NERVOUS SYSTEM GLOSSARY

Anatomical Parts
Term Definition Equivalent Term
Neuron The type of cells that make up Neurona
nerves.
Synapses Connections between neurons Sinapsis
Neurotransmitters Substances released to transfer Neurotransmisores
the electrical impulse from one
neuron to the next one.
Central Nervous System (CNS) The part of the nervous system Sistema Nervioso Central (SNC)
that includes the bran, brain
stem, and spinal cord.
Peripheral Nervous System The nerves that branch out Sistema Nervioso Periférico
from the spinal cord to the rest
of the body.
Cerebrum The largest part of the CNS, Cerebro
divided into left and right
hemispheres, controlling a lot of
functions, like vision, hearing,
emotions, thoughts, etc.
Lobes Areas in which the hemispheres Lóbulos
are functionally divided, each of
them with specific functions.
Cerebellum Organ below the back part of Cerebelo
the cerebrum, that coordinates
muscle movement, balance and
positioning of the body
(posture).
Brain stem The part of the CNS that is like Tronco encefálico / del encéfalo
an extension of the spinal cord,
controlling functions like: blood-
pressure, heart rate, breathing,
swallowing, and vomiting, also
digestion.
Meninges A series of membranes that act Meninges
as a cover and protection for
the
Cerebrospinal Fluid Fluid that surrounds the CNS, in Líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR) /
the spaces between the two líquido cerebroespinal (LCE)
layers of one of the meninges
(the arachnoid matter; the
middle membrane of the three)
Signs and Symptoms
Term Definition Equivalent Term
Blurry vision lack of sharpness of vision, Visión borrosa
incapable of seeing fine detail.

Dizziness The sensation of whirling or Mareo / vértigo

tendency to fall.

Headache a pain located in the head, as Cefalea / dolor de cabeza

over the eyes, at the temples,
or at the base of the skull.
Neuralgia A sharp and paroxysmal pain Neuralgia
along the course of a nerve.

Numbness Deprived of physical sensation Adormecimiento /

or the ability to move. Entumecimiento
Seizures Physical manifestations that Convulsiones
result from abnormal electrical
discharges in the brain
Slurred speech Poor pronunciation of words, Balbuceo / dificultad para hablar
mumbling, or a change in speed
or rhythm during talking.
Medical term for it is dysarthria.
Tremors Involuntary shaking of the body Temblores
or limbs.
Vertigo Sensation that either your or Vértigo
your environment is moving
(spinning). May be mild or very
severe, making it difficult to
maintain balance.
Weakness Lack of strength Debilidad

Conditions (Diseases)
Term Definition Equivalent Term
Alzheimer´s disease A progressive disorder that causes Enfermedad de Alzheimer
brain cells to die. It may progress to
severe memory loss and impairment
to do everyday task.
Cerebral palsy Movement disorders that appear in Parálisis cerebral
childhood. They may have symptoms
such as stiff and/or weak muscles,
tremors, poor coordination, and
trouble with vision, hearing, speaking
and/or swallowing.
Bell's palsy Also known as acute peripheral facial Parálisis de Bell (facial)
palsy. Unknown cause, and it´s
believed to be related with swelling or
inflammation of the facial nerve,
sometimes maybe as consequence of a
viral infection.
Concussion occurs after impact on head or Conmoción cerebral
whiplash-injury (brain shakes back and
forth). It is considered a mild traumatic
brain injury or TBI.
Dementia Group of conditions that are Demencia
characterized by decline in memory, as
well as language, problem solving skills
and ability to do everyday activities.
Epilepsy Brain activity becomes abnormal, Epilepsia
causing seizures or periods of unusual
behavior, sensations or loss of
consciousness
Epileptic Crisis Any seizure that lasts for more than 5 Crisis epiléptica
minutes.
Guillain-Barré Syndrome An autoimmune disorder in which the Síndrome de Guillain-Barre
immune system attacks healthy nerve
cells in Peripheral Nervous System
(PNS).
Parkinson´s disease Neurodegenerative disease that is Enfermedad de Parkinson
characterized by affecting neurons in
an area of the brain called “substantia
nigra”. These neurons produce a
neurotransmitter called dopamine.
Scoliosis Abnormal sideways curvature of the Escoliosis
spine. Depending on severity, the
treatment can go from observation
and therapy to surgery in more severe
cases.
Stroke (CVA) When an artery in the brain either Accidente cerebrovascular (ACV)
bursts or is blocked. As a consequence, / derrame cerebral
that part of the brain does not receive
the required blood, and starts to die.
Meningitis The inflammation of the meninges; the Meningitis
protective layers around your CNS.
Encephalitis Inflammation of the brain Encefalitis
Procedures
Term Definition Equivalent Term
Lumbar puncture (Spinal tap) A procedure used to obtain and analyze Punción
a sample of the cerebrospinal fluid, or lumbar/raquídea/espinal
CSF.
Electromyography A study that evaluates and records Electromiografía (EMG)
electrical activity of muscles.
Electroencephalogram Test that measures the brain´s electrical Electroencefalograma
activity, by using sensor attached to the
patients head and are run by a
computer.
Sleep study Study that’s is carried out by monitoring Polisomnografía (estudio
the patient during sleep del sueño)
Computed tomography (CT) A specialized X-ray machine that takes Tomografía
multiple images of a body area from computarizada (TC)
different angles and has a computer that
integrates them into “slices” of the body.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Creates images that like the patient is Imagen por Resonancia
(MRI) placed in a strong magnetic field, where Magnética (IRM)
radio pulses affect the resonance of
atoms in the tissues. A computer
analyzes this information and shows
differences in tissue molecular structure,
producing very high resolution and
better differentiation of soft tissue.