THIS PRESENTATION IS UPLOADED TO HELP THE EDUCATOR OF MEDICAL, NURSING & ALLIE HEALTH SCIENCES TO TEACH THEIR STUDENTS ABOUT THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. IT WILL ALSO CREATE AWARENESS AMONG THE COMMON PEOPLE REGARDING NERVOUS SYSTEM.

1. PREPARED BY : SANJAY SIR
LECTURER/TUTOR
GOVT. COLLEGE OF NURSING
NEW CIVIL HOSPITAL
SURAT-395001
GUJARAT
INDIA

2.  Nervous System
◦ Brain
◦ Spinal cord
◦ Nerves
 Functions of nervous system
◦ Regulates and coordinates all body activities
◦ Center of all mental activity, including thought,
learning, and memory

3.  Central Nervous System (CNS)
◦ Brain
◦ Spinal Cord
 Processes and stores sensory and motor information
 Controls consciousness

4.  Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
◦ 12 Pairs of Cranial Nerves
◦ 31 Pairs of Spinal Nerves
 Transmits sensory and motor impulses back and forth
between CNS and rest of body

7.  Afferent (sensory) nerves
◦ Carry impulses from the body to the central
nervous system
 Efferent (motor) nerves
◦ Carry impulses from the central nervous system to
muscles and glands
◦ Cause the target organs to do something in
response to commands

8.  Somatic Nervous System (SNS)
◦ Provides voluntary control over skeletal muscle
contractions
 Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
◦ Provides involuntary control over smooth
muscle, cardiac muscle, and glandular activity
and secretions in response to the commands of
the central nervous system

9.  Sympathetic nerves
◦ Increase heart rate
◦ Constrict blood vessels
◦ Raise blood pressure
◦ Fight-or-flight response
 Parasympathetic nerves
◦ Slow heart rate
◦ Increase peristalsis of intestines
◦ Increase glandular secretions
◦ Relax sphincters

11.  Structural & functional unit of the NS.
 Also called nerve cell.
 It has nucleus & all other organelles in the
cytoplasm however, it is different from other
cells in two ways as follows:
 It has a branches or processes called axon &
dendrites.
 It does not have centrosome so it can not
undergo division.
 Main two part:
 Cell body & processes (neurites) e.g. one axon &
many dendrites.

12.  Neuron(unit of NS):
◦ Cell body(perikaryon or (cyton)
Contains the nucleus and cytoplasm & all cell
organelles
Called soma or perikaryon.
Mass cytoplasm
Contain large nucleus & other organelles.
Specially in cytoplasm, there is presence of granular material
called Nissi granules.
Presence of network of fibrils called neurofibrils.
◦ Dendrite(tree/branches):
 Conducts impulses toward the cell body
 Branched projection of cell body
◦ Axon
 Conducts impulses away from the cell body
 Long process from cell body

14.  Neurites:
 Arising from cell body of neuron called neurites.
Two kinds axon & dendrites.
 Form white matter of NS.
 DENDRITES IS CONDUCTIVE IN NATURE.
 It transmit impulses toward the cell body.
 Dendrites has Nissi granules & neurofibrils.
 Each cell has only one axon. It carries impulse
away from cell body.
 Axon arises from the axon hillock.
 Axon(about one meter) is longer than dendrites.
 The length of longest axon is about one meter.
 Axon has central core cytoplasm called axoplasm
& a membrane called axolemma.

19.  Motor neurons or efferent neurons:
 Which carries the motor impulses from CNS
to the peripheral effectors organs like
muscles, glands, blood vessels etc.
 Sensory or afferents:
 Which carries the sensory impulses from PNS
to the CNS.

20.  GOLGI TYPE-1:
 that have long axon.
 Cell body is in CNS & their axons reach the
remote peripheral organs.
 GOLGI TYPE-2:
 Have short axons
 Present in cerebral cortex & spinal cord.

21.  Neuroglia(non neural cell/glial)
◦ Connective tissue
 Support system for neurons
◦ Non excitale & Do not conduct impulses
◦ Protect nervous system through phagocytosis
 Types of Neuroglia Cells
 Central neorglial cells:
◦ Astrocytes- form blood brain barrier
◦ Microglia: phagocytosis
◦ Oligodendrocytes: provide myelination around nerve
fiber
◦ Ependymal: exchange material betn brain & CSF. :
◦ Pheripheral neorglial cells:
◦ Schwann cell: provide myelination around nerve fibres
◦ Satellite cell: provide physical support to PNS neurons.

