English 280

College of Nursing
Dr. Shu-hua Wu
Unit 11: The Nervous System [Medical Words]
I. Fill in the blanks
Combining Form
Word Meaning
(Word Root)
(1)
1 cerebral cerebr/o related to the (2) brain
(3) the area in the brain that is
2 cerebellum cerebell/o responsible for (4) balance_
(5)
3 craniotomy crani/o (6) incision into the skull

4 (7) myelogram myel/o an X-ray of the (8) spinal cord

(9) electr/o
5 electroencephalogram encephala/o_ Chart that records (10)_brain waves
(12) _An X-ray record of the spinal
6 myelogram (11) myel/o cord

7 cystogram (13) _cyst/o (14) An X-ray of the bladder

(15) Inflammation of the (16)
8 meningitis mening/o meninges
(17)
9 hematoma _hemat/o (18) blood mass
(20) brain injury caused by violent
10 concussion (19) concuss/o shaking
(21) excessive sensitivity to
11 hyperesthesia esthes/o external stimuli_
(23) viral infection of the grey matter in
the spinal cord which leads to
12 poliomyelitis (22) _poli/o myel/o paralysis of the lower limbs
Word Suffix Meaning
analgesia -algesia (24) _relieve the pain
13 analgesic -ic (drug) pain killer

14 hemiplegia (25) - plegia (26) half of the body is paralyzed

15 Electroencephalography (27) - graphy (28) An examination of the brain waves
electr/o encephal/o
(29) - algia
16 neuralgia neur/o (30) nerve pain
Word Prefix Meaning

17 hydrocephalus (31) hydro- (32) excessive fluid in the brain

18 aphasia a- (33) _loss of speech

19 epidural (34) epi- (35) above the dura mater

20 microcephaly micro- (36) small head

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II. Medical Terms (Class Participation)
1. Amnesia vs. Dementia [Alzheimer’s Disease]
Traumatic amnesia: Memory loss results from a hard blow to the head, for instance, in a
car accident. The person may experience a brief loss of consciousness or a coma. The
amnesia is usually temporary, but how long it lasts normally depends on how severe
the injury is.

Dementia is not a specific disease but is rather a general term for the impaired ability to
remember, think, or make decisions [cognitive abilities] that interferes with doing
everyday activities. Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia. Though
dementia mostly affects older adults, it is not a part of normal aging.

2. Whiplash vs. Concussion

Whiplash- a neck injury caused by violent shaking (in a car accident)
Concussion- a brain injury caused by violent shaking or blow (in a car accident or
fall from stairs).

3. Epilepsy (Epileptic) --- EEG Electroencephalogram

Epilepsy is a common condition that affects the brain and causes frequent seizures.
Seizures are bursts of electrical activity in the brain that temporarily affect how it works

4. Sciatica (back pain)

Sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which branches from your
lower back through your hips and buttocks and down each leg.

5. Syncope (fainting) -temporary

Syncope is the medical term for fainting or passing out. It is caused by a temporary drop in the
amount of blood that flows to the brain. Syncope can happen if you have a sudden drop in blood
pressure, a drop in heart rate, or changes in the amount of blood in areas of your body.
6. Craniotomy
A craniotomy is a brain surgery that involves the temporary removal of bone from the skull
to make repairs in the brain.

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7. Cerebral Palsy (CP)
Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affect movement and muscle tone or posture.
It's caused by damage that occurs to the immature brain as it develops, most often
before birth.

Signs and symptoms appear during infancy or preschool years. In general, cerebral
palsy causes impaired movement associated with abnormal reflexes, stiffness of the
limbs and trunk, abnormal posture, involuntary movements, unsteady walking, or some
combination of these.

8. Cerebellar Ataxia (Cerebellar Gait)

Acute cerebellar ataxia is sudden, uncoordinated muscle movement due to disease or injury to
the cerebellum. This is the area in the brain that controls muscle movement. Ataxia means loss
of muscle coordination, especially of the hands and legs.

9. Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition that can affect the brain and spinal cord,
causing a wide range of potential symptoms, including problems with vision, arm or leg
movement, sensation or balance. In MS, the immune system attacks the protective
sheath (myelin) that covers nerve fibers and causes communication problems between
your brain and the rest of your body. Eventually, the disease can cause permanent
damage or deterioration of the nerves.

10. Poliomyelitis
Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a disabling and life-threatening disease caused by the
poliovirus. The virus spreads from person to person and can infect a person's spinal
cord, causing paralysis (can't move parts of the body).

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11. Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus is an abnormal buildup of fluid in the ventricles (cavities) deep within the
brain. This excess fluid causes the ventricles to widen, putting pressure on the brain’s
tissues. When the normal flow or absorption of CSF is blocked it can result in a buildup
of CSF. The pressure from too much CSF can keep the brain from functioning properly
and cause brain damage and even death.

Note:
Quadriplegia is a spinal cord injury that causes paralysis after an accident. Other causes include

tumors or spinal cord diseases. The injury may cause partial or total limb paralysis (arms and legs).

Quadriplegia is the most severe form of paralysis. A quadriplegic would not be able

to move the arms or legs. The torso, including breathing muscles, maybe paralyzed as well.

Spastic (n.) Someone who is spastic is born with a disability which makes it difficult for them to

control their muscles, especially in their arms and legs.

Spasticity (n.) an abnormal increase in muscle tone or stiffness of muscle, which might interfere with

movement, speech, or be associated with discomfort or pain. Spasticity is usually caused by damage

to nerve pathways within the brain or spinal cord that control muscle movement.

Dyskinesias (dystonia) are involuntary, erratic, writhing movements of the face, arms, legs or

trunk.

Dyskinetic (adj.)

Ataxia (n.) is a term for a group of disorders that affect co-ordination, balance and speech.

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Note: Quadriplegia Quadriplegic (n. adj.) Spastic (n.) Spasticity (n.)

Quadriplegia is a spinal cord injury that causes paralysis after an accident. Other causes include

tumors or spinal cord diseases. The injury may cause partial or total limb paralysis (arms and legs).

Quadriplegia is the most severe form of paralysis. A quadriplegic would not be able

to move the arms or legs. The torso, including breathing muscles, maybe paralyzed as well.

Spastic (n.) Someone who is spastic is born with a disability which makes it difficult for them to

control their muscles, especially in their arms and legs.

Spasticity (n.) an abnormal increase in muscle tone or stiffness of muscle, which might interfere with

movement, speech, or be associated with discomfort or pain. Spasticity is usually caused by damage

to nerve pathways within the brain or spinal cord that control muscle movement.

Multiple Sclerosis

Bruise /contusion vs. Hematoma

-ic (adj.--- gastric)

-ic (n.) drugs

Anesthesia analgesia -algesia

Anesthetic (drugs) analgesic (drugs) (pain killer)

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