ABMP: Pathology (cont. 2)

The Skeletal System

Terminology

Avulsion fracture - A type of bone fracture where a fragment of bone tears away from the main mass of bone as a result of physical trauma (e.g., when a ligament is traumatized in a fall or pull or when a tendon places undue stress on a bone because the muscular contraction is stronger than the forces holding the bone together).

Bursitis - Inflammation of a bursa, the tiny fluid-filled sac that functions as a gliding surface to reduce friction between tissues of the body. It is most often caused by overuse or trauma that produce swelling, redness, and heat in the associated region.

Chondromalacia - A condition where the underside of the patella becomes inflamed and the patellar articular cartilage becomes softened. Because it entails cartilage damage, it is different from patellofemoral pain syndrome. Also called "runner's knee."

Chondrosarcoma - A malignant tumor that forms in cartilage cells (chondroblasts) and that produces cartilage matrix. It most often affects middle-aged adults.

Complete fracture - A type of bone fracture that completely breaks the bone.

Compound fracture - A type of bone fracture, often called an open fracture, where the break is obvious as the skin has been ruptured exposing the bone and additional soft tissue injury.

Compression fracture - A type of bone fracture caused by the compression of one bone, especially a vertebra, against another.

Dislocation - A traumatic injury to a joint in which the articulating bones are forcefully separated.

Ewing sarcoma - A malignant tumor that arises in a primitive nerve cell within bone or soft tissue. It usually affects children and adolescents, and appears in the large bones of the arms and legs and the flat bones of the pelvis, spine, and ribs.

Fracture - A complete or incomplete break in a bone resulting from the application of excessive force. Common fracture types include simple, compound, incomplete, complete, stress, and avulsion.

Gout - A form of acute arthritis that commonly affects the big toe, but may also affect the heel, ankle, hand, wrist, or elbow. It is caused by deposits of sodium urate (uric acid) in and around the joints, especially in the feet.

Hyperkyphosis - An exaggerated outward curvature of the thoracic spine resulting in a rounded upper back.

Hyperlordosis - An exaggerated inward curvature of the lumbar spine resulting in a swayback.

Hyperparathyroidism -

A condition where too much parathyroid hormone results in abnormally high levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcaemia) causing bone resorption and osteoporosis, calcium deposits in the kidneys, muscular weakness, bone pain, and the potential for bone fracture, among others.

Incomplete fracture - A type of bone fracture that does not completely break the bone but only partially breaks the bone.

Osteoarthritis - Also called degenerative joint disease. A form of arthritis characterized by inflammation brought about by wear-and-tear cumulative damage to articular cartilage causing stiff, inflamed, and painful joints. It often affects weight-bearing joints.

Osteomyelitis - Inflammation of the bone and/or bone marrow due to infection (e.g., bacteria salmonella or staphylococcus), or as a complication of surgery or injury.

Osteonecrosis - A bone disorder, most often occurring at the head of the femur, where the blood supply to an area of bone is disrupted and the bone tissue dies. A physician's release is required before providing massage.

Osteoporosis - A bone disorder resulting in a loss of bone mass and density, and caused by endocrine imbalances and poor metabolism of calcium.

Osteosarcoma - A type of bone cancer, most often seen in adolescents and young adults, where a sarcoma (malignant tumor) derived from bone, or containing bone, is formed.

Paget's disease - A chronic bone disease where healthy bone is rapidly reabsorbed and replaced with fibrous connective tissue that never fully calcifies.

Perthes disease - A hip disorder in children (most often boys) caused by the interruption of the blood supply to the head of the femur, causing it to deteriorate.

Postural deviation - A condition where one of the natural curves of the spine is overdeveloped causing decreased strength, flexibility, and resiliency. Postural deviations include hyperkyphosis (humpback), hyperlordosis (swayback), and scoliosis (S-curve).

Rheumatoid arthritis - An autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks synovial membranes, causing joints to be inflamed, swollen, hot, and painful. The hands and feet are commonly affected but other joints might also be affected. It may also affect muscles, tendons, blood vessels, and serous membranes.

Scoliosis - A lateral S-curve shape to the spine.

Simple fracture - A type of bone fracture, also called a closed fracture, where the break is not obvious as the skin has not been ruptured and remains intact.

Sprain - An abnormal stretching or tearing of a ligament that supports a joint, involving between a few ligament fibers to a complete rupture. Common sprains occur with the anterior talofibular ligament in the ankle, and with the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments inside the knee joint capsule.

Stress fracture - A type of bone fracture, also called a hairline fracture, which is caused by repeated stress over time. It is a common overuse injury in athletes.

Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) - Also called temporomandibular joint syndrome, this is a disorder of the jaw caused by a poorly aligned bite (malocclusion), teeth grinding (bruxism), or ligament laxity, allowing excessive movement between the bones that leads to internal cartilage damage. Symptoms include pain with chewing, clicking and popping of the joint, swelling, nerve inflammation, headaches, and sometimes dislocation of the joint.