22.  Brain
◦ Surrounded by bone for protection
◦ Enclosed in cranium
 Spinal cord
◦ Surrounded by vertebrae for protection
◦ Surrounded by meninges and cerebrospinal fluid

23.  The brain & spinal cord are enclosed by three
membranous coverings called meninges.
 Duramater(outer layer)(pachymeninx)
 Arachnoidmater (middle layer)
 Piamater(inner layer)
 Arachnoid & pia are together known as
leptomeninges.
 Dura & arachnoid are separated by a potential
space called subdural space.
 The arachnoid & dura are separated by
subarachnoid space containing CSF.

24.  Dura mater(tough mother)(pechymeninx)
◦ Outermost layer of meninges
◦ Toughest, white connective tissue layer.
◦ Cerebral dura:
◦ Two layer: outer lines interior of cranium & inner
meningeal layer.
◦ Two large rigid folds of inner layer which help to
support brain & to maintain in its position. These
folds are:
◦ The falx cerebri: sickle shape fold lying vertically &
divide two hemispheres.
◦ Tentorium cerebelli: crescentic, arched sheet lies
horizontally form tent like roof seperating the
cerebrum above from the cerebellum.
◦

25.  Spinal dura:
 Thick fibrous membrane from foramen
magnum to 2nd sacral vertebrae(S2).
 Form loose tubular covering for the spinal
cord.
 space betw’n duramater & wall of the
vertebral canal called extradural or epidural
space.
 Nerve entering & leaving the spinal cord pass
through the epidural space.

26.  Arachnoid membrane
◦ Middle layer of the meninges
◦ Resembles a spider web (cobweb) betn dura & pia.
◦ It covers entire brain & provide tubular shape to
cranial nerves.
◦ Subarachnoid space immediately beneath
 Contains cerebrospinal fluid.
 Some subarachnoid space are large & contain large
amount of CSF called cisterns. e.g one lying betwn the
undersurface of cerebellum & the medulla is the
cisterna magna. This cistern is important because a
needle can be introduce into this betwn occipital bone &
the atlas vertebra to get sample of CSF. This procedure
is called cisternal puncture.
 Another features of this space is presence of arachnoid
villi & granulations. Villi absorb CSF. With advancing
age, villi enlarges in size & form arachnoid
granulations.

27.  Pia mater(intimate/delicate mother)
◦ Innermost layer of the meninges
◦ Highly vascular membrane.
◦ Tightly bound to the surface of the brain and
spinal cord.
◦ The spinal cord ends at L1 vertebrae but pia
mater extend beyond this level as the filum
terminale.
◦ It pierce the arachnoid & goes on with duramater
to fuse with periosteum of the coccyx.
◦ The piamater along with the tuft of capillaries,
forms the choroid plexuses in the ventricles of
the brain which secretes CSF.

30.  The interior of the brain contains a series of
cavities filled with CSF called ventricles. They
are:
 Right & left lateral ventricles
 Third ventricles
 Fourth ventricles

31.  Lies within the cerebral hemisphere one on
each side just below the corpus callosum.
 Separated by thin membrane called septum
lucidum.
 It communicates with the third ventricles by
interventricular foramina.

32.  It is a cavity situated below the lateral
ventricles between the two parts of the
thalamus.
 It communicates with fourth ventricles by a
canal called the cerebral aqueduct.

33.  It is a diamond shaped cavity situated below
& behind the third ventricles, between the
cerebellum & pons.
 It is continuous below with the central canal
of the spinal cord & communicate with the
subarachnoid apace by foramina in its root.
 CSF enters the subarachnoid space through
these opening & through the central canal of
spinal cord.

43.  It constitutes about 1/5th of the body weight
& lies within the cranial cavity. Main parts of
brain are:
 Cerebrum
 thalamus, pineal body & hypothalamus are
called the diencephalon
 Midbrain, Pons & medulla oblongata are
called the brain stem
 Cerebellum
 Blood supply: circulus arteriosus & its
contributing arteries.

44.  Cerebrum
◦ Largest and uppermost portion of the brain
◦ Controls consciousness, memory, sensations, emotions,
voluntary movements
◦ Cortex = outer surface shows many furrows of varying depth
 Gyri = elevations part of furrows.
 Sulci = grooves that separates gyri.
 Longitudinal fissure(falx cerebri) divides cerebrum into two
hemispheres each containing one of the lateral ventricles
which penetrates to the depth of corpus callosum.
 Deep within the brain, hemisphere are connected by mass
of white matters( nerve fibers) called corpus callosum.
 The peripheral part(superficial) of cerebrum is composed
of nerve cell bodies or gray matter forming the cerebral
cortex & deeper layer consist of nerve fibres or white
matter.
 Four lobes of hemisphere: frontal, temporal, parietal &
occipital

45. ◦ Located between cerebrum and midbrain
◦ Consists of thalamus, hypothalamus, and pineal
gland
 The diencephalon and the telencephalon (cerebrum) comprise
the two major divisions of your forebrain. If you were to look at
a brain, with the skull removed, you would not be able to see
the diencephalon, it is mostly hidden from view. It is a small part
of the brain nested under and between the two cerebral
hemispheres, just above the start of the midbrain's brain stem.
 Despite being small in size, the diencephalon plays a number of
critical roles in healthy brain and bodily function within the
central nervous system.

