Chapter 15: Nervous System and Behavioral Health

MEDICAL TERMINOLOGYChapter 15: Nervous System and Behavioral Health

Chapter 15 Abbreviations

CNS ADD ADHD CP CVA HA LOC MS TIA

central nervous system attention deficit disorder attention deficit hyperactivity

disorder cerebral palsy cerebrovascular accident headache loss of consciousness multiple sclerosis transient ischemic attack (little

strokes)

Chapter 15 Abbreviations

CSF ICP CT EEG LP MRI A&O PERL BA ETOH

cerebrospinal fluid intracranial pressure computerized tomography electroencephalogram lumbar puncture magnetic resonance imaging alert and oriented pupils equal and react to light blood alcohol (drinking alcohol) ethyl alcohol (drinking alcohol)

The Nervous System

Consists of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves and may be divided into two parts: CNS (brain

& spinal cord) & PNS (all other nerves) Function

Forms a complex communication system allowing for the coordination of body functions and activities

Also designed to detect changes inside and outside the body, to evaluate this sensory info., and to send directions to muscles or glands in response

Mental activities such as thought, memory, and emotions

The Nervous System

The Nervous System

Organs of the CNS Brain

contained within the cranium, the center for coordinating body activities

cerebrum: largest portion of the brain, divided into left and right hemispheres. Controls the skeletal muscles, interprets general senses (such as temp., pain, and touch), and contains centers for sight and hearing. Intellect, memory, and emotional reactions also take place in the cerebrum

ventricles: spaces within the brain that contain a fluid called cerebrospinal fluid, which flows through the subarachnoid space around the brain and spinal cord

The Nervous System

cerebellum: located under the posterior portion of the cerebrum. Assist in the coordination of skeletal muscles and to maintain balance (hindbrain)

brainstem stemlike portion of the brain that connects with the

spinal cord. 10 of 12 cranial nerves originate here pons: literally means bridge. Connects the

cerebrum with the cerebellum and brainstem medulla oblongata: located between the pons and

spinal cord. It contains centers that control respiration, heart rate, and the muscles in the blood vessel walls, which assist in determining blood pressure

midbrain: most superior portion of the brainstem

The Nervous System

cerebrospinal fluid clear, colorless fluid contained in the ventricles. It

cushions the brain and spinal cord from shock, transports nutrients, and clears metabolic waste

spinal cord passes through the vertebral canal extending from

the medulla oblongata to the level of the second lumbar vertebra. Conducts nerve impulses to and from the brain and initiates reflex action to sensory information without input from the brain

meninges: three layers of membrane that cover the brain and spinal cord (dura mater, arachnoid, pia mater)

The Nervous System

dura mater: tough outer layer of the meninges

arachnoid: delicate middle layer of the meninges. Loosely attached to the pia mater by weblike fibers, which allow for the subarachnoid space

pia mater: thin inner layer of the meninges

The Nervous System

Organs of the PNS nerve

cordlike structure made up of fibers that carries impulses from one part of the body to another. 12 pairs of cranial nerves and 31 pairs of spinal nerves

ganglion (pl. ganglia): group of nerve cell bodies located outside the CNS

glia: specialized cells that support and nourish nervous tissue. Some cells assist in the secretion of cerebrospinal fluid and others assist with phagocytosis. They do not conduct impulses. Three types are astroglia, oligodendroglia, and microglia (also called neuroglia)

The Nervous System

neuron: a nerve cell that conducts nerve impulses to carry out the function of the nervous system. Destroyed neurons cannot be replaced.

Word Parts for the Nervous SystemCombining Form Definition

cerebell/o

cerebr/o dur/o encephal/o gangli/o,

ganglion/o mening/o,

meningi/o

cerebellum – balance and coordination portion of brain

cerebrum – thinking part of brain dura mater, outermost meninge brain ganglion (collection of nerve

endings outside CNS) meninges – 3 layers around

brain and spinal cord (dura, pia, arachnoid)

Word Parts for the Nervous SystemCombining FormDefinition

myel/o neur/o radic/o,

radicul/o, rhiz/o

spinal cord nerve nerve root (anterior and posterior

fibers from spinal cord that comprise spinal nerve)

Word Parts commonly used with Nervous SystemCombining FormDefinition

esthesi/o ment/o,

psych/o mon/o phas/o quadr/i

sensation, feeling mind one, single speech four

Word Parts for theNervous SystemSuffix Definition

-iatrist -iatry -ictal -paresis

specialist, physician specialty, study of or field of seizure, attack slight paralysis

Med Terms (from word parts)[Disease & Disorders]Term Definition

cerebellitis cerebral thrombosis duritis encephalitis encephalomalacia encephalomyeloradiculiti

s gangliitis meningioma meningitis meningocele


meningomyelocele mononeuropathy neuralgia neurasthenia neuritis neuroarthropathy neuroma neuropathy polyneuritis polyneuropathy


radiculitis radiculopathy rhizomeningomyelitis subdural hematoma

Med Terms (not from word parts)[Disease & Disorders]Term Definition

cerebral aneurysm

cerebral embolism

dementia

aneurysm in the cerebrum

an embolus lodges in a cerebral artery, causing sudden blockage of blood supply to the brain tissue. A common cause of cerebral embolism, a type of ischemic stroke, is atrial fibrillation