Vertebral subluxation - When a vertebral bone is partially dislocated or out of alignment in relation to the vertebral bone above it or below it.

Practice Quiz

1. When a client says he "threw his back out," he is referring to a misalignment in the vertebrae known as:

A:Subluxation

B:Greenstick fracture

C:Bursitis

D:Hairline fracture

2. What agent causes osteomyelitis?

A:Candida albicans

B:Deer ticks

C:Staphylococcus

D:Parasites

3. A type of bone fracture that does not completely break the bone but only partially breaks the bone is:

A:Reduction fracture

B:Incomplete fracture

C:Compound fracture

D:Limited stress fracture

4. One self-care recommendation for someone with an acute sprain injury would be to:

A:Take a hot bath

B:Use an inversion table

C:Try to re-create the mechanism of injury

D:Elevate the injured body part

5. Perthes disease is described as:

a. A chronic condition where healthy bone is replaced with fibrous connective tissue that never calcifies

b. A condition where the blood supply to an area of bone is disrupted and the bone tissue dies

c. A hip disorder caused by the interruption of the blood supply to the head of the femur causing it to deteriorate

d. A bone disorder resulting in a loss of bone mass and density caused by endocrine imbalances and poor metabolism of calcium

6. A cause of osteoarthritis is:

A:Carbohydrate loading

B:Strength training

C:Bulimia

D:Repetitive, pounding stress

7. A palpable sign often associated with osteoarthritis is:

A:Redness

B:Loss of function

C:Heat

D:Pain

8. Paget's disease is a disorder in which the body loses bone marrow and replaces it with:

A:Pus-producing organisms

B:Bone or cartilage tissue

C:Fibrous or vascular tissue

D:Keloid scar tissue

9. What is a common area affected by rheumatoid arthritis?

A:Temporomandibular joint

B:Radioulnar joint

C:Sacroiliac joints

D:Feet

10. A common sign associated with rheumatoid arthritis is:

A:Loss of memory

B:Pain

C:Inflamed joints

D:Stiffness

11. An exaggerated inward curvature of the lumbar spine resulting in a swayback is referred to as:

A:Hyperlordosis

B:Osteomyelitis

C:Osteoarthritis

D:Hyperkyphosis

12. A possible therapeutic benefit of massage therapy for osteoarthritis would be:

A:Regenerates the cartilage

B:Pain reduction

C:Decreases the number of osteophytes

D:Increases muscle cells

13. The death of bone tissue resulting from lack of circulation to the area is called:

A:Rheumatoid arthritis

B:Osteomyelitis

C:Osteoarthritis

D:Osteonecrosis

14. The most common type of bone cancer is:

A:Chondrosarcoma

B:Myelosarcoma

C:Osteosarcoma

D:Ewing sarcoma

15. The pain that a person feels when afflicted by osteoarthritis is due to:

A:Loss of bone mass

B:Inflammation of the bursa

C:Fractures in the bones

D:Friction between the bones

16. One treatment goal for a subacute ankle sprain would be:

A:Maintain pain-free range of motion

B:Increase sympathetic nervous system activity

C:Increase range of motion even if it causes pain

D:Do resisted ankle exercises with heavy weights

17. A condition where the underside of the patella becomes inflamed and the patellar articular cartilage becomes softened is called:

A:Osteosarcoma

B:Chondrosarcoma

C:Chondromalacia

D:Osteoarthritis

18. A simple assessment that can differentiate bursitis from tendinitis is:

A:Resisted range of motion

B:Active-assisted range of motion

C:Active range of motion

D:Passive range of motion

19. What is one cause of osteoarthritis?

A:Ligament laxity

B:Hypotonicity

C:Ligament stability

D:Hypertrophy

20. What is one possible cause of osteoporosis?

A:Poor range of motion

B:Poor strength

C:Low vitamin D

D:Poor posture

21. Perthes disease is a deterioration of:

A:The medial epicondyle of the femur

B:The shaft of the femur

C:The lateral epicondyle of the femur

D:The greater trochanter of the femur

22. A commonly sprained ligament in the pelvis is the:

A:Interspinous ligaments

B:Sacroiliac ligaments

C:Posterior longitudinal ligament

D:Anterior longitudinal ligament

23. What type of joints are commonly affected by osteoarthritis?

A:Cartilaginous

B:Non-weight bearing

C:Weight bearing

D:Fibrous

24. A traumatic injury to a joint in which the articulating bones are forcefully separated is:

A:Compound fracture

B:Hyperlordosis

C:Subluxation

D:Dislocation

25. The following is an inflammatory arthritic condition caused by deposits of uric acid in and around the joints, especially in the feet:

A:Ankylosing spondylitis

B:Bunions

C:Gout

D:Plantar fasciitis

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

31.

