IX Glossary

Akinesia: The inability to voluntarily move muscles. (Chapter 9.6)

Alzheimer’s disease (AD): The most common type of dementia, accounting for at least two thirds of cases of dementia in people aged 65 and older. (Chapter 9.5)

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): Also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease; a neurological disorder that affects motor neurons and the control of voluntary muscle movement and breathing. (Chapter 9.12)

Aneurysm: An abnormal bulging or ballooning that develops in a weak spot of the arterial wall, which may become so thin that it ruptures. (Chapter 9.9)

Arachnoid: The meninge middle layer that is filled with fluid that cushions the brain. (Chapter 9.2)

Arteriovenous malformation:  A tangle of blood vessels that irregularly connects arteries and veins that can rupture, causing bleeding in the brain and spinal cord. (Chapter 9.9)

Ataxia: Refers to lack of muscle control in the arms and legs that causes poor balance and coordination, which can result in trouble walking. (Chapter 9.3, Chapter 9.10)

Atonic (akinetic): A sudden loss of muscle tone for a few seconds and followed by postictal (period after seizure) confusion. (Chapter 9.7)

Aura: Unusual sensation occurs before the seizure and is often described as a “deja vu” feeling, a perceived offensive smell, or sudden onset of pain. (Chapter 9.7)

Aural phase: A sensory warning that is similar each time a seizure occurs. (Chapter 9.7)

Autonomic dysreflexia: A medical emergency that occurs in clients who have sustained a spinal cord injury above T6. (Chapter 9.12)

Bradykinesia: Slow, shuffling gait. (Chapter 9.6)

Brain stem: Connects the spinal cord to the brain. (Chapter 9.2)

Brudzinski sign: When neck flexion causes the individual to automatically flex their hips and knees. (Chapter 9.8)

Carpal tunnel syndrome: A common neurological and musculoskeletal disorder that occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the palm of the hand, becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist. (Chapter 9.12)

Central nervous system (CNS): Includes the brain and the spinal cord. (Chapter 9.2)

Cerebellar function: Tested by assessing gait, balance, and coordination. (Chapter 9.3)

Cerebellum: The posterior part of the brain that controls fine motor skills. (Chapter 9.2)

Cerebrovascular accident (CVA): Commonly referred to as a stroke; a sudden interruption of blood flow to the brain that requires immediate emergency care. (Chapter 9.9)

Cholinergic crisis: Respiratory failure resulting from a high dose of cholinesterase inhibitors. (Chapter 9.11)

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy: Occurs in people with extraordinary exposure to multiple blows to the head, such as boxers and football players. (Chapter 9.12)

Clock drawing test: A neurological test in which the client is provided with a piece of paper with a pre drawn circle approximately 10 cm in diameter and told that the circle represents the face of a clock. The person is asked to write numbers within the circle so that it looks like a clock and then add arms to the clock to show a desired time. (Chapter 9.5)

Clonic: Muscle contractions and relaxation last several minutes. (Chapter 9.7)

Cognitive reserve: Refers to the brain’s ability to make flexible and efficient use of networks of neuron-to-neuron connections that enable a person to continue to carry out cognitive tasks despite degenerative brain changes. (Chapter 9.5)

Complete injury: No nerve communication below the injury site so muscle control, feeling, and function below the injury are lost. (Chapter 9.12)

Complex partial seizures: These seizures often occur in the temporal lobe and may be called psychomotor seizures due to the function of this part of the brain. (Chapter 9.7)

Concussion: A temporary, mild TBI that may take several months to heal. (Chapter 9.12)

Cranial nerves: Directly connected from the brain to the periphery. (Chapter 9.2)

Dementia: A general term that refers to a decline in cognitive ability severe enough to interfere with a person’s ability to complete their activities of daily living. (Chapter 9.5)

Demyelination: Refers to the loss or destruction of the myelin sheath. (Chapter 9.10)

Diplopia: Double vision. (Chapter 9.11)

Dura mater: The tough outermost membrane enveloping the brain and spinal cord. (Chapter 9.2)

Dysarthria: Unclear articulation of speech. (Chapter 9.7, Chapter 9.10, Chapter 9.11)

Dyskinesia: Uncontrollable movements. (Chapter 9.6)

Dysmetria: Inability to direct or limit movement. (Chapter 9.10)

Dysphagia: Difficulty swallowing. (Chapter 9.11)

Dysphonia: Voice impairment. (Chapter 9.11)

Epidural space: The potential space between the dura mater and vertebrae (spine). (Chapter 9.2)

