Function of nervous system:

Keeps us in touch with both our internal and external environments. Serving as the control center and communications network, the nervous system stores and processes information, stimulates movement, and detects change.

psychology

The study of behavior and the function and processes of the mind

Sensory

afferent, receptors detect changes that occur inside and outside the body and convey them to the brain

Motor

efferent, signals from the brain to muscles and glands to cause an effect.

The part of the nervous system under conscious or voluntary control is called the

somatic nervous system

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

autonomic nervous system.

Two major divisions of the nervous system:

the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS)

The nervous system is composed of two types of cells:

neurons and glial (neuroglial) cells.

Neurons:

conduct impulses either to or from the nervous system

• Neuroglia, or glia:

the supporting tissue cells of the nervous system that provide special support and protection.

sciatic nerve

actually two nerves bound together; it is often considered the largest nerve in the body

epidural hematoma

blood accumulates in the epidural space, the space outside the dura mater

Accumulation of blood beneath the dura mater is called:

subdural hematoma

intracerebral hematoma

bleeding occurs within the brain

cerebro+vascul+ar accident (CVA),

normal blood supply to the brain is disrupted. results in insufficient oxygen to brain tissue and is caused by hemorrhage, occlusion (closing), or constriction of the blood vessels that normally supply oxygen to the brain.

transient ischemic attack (TIA)

caused by a brief interruption in cerebral blood flow.

hydrocephalus

accumulation of fluid in the skull.

akinesia

(a-, no + kinesi/o, movement + -ia, condition) Complete or partial loss of muscle movement.

anesthesia

(an-, no + esthesi/o, feeling) Partial or complete loss of sensation with or without loss of consciousness; results from disease, injury, or administration of an anesthetic.

aphagia

(a-, no + -phagia, eating) Inability or refusal to swallow; characterized by abstention from eating because swallowing is painful.

aphasia

(-phasia, speech) An abnormal neurologic condition in which there is absence or impairment of the ability to communicate through speech, writing, or signs.

bradykinesia

(brady-, slow + -kinesia, movement) Abnormal slowness of movement or sluggishness of mental and physical processes.

brain tumo

r A neoplasm of the intracranial portion of the CNS; may be primary or secondary (metastasized from another area)

dysphasia

(-phasia, speech) Speech impairment caused by a lesion in the brain; characterized by lack of coordination and failure to arrange words properly.