A | B |
two parts of the nervous system | central nervous system (CNS) & peripheral nervous system (PNS) |
central nervous system components | brain & spinal cord |
peripheral nervous system components | cranial nerves (carry impulses between the brain, neck, & head) & spinal nerves (carry impulses between the spinal cord and abdomen, limbs, & chest) |
brain | major portion of the central nervous system |
structure of cerebrum | largest portion of the brain, divided into right and left hemispeheres |
function of cerebrum | controls the skeletal muscles, interprets general senses (temperature, pain, touch), and contains centers for sight and hearing; intellect, memory, and emotional reactions all take place here |
ventricles | spaces within the brain that contain a fluid called cerebrospinal fluid |
cerebrospinal fluid | clear, colorless fluid contained in the ventricles that flows through the subarachnoid space around the brain and spinal cord |
structure of cerebellum | located under the posterior portion of the cerebrum |
function of cerebellum | to assist in the coordination of skeletal muscles and to maintain balance |
brainstem | stem-like portion of the brain that connects with the spinal cord;10 of the 12 cranial nerves originate here |
pons | connects the cerebrum with the cerebellum and brainstem |
medulla oblongata | located between the pons and spinal cord; contains centers that control respiration, heart rate, and the muscles in the blood vessel walls |
midbrain | most superior portion of the brainstem |
structure of spinal cord | passes through the vertebral canal extending from the medulla oblongata to the level of the second lumbar vertebra |
function of spinal cord | conducts nerve impulses to and from the brain and initiates reflex action to sensory information without input from the brain |
meninges | three layers of membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord |
dura mater | tough outer layer of the meninges |
arachnoid | delicate middle layer of the meninges that is loosely attached to the pia mater to allow for the subarachnoid space |
pia mater | thin inner layer of the meninges |
nerve | cord-like structure that carries impulses from one part of the body to another |
ganglion (pl. – ganglia) | group of nerve bodies located outside the central nervous system |
glia | cells that form support and nourish nervous tissue that do not conduct impulses |
types of glia | astroglia, oligodendroglia, and microglia |
neuron | conducts nerve impulses to carry out the function of the nervous system |
-iatrist | specialist, physician |
-iatry | treatment, specialty |
-ictal | seizure |
-paresis | slight paralysis |
cerebell/o | cerebellum |
cerebr/o | cerebrum, brain |
dur/o | hard, dura mater |
encephal/o | brain |
gangli/o, ganglion/o | ganglion |
gli/o | glia (neuroglia), gluey substance |
mening/i, mening/o | meninges |
myel/o | spinal cord |
neur/o | nerve |
radic/o, radicul/o, rhiz/o | proximal end of a peripheral nerve closest to the spinal cord |
esthesi/o | sensation, sensitivity, feeling |
ment/o, phren/o, psych/o | mind |
mon/o | one |
phas/o | speech |
poli/o | gray matter |
quadr/i | four |
cerebellitis | inflammation of the cerebellum |
cerebral thrombosis | blood clot in a blood vessel of the brain; a type of stroke |
duritis | inflammation of the dura mater |
encephalitis | inflammation of the brain |
encephalomalacia | softening of the brain |
encephalomyeloradiculitis | inflammation of the brain, spinal cord, and nerve roots |
gangliitis | inflammation of the ganglion |
glioblastoma | malignant tumor composed of developing glial tissue |
glioma | tumor composed of the glial tissue; all primary neoplasms of the brain and spinal cord |
meningitis | inflammation of the meninges |
meningioma | benign and slow growing tumor of the meninges |
meningocele | protrusion of the meninges through a defect in the skull or vertebral column |
meningomyelocele | protrusion of the meninges and spinal cord through the vertebral column |
mononeuropathy | disease affecting a single nerve |
neuralgia | pain in a nerve |
neurasthenia | nerve weakness |
neuritis | inflammation of a nerve |
neuroarthropathy | diseases of nerves and joints |
neuroma | tumor made up of nerve cells |
neuropathy | disease of the peripheral nerves |
poliomyelitis | inflammation of the gray matter of the spinal cord |
polyneuritis | inflammation of many nerves |
polyneuropathy | disease of many nerves |