A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P R S T V X Z
Adrenal GlandGlands in the upper part of the abdomen which produce and secrete vital hormones
AfferentDesignating nerves or neurons that convey impulses from sense organs and other receptors to the brain or spinal cord
AmantadinePrescribed for fatigue
Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO)Is a brace, that is made of plastic and worn on the lower leg and foot to support the ankle and assist with foot drop.
AspirationThe inhalation of food and/or fluids into lungs.
Aspiration PneumoniaInflammation of the lungs due to aspiration (see above)
Assistive DevicesTools that are designed to assist a person in mobility and independence such as a walker, cane, or wheelchair.
AtaxiaShaky movements and unsteady gait that results from the brain’s failure to regulate the body’s posture and the strength and direction of limb movements
AtrophyThe wasting away of a normally developed organ or tissue due to degeneration of cells.
Autoimmune DiseaseProcess in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells, tissues, and organs
AvonexPrescribed to slow the accumulation of physical disability and decrease the frequency of exacerbations
AtaxiaLack of muscle coordination
AxonExtension of a nerve cell (like cord leading away from an electrical socket
B B-CellA white blood cell that is manufactured in the bone marrow
Babinski SignReflex response in which the big toe turns up instead of down when the foot is scratched with a pin
BaclofenPrescribed for spasticity
BetaseronPrescribed to reduce the frequency of clinical exacerbations
Blood-Brain BarrierThe mechanism whereby the circulating blood is kept separate from the tissue fluids surrounding the brain cells.
BotoxPrescribed for extreme spasticity, contractures
Brain StemPart lying between the brain and spinal cord
BusparPrescribed for anxiety, depression
C CatheterHollow flexible tube that is inserted into the urinary opening
Central Nervous SystemConsists of the brain, spinal cord, and the nerves originating therefrom
CerebellumThe largest part of the hindbrain bulging back behind the pons and medulla oblongata and overhung by the occipital lobes of the cerebrum. The Cerebellum is essential for the maintenance of muscle tone, balance, and the synchronization of activity in groups of muscles
Cerebral CortexThe intricately folded layer of the cerebrum. This part of the brain is most directly responsible for consciousness, with essential roles in perception, memory, thought, mental ability, intellect, and is responsible for initiating voluntary activity
Cerebrospinal FluidClear, colorless liquid surrounding the brain and spinal cord
CerebrumThe largest and most highly developed part of the brain. The Cerebrum is responsible for the initiation and coordination of all voluntary activity in the body and for governing the functioning of the lower parts of the nervous system
ChronicOf long duration, not acute
Clinical FindingAn observation made by a physician during a medical examination
ClonusA rhythmical contraction of a muscle in response to a suddenly applied and then stretched stimulus
CognitionThe process of knowing and being aware
ColacePrescribed for constipation
Computed Tomography (CT)A specialized form of X-ray that rotates around the object to be scanned. Also called computerized axial tomography (CAT)
ConstipationA condition in which bowel evacuations occur infrequently
ContractionThe shortening of a muscle in response to a motor nerve impulse that generates tension in the muscle
CoordinationProper functioning of muscles and nerves to produce a desired result such as walking or standing
CopaxonePrescribed to reduce the frequency of relapses
Corpus CallosumThe broad band of nervous tissue that connects the two cerebral hemispheres
CorticosteroidChemical having properties of the hormone secreted by the adrenal gland
Cranial NervesThe 12 pairs of nerves that arise directly from the brain that includes sensory, motor, or parasympathetic fibers to the face and neck
CylertPrescribed for fatigue
CyotecPrescribed for ulcers, neurogenic pain
CystographyAn x-ray examination of the urinary bladder after the injection of a contrast medium
CystoscopyExamination of the bladder by means of an instrument called the cystoscope that is inserted via the urethra
D DantriumPrescribed for spasticity
DecubitusAn ulcerated area of the skin caused by continuous pressure on a part of the body – also known as a bed sore
DementiaA chronic or persistent disorder of behavior and higher intellectual function including memory disorders, changes in personality, deterioration in personal care, impaired reasoning, and disorientation
DemyelinationLoss of sheath tissue which covers nerve fibers
DetrusorThe muscle of the urinary bladder wall
DiagnosisDiscovering the nature of a disease or disorder and the underlying etiology
DilantinPrescribed for neurogenic pain, seizures, numbness, tingling, burning
DiplopiaDouble vision – the simultaneous awareness of two images of one object
DitropanPrescribed for urinary frequency. (Bladder problems)
DramaminePrescribed for dizziness, vertigo
DysesthesiaThe abnormal and sometimes unpleasant sensation when the skin is touched
DysarthriaSlurring and poorly articulated speech
DysphagiaA condition in which the action of swallowing is either difficult to perform or painful
E EdemaExcessive amount of fluid in the body tissues, also known as dropsy. The swelling may be local or general
ElavilPrescribed for depression, neuropathic pain, sleep
Electroencephalography (EEG)Technique for recording electrical activity from different parts of the brain
Electromyography (EMG)The continuous recording of the electrical activity of a muscle by means of electrodes inserted into the muscle fibers
EtiologyThe study or science of the causes of disease
EuphoriaA state of optimism, cheerfulness, and well being
Evoked PotentialsRecordings of the Central Nervous System’s responses to sensory pathways (visual, auditory, and general sensory)
ExacerbationAppearing of new symptoms or worsening of old symptoms lasting at least 48 hours
F FatigueMental or physical tiredness
Fecal ImpactionA condition in which bowel evacuations occur infrequently or in which the feces are hard and small and passage causes difficulty or pain
