acoustic |
pertaining to hearing |
aerotitis |
air in the middle ear |
afferent |
traveling towards a structure |
agnosia |
not knowing |
akinetopsia |
motion-blindness |
amblyopia |
disease in which one eye's input is ignored by the brain |
ampulla |
round flask; structure in the vestibular system which resembles a flask |
amyotrophic |
pertaining to muscle tissue wasting |
anastomosis |
"backwards mouth"; two openings coming together to form one |
anesthesia |
lack of sensation (usually, pain) |
anesthesiologist |
physician who administers anesthesia |
aneurysm |
ballooning of a blood vessel |
aniridia |
disease marked by the absence of an iris |
anorexia |
disease marked by a lack of desire (usually, for food) |
anosmia |
disease marked by an absence of the ability to smell |
anticonvulsant |
drug which stops seizure activity |
antidepressant |
drug which regulates mood |
antipsychotic |
drug which reverses symptoms of psychosis (a loss of contact with reality) |
anxiolytic |
drug which "breaks down" or reduces anxiety |
apathy |
lack of feeling |
aphakia |
absence of the lens |
aphasia |
absence of the power of speech (also, written language) |
aponeurosis |
sheath of connective tissue joining muscle and bones |
arachnoid |
one of the meninges; layer covering the brain that resembles a wet spider web |
arteriosclerosis |
hardening of the arteries |
asthenopia |
eye strain or eye fatigue |
astigmatism |
defect in the optical properties of the eye |
atherosclerosis |
buildup of plaque in the arteries |
audiogram |
graphical representation of a patient's hearing |
audiologist |
clinician who studies hearing |
audiometry |
measurement of a patient's hearing |
auditory |
pertaining to hearing |
aural |
pertaining to hearing |
autism |
alternative wiring of the brain resulting in characteristic behaviors and symptoms |
autonomic |
pertaining to body systems not under control of the conscious mind |
axodendritic |
a contact between an axon and a neuronal dendrite |
axon |
the part of a nerve cell responsible for its output |
axosecretory |
release of chemicals from an axon to the blood |
axosomatic |
a contact between an axon and neuronal cell body |
basilar |
running along the base of the brain (the name of an artery which does this) |
binocular |
using both eyes to perceive the visual world |
bipolar |
a neuron with two major extensions from the cell body |
blepharedema |
swelling of the eyelid |
blepharitis |
inflammation of the eyelid |
blepharoconjunctivitis |
inflammation of the eyelid and mucous membranes of the eye |
blepharoplasty |
surgical revision of the eyelid |
blepharoplegia |
paralysis of the eyelid |
blepharoptosis |
drooping of the eyelid |
blepharopyorrhea |
flow of pus from the eyelid |
blepharospasm |
involuntary contraction of the eyelid |
blepharotomy |
cutting into the eyelid |
brain |
the largest part of the central nervous system |
bulimia |
eating disorder characterized by the binge-purge-starve syndrome |
cataract |
cloudiness in the lens of the eye |
catatonia |
disease characterized by a lack of awareness |
caudate |
a structure in the brain which resembles a tail (Latin cauda) |
cephalalgia |
pain in the head |
cephalodynia |
pain in the head |
cerebellar |
pertaining to the part of the brain under the cerebrum |
cerebellitis |
inflammation of the cerebellum |
cerebellum |
part of the brain under the cerebrum and attached to the brainstem |
cerebral |
pertaining to the cerebrum |
cerebromeningitis |
inflammation of the brain and the membranes that cover it |
cerebropathy |
disease of the brain |
cerebrospinal |
pertaining to the brain and spinal cord |
cerebrotomy |
cutting into the brain |
cerebrovascular |
pertaining to the blood vessels of the brain |
cerebrum |
the large, wrinkled part of the brain; right and left hemispheres |
cerumen |
ear wax |
ceruminolysis |
process of breaking down ear wax |
ceruminolytic |
substance which breaks down ear wax |
ceruminoma |
tumor in the glands which produce ear wax |
ceruminosis |
condition of excessive ear wax |
chemoreceptor |
nerve cell which detects the presence of specific chemicals |
choroid |
a tissue resembling the chorionic membrane of the embryo; there is a choroid of the eye and a choroid plexus lining the ventricles of the brain |
clonus |
involuntary, rhythmic muscle contractions |
cochlear |
pertaining to the hearing apparatus of the inner ear (Latin "snail", because of its anatomical resemblance to a snail) |
cochleitis |
inflammation of the cochlea |
conductive |
arising from a defect in the structures which bring sound to the inner ear |
conjunctiva |
mucous membrane of the eye |
conjunctivitis |
inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye |
convulsion |
sudden, violent, involuntary contraction of muscle |
cornea |
the clear window covering the iris and pupil |
corticospinal |
nerve cell pathway connecting the cerebral cortex and the spinal cord |
craniosclerosis |
hardening of the skull |
craniosynostosis |
premature fusion and hardening of the bones of a child's skull |
cyclokeratitis |
inflammation of the cornea and ciliary body of the eye |
cycloplegia |
paralysis of the ciliary body of the eye |
cyclotomy |
cutting into the ciliary body of the eye |
dacryoadenalgia |
pain in the lacrimal gland (the gland that makes tears to lubricate the eye) |
dacryoadenectomy |
removal of a lacrimal gland |
dacryoadenitis |
inflammation of a lacrimal gland |
dacryocystalgia |
pain in the nasolacrimal sac (which stores tears to lubricate the eye) |
dacryocystectomy |
surgical removal of the nasolacrimal sac |
dacryocystitis |
inflammation of the nasolacrimal sac |
dacryocystorhinostomy |
surgery to enlarge the opening of the nasolacrimal sac |
dacryocystotomy |
cutting into the nasolacrimal sac |
dacryohemorrhea |
blood mixed with tears |
dacryolith |
stone in the lacrimal glands |
dacryolithiasis |
condition of stones in the lacrimal glands |
dacryopyorrhea |
flow of pus from the lacrimal glands |
dacryorrhea |
excessive flow of tears from the lacrimal glands |
dacryostenosis |
blockage of tears from the lacrimal glands |
decrement |
slow, steady decrease in size |
decussation |
crossing |
delirium |
confusion and disorientation |
dementia |
lack of orientation to person, place, or time, often with memory loss |
depolarization |
an accumulation of positive charges inside a nerve cell |
dermatome |
region on the surface of the body which sends information along a single spinal nerve |
diencephalon |
region of the brain between the cerebrum and the brainstem; thalamus and associated structures |
diplopia |
double vision |
dopamine |
chemical signaling molecule of the brain |
dura |
one of the meninges; layer covering the brain made up of tough connective tissue |
duritis |
inflammation of the dura, one of the coverings of the brain |
dysesthesia |
abnormal sensation |
dyslexia |
disruption in the ability to read |
dysphasia |
disruption in the ability to speak |
dysphoria |
abnormal sensation of dread or unease |
echoencephalography |
the use of ultrasound to image the brain |
ectropion |
turning of the eyelid away from the eyeball |
efferent |
traveling away from a structure |
electroencephalography |
the use of electrical activity to image the brain |
electrophysiology |
the study of electrical activity in the brain or in brain cells |
embolism |
obstruction of an artery by a clot or air bubble |
encephalitis |
inflammation of the brain |
encephalocele |
herniation of the brain |
encephalogram |
image or trace of the electrical activity of the brain |
encephalomyelitis |
inflammation of the brain and spinal cord |
encephalomyeloneuropathy |
a disease of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves |
encephalopathy |
a disease of the brain |
encephalopyosis |
condition of pus in the brain |
endarterectomy |
removal of the inner lining of an artery along with a clot or plaque |
endolymph |
fluid of the inner ear |
endoneurium |
innermost connective tissue layer of a nerve |
endophthalmitis |
inflammation of the inside of the eye |
endovascular |
pertaining to the inner lining of a blood vessel |
entropion |
turning of the eyelid toward the eyeball |
enucleation |
removal of the eyeball |
ependymal |
pertaining to cells lining the ventricles (fluid-filled chambers of the brain) |
epidural |
pertaining to the space outside the dura, one of the coverings of the brain |
epilepsy |
disease characterized by the sudden onset of seizures |
epineurium |
outermost connective tissue of a nerve |
esotropia |
eye misalignment where both eyes turn inward |
euphoria |
sensation of well-being or happiness |
exophthalmus |
protrusion of the eyes out of the head |
exotropia |
eye misalignment where both eyes turn outward |
externa |
outermost |
exteroceptor |
nerve cell which detects the presence of stimuli outside the body |
extraocular |
outside of the eye, especially referring to the muscles which move the eye |
fascicle |
bundle of nerve axons |
frontal |
bone at the front of the skull; lobe of the brain in the front |
ganglioma |
tumor of a ganglion |
ganglion |
a collection of nerve cells outside the central nervous system |
ganglionitis |
inflammation of a ganglion |
glaucoma |
abnormal increase in pressure within the eye |
glossopharyngeal |
pertaining to the tongue and oral cavity |
gustation |
the sensation of taste |
gyrus |