Epilepsy: A chronic disorder that is defined by at least two unprovoked seizures occurring at least 24 hours apart and in which groups of nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain sometimes send the wrong signals and cause recurrent, unpredictable, and unprovoked seizures. (Chapter 9.7)

Generalized seizures: Involve abnormal electrical activity in both cerebral hemispheres of the brain. (Chapter 9.7)

Gingival hyperplasia: Gum enlargement. (Chapter 9.7)

Glasgow Coma Scale: A standardized tool used to objectively assess and continually monitor a client’s level of consciousness when damage has occurred, such as after a head injury or a cerebrovascular accident (stroke). (Chapter 9.3)

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS): A rare autoimmune disease that causes muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis. (Chapter 9.12)

Hematoma: Bleeding in and around the brain caused by a ruptured blood vessel. (Chapter 9.12)

Hemorrhagic stroke: A type of stroke in which the stability of a blood vessel in the brain is compromised, leading to rupture and bleeding. (Chapter 9.9)

Hirsutism: Abnormal hair growth. (Chapter 9.7)

Hydrocephalus: Fluid accumulation in the brain. (Chapter 9.9)

Hypertonia: Spasticity. (Chapter 9.3)

Hypoesthesias: Numbness. (Chapter 9.10)

Hypothalamus: Coordinates the autonomic nervous system and the activity of the pituitary, controlling body temperature, thirst, hunger, and other homeostatic systems. (Chapter 9.2)

Hypotonia: Flaccidity. (Chapter 9.3)

Ictal phase: The phase from the first symptoms to the end of seizure activity. (Chapter 9.7)

Incomplete injury: The spinal cord is still able to send some messages to or from the brain. (Chapter 9.12)

Ischemic stroke: Stroke caused by a blockage or occlusion of a cerebral or carotid artery. (Chapter 9.9)

Kernig sign: Refers to pain that is elicited on passive extension of the client’s knees. (Chapter 9.8)

Meninges: Three membranes that protect the brain and spinal cord called the pia mater, arachnoid, and dura mater. (Chapter 9.2)

Meningitis:  An infectious inflammatory process that involves the meninges, the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. (Chapter 9.8)

Migraine: A type of headache characterized by recurrent attacks of moderate to severe throbbing and pulsating pain on one side of the head. (Chapter 9.12)

Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE): A common neuropsychological test that assesses five major cognitive areas, including orientation, registration, attention and calculation, recall, and speech-language-reading. (Chapter 9.5)

Multiple sclerosis (MS): A chronic disease triggered by an immune-mediated response that leads to progressive demyelination in the CNS. (Chapter 9.10)

Muscle rigidity: Refers to resistance to passive limb movement. (Chapter 9.6)

Myasthenia gravis (MG): A chronic, autoimmune neuromuscular disease that causes weakness in voluntary muscles, including those required for breathing and swallowing. (Chapter 9.11)

Myasthenic crisis: A medical emergency with respiratory failure due to respiratory muscle weakness. (Chapter 9.11)

Myelin sheath: Acts as insulation much like the plastic or rubber that is used to insulate electrical wires. (Chapter 9.2)

Myoclonic: A brief episode of jerking or stiffening of the extremities, either in muscle groups or isolated; contractions can be symmetrical or asymmetrical. (Chapter 9.7)

Myoclonus: Spasm of muscles. (Chapter 9.2)

Neurogenic pain: An intense burning or stinging sensation that may be constant or intermittent. (Chapter 9.12)

Neurons: Responsible for the communication that the nervous system provides. (Chapter 9.2)

Neuroreceptors: Receptors are specific for certain neurotransmitters, and the two fit together like a key and lock. (Chapter 9.2)

Neurotransmitters: Cause an impulse to be transferred to a neuroreceptor on another neuron, muscle fiber, or other structure. (Chapter 9.2)

Nystagmus: Rapid, uncontrollable eye movements. (Chapter 9.7)

Paraplegia: An injury that occurs lower on the spinal cord may only affect the lower body and legs. (Chapter 9.12)

Paresthesias: Tingling, numbness, itching, or burning. (Chapter 9.10)

Parkinson’s disease (PD): A common, progressive neurological movement disorder of older adults that eventually leads to disability. (Chapter 9.6)

Partial seizures: Also known as focal seizures; occur within one cerebral hemisphere of the brain. (Chapter 9.7)

Peripheral nervous system (PNS): The remaining parts of the nervous system outside of the brain and spinal cord, including the cranial nerves that branch out from the brain and the spinal nerves that branch out from the spinal cord. (Chapter 9.2)

