Region of Head and Neck:
Nervous System
Session 2
Tutors:
Sova Sarkawt
Hano Hassan
Learning Objectives
Identify key terminology related to cranial and
neural structures.
Distinguish between similar terms describing
neurological and sensory functions.
Interpret common clinical terms used in
neurology and in head/neck medicine.
Apply correct terminology when describing
conditions affecting brain, nerves or sensory
organs.
Bones of the Region
Cranium : is the bone that
surrounds and protects the
brain. (Kranion : Helmet)
Crani/o: cranium
-malacia: softening
Craniomalacia: the abnormal
softening of the skull
Bones of the Region
Maxilla : is the upper bone of the
jaw
Maxill/o: maxilla
Mandible : is the lower bone of
the jaw
Mandibul/o: mandible
Bones of the Region
The Vertebral column: a flexible hollow structure
which houses and protects the spinal cord, it
consists of 33 vertebrae.(Vertere : to turn)
Spondyl/o, Vertebr/o: vertebra
-lysis: destruction, loosening
Spondylolysis: a stress fracture of a segment of
bone connecting the facet joints of the vertebrae
Blood supply of the Head
Carot/o: the Carotid arteries
Jugul/o: the Jugular veins
Major structures
Ophthalm/o, Ocul/o:eye
-logist: expert in a field
Ophthalmologist: a medical doctor specializing
in the eyes
Opia: vision Nyct: night
Alos: blindness
Nyctalopia: night blindness
Major structures
Aur/i or Aur/o: ear Ot/o: ear
-icle: small
Auricle: pinna (outer part of ear)
-algia: pain
Otalgia: ear pain
Rhinoplasty?
Major structures
Nas/o, Rhin/o: nose
-plasty: surgical repair
Rhinoplasty: surgical repair of the
nose
Or/o: mouth
Oral: pertaining to mouth
Major structures
Dent/o, Odont/o: teeth
Ortho-: straight, normal
Orthodontic: dental field concerned with straightening teeth
Lingu/o, Gloss/o: tongue
Sub-: under, below
Sublingual: under the tongue
Glossitis: inflammation of the tongue
Major structures
Sinuses: air-filled cavities in the bones
of the face
Tonsils: lymphoid masses in the back
of the throat that trap germs
Sinus/o: sinus
Tonsill/o: tonsil
Terminology
Thyr/o , Thyroid/o: thyroid gland
Toxicosis: toxin caused pathology
Thyrotoxicosis: too much thyroid hormone in the body
Pharyng/o: pharynx
-stenosis: narrowing
Pharyngostenosis: narrowing of the throat
Laryng/o: larynx ( voice box)
Quick Question
What is the correct term for the
abnormal softening of the head?
Quick Question
What is the correct term for the
neck region of the vertebra?
Quick Question
What is the correct term for pain of
the ear?
Quick Question
What is the correct term for
discharge of the nose (runny nose)?
Quick Question
What is the correct term for
removal of tonsils?
Quick Question
what is the correct term for
paralysis of the vocal cords
(larynx)?
Nervous System
The nervous system is made up
of two main parts:
The central nervous system (CNS):
consists of the brain and the spinal
cord.
The peripheral nervous system (PNS):
includes all the cranial and spinal
nerves.
Peripheral Nervous System
Plexus: a bundle of intersecting nerves
forming a web, in order to innervate a part
of the body.
Glial cell: supporting cells of neurons.
(shwann cells, oligodendrocytes)
Gli/o: glial cell oma: tumor
Glioma: tumor of the glial cells
Nerve Conditions
Neuro: nerve
-pathy: disease
Poly-: multiple
Polyneuropathy: is a condition that affects
multiple PNS nerves causing pain, numbness or
dysfunction, which can be caused by infections
or even diseases such as diabetes.
Nerve Conditions
Radic/o, Radicul/o: nerve root
-algia: pain
Radiculalgia: is pain radiating down along the
nerve caused by pinching of the nerve root,
often from a bulged spinal disk.