46.  The main structures of the diencephalon
include the hypothalamus, thalamus,
epithalamus (along with the pineal gland),
and subthalamus. Also located within the
diencephalon is the third ventricle, one of the
four brain ventricles or cavities filled with
cerebrospinal fluid.
 Each part has its own role to play.

47.  The diencephalon relays sensory information between brain regions
and controls many autonomic functions of the peripheral nervous
system.
 It connects structures of the endocrine system with the nervous
system and works with the limbic system structures to generate and
manage emotions and memories.
 Several structures of the diencephalon work together and with other
body parts to affect the following bodily functions:
 Directing sense impulses throughout the body
 Autonomic function control
 Endocrine function control
 Motor function control
 Homeostasis
 Hearing, vision, smell, and taste
 Touch perception

48.  The thalamus is a small structure within the brain located just above the
brain stem between the cerebral cortex and the midbrain and has
extensive nerve connections to both.
 It works to correlate several important processes, including
consciousness, sleep, and sensory interpretation.
 It assists in sensory perception, regulation of motor functions, and
control of sleep and wake cycles.
 The brain has two thalamus sections. The thalamus acts as a relay
station for almost all sensory information (with the exception of smell).
Before the sensory information reaches your brain's cortex, it stops at
the thalamus first.
 The sensory information travels to the area (or nuclei) that specialize in
dealing with that sensory information and then that information passes
to the cortex for further processing. The thalamus processes information
it receives from the cortex as well. It passes that information on to other
parts of the brain and plays a big role in sleep and consciousness.

49.  The hypothalamus is small, about the size of an almond, and
serves as the control center for many autonomic functions
through the release of hormones. This part of the brain is
also responsible for maintaining homeostasis, which is your
body's attempt to maintain normal balance, for example,
body temperature and blood pressure.
 The hypothalamus receives a steady stream of information
about these types of factors. When the hypothalamus
recognizes an unanticipated imbalance, it enacts a
mechanism to rectify that disparity.
 As the main area that regulates hormone secretion and the
control of hormone release from the pituitary gland, the
hypothalamus has widespread effects on the body and
behavior.

50.  The pineal gland (also called the pineal body,
epiphysis cerebri, epiphysis or the "third eye") is a
small endocrine gland. It produces melatonin, a
hormone that affects the modulation of wake/sleep
patterns and photoperiodic (seasonal) functions. It
is located near to the center of the brain between
the two hemispheres, tucked in a groove where the
two rounded thalamic bodies join. Unlike much of
the rest of the brain, the pineal gland is not isolated
from the body by the blood-brain barrier system. It
is reddish-gray and about the size of a pea (8 mm in
humans).

51. ◦ Region between diencephalon and spinal cord
◦ Consists of midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata
◦ Serves as pathway for impulses between brain and
spinal cord
◦ Controls respiration, blood pressure, and heart rate

52.  The brain stem is the stem-like part of the base of the
brain that is connected to the spinal cord.
 The brain stem controls the flow of messages between
the brain and the rest of the body, and it also controls
basic body functions such as breathing, swallowing,
heart rate, blood pressure, consciousness, and
whether one is awake or sleepy.
 Brain stem
 Midbrain
 Pons
 Medulla Oblongata

53.  Midbrain
 The midbrain, also called the
mesencephalon, is a small region of the brain
that serves as a relay center for visual,
auditory, and motor system information.
 It regulates autonomic functions, those that
the body carries out without conscious
thought, such as digestion, heart rate, and
breathing rate.

54.  Pons
 A major structure in the upper part of the brain
stem is called the pons. The pons has two over-
arching roles. The first is the regulation of
breathing. In the pons, there is a structure called
the pneumotaxic center. It controls the amount of
air breathed and breaths per minute, which is
known as the breathing rate.
 In addition, the pons is involved in the transmission
of signals to and from other structures in the brain,
such as the cerebrum or the cerebellum. The pons
is also involved in sensations such as hearing, taste,
and balance. Finally, the pons is also involved in the
regulation of deep sleep.

