Nervous System: Word Building: Videos & Practice Problems

Understanding the nervous system involves key combining forms like cephalo (head), ponto (pons), dura (hard membrane), polio (gray matter), glio (glial cells), ganglio (knot/swelling), astro (stars), and radiculo (nerve root). Functions and pathologies include sdo (sensation), algeso (pain), alfacto (smell), sono (sound), halo (breath), somno (sleep), ambulo (walk), clono (muscle contraction), topical (specific area), eschko (block), thrombo (clot), and embolo (plug). These terms are essential for grasping neurological anatomy, sensory functions, and related disorders, enhancing comprehension of the central and peripheral nervous systems in medical contexts.

Structures of Nervous System Concept 1

The nervous system is composed of various structures, each described by specific combining forms that help in understanding their functions and locations. The term cephalo refers to the head, as seen in encephalo, which means inside the head, relating to the brain. The ponto root relates to the pons, a part of the brainstem that acts as a bridge between different parts of the nervous system.

Dura refers to a hard membrane, specifically the dura mater, which is a tough protective layer surrounding the brain and spinal cord. The term lamina means a thin plate, similar to how lamination creates a thin protective layer over a surface.

Polio is associated with gray matter, the darker tissue in the brain and spinal cord composed mainly of neuronal cell bodies. This contrasts with white matter, which consists of myelinated nerve fibers. The term glio relates to glial cells, which provide support and protection for neurons, acting like a glue that holds the nervous system together.

Ganglio refers to a knot or swelling, describing clusters of neuron cell bodies located outside the central nervous system, known as ganglia. The prefix astro means star, referencing star-shaped astrocytes, a type of glial cell important for maintaining the environment around neurons.

Finally, radiculo or radicchio pertains to nerve roots, the initial segments where nerves emerge from the spinal cord, similar to roots of a plant. Understanding these combining forms enhances comprehension of nervous system anatomy and terminology, facilitating clearer communication in medical and biological contexts.

Structures of Nervous System Example 1

Immature glial cells in the developing central nervous system are referred to as glioblasts. The term "blast" denotes immature cells, and when combined with "glial," it specifically identifies these precursor cells that eventually mature into various types of glial cells supporting neurons.

When describing anatomical spaces relative to membranes, the term epidural refers to the space located above the dura mater, which is the tough outer membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord. The prefix "epi-" means "above," and "dural" relates to the dura mater, so "epidural" precisely defines the area above this hard membrane.

Excess accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the brain. 

• A. Hydrodurosis 
• B. Hypohydroencephalitis 
• C. Hypopoliohydro 
• D. Hydrocephalus 

Answer: (D)

Functions and Pathology Concept 2

Understanding the functions and pathology related to the nervous system involves recognizing key combining forms that describe sensations, movements, and disorders. The term senso relates to sensation or feeling, as seen in anesthesia, which means the loss of sensation. Pain perception is captured by algeso, evident in analgesic, a medication that reduces pain. The sense of smell is denoted by alfacto, reminiscent of the word "factory" to help recall its meaning.

Sound is represented by sono or echo, similar to sonar technology that uses sound waves. Breathing is indicated by halo, as in inhaler, a device aiding respiration. Sleep-related terms use somno, with insomnia describing difficulty sleeping. Movement, specifically walking, is linked to ambul, which is the root of ambulance, originally meaning a "walking hospital."

Muscle activity involving rapid contraction and relaxation is described by clono, which can be remembered by picturing a twitchy clown. The term topico refers to a specific area, such as when applying a topical cream to a localized part of the body. Holding back or blocking is conveyed by eschko, akin to scheduling a time block. Blood clots are indicated by thrombo, as in thrombus, a clot that obstructs blood flow, while embolo refers to a plug or embolus that can travel through the bloodstream.

These combining forms are essential for understanding the terminology related to nervous system functions and pathologies. Recognizing these roots enhances comprehension of medical terms and aids in diagnosing and describing neurological conditions effectively.

Functions and Pathology Example 2

A condition characterized by an increased sensitivity to stimuli such as touch or pain is known as hyperesthesia. This term combines the prefix "hyper-" meaning "above normal" or "excessive," with "esthesia," which relates to sensation or feeling. Unlike anesthesia, which refers to the absence of sensation or feeling, hyperesthesia describes an amplified sensory response. This heightened sensitivity can affect various types of stimuli, including tactile (touch) and nociceptive (pain) inputs, leading to an exaggerated perception of these sensations. Understanding hyperesthesia is important in fields such as neurology and pain management, where abnormal sensory processing plays a critical role in patient symptoms and treatment approaches.

A person with this condition may walk around and perform activities while asleep. 

• A. Somnambulism 
• B. Ambulation 
• C. Insomnia 
• D. Hypersomnia 

Answer: (A)

64-year-old patient presents to the ER with reduced blood flow to a portion of the heart, causing chest pain and tissue damage. Which of the following terms best describes the condition?  

• A. Embolism 
• B. Ischemia 
• C. Ambulism 
• D. Thrombosis 

Answer: (B)

Here’s what students ask on this topic:

What are the key combining forms used to describe the structures of the nervous system?

Key combining forms describing nervous system structures include cephalo (head), ponto (pons, part of the brainstem), dura (dura mater, a tough membrane), lamino (thin plate), polio (gray matter), glio (glial cells), ganglio (ganglion or knot/swelling), astro (star-shaped cells), and radiculo (nerve root). These combining forms help in understanding anatomical terms related to the nervous system, such as encephalo (inside the head) or ganglion (a cluster of neurons outside the central nervous system). Recognizing these roots aids in decoding complex medical terminology related to neurological anatomy.

How do combining forms like sdo and algeso relate to nervous system functions and pathology?

The combining form sdo relates to sensation or feeling, as seen in terms like anesthesia (loss of sensation). Algeso refers to pain, exemplified by analgesic, a substance that reduces pain. These forms are crucial for describing sensory functions and pathological conditions affecting the nervous system. For example, anesthesia involves blocking sensation, while analgesics target pain relief. Understanding these roots helps students grasp how medical terms describe nervous system functions and disorders.

What is the significance of the combining form glio in nervous system terminology?

The combining form glio refers to glial cells, which are supportive cells in the nervous system. Glial cells provide structural support, protection, and nourishment to neurons. They are essential for maintaining homeostasis and facilitating signal transmission. Recognizing glio in terms like glioma (a tumor of glial cells) helps students understand the role of these cells in both normal nervous system function and pathology.

What combining forms describe sensory functions such as smell, sound, and sleep in the nervous system?

Combining forms related to sensory functions include alfacto for smell (e.g., olfactory), sono or echo for sound (e.g., sonar), and somno for sleep (e.g., insomnia). These roots help describe how the nervous system processes different sensory inputs and regulates states like sleep. Understanding these terms is important for studying sensory pathways and disorders affecting these functions.

How do the combining forms thrombo and embolo relate to nervous system pathology?

Thrombo refers to a clot, such as a thrombus that can block blood flow, while embolo refers to a plug or embolus that travels through the bloodstream and can cause blockages. In the nervous system, these terms are critical for understanding conditions like stroke, where blood clots or emboli obstruct cerebral blood vessels, leading to tissue damage. Recognizing these combining forms helps students comprehend vascular pathologies affecting the brain and spinal cord.