Brain and Nervous System Glossary

B

Bell's Palsy (belz POL-zee): Bell's palsy causes problems with the nerves in a person's face. People who have it might look as if half of their face is frozen or droopy because the nerves and muscles there aren't working. Bell's palsy can be caused by an injury (like getting hit really hard in the face); by the flu or other viruses; by diabetes; or by Lyme disease. It usually goes away quickly.

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C

Cerebellum (sair-uh-BEH-lum): Yo-yoing, walking, playing soccer — you couldn't do any of it without this small but powerful part of the brain. The cerebellum controls balance, coordination, and movement. It's way in the back of the brain, down low and near the spinal cord.

Cerebral Palsy (seh-REE-brel PAWL-zee): This condition can make it hard to walk, talk, or eat. Cerebral palsy (or CP for short) affects the brain and how it communicates with the muscles. Kids with CP have trouble controlling how their muscles move, and some may need to use a wheelchair or crutches.

Cerebral Cortex (seh-REE-brel KOR-teks): Also known as gray matter, this term describes the brain's outer layer. The cerebral cortex is involved in complex brain functions, such as language and information processing.

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E

Electroencephalogram (ih-lek-tro-en-SEF-uh-lo-gram) or EEG: Doctors use electroencephalograms to figure out what's going on in your brain. A special machine measures your brain waves to create an EEG. No matter what you're doing (even sleeping), your brain gives off electric waves. An electroencephalogram machine measures these electric waves and shows where and how big they are. Some kids have a lot of extra electricity flowing inside their brain, which can cause things called seizures. An EEG does not hurt and it can help doctors decide how to treat someone.

Epilepsy (EH-puh-lep-see): The name for this condition comes from a Greek word that means to hold or seize. People with epilepsy have seizures that can cause them to stare into space, shake uncontrollably, or fall down. Doctors don't know exactly why people get epilepsy, but medicines can help control the seizures.

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H

Headache (HED-ayke): Have you ever thought so hard that your brain started to hurt? A headache is not really a pain in your brain. Your brain tells you when other parts of your body hurt, but it can't actually feel pain. Most headaches happen in the nerves, blood vessels, and muscles that cover your head and neck. There are different kinds of headaches, but tension headaches, migraines, and headaches that are part of another illness (like the flu or strep throat) are the most common.

Hydrocephalus (hi-droh-SEF-eh-less): Having trouble saying that long word? Another way to describe this condition is to call it "water on the brain." Everyone's brain and spinal cord are cushioned by a liquid that's made inside the brain. This liquid usually flows from inside the brain to the outer part and then into the bloodstream. But sometimes an injury or other problem can block that flow. The fluid then builds up inside the head. A person with hydrocephalus may throw up, have headaches, or even changes in behavior.

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M

Meningitis (meh-nen-JYE-tis): The meninges (meh-NIN-jeez) cover and protect the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis happens when the meninges swell or get irritated. Meningitis usually is caused by germs, especially viruses but sometimes bacteria. Someone with meningitis might get very sick with a bad headache, stiff neck, and fever. Meningitis also can affect the person's ability to think and learn. But many people recover from the infection without lasting problems.

Multiple Sclerosis (MUL-tih-pul sklare-OH-sis): Nerves are great for sending messages between the brain and the body. But nerves don't work the right way in a person who has multiple sclerosis, or MS. That means the signals don't get where they need to go. People with MS may have trouble walking. They may have numbness or tingling in their hands or feet. They may have trouble seeing or remembering things. MS is mostly something that adults get. There is no cure for MS, but medicines can help control symptoms.

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Nerves (nurvz): When it comes to your body, your brain runs the show. It tells you what to do and makes sure all your systems are go so you can breathe, move around, and use your senses. But your brain needs to send messages or signals to the other parts of your body to make these things happen. That's where nerves come in. Your nerves are like a bunch of wires or cables that send signals to and from the brain. The brain uses nerves to communicate with everything from your heart to your toes.

Neurologist (nur-OL-uh-jist): A neurologist is a doctor who studies the nervous system. Neurologists help people who have epilepsy (seizures), severe headaches, trouble moving their arms or legs, and many other problems that can affect the nervous system.

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Q

Quadriplegia (kwod-ruh-PLEE-juh): Quadriplegia is when both of a person's arms and both legs stop working. It usually happens because of an injury or disease that affects the brain or spinal cord. The spinal cord is a long bundle of nerves that goes from the lower part of the brain down through the middle of the back. It carries messages from the brain to the rest of the body. If the spinal cord is hurt, the messages stop getting where they need to go.

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S

Seizure (SEE-zhur): You might hear a seizure called a convulsion, fit, or spell. Most people think of a seizure as shaking all over and losing control of your body, but there are different kinds of seizures. All types of seizures are caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The brain uses electrical signals, and if these go a little haywire, a person can have a seizure. Some people may have only one seizure in their whole life. Others might have seizures as part of a condition called epilepsy. People with epilepsy usually need medicine to control their seizures.

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