Practice Quiz Answer Key

1. A

2. C

3. B

4. D

5. C

6. D

7. C

8. C

9. D

10. C

11. A

12. B

13. D

14. C

15. D

16. A

17. C

18. A

19. A

20. C

21. D

22. B

23. C

24. D

25. C

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

31.

The Muscular System

Terminology

Anterior compartment syndrome - A condition where excessive pressure builds up inside the anterior compartment composed of the tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, extensor digitorum longus, and peroneus tertius causing pain, paresthesia, and swelling to the tissue and possibly severe tissue damage, loss of body function, or death.

Compartment syndrome - A condition where excessive pressure builds up inside an enclosed space in the body, usually in the arms or legs. Groups of muscles are organized into areas called compartments. Strong webs of fascia form the walls of compartments. After an injury or treatment for injury, blood and fluid may accumulate in the compartment and the pressure inside the compartment increases, preventing adequate blood flow to the tissue inside the compartment. Factors include bone fracture and overly tight bandaging or casting, crush injuries, prolonged compression of a limb during a period of unconsciousness, a blood clot, or extremely vigorous exercise. Signs and symptoms include swelling that causes the skin to be hot, stretched, and glossy and pain, paresthesia, and tenderness in related muscles. Severe tissue damage and loss of body function or even death can result from untreated compartment syndrome.

Compression neuropathy - Any of a number of disorders that occur when sustained pressure is applied to a portion of the nerve, either from an external or internal source. Compression neuropathy is characterized by paresthesia, weakness, or paralysis. The carpal, peroneal, radial, and ulnar nerves are most commonly involved.

Cramp - An involuntary, short-lived, acute and painful contraction of skeletal muscle. The term is often used interchangeably with spasm.

Double crush syndrome - A peripheral nerve compression syndrome where a central compression impacts a nerve bundle (e.g., at the thoracic or pelvic outlet) and a second more peripheral compression (e.g., at the carpal or tarsal tunnel).

Entrapment neuropathy - Injury or inflammation of single nerves caused by pressure from surrounding tissue, such as ligaments and fascia. Symptoms include paresthesia, weakness, or paralysis.

Fasciitis - Inflammation of fascia, as in plantar fasciitis and iliotibial band syndrome.

Femoral hernia - A bulge located just below the inguinal ligament in the groin that occurs when a small part of the intestine pushes through the wall of the femoral canal (the area that houses the femoral artery, among other veins and nerves).

Fibromyalgia - A chronic disorder characterized by widespread deep muscle pain, stiffness, predictable tender-point patterns in soft tissue, sleep disturbances, and fatigue. It is also associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), depression, low serotonin levels, headaches, and emotional trauma.

Iliotibial band syndrome - A syndrome affecting the hip, thigh, and knee, which may result from inflammation due to mechanical friction as the iliotibial band glides over the greater trochanter, anterior superior iliac spine, Gerdy's tubercle, or the lateral femoral condyle. Common symptoms include lateral knee pain or tightness in the lateral hip.

Muscular atrophy - A decrease in the mass of a muscle or a complete wasting away of muscle that results from disuse while debilitated during hospitalization; in relationship to diseases such as cancer, AIDS, congestive heart failure, and others; or from damage to the nerve that stimulates the muscle.

Muscular dystrophy - A group of genetic diseases characterized by progressive degeneration of skeletal muscle and muscle wasting. The muscles of the heart, some involuntary muscles, and other organs are affected in some forms of muscular dystrophy.

Myofascial pain syndrome - A muscular pain disorder characterized by a chronic cycle of pain, spasm, and ischemia, with the presence of localized trigger points caused by trauma to the area.

Myoma - A tumor of muscle. The term can be used specifically to refer to a benign tumor of uterine muscle, also called a leiomyoma or a fibroid.

Myopathies - Diseases of the skeletal muscles (not caused by nerve disorders) where muscles become weak and wasted. Causes may be genetic (e.g., muscular dystrophy, myotonia congenita, etc.), inflammatory (e.g., polymyositis, myositis ossificans, etc.), endocrine-based (e.g., hyperthyroid myopathy, hypothyroid myopathy, etc.), a side effect of some medications, chemical poisoning, or a chronic disorder of the immune system.

Myositis ossificans - A rare disease in which muscle tissue is replaced by bone, usually at the site of a hematoma caused by blunt trauma or in tissue atrophied due to central nervous system injury.

Osgood-Schlatter disease - A condition involving pain and inflammation at the site of the quadriceps insertion on the tibial tuberosity. It may be caused by repetitive stress related to physical activity, or growth spurts (especially in adolescent boys).

Paresthesia - A sensation of tingling, tickling, pricking, or burning of a person's skin often called "pins and needles." It is a symptom of many conditions involving peripheral nerves.

Piriformis syndrome - A condition where a hypertonic piriformis muscle compresses the sciatic nerve, resulting in numbness, a burning sensation, a sharp and shooting pain, tingling, and loss of function that mimics true sciatica.

