A small seizure in whih there is a sudden temporar loss of consciousness lasting only a few seconds. 

(AB-senz SEE-zyoor)

A chemical sustance in the body tissues that facilitates the transmission of nerve impulses from one nerve to another. It has a stimulant (or excitatory) effect on some parts of the body (such as the skeletal muscles) and a depressant (or inhibitory) effect on other parts of the body (such as the heart muslce); also known as a neurotransmitter

(ah-seh-till-KOH-leen)

Transmitters of nerve impulses toward teh CNS; also known as sensory nerves. 

(AFF-er-ent nerves)

Loss of mental ability to understand sensory stimuli even though the sensory organs themselves are functioning properly

(ag-NOH-zee-ah)

The inability to convert one's thoughts into writing. 

(ah-GRAFF-ee-ah)

The inability to understand written words

(ah-LEK-see-ah)

Without sensitivity to pain

(an-al-JEE-zee-ah)

Without feeling or sensation

(an-ess-THEE-zee-ah)

A localized dilation in the wall of an artery that expands with each pulsation of the artery; usually caused by hypertension or atheroschlerosis. 

(AN-yoo-rizm)

Inabilityt to communicate through speek, writing, or signs because of an injury to or disease in certain areas of the brain. 

(ah-FAY-zee-ah)

Inability to perform coordinated movements or use objects properly; not associated with sensory or motor impairments or paralysis. 

(ah-PRAK-see-ah)

The weblike middle layer of the three membranous layers surrounding the brain and spinal cord. 

(ah-RAK-noyd MEM-brayn)

A star-shaped neuroglial cell found in the CNS

(ASS-troh-sight)

Astrocytoma

A tumor of the brain or spinal cord composed of astrocytes

(ass-troh-sigh-TOH-mah)

Without muscular coordination

(ah-TAK-see-ah)

The sensation an individual experiences prior to the onset of a migraine headache or an epileptic seizure. It may be a sensation of light or warmth and may precede the attack by hours or only a few seconds. 

(AW-rah)

The part of the nerve cell that transports nerve impulses away from the nerve cell body

(AK-son)

Abnormally slow movement

(brad-ee-kih-NEE-see-ah)

The lower end of the spinal cord and the roots of the spinal nerves that occupy the spinal canal below the level of the first lumbar vertebra; so named because it resembles a horse's tail. 

(KAW-dah ee-KWY-nah_

A sensation of an acute burning pain along the path of a peripheral nerve, sometimes accompanied by erythema of the skin; due to injury to peripheral nerve fibers. 

(kaw-SAL-jee-ah)

Pain in the head; headache

(seff-ah-LAL-jee-ah)

The part of the brain responsible for coordinating voluntary muscular movement; located behind the brain stem

(ser-eh-BELL-um)

Small scattered venous hemorrhages in teh brain; better described as a "bruise" of the brain tissue occuring when the brain strikes the inner skull. 

(seh-REE-bral con-TOO-zhun)

The largest and uppermost part of the brain. It controls consciousness, memory, sensations, emotions, adn voluntary movements. 

(seh-REE-brum)

An abnormal pattern of breaking characterized by periods of apnea followed by deep rapid breaking 

(CHAIN-STOHKS re-pir-AY-shunz)

Pertains to being in a coma

(COH-mah-tohs)

A permanent shortening of a muscle causing a joint to remain in abnormally flexed position, with resultant physcial deformity. 

(kon-TRAK-chur)

One of the many elevated folds of the surface of the cerebrum; also called a gyrus. 

(kon-voh-LOO-shun)

A surgical incision into the cranium or skull

(kray-nee-OTT-oh-mee)

A progressive irreversible mental disorder in which the person has deteriorating memory, judgment, and ability to think. 

(dee-MEN-shee-ah)

Destruction or removal of teh myelin sheath that covers a nerve or nerve fiber

(dee-MY-eh-lye-NAY-shun)

a projection that extends from the nerve cell body. It receives impulses and conducts them on to the cell body. 

(DEN-dright)

The part of the brain located between teh cerebrum and the midbrain. Its main structures consist of the thalamus, hypothalamus, and pineal gland. 

(dye-en-SEFF-ah-lon)

Double vision; also called ambiopia

(dip-LOH-pee-ah)

The outermost of the three membranes (meninges) surrounding the brain and spinal cord. 