elevated bump on the surface of the cerebrum |
hematoma |
mass of blood |
hemianopsia |
abnormal visual perception, "half not seeing" |
hemiparesis |
muscle weakness affecting half of the body (e.g. right upper and lower extremity) |
hemiplegia |
paralysis affecting half of the body (e.g. right upper and lower extremity) |
hemorrhagic |
abnormal blood flow |
homunculus |
map of the body surface as represented in the brain (Latin "little man") |
hydrocephalus |
abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid |
hyperacusis |
abnormally increased ability to hear |
hyperesthesia |
abnormally increased sensation in skin |
hyperopia |
ability to see at a distance but not close up |
hyperpolarization |
an accumulation of negative charges inside a nerve cell |
hypnotic |
drug causing sleepiness |
hypoacusis |
abnormally reduced ability to hear |
hypoglossal |
underneath the tongue |
ictus |
seizure |
idiopathic |
a condition with no obvious cause |
insomnia |
inability to sleep |
insula |
a part of the cerebral cortex not visible from the outside of the brain (Latin, "island") |
interictal |
the time between seizures |
interneuron |
a nerve cell that is neither sensory nor motor |
interoceptor |
nerve cell which detects the presence of stimuli inside the body |
intracerebral |
within the brain |
intraocular |
within the eyes |
intravitreal |
within the clear, jelly-like substance which gives the eyeball its shape |
iridalgia |
pain in the iris |
iridectomy |
surgical removal of the iris |
iridemia |
blood surrounding the iris |
iridocyclectomy |
surgical removal of the iris and ciliary body |
iridocyclitis |
inflammation of the iris and ciliary body |
iridokeratitis |
inflammation of the iris and cornea |
iridopathy |
disease of the iris |
iridotomy |
cutting into the iris |
iris |
the colored part of the eye which defines the pupil |
iritis |
inflammation of the iris |
ischemic |
pertaining to a lack of blood flow |
keratalgia |
pain in the cornea |
keratitis |
inflammation of the cornea |
keratomalacia |
softening of the cornea |
keratopathy |
disease of the cornea |
keratoplasty |
surgical revision of the cornea |
keratotomy |
cutting into the cornea |
labyrinthectomy |
surgical removal of the vestibular (balance) apparatus of the inner ear |
labyrinthitis |
inflammation of the labyrinth |
labyrinthotomy |
cutting into the labyrinth |
lacrimation |
the process of forming tears and crying |
ligand |
chemical which binds to a cell surface receptor |
lobe |
major division of the cerebrum |
lobectomy |
surgical removal of a lobe of the brain |
lobotomy |
cutting into a lobe of the brain |
macrocephaly |
abnormally large head |
mechanoreceptor |
nerve cell which detects the presence of movement, pressure, or other mechanical stimuli |
medulla |
the core of a multilayered organ (e.g. the brain) |
meninges |
coverings of the brain |
meningioma |
tumor of the coverings of the brain |
meningitis |
inflammation of the coverings of the brain |
meningocele |
hernation of the coverings of the brain |
meningoencephalitis |
inflammation of the brain and its coverings |
meningopathy |
disease of the coverings of the brain |
microcephaly |
abnormally small head |
microtia |
abnormally small ears |
midbrain |
part of the brainstem between the thalamus and pons |
miosis |
condition of a constricted (small) pupil |
miotic |
drug which causes miosis |
monoparesis |
weakness in a single extremity |
monoplegia |
paralysis of a single extremity |
monosynaptic |
characterized by a single contact between nerve cells |
multipolar |
a neuron with many major extensions from the cell body |
mydriasis |
condition of a dilated (large) pupil |
mydriatic |
drug which causes mydriasis |
myelitis |
inflammation of the spinal cord |
myelocele |
hernation of the spinal cord |
myelogram |
image of the spinal cord |
myelomalacia |
softening of the spinal cord |
myelomeningocele |
herniation of the spinal cord and its coverings |
myelopathy |
disease of the spinal cord |
myopia |
ability to see close up but not at a distance |
myotatic |
pertaining to muscle stretching |
myringectomy |
surgical removal of the eardrum |
myringitis |
inflammation of the eardrum |
myringodermatitis |
inflammation of the eardrum and the adjacent skin of the ear canal |
myringomycosis |
fungal infection of the eardrum |
myringoplasty |
surgical revision of the eardrum |
myringotomy |
cutting into the eardrum |
narcolepsy |
condition of uncontrollable, sudden sleepiness |
nasolacrimal |
pertaining to the lacrimal (tear-producing) structures and the nose |
neuralgia |
pain in the nerves |
neurasthenia |
weakness or lack of energy in the nervous system |
neurectomy |
surgical removal of a nerve |