They most commonly appear in the lumbar
region.
The CNS
The Brain: the control center of the
body, also responsible for
interpreting sensory information.
Cephal/o: head
En-: inside
Encephal/o: brain
Cerebr/o: cerebrum
Parts of the brain
Mening(i)/o: Meninges, the protective layers
that surround the brain and spinal cord,
underneath the bones.
Meningitis: An inflammation of the meninges,
often times bacterial.
Parts of the brain
Thalamus: is the relay centre of
the brain .
Hypothalamus: the control
center for the body’s hormone
production.
Cerebellum: the part of the brain
responsible for maintaining
balance.
Brain Terminology
Thalam/o: thalamus hypo: under
Hypothalam/o: hypothalamus
-tomy: incision, to cut into
Thalamotomy: incision into the thalamus
Cerebell/o: cerebellum
Pont/o: pons (part of the brainstem)
Cerebellopontine: relating to both the cerebellum and the pons
Brain conditions
Tax/o: movement , self coordination
A-: without
-ia: condition
Ataxia: poor muscle coordination, often from damage to the
cerebellum. It can affect walking, speech, swallowing, eye
movements etc.
The CNS
The Spinal Cord: a long tubular structure that
conveys information between the brain and
the body.
Myel : spinal cord
Poli/o: gray matter
Poliomyelitis: also called polio, is a viral
infection that can infect the neurons in the brain
and spinal cord gray matter.
Major diseases
Multiple Sclerosis: an autoimmune
demyelinating disease affecting mostly the
neurons in the CNS, the symptoms vary
depending on the location and its severity.
Symptoms; include numbness, tingling,
muscle weakness, and inability to move.
Terminology
Sclerosis: hardening Para-: beside, abnormal
-esthesia: feeling Hypo-: below, low
Paresthesia: tingling Hypoesthesia: numbness
My/o: muscle -asthenia: weakness
Myasthenia: muscle weakness
*What is the correct term for Paralysis of all four
limbs?
Major diseases
Epilepsy: is a disorder that causes recurring, unprovoked seizures.
Seizures are sudden abnormal surges of electrical activity in the
brain, causing convulsions and involuntary muscle contractions.
Epi-: upon, following, subsequent to
Lepsy: seizure Epilepsy: seizure disorder
Pre-: before -ictal: seizure
Preictal: before a seizure
Major diseases
Aphasia: a condition affecting speech. Includes
impairments in the comprehension and production of
speech and writing. It’s caused by damage to the speech
centers of the brain (left hemisphere), by stroke or trauma.
A-: without Phas/o: speech
-ia: condition Aphasia : lack of speech
Quick Question
what is the correct term for an
abnormally small head?
Quick Question
what is the correct term for
inflammation of the brain?
Quick Question
what is the correct term for inside
of the brain (cerebrum)?
Quick Question
what is the correct term for
herniation of the meninges?
Multiple Choice
Pregnant women are advised to take the recommended amount
of folic acid to prevent underdevelopment of the fetal brain and
skull. The condition of the major parts of the brain not being
formed (without a brain) is:
a. microcephaly
b. anencephaly
c. encephalitis
d. cerebral palsy
Multiple Choice
A narrowing of the vertebral passage, causing
pressure on the spinal cord is called:
a. spinal stenosis
b. spondylectomy
c. craniostomy
d. spondylolisthesis
Case Scenario 1
A patient with a very severe headache is suspected to have an
abnormal build up of fluid in the brain. An MRI scan shows an
excess of CSF (mainly water) in the head putting pressure on
the brain and causing the pain.
This condition is called:
Summary
You should now be able to use the terms related to
the bones that support and protect the structures in
the region.
You should have learned significant terms from
multiple systems including the digestive, respiratory,
immune and most importantly the nervous system.
You should recognize terms related to common
diseases related to the head and neck region.
Thanks for
Listening!
Any Questions?