Page 3 - Medical Terminology

M12_FREM9988_04_SE_C12.qxp 2/18/09 11:46 PM Page 388

Nervous System at a Glance

Function

The nervous system coordinates and controls body function. It receives sensory input, makes decisions, and
then orders body responses.

Organs

brain
nerves
spinal cord

Combining Forms

cephal/o head

cerebell/o cerebellum
cerebr/o cerebrum
encephal/o brain

gli/o glue
medull/o medulla oblongata
mening/o meninges

meningi/o meninges
myel/o spinal cord

neur/o nerve
phas/o speech
poli/o gray matter

pont/o pons
radicul/o nerve root

thalam/o thalamus
thec/o sheath (meninges)
ventricul/o brain ventricle

Suffixes

-algesia pain, sensitivity
-esthesia feeling, sensation

-paresis weakness
-phasia speech
-plegia paralysis

-taxia muscle coordination

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