain

Brain Injuries … Cerebral contusion: Cranial hematoma: Bruising of brain tissue from a brain injury Collection of blood trapped in the tissues of the brain

Levels of Consciousness Syncope: Lethargy: “Alert”: awake, aware, responding appropriately “fainting”: brief loss of consciousness due to a brief lack of oxygen to the brain Listlessness, drowsiness, and apathy

Levels of Consciousness Stupor: Coma: Impaired consciousness marked by the lack of responsiveness to environmental stimuli Deep state of unconsciousness: no response to painful stimuli, and no vocalization

Delirium: Dementia: A delirious client is confused, disoriented, and unable to think clearly Slowly progressive decline in mental abilities: memory, thinking, judgment, and the ability to pay attention

Brain tumors: Brain Tumor: Abnormal growth within the brain May be malignant or benign Malignant: cancerous / life threatening Benign: noncancerous / non life threatening

Strokes: Cerebrovascular Accident: Transient Ischemic Attacks: Damage to the brain due to a blood vessel that is either blocked or has ruptured Transient Ischemic Attacks: Temporary interruption in blood supply to the brain

Ischemic stroke: Cerebral thrombosis: Aphasia: Flow of blood in the brain is blocked Cerebral thrombosis: Thrombus (clot) blocks the artery Aphasia: Loss of the ability to speak, write, or comprehend the written or spoken word (a – without -phasia speech)                                                

Hemorrhagic Stroke: A bleed … blood vessel in the brain leaks or ruptures

Sleep Disorders … Insomnia: Narcolepsy: Somnolence: Prolonged or abnormal inability to sleep Narcolepsy: Recurrent uncontrollable seizures of drowsiniess and sleep (narc/o – stupor -lepsy – seizure) Somnolence: Sleepwalking (somn – sleep ambul - to walk -ism – condition of)

Spinal Cord … Myelitis: Myelosis: Multiple sclerosis: Inflammation of the spinal cord or bone marrow Abnormal condition of the spinal cord or bone marrow = tumor of the spinal cord Progressive, characterized by scattered patches of demyelination of nerve fibers of the brain & spinal cord: sx = tremors, paralysis, speech disturbances

Poliomyelitis: Viral infection of the gray matter of the spinal cord that may result in paralysis

Nerves: Lou Gehrigs disease: Bell’s palsy: Degeneration of motor neurons in which people become progressively weaker until they are completely paralyzed. Intellect, eye motion, bladder function, and sensations are spared Paralysis of the 7th cranial nerve causing drooping only on the affected side of the face

Nerves: Peripheral neuropathy: Painful condition of the hands & feet due to nerve damage

Sciatica: Inflammation of the sciatica nerve: causes pain along the course f the nerve through the thigh and leg

Abnormal Sensations … Causalgia: Hyperesthesia Paresthesia: Intense burning pain after injury to a sensory nerve Excessive sensitivity to stimuli Abnormal sensation such as burning, tingling, or numbness for no apparent reason

Cerebral Palsy Cerebral Palsy: Characterized by poor muscle control Caused by an injury to part of the brain that controls muscle movements Occurs during pregnancy, birth or soon after birth… usually due to lack of oxygen

Convulsions & Seizures Convulsion / Seizure: Generalized seizure: Sudden, violent, involuntary contraction of a group of muscles caused by a disturbance in the brain Rigidity and violent spasms alternating with jerking movements of the face, trunk, or extremities

Convulsions & Seizures Tonic convulsion: Clonic convulsion: Partial or localized seizure: Muscle contractions resulting in rigidity and violent spasms Contraction and relaxation of muscles resulting in jerking movements of the face, trunk, or extremities Specific motor, sensory, or psychomotor phenomena without loss of consciousness

Epilepsy Epilepsy: Grand mal epilepsy: Petit mal epilepsy: Epileptic aura: Episodes of seizures…. More severe form: generalized tonic-clonic siezures Milder form: sudden, temporary loss of consciousness, lasting only a few seconds Manifestation such as a smell or light, which may be experienced before a seizure

Mental Health Described as mental disorders, often caused by Physical changes Substance abuse Medications Or any combination of those factors                          