Plantar fasciitis - Inflammation of the plantar fascia caused by calcaneal spurs, physical overload and overuse, abnormal foot mechanics, or underlying diseases such as arthritis; characterized by pain and stiffness of the sole of the foot, especially the heel, and pain with the first few steps when waking or after prolonged sitting. Pain decreases with warm up but increases with prolonged activity.

Poliomyelitis - An acute infectious disease (also called infantile paralysis and polio) caused by the poliovirus and characterized by fever, motor paralysis, and atrophy of skeletal muscles often with permanent disability and deformity. It is marked by inflammation of nerve cells in the anterior gray matter of the spinal cord.

RICE - An acronym for first aid measures following a soft-tissue injury believed to reduce pain, and limit swelling and tissue damage. RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.

Referred pain - An unpleasant sensation at a site other than the actual location of trauma.

Rotator cuff injuries - Damage to the tendons or muscles that make up the rotator cuff (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis) including tears, strains, tendinitis, and bursitis.

Shin splints - A general term used by laypeople to describe symptoms felt in the leg, possibly related to mild compartment syndromes, periostitis, hairline tibial fractures, muscle tears, and medial tibial stress syndrome.

Spasm - An involuntary, low-grade, long-lasting contraction of skeletal muscle. The term is often used interchangeably with cramp.

Spasticity - A condition where increased muscle tone and increased tendon reflexes cause a sensation of tightness, rigidity, weakness, diminished coordination, abnormal movement patterns, and movements that require great effort.

Strain - A tear in the fibers of a muscle's belly, where the muscle and tendon interweave, in the fascia that wraps the muscle, or where the tendon attaches to bone. They most often occur when the muscle-tendon unit is suddenly overstretched or when the muscle is asked to perform an extreme contraction against a heavy load. Overuse, fatigue, muscular imbalances, muscle stiffness, or inadequate warm-up before physical activity contribute. Strains are categorized in grades based on their level of severity. The hamstring muscles, deltoids, rotator cuff, patellar tendon, Achilles tendon, and the spinalis group of the back are most prone to strains.

Tender points - Areas of soreness occurring in muscles, muscle-tendon junctions, and bursae. The widespread distribution of tender points is characteristic of fibromyalgia.

Tendon disorders - Conditions that result in a tendon not functioning normally (often called tendinopathy), including tendinitis (inflammation of a tendon), tendinosis (a noninflammatory condition involving a previously injured tendon that heals with weak collagenous fibers), and tenosynovitis (inflammation of a tendon sheath) due to injury or overuse. Common locations of tendon disorders include the supraspinatus, Achilles tendon, patellar tendon, bicipital tendon, tendons of the forearm flexors, and forearm extensors.

Tension headache - A type of headache that causes mild to moderate pain that is often described as a diffuse, tight band around the head. While the causes of tension headaches are not completely understood, massage that reduces stress and tension in the muscles of the head, neck, and face proves beneficial.

Thoracic outlet syndrome - A condition where nerves of the brachial plexus, the subclavian vein, and subclavian artery are compressed anywhere between the base of the neck and the axilla. Usually compression sites are found between the anterior and middle scalene muscles (anterior scalene syndrome), between the clavicle anteriorly and the first rib posteriorly (costoclavicular syndrome), and between the clavicle and insertion of the pectoralis minor muscle. Symptoms include paresthesia, weakness, and pain.

Torticollis - A dystonic condition of the neck characterized by an abnormal, asymmetrical head or neck position and related to excessive or inadequate muscle tone in the neck muscles that control the head's position. Often the head twists and turns to one side but it may also be pulled forward or backward. Also called spasmodic torticollis and wryneck.

Trigger points - Hyperirritable spots in muscle or fascia not caused by discernable trauma, inflammation, degeneration, or infection. They are associated with palpable nodules in tight bands of muscles. Palpation of the spot produces reports of pain that radiates into surrounding tissue in a predictable pattern.

Whiplash - A hyperextension and flexion injury to the neck, often the result of car accidents where one is struck from behind causing a sudden acceleration-deceleration force with a rapid forward and backward movement of the head and neck. The muscles and ligaments in and around the spine are stretched and torn leading to neck pain and stiffness, headaches, dizziness, and pain in the shoulders, arms, and hands.

