ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY TERMINOLOGY-NERVOUS SYSTEM

Brain: Part of the central nervous system. It contained within the cranium.

Cerebrum: The largest portion of the brain, left and right hemispheres, controls muscles, interprets general senses, sight & hearing, intellect, memory, and emotional reactions.

Ventricles: spaces filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Cerebellum: assist in the coordination of skeletal muscles & maintain balance.

Brainstem: Connects the brain with the spine.

Pons: It is an essential part of the brain that connects the cerebrum with the cerebellum and brainstem and acts as a control center.

Medulla oblongata: Contains centers that control respiration, heart rate, and the muscles in the blood vessel walls.

Spinal cord: Passes through the vertebral canal, conducts nerve impulses, initiates reflex action to sensory information without input from the brain.

Spinal Cord

Meninges: Three membranous layers (dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater) that cover the brain and spinal cord.

Dura mater: It is a thick and tough membrane outer layer of the meninges(brain and spinal cord).

Arachnoid mater: Delicate the middle layer of the meninges.

Pia mater: Thin inner layer of the meninges.

Nerve cell: It is a  Cord-like structure also known as neurons. It carries impulses from one part of the body to another. There are 12 cranial nerves, 31 pairs of spinal nerves.

Nerve cell

Ganglion: Group of nerve cells located in the peripheral nervous system.

Cerebellitis: Inflammation of the cerebellum.

Cerebral thrombosis: Clot in the cerebrum.

Duritis: Inflammation of the dura mater.

Encephalitis: Inflammation of the brain.

Encephalomalacia: Softening of the brain.

Meningitis: Inflammation of the meninges.

Neuralgia/Neurodynia: Pain in a nerve.

Neuritis: Inflammation of the nerve.

Neuroma: Neoplasm derived from cells of the nervous system

Poliomyelitis: It is also known as gray matter myelitis, inflammation of the gray matter of the spinal cord due to infection.

Radiculitis: Inflammation of the nerve roots.

Subdural hematoma: Due to injury collection of blood or blood tumor below the dura matter.

Alzheimer’s disease: A progressive degenerative disease of the brain that causes impairment of memory and dementia manifested by confusion, loss of recognition of a person or familiar surroundings, visual-spatial disorientation, inability to calculate, and deterioration of judgment, and restlessness.

Bell’s palsy: Temporary one side facial paralysis or weakness. 

Cerebrovascular accident: Interruption of blood supply to the brain caused by cerebral thrombosis, embolism, or hemorrhage.

Epilepsy: Recurring seizures.

Parkinson’s Disease: Brain disorder -a chronic degenerative disease of the CNS. 

Symptoms include muscular tremors, rigidity, expressionless face, and shuffling gait.

Psychosis: Mental disorder, extreme derangement often with delusions and hallucinations.

Sciatica: Inflammation of the sciatic nerve, causing pain from the thigh to the foot and toes.

Transient ischemic attack: Inadequate supply of blood to the brain for a short time.TIA is a warning sign of a Stroke.

Ganglionectomy: Excision of a ganglion.

Neurectomy: Excision of a nerve.

Neurolysis: Destruction of nerve tissue.

Neuroplasty: Surgical repair of a nerve.

Neurotomy: Incision into a nerve.

Cerebral angiography: Taking X-ray-of the blood vessels of the brain.

Myelogram: X-ray film of the spinal cord.

Echoencephalography: Process of recording the brain by use of sound.

Electroencephalogram/EEG: Record and evaluate the electrical activity of the brain. With the instrument Electroencephalograph and the process of recording is Electroencephalography.

Lumbar puncture: Insertion of a needle into the subarachnoid space to remove CSF for diagnostic purposes.

Anesthesia: Loss of feeling or sensation.

Cephalalgia/Headache: Pain in the head.

Dysphasia: Difficulty speaking.

Hemiparesis: Paralysis of half of the body.

Hyperesthesia: Excessive sensitivity.

Monoparesis: Slight paralysis of one limb.

Monoplegia: Paralysis of one limb.

Neurologist: A physician who specializes in Neurology

Neurology: Branch of medicine that deals with the nervous system’s function and disorders.

Psychiatry: Branch of medicine that deals with the treatment of mental disorders.

Psychologist: Specialist in the study of Psychology.

Psychiatrist: A physician who treats mental disorders.

Quadriplegia/Tetraplegia: Paralysis of four limbs.

Ataxia: Lack of muscle coordination.

Cognitive: Concerning the mental process of comprehension, judgment, memory, and understanding.

Coma: State of profound unconsciousness.

Conscious: Awake, alert, aware of one’s surroundings.

Unconsciousness: State of being unaware and incapable of responding to stimuli.

Convulsion/Seizure: Sudden involuntary contraction of a group of muscles OR a violent spasm or series of jerkings of the face, trunk, or extremities.