(DOO-rah MATE-er)

A condition characterized by an impairment of the ability to read. Letters and words are often reversed when reading. 

(dis-LEK-see-ah)

Difficult speech

(dis-FAH-zee-ah)

Transmitters of nerve impulses away from the CNA; also known as motor nerves

(EE-fair-ent nerves)

An abnormal condition in which a blood clot (embolus) becomes lodged in a blood vessle, obstructing the flow of blood within the vessel 

(EM-boh-lizm)

A neurological condition characterized by recurrent episodes of sudden brief attacks of seizures. The seizure may vary from mild and unnoticeable to full-scale convulsive seizures. 

(EP-ih-lep-see)

One of the many elevated folds of the surface of the cerebrum 

(plural: gyri)

(JYE-rus)

Slight or partial paralysis of one half of the body

(hem-ee-par-EE-sis)

Paralysis of one half of the body

(hem-ee-PLEE-jee-ah)

An acute infection caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox, characterized by painful vesicular lesions along the path of a spinal nerve; also called shingles

Excessive sensitivityto sensory stimuli, such as pain or touch

(high-per-ess-THEE-zee-ah)

Excessive muscular movement and physicla activity; hyperactivity

(high-per-kigh-NEE-sis)

A part of the brain located below the thalamus that controls many functions, such as body temperature, sleep, and appetite. 

A diagnostic sign for meningitis marked by the person's inability to extend the leg completely when the thigh is flexed upon the abdomen and the person is sitting or lying down. 

(KER-nigz sign)

the study of muscle movement

(kih-nee-see-ALL-oh-jee)

a state of being sluggish

see stupor

(LETH-ar-jee)

The three layers of protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord

(men-IN-jeez)

Small neuroglial cells found in the interstitial tissue of the nervous system that engulf cellular debris, waste products, and pathogens whithin the nerve tissue. 

(my-KROG-lee-ah)

Uncontrolled, sudden attacks of sleep

(NAR-coh-lep-see)

Severe, sharp, spasmlike pain that extends along the course of one or more nerves

(noo-RAL-jee-ah)

Inflammation of a nerve

(noo-RYE-tis)

The supporting tissue of the nervous system

(noo-ROG-lee-ah)

A physician who specializes in treating the diseases and disorders of the nervous system

(noo-RAL-oh-jist)

Rigidity of the neck. The neck is resistanct to flexion. This condition is seen in patients with meningities. 

(NOO-kal rih-JID-ih-tee)

Blockage

(oh-KLOO-zhun)

A type of neuroglial cell found in the interstitial tissue of the nervous system. Its dendrite projections coil around the axons of many neurons to form the myelin sheath. 

(all-ih-goh-DEN-droh-sight)

soothing

(PAL-ee-ah-tiv)

Paralysis of the lower extremities and trunk, usually due to spinal cord injuries

(pair-ah-PLEE-jee-ah)

Nerves of the ANS that regulate essential involuntary body functions such as slowing the heart rate, increasing peristalsis of the intestines, increasing glandular secretions, and relaxing sphincters. 

A sensation of numbness or tingling

(pair-ess-THEE-zee-ah)

The process by which certain cells engulf and destroy microorganisms and cellular debris. 

(fag-oh-sigh-TOH-sis)

The innermost of the three membranes (meninges) surrounding the brain and spinal cord

(PEE-ah MATE-er)

A network of interwoven nerves

(PLEKS-us)

The part of the brain located between the medulla oblongata and the midbrain. It acts as a bridge to connect the medulla oblongata and the cerebellum to the upper portions of the brain. 

(PONZ)

Paralysis of all four extremities and the trunk of the body; caused by injury to the spinal cord at the level of the cervical vertebrae. 