neuritis |
inflammation of a nerve |
neuroarthropathy |
loss of nerve sensation that leads to destruction of a joint |
neurocysticercosis |
"brain worm"; the larval stage of a parasitic worm found in the brain |
neurodynia |
pain in the nerves |
neuroencephalomyelopathy |
disease of the nerves, brain, and spinal cord |
neurogenic |
arising from the nervous system |
neuroglycopenia |
condition of low sugar (glucose) levels in the brain |
neurolysis |
breakdown of nervous system tissue |
neuroma |
tumor derived from the nervous system |
neuron |
anatomical unit of the nervous system |
neuropathy |
disease of the nervous system |
neuropharmacology |
study of the effect of drugs on the nervous system |
neurophysiology |
study of the (usually electrical) function of the nervous system |
neuroplasty |
surgical alteration of the nerves |
neurorrhaphy |
surgical repair of a nerve |
neurosclerosis |
abnormal hardening of the nerves |
neurosis |
abnormal change in the nervous system |
neurosurgery |
using surgical techniques to revise or repair the nervous system |
neurotomy |
cutting into a nerve |
neurotransmitter |
chemical which carries a signal from one neuron to another neuron, or to a muscle cell |
nociceptor |
nerve cell which detects the presence of damage |
nystagmus |
eye movements that alternate between a rapid track to one side and a slow track to the other |
occipital |
bone at the back of the skull; lobe of the brain at the back |
oculomycosis |
fungal infection of the eye |
oculopathy |
disease of the eye |
oculoplasty |
surgical revision of the eye |
ophthalmalgia |
pain in the eye |
ophthalmic |
pertaining to the eye |
ophthalmitis |
inflammation of the eye |
ophthalmologist |
clinician who studies the eye |
ophthalmomyitis |
inflammation of the extraocular muscles |
ophthalmopathy |
disease of the eye |
ophthalmoplegia |
paralysis of the eye |
ophthalmoscope |
instrument for observing the eye |
optic |
pertaining to vision |
optokinetic |
pertaining to movement of the visual field |
optometrist |
clinician who measures the optical properties of the eye |
optomyometer |
instrument for measuring the strength of eye muscles |
osmoreceptor |
nerve cell which detects the strength of chemicals in the blood |
osteoacusis |
sound conduction via bone |
otalgia |
pain in the ear |
otitis |
inflammation of the ear |
otodynia |
pain in the ear |
otolaryngologist |
physician who studies the ear and throat |
otoliths |
microscopic stones in the ear that help detect head tilt |
otomycosis |
fungal infection of the ear |
otoneurologist |
physician who studies the ear and brain |
otoplasty |
surgical modification of the ear |
otopyorrhea |
flow of pus from the ear |
otorhinolaryngologist |
physician who studies the ear, nose, and throat |
otorrhea |
flow of liquid from the ear |
otosclerosis |
hardening of the bones of the middle ear |
otoscope |
instrument for observing the ear |
otosteal |
pertaining to the bones of the middle ear |
ototoxic |
drug that destroys the nerve cells of the ear |
papilledema |
swelling of the optic nerve, visible through an ophthalmoscope |
paraesthesia |
pins-and-needles sensation in the skin caused by nerve damage |
paralysis |
inability to move |
parasympathetic |
pertaining to the division of the autonomic nervous system that maintains body functions at rest |
paresis |
weakness |
parietal |
bone on the side of the skull; lobe of the brain on the side |
perilymph |
fluid of the inner ear |
perineurium |
connective tissue layer of a nerve |
phacoemulsification |
surgical procedure that involves breaking apart the lens of the eye |
phacomalacia |
softening of the lens |
phacosclerosis |
hardening of the lens |
phacoscope |
instrument for observing the lens |
phakitis |
inflammation of the lens |
phonasthenia |
weakness or lack of energy in the voice |
photon |
particle-wave of light energy |
photophobia |
inability to tolerate bright light (literally, "fear of light") |
photopic |
pertaining to bright light conditions |
photoreceptor |
nerve cell which detects photons (particle-waves of light energy) |
plexus |
nerves which come together, mix, and separate |
poliomyelitis |
viral disease of the nervous system |
polyneuritis |
inflammation of several or many nerves |
polyneuropathy |
disease of several or many nerves |
postcentral |
behind the central sulcus |
postganglionic |
referring to nerve axons that are efferent to the autonomic ganglia |
postictal |
after a seizure |
postsynaptic |
after a contact between nerve cells (i.e. the neuron receiving the information) |
precentral |
in front of the central sulcus |
prefrontal |
the rostral part of the frontal cortex ("the front of the front") |
