cells that support nuerons & bind them to other neurons or other tissues of the body

they do not transmit impulses, they provide a variety of activities essential to the proper functioning of neurons.

protective mechanism that blocks specific substances found in the bloodstream from entering delicate brain tissue

tight sheaths which are formed by astrocytes

- star shaped neuroglia

- provides 3-demensional mechanical support for neurons & form tight sheaths around the capillaries of the brain.

- The sheath is the obstruction called the blood-brain barrier that keeps large molecular substances from entering the delicate tissue of the brain.

Central Nervous System

CNS

Peripheral Nervous System

PNS

part of the central nervous system

the center for thought & emotion, interpretation of sensory stimuli, & coordination of body function

part of the central nervous system

the main pathway for transmition of information between the brain & the body

part of the peripheral nervous system

includes 12 pairs of nerves that emerge from the base of the skull & may act in either a motor capacity, sensory capacity, or both.

part of the peripheral nervous system

includes 31 pairs of nerves that emerge from the spine & act in both motor & sensory capacities

3 covering that provived limited protection to the brain & spinal cord

dura mater

arachnoid

pia mater

Autonomic Nervous System

ANS

consists of nerves that control involuntary movement, such as digestion, heart contraction, & vasoconstriction.

It also regulates secretion by glands.

difference between the

sympathetic &

parasympathetic

subdivisions

Sympathetic - "fight-or-flight"

Parasympathetic - "rest & relax"

meninges

membranes covering the brain & spinal cord

meninges

membranes covering the brain & spinal cord

stupor

numbness

sleep

relating to sleep

They depress the nervous system, thus relieving pain & producing sleep.

bad or poor (muscle) tone

usually refers to a muscle disorder characterized by substained muscle contractions resulting in a persistantly abnormal posture

order

coordination

without coordination

refers to poor muscle cooridination, especially when voluntary movements are attempted

may be a result of head injury, stroke, MS, alcholism, or a variety of hereditary disorders

radiculopathy

radiculitis

an inflammation of the nerve root associated with the spinal column

Cerebrovascular Accident

CVA

S/S

stroke

- weakness in 1/2 of the body (hemiparesis)

- paralysis in 1/2 the body (hemiparalysis)

- inability to speak (aphasia)

- lack of muscle coordination (ataxia)

- loss of consciousness (LOC)

- stupor

- coma or even death

Transient Ischemic Attack

TIA

temporary interference with blood supply to the brain lasting from a few minutes to a few hrs.

symptoms of a stroke that resolve within 24 hrs.

also known as a mini- stroke

tonic-clonic seizures which occur one right after the other without an intervening period of recovery

Alzheimer Disease

AD

a progressive neurological disorder that causes memory loss & serious mental deterioration

is now identified as a leading cause of senile dementia

a nonpsychotic mental disorder caused by an emotion experienced in the past that overwhelmingly interferes or affects normal behavior

- irrational fears (phobias)

- exaggerated emotional & reflective behavior (hysteria)

- irrational, uncontrolled performace of ritualistic actions for fear of a dire consequence (obsesive compulsive disorder)

weakness, debility, or loss of strength

a characteristic of multiple sclerosis (MS)

injury to the brain, occasionally with transient LOC as a result of injury or trauma to the head

delayed symptoms of this may include headache, N/V, & blurred vision

shingles

painful, acute infectious disease of the posterior root ganglia of only a few segments of spinal or cranial nerves

sluggishness

abnormal inactivity or lack of response to normal stimuli

paralysis, usually partial, & commonly characterized by weakness & shaking or uncontrolled tremor

facial paralysis caused by a functional disorder of the 7th cranial nerve, associated with herpes virus

usually self-limiting & usually spontaneously resolved in 3-5 wks.

type of paralysis that affects movement & body position & sometimes, speech & learning ability

commonly occurs as a result of trauma to the brain during the birthing process

loss of voluntary motion in one or more muscle groups with or without loss of sensation

paralysis of one side of the body

usually as a result of a stroke

paralysis of both lower limbs

usually as a result of trauma or disease of the lower spinal cord

paralysis of both arms & legs

usually as a result of trauma or disease of the upper spinal cord

temporary loss of consciousness due to sudden decline of BP flow to the brain

fainting

often due to cardiac issues

adjustment of the eye for various distances so that images fall on the retina of the eye

are not identified with any specific site of the body

touch, pressure, pain, & temperature

specific sensations

include

smell - olfaction

taste - gustation

hearing - audition

vision

a waxy secretion

earwax

tympanic membrane

typanum

connects the middle ear to the pharynx

equalizes pressureon the oute & inner surfaces of the eardrum

tympanic membrane

eardrum

tympanic membrane

eardrum

presbyacusis

or

presbyacusia

hearing (loss) assciated with old age

The hearing loss is irreversable.

otitis media

OM

an inflammation of the middle ear

usually occurs due to streptococcus pneumonia

found most commonly in infants & young children especially in the presence of an URI

myringotomy

or

tympanotomy

pressure-equalizing tubes

PE tubes

usual treatment for children with recurrent ear infections that are passed through the tympanic membrane

The tubes help drain fluid from the middle ear.

a perception of ringing, hissing, or other sounds in the ear when no external sound is present

causes may include:

a blow to the head, ingestion of large doses of aspirin, anemia, noise exposure, stress, impacted wax, & certain types of medications & tumors

hallucination of movement, or feeling of spinning or dizziness

cosmetic surgery that removes fatty tissue above & below the eyes that commonly form as a result of the aging process or excessive exposure

removal of the contents of the eye while leaving the sclera & cornea intact

performed when the blind eye is painful or unsightly

reconstruction of the eardrum, commonly due to perforation

myringoplasy