Practice Quiz

1. A common cause of plantar fasciitis is:

A:Cycling

B:Non-weight-bearing exercise

C:Overuse

D:Squats

2. An asymmetrical head or neck position related to excessive or inadequate muscle tone in neck muscles is likely:

A:Frontalis fasciitis

B:Torticollis

C:Cervical synovitis

D:Whiplash

3. A common complaint reported by clients who suffer from fibromyalgia is:

A:Multiple tender points

B:Increased libido

C:High blood pressure

D:Increased strength

4. A common cause of plantar fasciitis is:

A:Overhead lifting

B:High jumping

C:Repetitive stress

D:Nerve compression

5. When weakening in the muscle is the result of degenerating neurons or prolonged debilitation, this is called:

A:Muscular atrophy

B:Fibromyalgia

C:Contracture

D:Myositis ossificans

6. A common symptom often associated with fibromyalgia is:

A:Cartilage tears

B:Hypermobility

C:Crepitus

D:Joint stiffness

7. An unusually painful muscle contraction is called a cramp or:

A:Sprain

B:Spasm

C:Splint

D:Strain

8. A cramp is:

A:Conscious, low-grade, and long lasting

B:Involuntary, low-grade, and long lasting

C:Conscious, short-lived, and acute

D:Involuntary, short-lived, and acute

9. This condition, also called “wryneck,” is a unilateral spasm of neck muscles, generally causing both rotation and flexion:

A:Thoracic outlet syndrome

B:Torticollis

C:TMJ Disorder

D:Sprain

10. A possible benefit of massage therapy for plantar fasciitis is:

A:Increased appreciation for pain

B:Pain reduction

C:Increased need for pain medication

D:Increased threshold for pain

11. One traumatic event that results in a strain injury is:

A:Emotional trauma

B:Passive range of motion

C:Excessive force from jumping activities

D:Compartment syndrome

12. A common location for a tendinopathy is the:

A:Temporalis tendon

B:Rhomboid major tendon

C:Popliteus tendon

D:Patellar tendon

13. A common condition associated with fibromyalgia is:

A:Increased energy levels

B:Hyperactivity

C:Visual disturbance

D:Sleep disturbance

14. Diseases of skeletal muscles that are not caused by nerve disorders where muscles become weak are referred to as:

A:Myomas

B:Spasticity

C:Myopathies

D:Ossificans

15. Inflammation of the tendon sheath is called:

A:Tendinitis

B:Synovitis

C:Tenosynovitis

D:Myelitis

16. A common form of fasciitis is:

A:Degenerative joint disease

B:Plantar fasciitis

C:Inflammatory synovial disease

D:Facet syndrome

17. A common form of tendinopathy is:

A:Sciatica

B:Meniscus tear

C:Pectoralis minor syndrome

D:Tendinosis

18. Hyperirritable spots in taught bands of muscle that radiate pain to surrounding tissue when they are palpated are called:

A:Trigger points

B:Poliomyelitis

C:Synovitis

D:Tender points

19. A common condition associated with fibromyalgia is:

A:Restless leg syndrome

B:Hammertoes

C:Decreased night vision

D:Headaches

20. A hyperextension and flexion injury to the neck, often the result of rear-end car accidents is:

A:Whiplash

B:Torticollis

C:Cervical synovitis

D:Myositis ossificans

21. The severity of a strain injury is based upon:

A:Amount of swelling

B:Amount of bruising

C:Different grades

D:Amount of redness

22. Poliomyelitis can result in permanent:

A:Trigger points

B:Spasticity

C:Muscle atrophy

D:Tendonitis

23. Tendinosis implies:

A:Degeneration of the tendon

B:Degeneration of the joint

C:Degeneration of the cartilage

D:Degeneration of the muscle

24. A contributing factor to the occurrence of tendinopathy is:

A:Muscle symmetry

B:Muscle imbalances

C:Right-handedness

D:Left-handedness

25. This is a general term used by laypeople to describe symptoms felt on the anterior surface of the leg.

A:Shin splints

B:Heel spurs

C:Wry leg

D:Sprain

26. Inflammation of the tissue on the sole of the foot is called:

A:Dorsal fasciitis

B:Plantar fasciitis

C:Plantar myositis

D:Tendinitis

27. A common factor that may contribute to plantar fasciitis is:

A:Walking barefoot

B:New shoes

C:Toe raisers

D:Excessive pronation

28. A common factor that may contribute to iliotibial band syndrome is:

A:Wide hips

B:Friction

C:Excessive lateral rotation of the hip

D:Excessive medial rotation of the hip

29.

30.

31.

Practice Quiz Answer Key

1. C

2. B

3. A

4. C

5. A

6. D

7. B

8. D

9. B

10. B

11. C

12. D

13. D

14. C

15. C

16. B

17. D

18. A

19. D

20. A

21. C

22. C

23. A

24. B

25. A

26. B

27. D

28. B

29.

30.

31.

The Nervous System

Terminology

Alzheimer's disease - A progressive, degenerative disorder of the brain involving the death of neural tissue that leads to loss of memory, deterioration of thinking and language skills, and pronounced behavioral changes.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease) - A neurodegenerative disease of the motor neurons of the brain to the spinal cord (upper motor neurons) and the spinal cord to the peripheral nerves (lower motor neurons) that control muscle movement. The disease progresses rapidly, leading to loss of the ability to move muscles in the body. It is usually fatal within 3–5 years.

Anxiety disorders - A broad term for a group of mental health conditions characterized by exaggerated, irrational fears and attempts to control them. Related conditions include general anxiety disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and phobias.