55.  Medulla Oblongata
 The medulla oblongata is located in the lower portion of the
brainstem. It is very important in things like heart rate and
blood pressure. It's responsible for many reflexes in the
body, or involuntarily controls, such as vomiting, sneezing,
and coughing.
 A brain stem stroke happens when the brain’s blood supply
is interrupted in this area. This type of stroke can result in
death, since the damaged brain stem can no longer control
the body’s vital functions.

56. 
Location: Lower area of the brain, below the Pons.

The cerebellum is one of the most identifiable
parts of the brain due to its unique shape and
location. It is extremely important for being able to
perform everyday voluntary (done with purpose and
intent) tasks such as walking and writing. It is also
essential to being able to stay balanced and
upright. Patients who have suffered from damaged
cerebellums often struggle with
keeping their balance and maintaining
Function:

Responsible for balance and coordination of
muscles and the body.

Maintains muscle tone

57.  OTHER DIVISIONS OF THE BRAIN
 There are three divisions of the brain. The
diencephalon along with the cerebral cortex and brain
lobes make up the forebrain.
 The other two parts are the midbrain and hindbrain.
 The midbrain is where the brain stem starts and
connects the forebrain to the hindbrain.
 The brain stem travels all the way through the
hindbrain. The hindbrain regulates autonomic
functions and coordinates most bodily movement.

59.  The spinal cord is a long, thin, tubular bundle of nervous
tissue and support cells that extends from the medulla
oblongata in the brainstem to the lumbar region of the
vertebral column.
 The brain and spinal cord together make up the central
nervous system (CNS).
 In humans, the spinal cord begins at the occipital bone where
it passes through the foramen magnum, and meets and
enters the spinal canal at the beginning of the cervical
vertebrae.
 The spinal cord extends down to between the first and
second lumbar vertebrae where it ends.

60.  The enclosing bony vertebral column protects the relatively
shorter spinal cord. It is around 45 cm (18 in) in men and
around 43 cm (17 in) long in women.
 Also, the spinal cord has a varying width, ranging from
1.3 mm (1⁄2 in) thick in the cervical and lumbar regions to
6.4 mm (1⁄4 in) thick in the thoracic area.
 The spinal cord functions primarily in the transmission of
nerve signals from the motor cortex to the body, and from
the afferent fibers of the sensory neurons to the sensory
cortex.
 It is also a center for coordinating many reflexes and contains
reflex arcs that can independently control reflexes .
 It carries 31 pairs of spinal nerves affect limbs and lower parts
of the body

61.  The spinal cord is the most important structure between the body and
the brain.
 The spinal cord extends from the foramen magnum where it is
continuous with the medulla to the level of the first or second lumbar
vertebrae. It is a vital link between the brain and the body, and from
the body to the brain.
 The spinal cord is 40 to 50 cm long and 1 cm to 1.5 cm in diameter.
Two consecutive rows of nerve roots emerge on each of its sides.
These nerve roots join distally to form 31 pairs of spinal nerves.
 The spinal cord is a cylindrical structure of nervous tissue composed of
white and gray matter, is uniformly organized and is divided into four
regions: cervical (C), thoracic (T), lumbar (L) and sacral (S).
 Each of which is comprised of several segments. The spinal nerve
contains motor and sensory nerve fibers to and from all parts of the
body. Each spinal cord segment innervates a dermatome (see below
and Figure )

62. DERMATOMES: SENSORY DISTRIBUTION OF EACH
NERVE ROOTS .

64.  Divisions of the spinal cord
 The are five divisions of the spinal cord, corresponding to the
different groups of vertebrae:
 Cervical: 7 vertebrae (C1-C7)
 Thoracic: 12 vertebrae (T1-T12)
 Lumbar: 5 vertebrae (L1-L5)
 Sacral: 5 (fused) vertebrae (S1-S5)
 Coccygeal: 3-5 (fused) vertebrae (Tailbone)
 Note that although there are seven cervical vertebrae (C1-C7),
there are eight cervical nerves (C1-C8).

65.  STRUCTURE OF THE SPINAL CORD
 Structurally, the spinal cord is a double-layered tube, roughly
cylindrical in cross section, though the diameter varies at
different vertebral levels.
 There are two enlargements, the cervical and the lumbar. The
cervical enlargement is due to the cord segments from C3 to
T1 and innervates the upper limbs via the brachial plexus.
The lumbar enlargement arises from segments L1 to S3 and
innervates the lower limbs via the lumbar and sacral plexuses.
The spinal cord proper ends at the level of L1. It terminates at
a conical point known as the conus medullaris, from which a
strand of connective tissue, the filum terminale, extends
caudally and attaches to the dorsal surface of the first
cocygeal vertebra.

