Module 6 - Nervous System

Question 1

Alzheimer’s disease

Answer 1

Enfermedad de Alzheimer

A deteriorating and progressive disease of the brain, characterized by loss of language skills, thinking, and memory.

Question 2

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Answer 2

Esclerosis lateral amiotrófica

ALS is a deteriorating and progressive disorder of motor neurons in the central nervous system causing paralysis and muscle loss.

Question 3

Ataxia

Answer 3

Ataxia

The inability to control body movements.

Question 4

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Answer 4

Trastorno por déficit de atención con hiperactividad

ADHD is a behavioral disorder occurring mostly in children, marked by poor focus, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.

Question 5

Autism

Answer 5

Autismo

A mental disorder present from early childhood and marked by symptoms of difficulties with communication, social interaction, and understanding abstract language concepts.

Question 6

Bell palsy

Answer 6

Parálisis de Bell

Severe weakness or paralysis of the facial nerve that controls muscle movements; it usually happens on just
one side of the face and is characterized by a facial droop.

Question 7

Bipolar disorder

Answer 7

Trastorno bipolar

A psychiatric condition marked by fluctuating periods of elation and depression.

Question 8

Brainstem

Answer 8

Tronco cerebral*

The central part of the brain that connects with the spinal cord. It is responsible for controlling basic body
functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, consciousness, swallowing, and breathing.

*Also correct: tronco encefálico o tronco del encéfalo.

Question 9

Carotid endarterectomy

Answer 9

Endarterectomía carotídea

A procedure that removes the buildup that causes the carotid arteries to stop or decrease blood flow to the brain.

Question 10

Cerebral embolism

Answer 10

Embolia cerebral

The result of a clot or plaque blocking blood flow to the brain and causing an ischemic stroke.

Question 11

Cerebrospinal fluid

Answer 11

Líquido Cefalorraquídeo*

CSF is a clear, colorless fluid in the brain and spinal cord that cushions the brain, reduces its weight, maintains chemical stablility, and removes waste.

*Also correct: líquido cerebroespinal.

Question 12

CNS

Answer 12

Sistema nervioso central

The Central Nervous System makes up the brain and spinal cord and is one of the two nervous systems in the body.

Question 13

Cognitive

Answer 13

Cognitivo

Relating to cognition, which involves conscious intellectual processes like reasoning, thinking, and remembering.

Question 14

Computed tomography

Answer 14

Tomografía computarizada

A CT is a noninvasive study using a combination of computer and X-ray images of the internal body structures to look for abnormalities.

Question 15

Concussion

Answer 15

Conmoción cerebral

A minor brain injury caused by a blow to the head resulting in a brief loss of consciousness.

Question 16

Convulsion

Answer 16

Convulsión*

A sudden, involuntary muscle contraction of the body or limb, which generally happens as a result of toxins, seizures, or fever.

*Commonly known as ataque o ataque súbito.

Question 17

CT myelography

Answer 17

Mielografía por tomografía computarizada

A myelogram is a radiographic study that uses contrast dye to form images of the spinal column, including roots, nerves, and tissues.

Question 18

Dementia

Answer 18

Demencia

A brain disease or injury that causes progressive deterioration of mental processes leading to personality
changes, mood disorders, and impaired reasoning.

Question 19

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Answer 19

Electroencefalograma

An electroencephalogram is a diagnostic study using electrodes attached to the head to record electrical brain activity.

Question 20

Encephalitis

Answer 20

Encefalitis

Brain inflammation, which is usually caused by an allergic reaction or an infection.

Question 21

Epilepsy

Answer 21

Epilepsia

A chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

Question 22

Gait

Answer 22

Forma de caminar*

An individual’s manner of walking.

*Also correct: marcha, modo de caminar o forma de andar.

Question 23

Glioblastoma

Answer 23

Glioblastoma

A massive tumor in the brain or spinal cord that starts in the supportive cells called glial cells.

Question 24

Hemiplegia

Answer 24

Hemiplejia

Another word for hemiparesis, this is paralysis on one side of the body.

Question 25

Hydrocephalus

Answer 25

Hidrocefalia The buildup of fluid in the brain, which leads to enlargement of the head and may cause brain damage.

Question 26

Lumbar puncture

Answer 26

Punción lumbar A surgical procedure to remove spinal fluid using a hollow needle. Also known as lumbar tap.