Arteriovenous malformation - A congenital disorder where blood vessels form abnormal connections between arteries and veins, bypassing the capillary system: usually occurs in the central nervous system.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) - A chronic condition caused by a neurobiochemical imbalance in the brain, and characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention, diminished impulse control, and increased physical restlessness. It occurs in both children and adults.

Bell's palsy - A flaccid paralysis of one side of the face due to injury or inflammation to the facial nerve; characterized by drooping muscles on the affected side, difficulty closing the eye on the affected side, difficulty eating and drinking, headache pain, and drooling.

Brain tumor - An abnormal growth of tissue in the brain. A benign brain tumor is composed of noncancerous cells and does not metastasize beyond the part of the brain where it originates. A malignant brain tumor often contains cancer cells. However, a brain tumor composed of harmless cells but located in an area where it affects one or more vital functions is also considered malignant.

Carpal tunnel syndrome - A condition where the median nerve is compressed or irritated as it passes under the transverse carpal ligament in the wrist. Symptoms include numbness, pain, and tingling in the hand, particularly the thumb, index, and middle fingers.

Cerebral palsy - A general term for a group of nonprogressive disorders caused by events before, during, or after birth such as maternal illness, abdominal trauma, birth trauma, shaken baby syndrome, meningitis, or others. Cerebral palsy affects movement and posture because of abnormal development or damage to the motor control centers of the brain. Cognitive and sensory impairment also occurs in some instances.

Compression neuropathy - Also called nerve compression syndrome and entrapment neuropathy, this is any number of disorders that occur when sustained pressure is applied to a portion of the nerve, either from an external or internal source. Compression neuropathy is characterized by paresthesia, weakness, or paralysis. The carpal, peroneal, radial, and ulnar nerves are most commonly involved.

Dementia - A group of symptoms caused by the gradual death of brain cells and resulting in the loss of mental ability severe enough to interfere with normal activities of daily living. Dementia leads to memory impairment, loss of reasoning and planning ability, and marked changes in behavior. The most common cause is Alzheimer's disease, but head trauma and a variety of other conditions are also causes.

Depression - A general term for a group of mental health conditions characterized by changes in mood, and persistent feelings of sadness, despair, and discouragement. Causes include neurotransmitter imbalances, hormonal imbalances, atrophy in the hippocampus, and stress, along with genetic factors, environmental triggers, personality traits, chronic illness, and others.

Double crush syndrome - A peripheral nerve compression syndrome in which there is a central compression that impacts a nerve bundle (e.g., at the thoracic or pelvic outlet), and a second more peripheral compression (e.g., at the carpal or tarsal tunnel).

Eating disorders - A group of mental health conditions related to compulsions around food and weight gain or weight loss including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and compulsive overeating.

Encephalitis - Inflammation of the brain brought about by a viral infection and by allergic reaction in rare instances.

Entrapment neuropathy - Injury or inflammation of single nerves caused by pressure from surrounding tissue, such as ligaments and fascia. Symptoms include paresthesia, weakness, or paralysis.

Epidural hematoma - A hematoma (a collection of blood outside of a blood vessel) between the skull and the brain's tissue-like covering (known as the dura) usually due to a blow to the head or skull fracture.

Epilepsy - A type of seizure disorder where nerve cells in the brain fire electrical impulses at a rate of up to four times higher than normal, causing an "electrical storm" in the brain in a pattern of repeated seizures.

Headache - A general term for a number of conditions characterized by sensations of pain above the eyes or ears, behind the head, or in the back of the upper neck. Primary headaches are not associated with other diseases and include migraine, tension, and cluster headaches. Secondary headaches are symptoms of other diseases.

Herpes zoster (shingles) - A viral infection that affects the dendrites at the ends of sensory neurons, causing a rash and painful blisters usually on the trunk or buttocks.

Hydrocephalus - The abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain arising before or after birth. Causes include birth defects, hemorrhage into the brain, infection, meningitis, tumor, or head injury.

Meningitis - Inflammation of the meninges (the three membranes that envelop the brain and spinal cord) caused by a bacterial or viral infection and leading to serious signs and symptoms including high fever, a red or purple rash, extreme headache, aversion to bright light, and a ridged neck.

Migraine headache - A type of vascular headache related to irregularities in brain chemicals and in blood flow in the brain causing significant pain that lasts for hours or days. Symptoms include pain on one or both sides of the head, nausea, vomiting, and symptoms that increase with exposure to noise, light, or physical activity.

Multiple sclerosis - A disease characterized by loss of myelin (demyelination) around motor and sensory neurons in the central nervous system leading to fatigue, eye pain, tremors, loss of vision, spasticity, and loss of motor control.

Nerve compression - Any disorder or event that causes prolonged pressure on one or more nerves resulting in pain, muscle weakness, muscle atrophy, tingling, numbness, and paresthesia. Nerve entrapment, compression neuropathy, sciatica, piriformis syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, and thoracic outlet syndrome are examples of situations in which nerves are compressed.