66.  The outer layer of the spinal cord consists of white matter,
i.e., myelin-sheathed nerve fibers. These are bundled into
specialized tracts that conduct impulses triggered by
pressure, pain, heat, and other sensory stimuli or conduct
motor impulses activating muscles and glands. The inner
layer, or gray matter, has a butterfly-shaped cross-section
and is mainly composed of nerve cell bodies. Within the gray
matter, running the length of the cord and extending into the
brain, lies the central canal through which the cerebrospinal
fluid circulates. Three protective membranes, known as
the meninges, wrap the spinal cord and cover the brain –
the pia mater is the innermost layer, the arachnoid lies in the
middle, and the dura mater is the outside layer, to which the
spinal nerves are attached.

67.  Connecting with the cord are 31 pairs of these spinal nerves, which
feed sensory impulses into the spinal cord, which in turn relays them
to the brain. Conversely, motor impulses generated in the brain are
relayed by the spinal cord to the spinal nerves, which pass the
impulses to muscles and glands. The spinal cord mediates the reflex
responses to some sensory impulses directly, i.e., without recourse
to the brain, as when a person's leg is tapped producing the knee
jerk reflex.(REFLEX ARCH)
 Disorders
 Damage through accident or injury to the spinal cord, called
myelopathy, can result in paraplegia or quadriplegia, depending on
the level within the spinal cord of the damage. These conditions may
be permanent since nerve fibers in the spinal cord usually do not
regenerate.

70. Nervous System

71.  Pronounced
◦ (ALTS-high-merz dih-ZEEZ)
 Defined
◦ Progressive and extremely debilitating deterioration
of a person’s intellectual functioning

72.  Pronounced
◦ (ah-my-oh-TROFF-ik LAT-er-al skleh-ROH-sis)
 Defined
◦ Severe weakening and wasting of the involved
muscle groups
 Usually begins with hands
 Progresses to shoulders, upper arms, then legs

73.  Pronounced
◦ (an-en-SEFF-ah-lee)
 Defined
◦ Absence of the brain and spinal cord at birth
 Condition is incompatible with life

74.  Pronounced
◦ (BELLZ PAWL-zee)
 Defined
◦ Temporary or permanent unilateral weakness or
paralysis of muscles in the face

75.  Pronounced
◦ (BRAIN AB-sess)
 Defined
◦ Accumulation of pus located anywhere in the brain
tissue

76.  Pronounced
◦ (CAR-pal TUN-el SIN-drom)
 Defined
◦ Pinching or compression of median nerve within
the carpal tunnel
◦ Inflammation and swelling of tendons cause
intermittent or continuous pain

77.  Pronounced
◦ (seh-REE-bral con-KUSH-un)
 Defined
◦ Brief interruption of brain function usually with loss
of consciousness lasting for a few seconds

78.  Pronounced
◦ (seh-REE-bral con-TOO-zhun)
 Defined
◦ Small, scattered venous hemorrhages in the brain
◦ Bruise of the brain tissue
◦ Occurs when brain strikes the inner skull

79.  Pronounced
◦ (seh-REE-bral PAWL-zee)
 Defined
◦ Collective term used to describe congenital brain
damage that is permanent but not progressive
 Characterized by the child’s lack of control of
voluntary muscles

80.  Spastic
◦ Damage to cortex of the brain
 Tense muscles
 Very irritable muscle tone
 Ataxic
◦ Damage to cerebellum
 Affects equilibrium

81.  Athetoid
◦ Damage to basal ganglia
 Causes sudden jerking
 Rigidity
 Causes child to be in continual state of tension
 Mixed cerebral palsy

82.  Pronounced
◦ (seh-REE-broh-VASS-kyoo-lar AK-sih-dent)
 Defined
◦ Death of a specific portion of brain tissue
 Results from decreased blood flow to that area of the
brain
 Also called a stroke

83.  Causes
◦ Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)
 Also known as mini strokes
◦ Cerebral thrombosis
 Occurs largely in individuals older than 50
◦ Cerebral embolism
 Embolus causes an occlusion
◦ Cerebral hemorrhage
 Cerebral vessel ruptures

84.  Pronounced
◦ (deh-JEN-er-ah-tiv disk)
 Defined
◦ Deterioration of the intervertebral disk
 Usually due to constant motion and wear on the disk

85.  Pronounced
◦ (En-seff-ah-LYE-tis)
 Defined
◦ Inflammation of the brain or spinal cord tissue
 Virus enters CNS when person experiences viral
disease such as mumps, measles, or through tick or
mosquito bite

