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accommodation
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the ability to adjust from near to far vision
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anosmia
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inability to identify odors
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aphasia
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difficulty with all forms of communication
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arachnoid
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middle layer of the meninges between dura and pia mater
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autonomic nervous system
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the division of the nervous system that regulates the involuntary body functions to maintain and restore homeostasis
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basal ganglia
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masses of nuclei located in the deep cerebral hemispheres
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bradykinesia
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slow voluntary movements and speech
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brain lateralization
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communication between the left and right hemispheres
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central nervous system (CNS)
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includes the brain and spinal cord
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cephalalgia
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headache
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cerebral cortex
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a wrinkled outer layer of gray matter
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chorea
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rapid, jerky, involuntary movements
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contralateral
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occurs on opposite side of body
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convergence
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the action of the eyes moving inward to focus with near vision
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corpus callosum
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major communication pathway between the two brain hemispheres
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delirium
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acute, reversible confusion that may be due to an infection, fever, or lack of oxygen
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dementia
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chronic, irreversible confusion
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demyelination
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the destruction of the protective myelin that surrounds nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord that results in impairment of nerve impulse transmissions
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dermatome
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an area of the skin supplied by a single spinal nerve that sends information to the brain for processing
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diencephalon
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the interbrain, which contains the hypothalamus and thalamus
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dura mater
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outermost layer of the meninges
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dysphagia
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difficulty swallowing
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dysphasia
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difficulty speaking
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dysphonia
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voice impairment
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epilepsy
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a chronic brain disorder characterized by recurrent (two or more) seizures that are not related to a reversible stressor and occur more than 24 hours apart
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hypertonia
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increased muscle tone
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hypokinesia
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diminished movement
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hypotonia
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decreased muscle tone
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innervated
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supplying or being supplied with nerves
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ipsilateral
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occurs on same side of body
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mydriasis
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pupil dilation
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myoclonus
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involuntary muscle jerks
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nuchal rigidity
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stiff, painful neck
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nystagmus
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an involuntary, rhythmic, back-and-forth movement of the eyes
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paraplegia
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lower body paralysis
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parasympathetic nervous system
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the part of the autonomic nervous system that opposes the sympathetic nervous system and regulates automatic bodily functions in times of rest and relaxation
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peripheral nervous system (PNS)
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includes the cranial nerves, spinal nerves, and autonomic nervous system
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peripheral neuropathy
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weakness, numbness, or pain from nerve damage to the peripheral nervous system
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photophobia
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sensitivity to light
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pia mater
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innermost layer of the meninges
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postictal state
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phase that often follows a seizure and can include deep sleep, confusion, headache, and muscle soreness
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primary headache
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occurs independently and is not caused by another medical condition
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proprioception
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the body’s ability to sense movement, action, and location of parts of the body
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reflex
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involuntary movement
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response
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actions or changes triggered by sensory stimuli or input
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secondary headache
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symptom of another health disorder that causes pain-sensitive nerve endings to be pressed on or pulled out of place
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sensation
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receiving information about the environment
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stereognosis
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the ability to perceive the physical form and identity of a familiar object, such as a key or paper clip, on the basis of tactile stimuli alone; often referred to as monofilament testing
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sympathetic nervous system
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the part of the autonomic nervous system that responds to perceived stressful or dangerous situations
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tetraplegia
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paralysis of all extremities
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transection
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severing
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transient ischemic attack (TIA)
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stroke symptom that lasts less than 1 hour without evidence of cerebral infarction
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trigeminal neuralgia
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severe facial pain