afferent receptors

aka sensory receptors
detect changes that occur inside and outside the body and convey them to the brain

efferent receptors

send motor signals from the brain to muscles and glands to cause an effect

somatic nervous system

the part of the nervous system under conscious and voluntary control

autonomic nervous system

part of the nervous system that relates to involuntary or automatic body functions

central nervous system

the control system including the brain and spinal cord

peripheral nervous system

consists of various nerve processes that connect the brain and spinal cord with receptors, muscles, and glands

dendrites

transmit impulses to the cell body

axons

carry impulses away from the cell body

neuroglia

aka glia
the supporting tissue cells of the nervous system

hypothalamus

beneath the thalamus

meninges

three membranes of the brain

cerebrospinal fluid

provides additional protection for brain and spinal cord

chemoreceptors

nerve endings that detect chemicals

thermoreceptors

located immediately under the skin to detect changes in temp

photoreceptors

responsible for vision

lacrimal

pertaining to tears

lacrimation

refers to the production and discharge of tears

nasolacrimal ducts

carry tears to nasal cavity

cornea

convex, transparent structure at the front of the eyeball

retina

located in the posterior part of the eye & contains photoreceptors (cones & rods)

electroencephalography

the recording and analysis of the electrical activity of the brain

electroencephalogram

the record obtained from an electroencephalography

epidural hematoma

blood accumulates in the epidural space

subdural hematoma

accumulation of blood beneath the dura mater

intracerebral hematoma

bleeding that occurs within the brain

cerebrovascular accident

normal blood supply to the brain is disrupted
aka stroke

transient ischemic attack (TIA)

caused by a brief interruption in cerebral blood flow
refers to deficient blood circulation
symptoms include disturbance of normal vision, dizziness, weakness, and numbness

hydrocephalus

accumulation of fluid in the skull

akinesia

complete or partial loss of muscle movement

anesthesia

partial or complete loss of sensation with or without loss of consciousness

aphagia

inability or refusal to swallow

aphasia

an abnormal condition in which there is an absence or impairment of the ability to communicate through speech, writing, or signs

astigmatism

uneven curvature of the cornea or lens of the eye that prevents the sharp focus of an image on the retina

bradykinesia

abnormal slowness of movement or sluggishness of mental or physical processes

cephalalgia

headache

cerebral concussion

loss of consciousness, either temporary or prolonged, as a result of a blow to the head

cerebral contusion

bruising of brain tissue as a result of a head injury

cerebral hemorrhage

result of the rupture of a sclerosed, diseased, or injured blood vessel in the brain

cerebral palsy

brain disorder characterized by paralysis and lack of muscle coordination; results from developmental defects in the brain or trauma at birth

coma

state of unconsciousness from which the patient cannot be aroused, even by powerful stimulation

diplegia

paralysis affecting like parts on both sides of the body

diplopia

double vision, the perception of two images of a single object

dyslexia

inability to read, spell, and write words despite the ability to see and recognize letters

dysphagia

difficulty in swallowing, usually associated with obstruction or other disorder of the esophagus

dysphasia

speech impairment caused by a lesion in the brain; characterized by lack of coordination and failure to arrange words properly

electromyography

preparation, study, and interpretation of an electromyogram, a graphic record of the contraction of a muscle as a result of electrical stimulation

encephalitis

inflammation of the brain

encephalocele

hernial protrusion of brain substance through a congenital or traumatic opening of the skull; craniocele

encephalomalacia

softening of the brain

encephalomeningitis

inflammation of the brain and meninges

encephalopathy

any disease of the brain

epilepsy

group of neurological disorders characterized by recurrent episodes of convulsive seizures sensory disturbances, loss of consciousness, or all of these

glaucoma

abnormal condition of increased pressure within the eye

hemiplegia

paralysis on one side of the body

hyperkinesia

abnormally increased activity or motor function

hyperopia

farsightedness, an error in the refraction in which the rays of light entering the eye are brought to focus behind the retina

meniere disease

chronic disease of the inner ear characterized by recurrent episodes of dizziness

meningitis

inflammation of the meninges

meningocele

herniation of the meninges through a defect in the skull or vertebral column

multiple sclerosis

chronic CNS disease with progressive destruction of the myelin sheaths of the neurons. resulting scar tissue interferes with the normal transmission of nerve impulses

myasthenia gravis

disease characterized by muscle weakness and abnormal fatigue

myelitis

inflammation of the bone marrow or spinal cord

myelography

radiographic examination of the spinal cord by injection of a radiopaque medium

myopia

nearsightedness; a defect in the vision in which rays of light entering the eye are brought to focus in front of the retina

narcolepsy

chronic aliment involving sudden attacks of sleep that occur at intervals

neuralgia

pain along the course of a nerve

neuritis

inflammation of a nerve

neuropathy

any disease of the nerves

paraplegia

paralysis of the legs and lower part of the body

parkinson disease

chronic nervous disease characterized by a fine, slowly spreading tremor, muscular weakness, rigidity, and often a peculiar gait

quadriplegia

paralysis of all four extremities
aka tetraplegia

retinal detachment

separation of the retina from the back of the eye, usually resulting from a hole or tear in the retina

retinopathy

any disease of the retina

shingles

acute, infectious eruption of vesicles, usually on the trunk of the body along a peripheral nerve

tinnitus

subjective ringing of one or both ears

psychosis

refers to any major mental disorder characterized by a gross impairment in reality testing and often characterized by inappropriate mood and diminished impulse control

schizophrenia

a gross distortion of reality, disorganization, and fragmentation of though and emotional reaction, and withdrawal from social interaction

pyromania

an impulse control disorder characterized by an uncontrollable urge to set fires

Bipolar disorders

characterized by manic episodes, major depression, or mixed moods

clinical depression

an abnormal emotional state characterized by exaggerated feelings of sadness, despair, emptiness, and hopelessness

phobia

a persistent, irrational, intense fear of something specific, such as fear of fire, meeting strangers, or leaving the familiar setting of home

agoraphobia

intense, irrational fear of open spaces.

anorexia nervosa

eating disorder associated with emotional stress or conflict characterized by a prolonged refusal to eat resulting in wasting, emotional disturbance concerning body image and fear of becoming obese

neurasthenia

a nervous condition characterized by chronic weakness, fatigue, and sometimes exhaustion
sometimes follows depression

autism

characterized by withdrawal and impaired development in social interaction and communication

Alzheimer disease

progressive mental disorientation with several characteristics including confusion, memory failure, restlessness, and inability to carry out purposeful movement

craniotomy

any surgical opening into the skull

cranioplasty

surgical repair of the skull after surgery or injury to the skull

shunts

passages or bypasses between two vessels

stereotactic radiosurgery

involves closed-skull destruction of a target using ionizing radiation

neuroplasty

plastic surgery to repair a nerve or nerves

neurorrhapy

suturing of a cut nerve

neurolysis

release of a nerve sheath by cutting it longitudinally
surgery to break up adhesions surrounding a nerve
relief of tension on a nerve
disintegration of nerve tissue

analgesics

agents that relieve pain without causing loss of consciousness

hyponotics

drugs used as sedatives to produce a calming effect

transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)

a method of pain control by the application of electrical impulses to the nerve endings

anticonvulsants

relieve or prevent convulsions