Parkinson's disease - A progressive neurological disease caused by degeneration of an area of the brain called the basal ganglia and the low production of the neurotransmitter dopamine. It is characterized by an inexpressive face, tremors, slow movements, a gait with short accelerating steps, postural changes, difficulty with balance, decreased coordination, and muscle weakness.

Peripheral neuropathy - Damage to the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. These nerves include the cranial nerves, the spinal nerves and roots, and the autonomic nerves. Peripheral neuropathy causes impaired sensation, movement, and gland and organ function. It is often a symptom of underlying conditions such as diabetes, traumatic injury, or a side effect from a medication.

Piriformis syndrome - A condition where a hypertonic piriformis muscle compresses the sciatic nerve, resulting in numbness, a burning sensation, a sharp and shooting pain, tingling, and loss of function that mimics true sciatica.

Quadriplegia - Paralysis of both arms and both legs from a high spinal cord accident or stroke.

Sciatica - A condition where injury or pressure on the sciatic nerve, often caused by lumbar disc herniation, causes sharp or burning pain that radiates from the lower back or hip, possibly following the path of the sciatic nerve to the foot.

Seizure disorder - Any illness or condition that causes seizures. Causes include head injury, brain tumor, lead poisoning, maldevelopment of the brain, and genetic and infectious diseases.

Spina bifida - A birth defect that involves an opening in the vertebral column caused by the failure of the neural tube (the structure in the developing embryo that gives rise to the brain and spinal cord) to close properly during embryonic development.

Spinal cord injury - An injury resulting in damage to some or all of the fibers of the spinal cord causing loss of sensation and motor control. Anterior cord injuries affect motor function. Posterior cord injuries affect the senses of touch, proprioception, and vibration. Injuries to the lateral parts of the cord interrupt sensations of pain and temperature.

Spondylosis - A degenerative disease of the spinal column related to abnormal bone development around the vertebrae and reduced mobility of the intervertebral joints.

Stress - The result of any event that triggers the fight-or-flight response of the sympathetic nervous system, sending the body into alarm mode where the pupils dilate, heart rate increases, blood vessels in the skin and viscera constrict, breathing speeds up, and blood sugar levels increase. A wide range of events or situations might cause stress including worry about work or personal issues, grief over the death of a loved one or breakup, prolonged pain from injury or illness, and many others. The regular activation of stress can lead to elevated levels of stress-related chemicals like epinephrine, cortisol, and substance P in the blood stream and contribute to conditions like high blood pressure, sleep disturbances, heart diseases, ulcers, impaired immunity, and depression.

Stroke (cerebrovascular accident or CVA) - A condition that results in a loss of brain function due to a disturbance in the blood supply to the brain most often caused by a blockage (e.g., a blood clot) or because of internal hemorrhage. As a result of stroke, the affected area of the brain cannot function normally, which may result in an inability to move one or more limbs on one side of the body, failure to understand or formulate speech, or a visual impairment.

Thoracic outlet syndrome - A condition where nerves of the brachial plexus, the subclavian vein, and subclavian artery are compressed individually or in combination anywhere between the base of the neck and the axilla. Usually compression sites are found between the anterior and middle scalene muscles (anterior scalene syndrome), between the clavicle anteriorly and the first rib posteriorly (costoclavicular syndrome), and between the clavicle and insertion of the pectoralis minor muscle. Symptoms include paresthesia, weakness, and pain.

Traumatic brain injury - Damage to the brain caused by trauma such as a direct blow to the skull, motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, falls, or other physical violence. Symptoms include cognitive impairment, motor control disruption, behavioral changes, altered states of consciousness, learning impairment, and others based on the seriousness of the injury.

Trigeminal neuralgia - Inflammation of the trigeminal nerve causing intense facial pain that may be limited to isolated episodes months or years apart, or may occur sporadically every few hours or minutes. Most often, the cause of trigeminal neuralgia is idiopathic, but systemic diseases including multiple sclerosis, Lyme disease, or compression by nearby blood vessels or tumors can trigger it.

Vertigo - The feeling of movement either within the body, or in the external environment, that results in dizziness, nausea, loss of balance, and other symptoms related to inner-ear disorders.