86.  Pronounced
◦ (EP-ih-lep-see)
 Defined
◦ Syndrome of recurring episodes of excessive
irregular electrical activity of the central nervous
system, called seizures

87.  Pronounced
◦ (grand MALL SEE-zyoor)
 Defined
◦ Epileptic seizure characterized by sudden loss of
consciousness and generalized involuntary
muscular contraction
 Vacillates between rigid body extension and an
alternating contracting and relaxing of muscles

88.  Pronounced
◦ (pet-EE MALL SEE-zyoor)
 Defined
◦ Small seizures in which there is a sudden,
temporary loss of consciousness
 Lasts only a few seconds
 Also known as absence seizures

89.  Pronounced
◦ (GEE-yon bah-RAY SIN-drom)
 Defined
◦ Acute polyneuritis of the peripheral nervous system
 Myelin sheaths on the axons are destroyed
 Decreased nerve impulses
 Loss of reflex response
 Sudden muscle weakness
 Usually follows viral gastrointestinal or respiratory
infection

90.  Pronounced
◦ (seff-ah-LAL-jee-ah)
 Defined
◦ Pain anywhere within the cranial cavity varying in
intensity from mild to severe
 May be chronic or acute
 May occur as result of a disease process
 May be totally benign

91.  Pronounced
◦ (MY-grain headache)
 Defined
◦ Recurring, pulsating, vascular headache developing
on one side of the head
 Characterized by slow onset
 May be preceded by an aura during which sensory
disturbance occurs

92.  Pronounced
◦ (KLUSS-ter headache)
 Defined
◦ Headache occurring typically two to three hours
after falling asleep
 Described as extreme pain around one eye that
wakens the person from sleep

93.  Pronounced
◦ (TEN-shun headache)
 Defined
◦ Headache that occurs from long, endured
contraction of the skeletal muscles around the face,
scalp, upper back, and neck

94.  Pronounced
◦ (eh-pih-DOO-ral hee-mah-TOH-mah)
 Defined
◦ Collection of blood located above the dura mater
and just below the skull

95.  Pronounced
◦ (sub-DOO-ral hee-mah-TOH-mah)
 Defined
◦ Collection of blood below the dura mater and above
the arachnoid layer of the meninges

96.  Pronounced
◦ (HER-nee-ay-ted disk)
 Defined
◦ Rupture or herniation of the disk center through the
disk wall and into the spinal canal
 Causes pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots

97.  Pronounced
◦ (HUNT-ing-tonz koh-REE-ah)
 Defined
◦ Inherited neurological disease characterized by
rapid, jerky, involuntary movements and increased
dementia
 Progressive, degenerative disease

98.  Pronounced
◦ (high-droh-SEFF-ah-lus)
 Defined
◦ Abnormal increase of cerebrospinal fluid in the
brain that causes the ventricles of the brain to
dilate
 Results in increased head circumference in infant with
open fontanel
 Congenital disorder

99.  Pronounced
◦ (in-trah-KRAY-nee-al TOO-morz)
 Defined
◦ Tumors occurring in any structural region of the
brain
 May be malignant or benign
 Classified as primary or secondary
 Named according to the tissue from which they
originate

100.  Pronounced
◦ (PRIGH-mah-ree in-trah-KRAY-nee-al TOO-morz)
 Defined
◦ Tumors that arise from gliomas and the meninges
 Gliomas = malignant glial cells that are a support for
nerve tissue

101.  Glioblastoma multiforme
◦ Most rapidly growing of the gliomas
 Astrocytomas
◦ Tend to invade surrounding structures
 Ependymomas
◦ Occur more commonly in children and adolescents
◦ Usually encapsulated and benign

102.  Pronounced
◦ (met-ah-STAT-ik in-trah-KRAY-nee-al TOO-
morz)
 Defined
◦ Tumors occurring as a result of metastasis from a
primary site such as the lung or breast

103.  Pronounced
◦ (men-in-JYE-tis ah-KYOOT back-TEE-ree-al)
 Defined
◦ Serious bacterial infection of the meninges
 Can have residual debilitating effects or even a fatal
outcome
 Must be diagnosed and treated promptly with
appropriate antibiotic therapy

104.  Pronounced
◦ (MULL-tih-pl SKLEH-roh-sis)
 Defined
◦ Degenerative inflammatory disease of the central
nervous system attacking the myelin sheath in the
spinal cord and brain
 Leaves area sclerosed (hardened) or scarred

105.  Pronounced
◦ (my-ass-THEE-nee-ah GRAV-is)
 Defined
◦ Chronic progressive neuromuscular disorder
 Causes skeletal muscle weakness (without atrophy)
and fatigue
 Occurring at different levels of severity