Finger-to-Nose TestTest performed during a neurological exam where the person is asked to close both eyes and touch the tip of the nose with the tip of the index finger
FlaccidA decrease in muscle tone and firmness
Foot DropWeakness in the muscles of the ankle and foot that interferes with the ability to walk with a normal heel-toe position which results in the lose of balance and falling
Frontal LobesThe anterior part of each cerebral hemisphere extending as far back as the deep central sulcus of its upper and outer surface
G GadoliniumAn agent that is sometimes injected when a patient is undergoing an MRI. Gadolinium helps to identify active lesions on an MRI
GaitThe manner in which a person walks. In MS, gait is often unsteady or uncoordinated
GangliaAny structure containing a collection of nerve cell bodies and often also numbers of synapes
Gray MatterThe darker colored tissues of the central nervous system, composed mainly of the cell bodies of neurons, branching dendrites and glial cells
H HemiparesisParalysis of one side of the body
I Immune SystemThe mechanism of the body that protects against harmful organisms
ImmunosuppressionSuppression of immunological responses. Some immunosuppressive therapies for MS are: Cyclosporin, Methotrexate, and Azathioprine
IncidenceNumber of occurrences and frequency of a disease in the population
IncontinenceInvoluntary voiding
InflammationReaction to tissue, happens during an exacerbation of inflamed nerves
Intention TremorA palsy or shaking of the hands on attempting to perform a purposeful movement
Interferon ASubstance in white blood cells that exerts antiviral activity
K KlonopinPrescribed for spasticity
L Lumbar PunctureThe insertion of a needle into the spinal cord permitting withdrawal of spinal fluid
M Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI) – Technique for viewing internal organs. MRI’s use no radioactive rays
MeclizinePrescribed for dizziness and vertigo
Medulla OblongataThe extension within the skull of the upper end of the spinal cord, forming the lowest part of the brainstem. The Medulla Oblongata is responsible for the regulation of the heart and blood vessels, respiration, salivation, and swallowing
MetamucilPrescribed for constipation
Multiple SclerosisDisease of the Central Nervous System, Please see “What is MS”
MyelinThe sheath surrounding nerves composed of a fatlike substance
N NerveThe structure which transmits impulses to stimuli. Some terminology of nerves is as follows:
Afferent: Transmits impulses from the tissue to the brain and spinal cord
Autonomic: Nerve in the involuntary nervous system
Cerebrospinal: Nerve whose origin is in the brain and spinal cord
Efferent: Nerve that transmits impulses from the brain and spinal cord to the organs and tissue of the body
Ending: Point at which a nerve enters the structure it supplies and transmits or receives its impulse
Motor: Supplies muscles and causes them to contract
Parasympathetic: Nerve in the involuntary nervous system such as those supplying the lungs, heart, intestines, etc.
Sensory: Nerve that travels toward the spinal cord or brain and transmits sensations such a touch, pain, heat, cold vision, hearing
NeuritisInflammation of the optic nerve supplying the eye
NeurologistPhysician who specializes in diseases of the Central Nervous System
NeuronA nerve, including the cell and the long fiber originating from the cell
NystagmusA rapid, side to side movement of the eyeball
O Optic AtrophyDegeneration of the optic nerve
Optic ChiasmAn X-shaped structure formed by the two optic nerves
Optic NerveThe second cranial nerve responsible for vision. The optic nerve passes into the skull behind the eyeball to reach the optic chiasm, after which the visual pathway continues to the cortex of the occipital lobe
Optic NeuritisInflammation and possible degeneration of the main nerve supplying the eye
P PamelorPrescribed for depression, neuropathic pain, sleep
ParaparesisWeakness of the lower extremities
ParesisIncomplete or partial paralysis
PaxilPrescribed for depression
PlaqueArea of inflamed or demyelinated Central Nervous System tissue
PonsPart of the brainstem that links the medulla oblongata and the thalamus, bulging forward in front of the cerebellum. From the front surface, the trigeminal nerves emerge
Primary Progressive MSBegins as progressive without attacks (exacerbations)
PrognosisPrediction of the future course of a disease
Progressive Relapsing MSShows progression from the beginning but with attacks occurring on occasion
ProzacPrescribed for depression combined with fatigue
R Relapsing Remitting MSHaving exacerbations and recovery of some or all function
RemissionClearing up of a disease or its symptoms
RetinitisInflammation of the retina of the eye
Retrobulbar InjectionInjection of corticosteroid injected behind the eye
S Secondary Progressive MSMS usually begins as relapsing remitting and starts to progress after each new exacerbation
Snellen ChartChart consisting of rows of capital letters with the letters of each row becoming smaller
SolumedrolPrescribed for acute exacerbations and given intravenously
SpasticityProlonged and continued contraction of a muscle
Symptom A complaint such as numbness, tingling, etc.
SynapseThe minute gap in which nerve impulses pass from one neuron to the next
- T Cell - (Lymphocytes)
- White blood cells
- Tegretol
- Prescribed for trigeminal neuralgia, neurogenic pain, seizures
- Transderm Scopolomine Patches
- Prescribed for dizziness, vertigo
- Trigeminal Neuralgia
- Neuritis of the trigeminal (fifth cranial nerve) which causes pain in the facial area
- Vertigo
- Dizziness, especially the feeling that one’s surroundings are whirling. Often accompanied by nausea and vomiting
- Visual Acuity
- Sharpness of vision. Visual acuity depends on how well objects are illuminated. The most common method of assessing visual acuity is the Snellen Chart, which measures the power of the eye
- Visual Field
- The area in front of the eye in which any part of an object can be seen without moving the eye
- Vitreous
- Jellylike substance filling the inside of the eyeball
- Xanax
- Prescribed for anxiety, tension, depression
- Zanaflex
- Prescribed for spasticity
- Zoloft
- Prescribed for depression