(kwod-rih-PLEE-jee-ah)

The surgical resection of a spinal nerve root (a procedure performed to relieve pain); also called a rhizotomy

(rah-dick-you-LOT-oh-mee)

The surgical resection of a spinal nerve root (a procedure performed to relieve pain); also called a radiculotomy 

(rye-ZOT-oh-mere)

Inflammation of the sciatic nerve; characterized by pain along the course of the nerve, radiating through the thigh and down the back of the leg

(sigh-AT-ih-kah)

Sensory

Pertaining to sensation

(SEN-soh-ree)

A tube or passage that diverts or redirects body fluid from one cavity or vessel to another; may be a congenital defect or artificially constructed for the purpose of redirecting fluid, as a shunt used in hydrocephalus

a state of lethargy. The person is unresponsive and seems unaware of his or her surroundings 

(STOO-per)

The space located just under the arachnoid membrane that contains cerebrospinal fluid

(sub-ah-RAK-noyd space) 

The space located just beneath the dura mater that contains serous fluid

(sub-DOO-ral space) 

A depression or shallow groove on the surface of an organ, as a sulcus that separates any of the convolutinos of the cerebral hemispheres (plural: sulci) 

(SULL-kuss)

Sympathetic Nerves

Nerves of the ANS that regulate essential involuntary body functions such as increasing the heart rate, constricting blood vessels, and raising the blood pressure 

(sim-pah-THET-ik)

Copying or producing the same effects as those of the sympathetic nerves; "to mimic" the sympathetic nerves

(sim-pah-thoh-mim-ET-ik)

The space between the end of one nerve and the beginning of another, through which nerve impulses are transmitted 

(SIN-aps)

fainting

(SIN-koh-pee)

The part of the brain located between the cerebral hemispheres and the midbrain. The thalamus receives all sensory stimuli, except those of smell, and relays them to the cerebral cortex. 

(THAL-ah-mus)

An abnormal condition in which a clot develops in a blood vessel

(throm-BOH-sis)

A seizure characterized by the presence of muscle contraction of tension followed by relaxation, creating a "jerking" movement of the body 

Deterioration of a person's intellectual functioning. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is progressive and extremely debilitating. It begins with minor memory loss and progresses to complete loss of mental, emotional, and physical functioning, frequently occurring in persons over 65 years of age. 

(ALTS-high-merz dih-ZEEZ)

is a severe weaking and wasting of the invovled muscle groups, usually beginning with the hands and progressing to teh shoulders, upper arms, and legs. It is caused by decreased nerve innervation to the muscle groups. 

(ah-my-oh-TROFF-il LAT-er-al skieh-ROH-sis)

is an absence of the brain and spinal cord at birth, a congenital disorder

(an-en-SEFF-ah-lee)

is the deterioration of the intervertebral disk, usually due to constant motiona nd wear on the disk

is an epileptic seizure characterized by a sudden loss of consciousness and by generalized involuntary muscular contraction, vacillating between rigid body extension and an alternating contracting and relaxing of muscles

(grand MALL SEE-zyoor)

is a small seizure in which tehre is a sudden temporary loss of consciousness lasting only a few seconds; also known as the absence seizure

(pet-EE MALL SEE-zyoor)

is acute polyneuritis (inflammation of many nerves) of the PNS in which the myelin sheaths on the axons are destroyed, resulting in decreased nerve impulses, loss of reflex response, and sudden muscle weakness, which usually follows a viral gastrointestinal or respiratory infection

(GEE-yon bah-RAY SIN-drom)

invovles pain anywhere within the cranial cavity. It may be chronic or acute and may occur as a result of a disease process or be totally benign. The majority of headaches are transient and produce mild pain relieved by a mild analgesic 

(seff-ah-LAL-jee-ah)

epidural hematoma is a collection of blood located above the dura mater and just below the skull 

(hee-mah-TOH-mah, eh-pih-DOO-ral)

Subdural hematoma is a collection of blood below the dura mater and above the arachnoid layer of the meninges 

(hee-mah-TOH-mah, sub-doo-ral)

is an abnormal increase of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain that causes the ventricles of the brain to dilate, resulting in an increased head circumference in teh infant with open fontanel(s); a congenital disorder 

(high-droh-SEFF-ah-lus)

is a chronic progressive neuromuscular disorder causing severe skeletal muscle weakness (without atrophy) and fatigue, which occurs at different levels of severity

(my-ass-THEE-nee-ah GRAV-iss)

is a highly malignant tumor of the sympathetic nervous system

(noo-roh-blass-TOH-mah)

is a general term indicating inflammation of one or more peripheral nerves, the effects being dependent on the particular nerve invovled 

ex: Trigeminal Neuralgia

Bell's palsy

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome 

is an acute brain encephalopathy along with fatty infiltration of the internal organs that may follow acute viral infections; occurs in children between 5 and 11, often with a fatal result. There are confirmed studied linking the onset of Reye's syndrome to aspirin administration during a viral illness. 

