Key Terms
What is the part of the nervous system that is composed of the brain and spinal cord?
Central nervous system (CNS)
What is the space between neurons (nerve cells)?
Synapse
What is section of the brain that controls balance, posture, and regulation of the body’s voluntary muscles?
Cerebellum
What is a healthcare professional who diagnoses and assists in the treatment of mental health conditions; cannot prescribe medications, but may coordinate patient care with a psychiatrist or other provider?
Clinical psychologist
What is a condition caused by a serious head injury; can cause permanent brain damage, intellectual disability, personality changes, memory loss, paralysis, and other symptoms?
Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
What is a part of the nervous system made up of the nerves that extend throughout the body?
Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
What is chemical that carries nerve impulses across synapses, from axon to dendrite?
Neurotransmitter
What is area in the center of the brain containing the hypothalamus and thalamus and the pituitary and pineal glands?
Diencephalon
What is a physician who diagnoses and treats eye conditions?
Ophthalmologist
What is the loss of function of the lower body and legs?
Paraplegia
What is the part of the nervous system that controls body functions that are not consciously directed (for example, breathing and heartbeat)?
Autonomic nervous system (ANS)
What is protective covering of the nerves, spinal cord, and white matter of the brain?
Myelin sheath
What is part of the brain that connects the cerebrum and cerebellum to the spinal cord; controls heart rate, breathing, swallowing, coughing, vomiting, ref lexes, and the closing and opening of blood vessels?
Brainstem
What is a physician who specializes in managing eyesight disorders?
Optometrist
What is the loss of function in the legs, trunk, and arms?
Quadriplegia
What is in relation to the autonomic nervous system, the branch that prepares the body for action by increasing muscle tension, heart rate, respirations, and blood pressure?
Sympathetic
What is a three-layered protective membranes covering the brain?
Meninges
What is a physician who diagnoses and treats conditions of the nervous system?
Neurologist
What is a healthcare professional who performs hearing tests and fits patients for hearing aids?
Audiologist
What is inflammation of the brain?
Encephalitis
What is in relation to the autonomic nervous system, the branch that works to decrease heart rate, blood pressure, and respirations?
Parasympathetic
What is the largest section of the human brain?
Cerebrum
What is a physician who diagnoses and treats mental health disorders?
Psychiatrists
What is a physician who diagnoses and treats conditions of the ears, nose, and throat; also known as an otolaryngologist?
Ear, nose, and throat specialist (ENT)
What is inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord?
meningitis