NERVOUS SYSTEM DEFINITIONS
NEUROLOGY
study of the nerves
NEUROLOGIST
specialist in diagnosing and treating nervous system disorders
PSYCHIATRY
study of the mind
PSYCHIATRIST
specialist in diagnosing and treating mental illnesses
CEREBRAL VASCULAR ACCIDENT
CEREBROVASCULAR ACCIDENT (CVA)/ BRAIN ATTACK/ STROKE
disorder of the cerebral blood vessels that results in an interruption
of blood flow to the brain
DYSKINESIA
bad/ painful/ difficult movement
HEMIPLEGIA
paralysis in one-half of the body
AURA
warning signal
awareness or feeling of an approaching physical or mental disorder,
commonly preceding a seizure
TRANSIENT ISCHEMIC ATTACK (TIA)
mini-stroke in which symptoms resolve within 24 hours and do not
cause permanent damage
ISCHEMIC STROKE- caused by the narrowing of the carotid arteries due to
blockage by plaque or thrombus, resulting in insufficient blood flow to the
brain
EPILEPTIC
sudden changes in consciousness or behavior caused by
uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain due to an infection/
tumor
chronic or recurring seizure disorders
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation, hardening
(sclerosing), and loss of myelin sheath (demyelination) in the nerves
throughout the brain and spinal cord
demyelination impedes the transmission of electrical impulses from
one neuron to another
AUTISM
developmental disorder characterized by extreme withdrawal and an
abnormal absorption in fantasy resulting in an inability to
communicate
engage in repetitive behavior, such as rocking or repeating words
NEUROSIS
nonpsychotic mental illness that triggers feelings of distress and
anxiety and impairs normal behavior
child who has consistently been warned of “germs” by an
overprotective parent may develop an irrational fear of using public
restrooms, touching doorknobs or phones
BULIMIA NERVOSA
eating disorder characterized by binging (overeating) and purging
(vomiting or use of laxatives)
DYSLEXIA
bad/ painful/ difficult with words/ phrases
inability to learn and process written language
SPINAL BIFIDA
NEURAL TUBE DEFECT
congenital deformity of the neural tube (embryonic structure that
becomes the fetal brain and spinal cord) fails to close during fetal
development
PARALYSIS
loss of voluntary motion in one or more muscle groups with or
without loss of sensation
Strokes affect only one side of the body. Spinal cord injuries result in
paralysis below the site of the injury.
BELLS PALSY/ PARALYSIS
FACIAL PALSY/ PARALYSIS, IDIOPATHIC FACIAL NEUROPATHY
paralysis of the facial nerve
affects either side of the face; asymmetrical facial experience,
altered facial movement of both the forehead and mouth (peripheral
nerve dysfunction that distinguishes it from stroke, which only limits
the movement of oral muscles); asymmetrical facial appearance..
SYN: Bell paralysis; facial palsy; facial nerve palsy; facial nerve
paralysis; facial paralysis; idiopathic facial neuropathy.
caused by a reactivation of herpes simplex virus and infection from
syphilis or Lyme disease
PARKINSON DISEASE
PARALYSIS AGITANS/ SHAKING PALSY
degenerative disorder in which the progressive loss of brain cells
leads to impairment in motor function, including tremors, muscular
rigidity, and a slowing of movement
SYNCOPE
FAINTING
temporary loss of consciousness
ANESTHETICS
not/ without feeling
with or without loss of consciousness; partial or complete loss of
sensation
BLOOD BRAIN BARRIER
tight sheaths around the capillaries of the brain that provide an
obstruction to keep large molecular substances from entering the
tissue of the brain
NEUROMA
benign tumor composed of nerve tissue.
APHASIA
not/ without speech
lacking or without speech
BIPOLAR
MANIC-DEPRESSIVE ILLNESS
mental disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, emotion,
energy, and the ability to function
UNILATERAL
pertaining to one side
MYELOMENINGOCELE
most severe form of spina bifida in which the spinal cord and
meninges protrude through an opening in the spine
PSYCHOSTIMULANTS
reduce impulsive behavior by increasing the level of
neurotransmitters
calming effect on people with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD) and narcolepsy
INTRATHECAL
pertaining to within the sheath
VENTRICULOSTOMY
forming an opening through incision in the ventricles of the brain
PARAPLEGIA
partial or complete paralysis in the trunk and legs due to spinal cord
impairment
loss of motor and sensory functions
QUADRIPLEGIA
paralysis of four extremities/limbs
loss of bowel, bladder, and sexual function
ANOREXIA NERVOSA
eating disorder is characterized by a refusal to maintain adequate
weight for age and height with a desire to remain thin
B.E. F.A.S.T.
Spotting a Stroke:
Balance loss (coordination)
Eyesight changes
-sudden blurred/ loss of vision in one or both eyes without pain;
double vision
Face Drooping (numbness, one side of the face)
-ask to smile
Arm Weakness (numbness)
-ask to raise arms
Speech Difficulty
-slurred/ jumbled speech/ hard to understand, unable to speak
-ask to repeat simple sentence
Time to call 911