Glossary

Cortex- the outer layer of the cerebrum

(the cerebral cortex), composed of folded
gray matter and playing an important
role in consciousness.
Sentence: The cortex is an important part of the
brain because it allows everything to function
properly.
Neurotransmitter- a chemical substance that is
released at the end of a nerve fiber by the arrival
of a nerve impulse and, by diffusing across the
synapse or junction, causes the transfer of the
impulse to another nerve fiber, a muscle fiber, or
some other structure.
Sentence: The neurotransmitter impulses the
muscle fiber.
Encephalopathy-a disease in which the
functioning of the brain is affected by some
agent or condition (such as viral infection or
toxins in the blood).
Sentence: My grandmother suffers from
encephalopathy.
Hepatic-of or relating to the liver
Sentence: Mauri has a hepatic disease.
Stroke-a sudden disabling attack or
loss of consciousness caused by an
interruption in the flow of blood to
the brain, esp. through thrombosis.
Sentence: My mother had a stroke this morning;
I got too scared.
Jaundice-a medical condition with yellowing
of the skin or whites of the eyes, arising from
excess of the pigment bilirubin and typically
caused by obstruction of the bile duct, by
liver disease, or by excessive breakdown of
red blood cells.
Sentence: Lenia suffers from jaundice.

Blood Vessel-the blood vessels are the part of the

circulatory system that transports blood
throughout the human body.
Sentence: In health class we learned about blood
vessels and the similarity to buses today because
both of them transport.
Swelling-an abnormal enlargement of a part of the
body, typically as a result of an accumulation of
fluid.
Sentence: My knee was swollen after falling while
playing soccer.
HIV-human immunodeficiency virus, a retrovirus
that causes AIDS.
Sentence: Mati had HIV virus.
Atrophy-(of body tissue or an organ) waste away,
typically due to the degeneration of cells, or
become vestigial during evolution.
Sentence: My bones suffer a severally atrophy.

Thiamine-a vitamin of the B complex, found in

unrefined grains, beans, and liver, a deficiency of
which causes beriberi. It is a sulfur-containing
derivative of thiazole and pyrimidine. Also called
vitamin B1.
Sentence: Thiamine is an important vitamin your
body needs.
Deficiency-lack of shortage; a failing.
Sentence: My heart is a deficiency.
Clot-a thick mass of coagulated liquid, esp. blood,
or of material stuck together
There is a clot of blood in my body which brings
me complications.
Fibrillate-make a quivering movement due to
uncoordinated contraction of the individual fibrils.
My muscles started to fibrillate and I got scared.

Binge-a short period devoted to indulging in an

activity to excess
Sentence: Matias has a binge eating problem.

Steatosis-infiltration of liver cells with fat,

associated with disturbance of the
metabolism by, for example, alcoholism,
malnutrition, pregnancy, or drug therapy.
Sentence: Alcoholism can lead to steatosis.
Cirrhosis-a chronic disease of the liver
marked by degeneration of cells,
inflammation, and fibrous thickening of
tissue. It is typically a result of alcoholism or
hepatitis.
Sentence: All of my siblings suffer from
cirrhosis.
Fibrosis-the thickening and scarring of
connective tissue, usually as a result of
injury.
Sentence: As a result of my fall on the bike, I
now have fibrosis.
Sober-not affected by alcohol; not drunk
Sentence: Richie tries to stay sober five times
a week.
Transplant-move or transfer (something) to
another place or situation, typically with some
effort or upheaval.
Sentence: My uncle needs a liver transplant.
Addictive- causing or likely to cause someone
to become addicted to it
Sentence: This substance is addictive, please
be careful when you consume it.
Dopamine-a compound present in the body
as a neurotransmitter and a precursor of
other substances including epinephrine.
Sentence: Alcohol releases extra dopamine.
Trauma-emotional shock following a stressful
event or a physical injury, which may be
associated with physical shock and
sometimes leads to long-term neurosis.
Sentence: After that movie I think I will have
a trauma.

Symptoms-a physical or mental feature that is

regarded as indicating a condition of disease,
particularly such a feature that is apparent to the
patient.
Sentence: Jose has all the symptoms of an
alcoholic.
Beverage:a drink, esp. one other than water.
Sentence: May you pass me that beverage?
Enzymes-a substance produced by a living
organism that acts as a catalyst to bring about a
specific biochemical reaction.
Sentence: The body produces enough enzymes to
effectively continue working.
Esophagus-the part of the alimentary canal that
connects the throat to the stomach; the gullet. In
humans and other vertebrates it is a muscular tube
lined with mucous membrane.
Sentence: He has an inflammation in his
esophagus.

Tuberculosis-an infectious bacterial disease

characterized by the growth of nodules (tubercles)
in the tissues, esp. the lungs.
Sentence: Isabella suffers from tuberculosis.
Numbness-the state of being numb
Sentence: My knee is numb today.
Paralysis-the loss of the ability to move (and
sometimes to feel anything) in part or most of the
body, typically as a result of illness, poison, or
injury.
Sentence: I was so chocked that I got a paralysis on my
foot.

Endorphin-any of a group of hormones

secreted within the brain and nervous system
and having a number of physiological
functions. They are peptides that activate
the body's opiate receptors, causing an
analgesic effect.
Sentence: I have a lack of endorphin.

Limbic System-The limbic system (or

paleomammalian brain) is a complex set of
brain structures located on both sides of the
thalamus, right under the cerebrum. It is not
a separate system but a collection of
structures from the telencephalon,
diencephalon, and mesencephalon. It
includes the olfactory bulbs, hippocampus,
amygdala, anterior thalamic nuclei, fornix,
columns of fornix, mammillary body,
septum pellucidum, habenular commissure,
cingulate gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus,
limbic cortex, and limbic midbrain areas.
Sentence: When Vero fell of the bike she injured
her limbic system.
Serotonin-a compound present in blood
platelets and serum that constricts the blood
vessels and acts as a neurotransmitter.
Sentence: I have lack of serotonin.