Concept: Nervous System Vocabulary

Nervous System Disorders

This section covers medical terms describing clinical disorders of the nervous system. Understanding these terms is essential for recognizing, diagnosing, and discussing neurological diseases.

• Bell's Palsy: Sudden weakness or paralysis of muscles on one side of the face, often temporary and related to nerve inflammation.

• Cerebral Palsy: A group of disorders affecting movement and muscle tone, caused by damage to the developing brain, often before birth.

• Huntington's Chorea: Inherited disorder causing involuntary movements, emotional problems, and cognitive decline.

• Epilepsy (and Seizure): Chronic disorder characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Chronic disease involving demyelination of nerve fibers in the central nervous system, leading to muscle weakness, vision problems, and coordination difficulties.

• Parkinson's Disease: Chronic, progressive movement disorder marked by tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia (slowness of movement).

• Alzheimer's Disease: Progressive neurodegenerative disorder causing memory loss, confusion, and changes in behavior.

• Reye Syndrome: Rare but serious condition causing swelling in the liver and brain, often associated with aspirin use in children recovering from viral infections.

• Sciatica: Pain, numbness, or weakness radiating along the sciatic nerve, usually due to compression or irritation of the nerve roots in the lower spine.

• Spina Bifida: Birth defect where the spinal column does not close completely, potentially causing neurological impairment.

• Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Acute disorder where the body's immune system attacks peripheral nerves, leading to muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis.

Medical Procedures Related to the Nervous System

Medical procedures and tests are essential for diagnosing and managing nervous system disorders. These terms are categorized as history/physical, surgical/diagnostic, and radiological procedures.

• Babinski's Sign: Stroking the sole of the foot to elicit a reflex; abnormal response may indicate neurological damage.

• Deep Tendon Reflexes: Involuntary muscle contractions in response to a sudden stretch, used to assess the integrity of the nervous system.

• Romberg Test: A test of balance and proprioception, where the patient stands with feet together and eyes closed.

• Spasticity: Increased muscle tone or stiffness, often resulting from damage to the brain or spinal cord.

• Aura: Visual and olfactory perceptions that may precede a seizure or migraine.

• Syncope: Temporary loss of consciousness (fainting) due to decreased cerebral blood flow.

• Hydrocephalus: Accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the brain, leading to increased intracranial pressure.

Pharmacology & Neurotransmitters

This section introduces key neurotransmitters and drugs, with their effects on the nervous system. Understanding these terms is crucial for pharmacological management of neurological disorders.

• Acetylcholine (ACh): Neurotransmitter involved in muscle contraction and memory formation.

• Endorphins: Natural pain relievers produced by the brain, also associated with feelings of well-being.

• Dopamine: Neurotransmitter involved in movement, motivation, and reward pathways; deficiency is linked to Parkinson's disease.

• Anticonvulsants: Medications used to prevent or reduce the severity of epileptic seizures.

• Levodopa: Drug used to increase dopamine levels in the brain, primarily for treating Parkinson's disease.

Sample Questions & Applications

Sample questions help reinforce understanding of nervous system disorders, procedures, and pharmacology. These questions test knowledge of definitions, clinical presentations, and appropriate interventions.

• Example 1: A patient with progressive memory loss, muscle spasms, and demyelination on MRI is most likely diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

• Example 2: Spasticity is a type of hypertonia that can lead to muscle fatigue and weakness.

• Example 3: The primary role of endorphins is to act as the body's natural pain relievers and to enhance feelings of pleasure.

• Example 4: Acetylcholine is used to promote muscle contraction and muscle relaxation.

Table: Nervous System Disorders and Definitions

Table: Key Neurotransmitters and Drugs

Additional info: The notes include memory tools (visual mnemonics) to aid in learning, and sample questions to reinforce understanding of the material. These resources are suitable for exam preparation and foundational knowledge in medical terminology related to the nervous system.