(RISE SIN-drom)

is a congenital defect of the CNS in which the back portion of one or more vertebrase is not closed normally and a cyst protrudes throught eh opening in the back, suually at th elevel of the fifth lumbar or first sacral vertebrae. 

(SPY-nah BIFF-ih-day SISS-tih-kah)

is a cystlike sac covered with skin or a thin membrane protruding through the bony defect in the vertebrae containing meninges and CSF. 

(men-IN-goh-seel)

is a cystlike sac covered wtih skin or a thin membrane protruding through the bony defect in the vertebrae that contains meninges, CSF, and spinal cord segments 

(men-in-goh-my-ELL-oh-seel)

Severe injuries to the spinal cord, such as vertebral dislocation or vertebral fractures, resulting in impairment of spinal cord function below the level of the inury. 

ex. Paraplegia

quadriplegia

paralysis of the lower extremities

is caued by severe injury to the spianl cord in the thoracic or lumbar region, resulting in loss of sensory and motor control below the level of injury

follows severe trauma to the spinal cord between the fifth and seventh cervical vertebrae, generally resulting in loss of motor and sensory funciton below the level of injury 

(kwod-rih-PLEE-jee-ah)

short periods of severe unilateral pain, which radiates along the fifth cranial nerve

or Tic Douloureux

(try-JEM-ih-nal noo-RAL-jee-ah, 

tik DOO-loh-roo)

can be tested by stroking the sole of the foot, beginning at midheel and moving upward and lateral to the toes. A positive Babinski's occurs when there is dorsiflexion of the great toe and fanning of the other toes. 

Normal in newborn but not for anyone else 

(bah-BIN-skeez REE-fleks)

is visualization of the cerebral vascular system via X-ray after the injection of a radiopaque contrast medium into an arterial blood vessel (carotid, femoral, or brachial). 

(seh-REE-bral an-jee-OG-rah-fee)

is a neurosurgical procedure for pain control accomplished through a laminectomy, in which there is surgical interference of pathways within the spinal cord that controls pain. 

(kor-DOT-oh-mee)

is a surgical procedure that makes an opening into the skull 

(dray-nee-OTT-oh-mee)

Ultrasound used to analyze the intracranial structures of the brain

(ek-oh-en-seff-ah-LOG-rah-fee)

is the process of recording the electrical activity of muscle by inserting a small needle into the muscle and delivering a small current that stimulates the muscle 

(ee-lek-troh-my-OG-rah-fee)

is the surgical removal of the bony arches from one or more of the vertebrae to relieve pressure of the spinal cord

(lam-ih-NEK-toh-mee)

is the introduction of contrast medium into the lumbar subarachnoid space through a lumbar puncture to visualize the spinal cord and vertebral canal through X-ray examination

(my-eh-LOG-rah-fee)

is a neurosurgical procedue to relieve pain in a localized or small area by incision of cranial or peripheral nerves

(noo-REK-toh-mee)

is used to visualize radiographically one of the ventricles or fluid-occupying spaces in the CNS

(noo-moh-en-seff-ah-LOG-rah-fee)

scan produces computerized radiographic images of various body structures when radioactive substances are inhaled or injected 

(POZ-ih-tron ee-MISH-un toh-MOG-rah-fee)

is performed on a precise locaiton of an area within the brain that controls specific function(s) and may involve destruction of brain tissue wit various agents such as heat, cold, and sclerosing or corrosive fluids 

(ster-eh-oh-TAK-sik noo-roh-SER-jer-ee)

is a surgical procedure used to interrupt a portin of the sympathetic nerve pathway for the purpose of releaving chronic pain 

(sim-pah-THEK-toh-mee)

invovles a craniotomy, through which the anterolateral pathway i the brain stem is surgically divided in an attempt to relieve pain 

(trak-TOT-oh-mee)

is a form of cutaneous stimulation for pain relief that supplies electrical impulses to the nerve endings of a nerve close to the pain site 

(tranz-kyoo-TAY-nee-us

ee-LEK-trih-kl nerve

stim-yoo-LAY-shun)