Practice Quiz

1. One physiological change that occurs under stress is:

A:Heart rate decreases

B:Blood sugar levels decrease

C:Muscles relax

D:Pupils dilate

2. One symptom often associated with a migraine headache is:

A:Increased libido

B:Decreased respiratory rate

C:Decreased heart rate

D:Sensitivity to light and sound

3. Sharp, burning pain that radiates from the lower back or hip and possibly running down the posterior aspect of the leg to the foot is called:

A:Palsy

B:Shingles

C:Dementia

D:Sciatica

4. Epilepsy is caused by these types of disturbances in the brain:

A:Rhythmic

B:Electrical

C:Venous

D:Arterial

5. The feeling of movement either within the body or in the external environment that results in dizziness, nausea, loss of balance, and other symptoms is called:

A:Trigeminal neuralgia

B:Cochlear imbalance

C:Vertigo

D:Vagus degeneration

6. One common cause of depression is:

A:Neurotransmitter imbalances

B:Inflammation in the brain due to a viral infection

C:Brachial plexus contracture

D:The abnormal development of the spinal cord

7. The cranial nerve dysfunction that causes painful spasms in muscles of the lips, gums, cheeks, and chin is known as:

A:Plantar fasciitis

B:Facial neuralgia

C:Trigeminal neuralgia

D:Meniere's disease

8. Compression of the brachial plexus is often referred to as:

A:Thoracic outlet syndrome

B:Sciatica

C:Piriformis syndrome

D:Carpal tunnel syndrome

9. Damage to the lower motor neuron of the facial nerve produces which effect?

A:Muscles on the opposite side become weak and atrophic

B:Muscles on the opposite side become spastic and rigid

C:Muscles on that side become weak and atrophic

D:Muscles on that side become spastic and rigid

10. What factor determines whether a spinal injury will be permanent or temporary?

A:Injury in the lumbar region of the spinal cord

B:Incomplete or complete transection of the spinal cord

C:Injury in the cervical region of the spinal cord

D:Laceration, compression, or bruising of the spinal cord

11. Inflammation of the brain is called:

A:Meningitis

B:Myelitis

C:Encephalitis

D:Cranioitis

12. One contributing factor to a migraine headache is:

A:Auras

B:Gluten sensitivity

C:Sensitivity to color

D:Sensitivity to alcohol

13. One possible cause of migraine headaches is:

A:Changes in brain chemicals

B:Sinus inflammation

C:Hypertonic neck muscles

D:Sinus pressure

14. Strokes are also called:

A:Cerebrovascular accidents

B:Enceptovascular accidents

C:Enceptospinal accidents

D:Cerebrospinal accidents

15. The limbic systems deals with:

A:Emotions and memory

B:Speech and language

C:Breath and perspiration

D:Elimination of salts

16. The progressive neurological disease that begins with tremors and movement difficulties and ends in dementia is called:

A:Schizophrenia

B:Seizures

C:Parkinson’s disease

D:Alzheimer’s disease

17. he most common cause of dementia is related to this degenerative disorder of the brain involving the death of neural tissue:

A:Alzheimer's disease

B:Cerebral palsy

C:Arteriovenous malformation

D:Bell's palsy

18. This type of headache is typically associated with nausea and vomiting:

A:Sinus headache

B:Tension headache

C:Cluster headache

D:Migraine headache

19. When the dendrites at the ends of sensory neurons are infected with herpes zoster, this is called:

A:Shingles

B:Bell's palsy

C:Parkinson's disease

D:Multiple sclerosis

20. A nerve compression syndrome that mimics sciatica:

A:Gluteal syndrome

B:Piriformis syndrome

C:Popliteal syndrome

D:Femoral syndrome

21. Inflammation of the membranes covering the brain or spinal cord is called:

A:Myelitis

B:Neuritis

C:Meningitis

D:Encephalitis

22. Which nerve is compressed in carpal tunnel syndrome?

A:Radial nerve

B:Trochlear nerve

C:Median nerve

D:Axillary nerve

23. A group of symptoms caused by the gradual death of brain cells best describes:

A:Cerebral palsy

B:Encephalitis

C:Dementia

D:Brachial plexus contracture

24. A common illness often associated with stress is:

A:Abdominal cramps

B:Food poisoning

C:Depression

D:Dehydration

25. Nerve compression syndrome is also known as:

A:Degenerative nerve disease

B:Inflammatory nerve disease

C:Entrapment neuropathy

D:Referred pain syndrome

26. Herpes zoster causes:

A:A headache and eye pain

B:Inflammation of the brain

C:Inflammation of the dura

D:A rash and painful blisters

27. Which nerve plexus is compressed by the scalene muscles?

A:Cervical plexus

B:Sacral plexus

C:Lumbar plexus

D:Brachial plexus

28. A common symptom associated with nerve compression is:

A:Skin lesions

B:Numbness

C:High blood pressure

D:Insomnia

29. Encephalitis is best described as:

A:Inflammation of the spinal cord due to bacterial infection

B:Abnormal development or damage to the motor control centers of the brain

C:Abnormal development of blood vessels in the brain

D:Inflammation of the brain due to viral infection

30.

31.

Practice Quiz Answer Key

1. D

2. D

3. D

4. B

5. C

6. A

7. C

8. A

9. C

10. B

11. C

12. D

13. A

14. A

15. A

16. C

17. A

18. D

19. A

20. B

21. C

22. C

23. C

24. C

25. C

26. D

27. D

28. B

29. D

30.

31.