Question 27

Meningitis

Answer 27

Meningitis Inflammation of the meninges, which is a collection of membranes surrounding the spinal cord and brain.

Question 28

Multiple sclerosis

Answer 28

Esclerosis múltiple A long-term, progressive disease characterized by damage to the sheaths that surround the nerves in the spinal column and brain.

Question 29

Myelin

Answer 29

Mielina The insulating sheath that surrounds nerve fibers. It regulates the speed of electrical impulses between neurons.

Question 30

Neuralgia

Answer 30

Neuralgia This refers to intense, typically intermittent pain along the course of a nerve, often resulting from nerve irritation or damage.

Question 31

Neuron

Answer 31

Neurona A type of nerve cell that gets and sends electrical impulses from all over the body.

Question 32

Paraplegia

Answer 32

Paraplejia Complete or partial paralysis of the lower half of the body.

Question 33

Parkinson's Disease

Answer 33

Enfermedad de Parkinson’s A long-term progressive disease caused by decreased dopamine production and leading to symptoms of tremor, rigidity, impaired balance, shuffling gait, and slow movements.

Question 34

Peripheral nervous system

Answer 34

Sistema nervioso periférico The network of nerves that branches out of the central nervous system to the rest of the body.

Question 35

Posttraumatic stress disorder

Answer 35

Trastorno de estrés postraumático PTSD is a mental condition that develops after a person experiences or witnesses a terrifying or dangerous event.

Question 36

Psychogenic

Answer 36

Psicogénico Something that originates within the mind, rather than a physical cause.

Question 37

Psychosis

Answer 37

Psicosis A mental disease characterized by detachment from reality, with complete impairment of thoughts and emotions.

Question 38

Psychosomatic

Answer 38

Psicosomático A physical condition or other type of illness that is caused or aggravated by a mental component like stress or internal conflict.

Question 39

Radiculopathy

Answer 39

Radiculopatía Inflammation or damage to spinal nerve root, often resulting in pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling that radiates along the nerve's pathway, commonly known as a pinched nerve.

Question 40

Quadriplegia

Answer 40

Cuadriplejia* Complete paralysis of all four extremities. *It can be pronounced as cuadriplejia o cuadriplejía, con acento en la “i”. Also correct: tetraplejia.

Question 41

Schizophrenia

Answer 41

Esquizofrenia A severe chronic mental illness that affects the ability to break down thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, which leads to distorted perceptions, inappropriate behaviors, and feelings of having a fragmented mind.

Question 42

Sciatica

Answer 42

Ciática Severe pain that radiates from the lower back all the way down the leg, caused by compression of the spinal nerve root in the lower back.

Question 43

Seizure

Answer 43

Convulsión* A sudden burst of electrical activity in the brain, which may lead to convulsions or decreased mental clarity. *Commonly known as ataque o ataque súbito.

Question 44

Serotonin

Answer 44

Serotonina This is often referred to as the “happy hormone,” it acts like a neurotransmitter and assists with nerve impulses; it plays a key role in mood, digestion, sleep, and pain perception.

Question 45

Shingles

Answer 45

Herpes zoster* A viral infection caused by the chickenpox virus. It leads to inflammation of the nerve ganglia and presents as a red painful rash. *Shingles can also be translated as culebrilla; however, some Spanish speaking people may not be familiar with this term.

Question 46

Shunt

Answer 46

Derivación A connecting device that allows blood or fluid to flow from one location to another.

Question 47

Spinal cord

Answer 47

Médula espinal The cylinder-shaped tube or column made up of nerve tissue. It connects to the brain and allows the passage of nerve fibers.

Question 48

Stroke

Answer 48

Ataque cerebral* Damage to brain tissue due to a sever blockage of blood supply or the rupture of a blood vessel within the brain. *Ataque/infarto cerebral is the general name for both embolias y derrames cerebrales. Apoplejía o accidente cerebrovascular are also correct.

Question 49

Subarachnoid hemorrhage

Answer 49

Hemorragia subaracnoidea The leakage of blood into the space between two membranes in the brain, which is usually caused by a rupture of an aneurysm.

Question 50

Tremor

Answer 50

Temblor An involuntary shaking or vibratory movement that happens in the hands, arms, legs, and feet.

Question 51

encephala/o

Answer 51

brain

Question 52

mening/o

Answer 52

membrane

Question 53

psych/o

Answer 53

pertaining to the mind

Question 54

_plegia

Answer 54

paralysis