preganglionic |
referring to nerve axons that are afferent to the autonomic ganglia |
preictal |
before a seizure |
premotor |
area of cortex that calculates, but does not execute, a motor program |
presbycusis |
elder hearing |
presbyopia |
elder vision |
presynaptic |
before a contact between nerve cells (i.e. the neuron sending the information) |
propagate |
spreading of a nerve signal |
proprioceptor |
nerve cell which detects the position of the body in space |
prosopagnosia |
inability to recognize faces |
pseudesthesia |
experiencing "false" feelings; feelings not caused by a stimulus |
psychiatrist |
physician who studies the mind |
psychiatry |
branch of medicine involved in the study of the mind |
psychogenic |
arising from the mind |
psychologist |
clinician who studies the mind |
psychology |
science of the mind |
psychopathy |
disease of the mind |
psychopharmacology |
study of drugs which affect the mind |
psychosis |
disease of the mind, usually one which involves a disconnection from reality |
psychosomatic |
pertaining to the connection between mind and body |
psychotropic |
a drug which acts on the mind |
quadriplegia |
paralysis of all four extremities |
refractory |
resistant to change |
repolarization |
restoration of the normal distribution of negative charges inside a nerve cell |
retina |
photosensitive nerve tissue lining the inside back of the eye |
retinal |
pertaining to the retina |
retinitis |
inflammation of the retina |
retinopathy |
disease of the retina |
retinopexy |
surgical fixation of the retina |
retinoscope |
instrument for observing the retina |
retinosis |
condition of the retina |
saccule |
small sac; structure in the vestibular system which resembles a sack |
sciatica |
inflammation of the major nerve supplying the lower extremity |
sclera |
white of the eye (i.e. "hard part" of the eye) |
sclerectasia |
bulging and thinning of the sclera |
scleritis |
inflammation of the sclera |
scleromalacia |
softening of the sclera |
sclerotomy |
cutting into the sclera |
scotoma |
a "hole" in the visual field (literally, "dark tumor") |
scotopic |
pertaining to dim light conditions |
segmental |
broken into segments; a way of describing the pattern of nerve innervation on the body surface |
sensorineural |
pertaining to sensation and how it is processed by the brain |
somnambulism |
sleep-walking |
somnography |
measurement of a patient's sleep |
stimulus |
environmental energy that causes a response in the nervous system |
strabismus |
condition where the eyes don't look in the same direction |
subarachnoid |
between the brain surface and the arachnoid membrane |
subdural |
between the arachnoid membrane and the dura mater |
sulcus |
groove on the surface of the cerebrum |
sympathetic |
pertaining to the division of the autonomic nervous system that maintains body functions needed for escape or fighting |
syncope |
fainting |
synesthesia |
mixing up two or more senses (e.g. perceiving colors and sounds at the same time) |
tastant |
chemical which produces a taste sensation |
temporal |
bone on the side of the skull; lobe of the brain on the side |
thermoreceptor |
nerve cell which detects temperature |
thromboembolism |
loss of blood supply due to a clot which dislodges from its source and lodges in a distant location |
thromboembolus |
clot which becomes dislodged, blocking the blood supply at a distant location |
thrombolytic |
drug which breaks apart a blood clot |
thrombosis |
condition of clotting |
tinnitus |
ringing in the ears |
transcranial |
across the skull |
transduction |
the process of turning one kind of signal into another |
transient |
temporary; briefly passing |
trigeminal |
fifth cranial nerve, mostly carrying information from the face to the brain |
tympanic |
pertaining to the eardrum |
tympanocentesis |
puncture of the eardrum |
tympanometry |
process of measuring the eardrum |
tympanoplasty |
surgical alteration of the eardrum |
tympanosclerosis |
hardening of the eardrum |
tympanostomy |
creating a hole ("mouth") in the eardrum |
unipolar |
a neuron with one major extension from the cell body |
utricle |
bag-like structure in the vestibular system |
varicosity |
dilation or enlargement of a part (e.g. a nerve axon) |
vertigo |
sensation of spinning |
vestibular |
the organ of balance; part of the inner ear |
vestibulitis |
inflammation of the vestibular apparatus |
vestibulocochlear |
pertaining to the inner ear (balance & hearing apparatuses) |
vestibulotomy |
cutting into the vestibular apparatus |
vitrectomy |
surgical removal of the vitreous |
vitreous |
the clear, jelly-like material that gives the eyeball its shape |
xerophthalmia |
dry eye |