Developmental Disorders…. Mental retardation: Autistic disorder Attention deficit disorder (ADD):                                                                                                            Significantly below average general intellectual functioning Young child cannot develop normal social relationships: behaves in compulsive and ritualistic ways, and poor communication skills Short attention span and impulsiveness

Attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Dyslexia: Inattention and hyperactivity “reading disorder” learning disability characterized by reading achievement that falls below normal expectations

Substance-Related Disorders Addiction: Alcoholism: Delirium tremens (DT’s): Compulsive and overwhelming involvement with a specific activity Alcohol abuse Caused by alcohol withdrawal: sweating, tremor, restlessness, anxiety, mental confusion, and hallucinations

Schizophrenia & other Psychotic Disorders … Delusion: Derangement of personality, loss of contact with reality, and decrease normal social functioning Delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech; often incoherent, and disruptive or catatonic False personal belief; maintain despite obvious proof or evidence to the contrary

Hallucination: Catatonic behavior: Sense perception (sight, sound, touch, smell, or taste) that has no basis in external stimuli Marked by lack of responsiveness, stupor, and tendency to remain in a fixed position This woman has been diagnosed with catatonic schizophrenia. She will hold this difficult pose for hours or even days

Mood Disorders: Manic episode: Major depressive episode: Bipolar disorder (manic-depressive disorder): Period of elevated, expansive and irritable mood Loss of interest or pleasure in nearly all activities Manic episodes alternating with depressive moods

Panic Disorders: Panic disorders: Panic Attack: Intense feelings of apprehension, fearfulness, & terror; this group of symptoms is known as a panic attack Feelings as above: symptoms include shortness of breath, profuse sweating, heart palpitations, chest pain, and choking sensation

Anxiety Disorders Anxiety state: Obsessive-complusive disorder: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Feeling of apprehension, tension, or uneasiness Pattern of behaviors repeated over and over, persistent ideas, thoughts, or images Symptoms after a psychologically traumatic event

Phobias Phobia: Claustrophobia Persistent irrational fear of a situation or thing Abnormal fear of being in narrow or enclosed spaces

Somatoform Disorders: Conversion disorder: Hypochondriasis:         Describe physical symptoms not explained by patients actual medical condition Physical change; i.e. paralysis of an arm with no physical cause Preoccupation with fears of having a serious disease

Impulse-control Disorders Kleptomania: Pyromania: Impulse behavior to steal objects not for immediate use or their monetary value Recurrent failure to resist impulses to set fires

Personality Disorders … Antisocial personality disorder: Narcissistic personality disorder: Pattern of behavior that deviates from normal Disregard for, & violation of, the rights of others Exaggerated need for admiration and complete lack of empathy

Tx Procedures … Medications Tranquilizers (antianxiety drugs): Antidepressants: Antipsychotic: Psychotropic drugs: Suppress anxiety and relax muscles Prevents or relieves depression Treat sx of severe psychiatric disorders Capable of affecting the mind, emotions, and behavior; used in tx of mental illness

Drug that relieves pain without affecting consciousness Pain Control Analgesic: Narcotic analgesic: Drug that relieves pain without affecting consciousness Used to relieve severe pain

Sedative and Hypnotic Medications Phenobarbital: Anticonvulsant: Depresses the CNS to produce a calm and diminished responsiveness without producing sleep Depresses the CNS and usually produces sleep Sedative and anticonvulsant Prevents seizures and convulsions

Anesthesia Anesthesia: Topical anesthesia: Local anesthesia: Regional anesthesia: Absence of normal sensation esp. to pain Numbs tissue surface only Loss of sensation in a limited area Temporary interruption of nerve conduction by injecting an anesthetic solution near the nerves to be blocked.

Total loss of body sensation and consciousness Epidural anesthesia: Spinal anesthesia: General anesthesia: Produced by injecting a local anesthetic into the epidural space of the lumbar or sacral region of the spine Produced by injecting an anesthetic into the subarachnoid space surrounding the spinal cord Total loss of body sensation and consciousness

Surgical removal of a portion of the brain Brain and Head Electroshock therapy / electroconvulsive therapy: Lobectomy: Controlled convulsion produced by an electrical current through the brain Surgical removal of a portion of the brain