cognitive impairment characterized by a loss of intellectual brain function. Patients have difficulty in various ways, including difficulty in performing complex tasks, reasoning, learning and retaining new information, orientation, word finding, and behavior


epilepsy

hydrocephalus

sciatica

condition characterized by recurrent seizures; a general term given to a group of neurologic disorders, all characterized by abnormal electrical activity in the brain

increased amount of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain, which can cause enlargement of the cranium in infants

inflammation of the sciatic nerve, causing pain that travels from the thigh through the leg to the foot and toes; can be caused by injury, infection, arthritis, herniated disk, or from prolonged pressure on the nerve from sitting for long periods


stroke occurs when there is an interruption of blood supply to a region of the brain, depriving nerve cells in the affected area of oxygen and nutrients. The cells cannot perform and may be damaged or die within minutes. The parts of the body controlled by the involved cells will experience dysfunction Speech, movement, memory, and other CNS

functions may be affected in varying degrees.

Ischemic stroke is a result of a blocked blood vessel, Hemorrhagic stroke is a result of bleeding. (also called cerebrovascular accident [CVA], or brain attack)


transient ischemic attack (TIA)

sudden deficient supply of blood to the brain lasting a short time. Symptoms may be similar to those of

stroke, but with TIA the symptoms are temporary and the usual outcome is complete recovery. TIAs are often warning signs for eventual occurrence of a stroke

Med Terms (from word parts)[Surgical Terms]Term Definition

ganglionectomy neurectomy neurolysis neuroplasty neurorrhaphy neurotomy radicotomy rhizotomy

Med Terms (from word parts)[Diagnostic Terms]Term Definition

DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING cerebral angiography

NEURODIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES electroencephalogram

(EEG) electroencephalograph electroencephalograph

y

Med Terms (not from word parts)[Diagnostic Terms]Term Definition

computed tomography of the brain (CT scan)

process that includes the use of a computer to produce a series of brain tissue images at any desired depth. Procedure is painless and

particularly useful in diagnosing brain tumors

Med Terms (not from word parts)[Diagnostic Imaging]Term Definition

magnectic resonance imaging of the brain or spine (MRI scan)

a noninvasive technique that produces sectional images of soft tissues of the brain or spine through a strong magnetic field. Unlike a CT scan, MRI produces images w/o use of radiation Used to visualize tumors, edema,

multiple sclerosis, and herniated disks

Med Terms (not from word parts)[Diagnostic Terms]Term Definition

positron emission tomography of the brain (PET scan)

nuclear medicine imaging techniqe with a radioactive substance that produces sectional imaging of the brain to examine blood flow and metabolic activity. images are projected on a viewing

screen

Med Terms (not from word parts)[Diagnostic Imaging]Term Definition

lumbar puncture (LP)

insertion of a needle into the subarachnoid space usually between the third and fourth lumbar vertebrae. It is performed for many reasons,

including the removal of cerebrospinal fluid for diagnostic purposes (also called spinal tap)

Med Terms (from word parts)[Complementary Terms]Term Definition

anesthesia aphasia cephalalgia cerebral craniocerebral dysphasia encephalosclerosis hemiparesis hemiplegia hyperesthesia


interictal intracerebral mental monoparesis monoplegia myelomalacia neuroid neurologist neurology panplegia


paresthesia postictal preictal quadriplegia subdural

Med Terms (not from word parts)[Complementary Terms]Term Definition

afferent

ataxia cognitive

coma concussion

conveying toward a center (i.e. afferent nerves carry impulses to the central nervous system)

lack of muscle coordination pert. to the mental processes of

comprehension, judgment, memory, and reason

state of profound unconsciousness injury to the brain caused by major or

minor head trauma; symptoms include vertigo, headache, and possible loss of consciousness


conscious convulsion

disorientation

efferent

gait

awake, alert, aware of one’s surroundings

sudden, involuntary contraction of a group of muscles; may be present during a seizure

a state of mental confusion as to time, place, or identity

conveying away from the center (i.e. efferent nerves carry information away from the central nervous system)

a manner or style of walking


incoherent

paraplegia

seizure

shunt

unable to express one’s thought or ideas in an orderly, intelligible manner

paralysis from the waist down caused by damage to the lower level of the spinal cord

sudden surge of abnormal electrical activity in the brain, resulting in involuntary body movements or behaviors

tube implanted in the body to redirect the flow of a fluid


syncope

unconsciousness

fainting or sudden loss of consciousness caused by lack of blood supply to the cerebrum

state of being unaware of surrounding and incapable of responding to stimuli as a result of injury, shock, illness, or drugs

Med Terms (from word parts)[Behavioral Health]Term Definition

psychiatrist psychiatry psychogenic psychologist psychology psychopathy psychosis (pl.

psychoses) psychosomatic

Med Terms (not from word parts)[Behavioral Health]DELETED TERMS

anorexia nervosa anxiety disorder attention deficit

hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

autism bipolar disorder bulimia nervosa major depression

obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

panic attack phobia pica posttraumatic stress

disorder (PTSD) schizophrenia somatoform disorders

Neurological Assessment

1. A + O x 3 = alert and oriented times three (person place and time)

[alert – what does the patient respond to? – voice, touch, pain]

2. PERL – pupils equal and reactive to light3. Mentation – ability to think4. Reflexes

LOC = level of consciousness or loss of consciousness

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Chapter 15: Nervous System and Behavioral Health