Dementia: Mental decline.

Disorientation: A nature of mental confusion as to time, place, or identity.

Gait: Manner or style of walking.

Incoherent: Inadequate to express one’s thoughts or concepts in an exact, intelligible manner.

Paraplegia: Paralysis of both lower extremities and, generally, the lower trunk, caused by damage to the spinal cord.

Syncope: LOS(loss of consciousness) and postural tone due to diminished cerebral blood flow.

Reflex: A reflection. An involuntary reaction in response to a stimulus applied to the periphery and transmitted to the nervous centers of the brain or spinal cord.

Sense Organ – Eyes

Muscle of Eye

Sclera: Outer protective covering of the eye.

Cornea: Transparent anterior part of the sclera.

Choroid: Middle layer of the eye.

Iris: Muscular structure that gives the eye its color, allows light to pass through.

Pupil: Opening in the center of the iris.

Lens: Behind the pupil, focus, and bend light.

Retina: Innermost layer, contains the vision receptors.

Aqueous fluid: Watery liquid found in the interior cavity of the eye.

Anatomy of Eyes

Vitreous fluid: It is also known as vitreous Humour, it is a clear colorless jelly-like fluid between the lens and retina.

Lacrimal glands & ducts: Produce and drain tears.

Optic nerve: Nerve that carries visual impulse from the retina to the brain.

Conjunctiva: Mucous membrane lining the eyelids and anterior portion of the sclera.

Blepharitis: Inflammation of the eyelid.

Blepharoptosis: Drooping of the eyelid.

Conjunctivitis: Inflammation of the conjunctiva.

Dacryocystitis: Inflammation of the tear sac.

Diplopia: Double vision.

Keratitis: Inflammation of the cornea.

Ophthalmalgia: Pain in the eye.

Photophobia: Fear of light, sensitivity to light.

Cataract: Clouding of the lens of the eye.

Glaucoma: Increased intraocular tension.

Hyperopia: Farsightedness.

Myopia: Nearsightedness.

Nyctalopia: Poor vision at night.

Nystagmus: Involuntary, rhythmic movements of the eye.

Strabismus: Squint or crossed eyes.

Blepharoplasty: Surgical repair of the eyelid.

Iridectomy: Excision of part of the iris.

Keratoplasty: Surgical repair of the cornea.

Vitrectomy: Surgically removal of all or part of the vitreous fluid.

Ophthalmoscope: With a help of an instrument, visual examination of the eye.

Binocular: Pertaining to both eyes.

Intraocular: pertaining to within the eye.

Ophthalmologist: A physician who specializes in ophthalmology.

Optic: Pertaining to vision.

Optician: One who is skilled in filling prescriptions for lenses.

Retinopathy: Noninflammatory disease of the retina.

Miotic: An agent that constricts the pupil.

Mydriatic: An agent that dilates the pupil.

Dacryocyst: Lacrimal sac (tear sac)

Optometrist: A health professional who prescribes corrective lenses.

Visual Acuity: sharpness of vision of either distance or nearness.

Sense Organ - Ears

Anatomy of Ear.

Auricle/Pinna: The projecting shell-like structure on either side of the head.

Tympanic membrane: Eardrum, semitransparent membrane that separates the external meatus and the middle ear cavity.

                                            Tympanic Membrane

Eustachian tube: It is a canal that connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx.

Ossicles: Bones (malleus, incus, and stapes) of the middle ear, which carry sound vibrations.

Cochlea: Snail shaped, contains the organ of hearing.

Labyrinthitis: Inflammation of the labyrinth.

Mastoiditis: Inflammation of the mastoid bone.

Myringitis/Tympanitis: Inflammation of the eardrum.

Otalgia: Pain in the ear.

Otopyorrhea: Discharge of pus from the ear.

Meniere’s disease: Chronic disease of the inner ear, dizziness, and ringing in the ear.

Otitis externa: Inflammation of the outer ear.

Otitis media: Inflammation of the middle ear.

Tinnitus: Ringing in the ears.

Vertigo: Dizziness.

Labyrinthectomy: Excision of the labyrinth.

Mastoidectomy: Excision of the mastoid bone.

Myringoplasty: Surgical repair of the tympanic membrane.

Myringotomy: Surgical procedure to release the pus and relieve the pressure in the middle ear. 

Tympanoplasty: Surgical repair of the eardrum.

Audiogram: Graphic record of the hearing.

Audiometry: Measurement of hearing.

Otoscopy: Visual examination of the ear.

Tympanometer: Instrument to measure middle ear functions.

Audiology: Study of hearing.

Audiologist: One who specializes in audiology.

Otology: Study of the ear.

Otorhinolaryngologist: An ENT physician who studies and treats diseases and disorders of the ear, nose, & throat.

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