Pia mater: Meninge that serves as the delicate inner layer. (Chapter 9.2)

Pill-rolling: A repetitive, constant, slow-turning motion between the forearm, hand, and thumb. (Chapter 9.6)

Plasmapheresis: A process in which the client’s plasma and plasma components are removed, including the antibodies and then the cleansed plasma is returned to the client. (Chapter 9.11)

Postictal: Time after the seizure. (Chapter 9.7)

Postictal phase: The recovery period after the seizure. (Chapter 9.7)

Postural disturbances: Characteristic posture is caused by the forward flexion of the neck, hips, knees, and elbows. (Chapter 9.6)

Primary progressive MS: The type of MS that causes a steady and gradual neurologic deterioration without remission of symptoms. (Chapter 9.10)

Prodromal or preictal phase: Sensations or behavior changes that precede a seizure. (Chapter 9.7)

Progressive-relapsing MS: A type of MS in which clients may have frequent relapses with partial recovery, but they do not return to baseline. (Chapter 9.10)

Ptosis: Drooping of the eyelids. (Chapter 9.11)

Relapsing-remitting MS:  The most common type of MS characterized by exacerbations that cause new or worsening neurological symptoms following by periods of partial or complete recovery. (Chapter 9.10)

Resting tremors: Tremors that disappear with purposeful, voluntary movement, but become apparent when the person’s extremities are motionless. (Chapter 9.6)

Secondary progressive MS: A type of MS that develops following a relapsing-remitting course in which neurologic function and disability worsen progressively over time. (Chapter 9.10)

Seizure: The abnormal transient discharges of neurons within the brain that are sudden, excessive, and uncontrolled. (Chapter 9.7)

Seizure triggers: Conditions that can provoke seizures in people diagnosed with epilepsy and taking medications. (Chapter 9.7)

Set test: A neurological test for clients who are unable to read in which the client is asked to name ten items in each of four sets: fruits, animals, colors, and twins. (Chapter 9.5)

Shuffling gait: Compensatory movement for postural disturbance in which individuals move their feet forward under the body’s center of gravity. (Chapter 9.6)

Simple partial seizure: A seizure in which the client remains conscious throughout. (Chapter 9.7)

Skull fracture: Cracks in one or more of the bones that form the skull. (Chapter 9.12)

Spinal cord injury (SCI): Refers to damage to the bundle of nerves and nerve fibers that sends and receives signals from the brain. (Chapter 9.12)

Spinal nerves: Named based on the level of the spinal cord where they emerge. (Chapter 9.2)

Spinal stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal canal. (Chapter 9.12)

Status epilepticus: Refers to a seizure lasting more than five minutes or two more sequential seizures without full recovery of consciousness between the seizures. (Chapter 9.7)

Stevens-Johnson syndrome: A rare, serious disorder of the skin and mucous membranes. (Chapter 9.7)

Subarachnoid space: The space between the arachnoid membrane and the pia mater. (Chapter 9.2)

Subdural space: A space between the dura and the arachnoid mater, containing a thin layer of serous fluid. (Chapter 9.2)

Sundowning: Increased confusion at night or when lighting is inadequate. (Chapter 9.5)

Tetraplegia: Paralysis in most of the body and all limbs. (Chapter 9.12)

Thalamus: The relay center for sensory and motor signals to the cerebral cortex. (Chapter 9.2)

Thymectomy: Surgical removal of the thymus gland. (Chapter 9.11)

Tonic: Usually lasts for 30 seconds to several minutes and involves an abrupt increase in muscle tone, loss of consciousness, and possible changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and respirations. (Chapter 9.7)

Tonic-clonic: Last approximately 2-5 minutes; begins with a tonic phase with stiffening and rigidity of the muscles (typically of arms and legs) and then followed by immediate loss of consciousness and rhythmic jerking of all extremities. (Chapter 9.7)

Toxic epidermal necrolysis: Extensive exfoliation of the epidermis and mucous membrane, which may result in sepsis and death. (Chapter 9.7)

Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs): Temporary periods of symptoms similar to a stroke, but irreversible damage to the brain cells do not occur. (Chapter 9.9)

Traumatic brain injury (TBI): Can be caused by a forceful bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body or from an object that pierces the skull and enters the brain. (Chapter 9.12)

Unclassified seizures: Seizures that occur for no known reason so are also known as idiopathic. (Chapter 9.7)

Ventricles: Interconnected, fluid-filled cavities within the brain. (Chapter 9.2)