106.  Pronounced
◦ (NAR-coh-lep-see)
 Defined
◦ Rare syndrome of uncontrolled, sudden attacks of
sleep
◦ Main features of narcolepsy are daytime sleepiness
and cataplexy
◦ Sudden loss of muscle tone

107.  Pronounced
◦ (noo-roh-blass-TOH-mah)
 Defined
◦ Highly malignant tumor of the sympathetic nervous
system
 Most commonly occurs in the adrenal medulla with
early metastasis to liver, lungs, lymph nodes, and bone

108.  Pronounced
◦ (PARK-in-sons dih-ZEEZ)
 Defined
◦ Degenerative, slowly progressive deterioration of
nerves in the brain stem’s motor system,
characterized by a gradual onset of symptoms
 Classic Symptoms: stooped posture with body flexed
forward, bowed head, shuffling gait, pill-rolling
gestures, expressionless mask-like facial appearance

109.  Pronounced
◦ (per-IF-er-al noo-RYE-tis)
 Defined
◦ Inflammation of one or more peripheral nerves
◦ Effects are dependent upon particular nerve involved

110.  Pronounced
◦ (poh-lee-oh-my-ell-EYE-tis)
 Defined
◦ Infectious viral disease that affects the ability of
spinal cord and brain motor neurons to receive
stimulation
 Virus enters through the upper respiratory tract
 Muscles affected become paralyzed without the motor
nerve stimulation

111.  Pronounced
◦ (POST POH-lee-oh SIN-drom)
 Defined
◦ Progressive weakness occurring at least 30 years
after the initial poliomyelitis attack

112.  Pronounced
◦ (RISE SIN-drom)
 Defined
◦ Acute brain encephalopathy along with fatty
infiltration of the internal organs that may follow
acute viral infections
 Occurs in children under the age of 18; often with a
fatal result
 Linked to aspirin administration during a viral illness

113.  Pronounced
◦ (SHING-lz) (HER-peez ZOSS-ter)
 Defined
◦ Acute viral infection characterized by inflammation
of the underlying spinal or cranial nerve pathway
producing painful, vesicular eruptions on the skin
along these nerve pathways
 Seen mainly in adults

114. Image courtesy of Robert A. Silverman,
M.D., Pediatric Dermatology,
Georgetown University

115.  Pronounced
◦ (SKULL FRAK-chur, deh-PREST)
 Defined
◦ Broken segment of the skull bone thrust into the
brain as a result of a direct force, usually a blunt
object

116.  Pronounced
◦ (SPY-nah BIFF-ih-dah SISS-tih-kah)
 Defined
◦ Back portion of one or more vertebrae is not closed
normally and a cyst protrudes through the opening
in the back, usually at the level of the 5th lumbar or
1st sacral vertebrae
 Congenital defect of the CNS

117.  Pronounced
◦ (men-IN-goh-seel)
 Defined
◦ Cystlike sac covered with skin or a thin membrane
protruding through the bony defect in the vertebrae
containing meninges and CSF

118.  Pronounced
◦ (men-in-goh-my-ELL-oh-seel)
 Defined
◦ Cystlike sac covered with skin or a thin membrane
protruding through the bony defect in the vertebrae
that contains meninges, CSF, and spinal cord
segments

119.  Pronounced
◦ (SPY-nah BIFF-ih-dah oh-KULL-tah)
 Defined
◦ Congenital defect of the central nervous system in
which the back portion of one or more vertebrae is
not closed
 A dimpling over the area may occur

120.  Pronounced
◦ (pair-ah-PLEE-jee-ah)
 Defined
◦ Paralysis of the lower extremities caused by severe
injury to the spinal cord in the thoracic or lumbar
region
◦ Results in loss of sensory and motor control below
the level of the injury

121.  Pronounced
◦ (kwod-rih-PLEE-jee-ah)
 Defined
◦ Paralysis of the trunk, legs, and pelvic organs with
partial or total paralysis in the upper extremities
caused by severe injury to the spinal cord between
the 5th and 8th cervical vertebrae
 The higher the trauma, the more debilitating the motor
and sensory impairments

122.  Pronounced
◦ (TAY SACKS dih-ZEEZ)
 Defined
◦ Congenital disorder caused by altered lipid
metabolism, resulting from an enzyme deficiency
 Accumulation of this type of lipid occurs in the brain,
leading to progressive neurological deterioration with
both physical and mental retardation

123.  Pronounced
◦ (try-JEM-ih-nal noo-RAL-jee-ah),
◦ (tik DOO-loh-roo)
 Defined
◦ Short periods of severe unilateral pain which
radiates along the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal
nerve)
 Heat, chewing, or touching of the affected area
activates the pain

124. Nervous System

125.  Babinski’s Reflex
◦ Reflex tested by stroking the sole of the foot,
beginning at mid-heel and moving upward and
lateral to the toes.
 Positive Babinski’s occurs when there is dorsiflexion of
the great toe and fanning of the other toes

126.  Brain scan
◦ Nuclear counter scanning of cranial contents two
hours after an intravenous injection of
radioisotopes
 Isotopes concentrate in abnormal tissue of brain,
indicating a pathological process

127.  Cerebral Angiography
◦ Visualization of the cerebral vascular system via x-
ray after injection of a radiopaque contrast medium
into an arterial blood vessel
 May use carotid, femoral, or brachial artery

128.  Cerebrospinal fluid analysis
◦ Laboratory analysis of cerebrospinal fluid
◦ Obtained from a lumbar puncture for the presence
of bacteria, blood, malignant cells, and amount of
protein and glucose present

129.  CT scan of the brain
◦ Analysis of a three-dimensional view of brain tissue
obtained as X-ray beams pass through successive
horizontal layers of the brain
 CT = computerized tomography
 Images look down through the top of the head

130.  Chordotomy
◦ Neurosurgical procedure for pain control
accomplished through a laminectomy
 Surgical interference of pathways within the spinal
cord that control pain

131.  Cisternal puncture
◦ Insertion of a short, beveled spinal needle into the
cisterna magna in order to drain CSF or to obtain a
CSF specimen
 Cisterna magna = shallow reservoir of CSF between the
medulla and the cerebellum

132.  Craniotomy
◦ Surgical procedure that makes an opening into the
skull
 Echoencephalography
◦ Measurement of electrical activity produced by the
brain and recorded through electrodes placed on
the scalp

133.  Electroencephalography (EEG)
◦ Measurement of electrical activity in the brain and
recorded through electrodes
◦ Sleep-deprived EEG
 Individual deprived of sleep for 24 hours before test
◦ Ambulatory EEG
 Provides prolonged readings of electrical activity of brain
over a 24-hour period of time, while person is awake or
asleep

134.  Laminectomy
◦ Surgical removal of the bony arches from one or
more vertebrae in order to relieve pressure from the
spinal cord

135.  Electromyography (EMG)
◦ Process of recording electrical activity of muscle
◦ Insert small needle into the muscle, deliver small
current that stimulates the muscle

136.  Lumbar puncture
◦ Insertion of a hollow needle and stylet into
subarachnoid space between third and fourth
lumbar vertebrae below level of the spinal cord
◦ Performed under strict aseptic technique

137.  Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
◦ Noninvasive scanning procedure that provides
visualization of fluid, soft tissue, and bony
structures without the use of radiation
 Provides far more preciseness and accuracy than most
diagnostic tools
◦ Not limited to scans of the brain
 May also be used to examine the abdomen, chest,
joints, nervous system, pelvis, and spinal column

138.  Myelography
◦ Introduction of contrast medium into the lumbar
subarachnoid space through a lumbar puncture in
order to visualize the spinal cord and vertebral
canal through x-ray examination

139.  Neurectomy
◦ Neurosurgical procedure to relieve pain in a localized
or small area by incision of cranial or peripheral
nerves
 Pneumoencephalography
◦ Process used to radiographically visualize one of the
ventricles or fluid occupying spaces in the central
nervous system (CNS)

140.  Polysomnogram (PSG)
◦ Sleep study or sleep test that evaluates physical
factors affecting sleep
 Physical activity and level of sleep are monitored by a
technician while the patient sleeps
◦ Useful in evaluating sleep disorders such as sleep
apnea, sleep walking, night terrors, restless leg
syndrome, insomnia, and narcolepsy

141.  Positron Emission Tomography (PET Scan)
◦ Computerized radiographic images of various body
structures produced when radioactive substances
are inhaled or injected
 Romberg test
◦ Examination used to evaluate cerebellar function
and balance

142.  Stereotaxic Neurosurgery
◦ Neurosurgery on a precise location of an area
within the brain that controls specific function(s)
 May involve destruction of brain tissue with various
agents such as heat, cold, and sclerosing or corrosive
fluids

143.  Sympathectomy
◦ Surgical procedure used to interrupt a portion of
the sympathetic nerve pathway, for the purpose of
relieving chronic pain
 Trichotomy
◦ Through a craniotomy, the anterolateral pathway
in the brain stem is surgically divided in an
attempt to relieve pain

144.  Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
(TENS)
◦ Form of cutaneous stimulation for pain relief that
supplies electrical impulses to the nerve endings of a
nerve close to the pain site