Nerve block anesthesia:

This means to anesthetize a region which may be small or large by injecting the drug around and
not into the appropriate drugs.

nerve impulse:

Also referred to as a nerve signal, the way that a neuron communicates with other cells by
transmitting an electrochemical signal down the length of the axon.

nervous system:

The system in the body that processes and transmits signals from the brain to the rest of the
body to facilitate movement and behavior. It consists of two parts, the central nervous system,
or the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system, the nerves that branch off from
the spinal cord extending throughout the rest of the body.

neuron:

A nerve cell. The basic unit of the central nervous system, the neuron is responsible for the
transmission of nerve impulses. Unlike any other cell in the body, a neuron consists of a
central cell body as well as several threadlike “arms” called axons and dendrites, which
transmit nerve impulses. Scientists estimate that there are approximately 86 billion neurons in
the human brain.

Neuroleptics:

These are drugs with therapeutic effect or schizophrenia and some other psychoses and they
cause emotional quietening, indifference and psychomotor slowing. They also cause movement
disorders. Eg: Droperidol.

neuromuscular junction (NMJ):

Space (synapse) between a motor nerve ending and a skeletal muscle membrane that contains
acetylcholine (ACH) receptors

Neurotransmitters:

These are chemical agents by means of which nerve transmit their impulses across most
synapses and neuroeffector junctions..

neutropenia

An abnormally low number of neutrophils (white blood cells).

Nicotinic effects:

The effects of acetylcholine that are mimicked by nicotine and that are not readily anatagonized
by atropine but are selectively blocked by other agents (Eg: Tubocurarine) are described as
nicotinic effects. It can also be defined as the actions of acetylcholine and substances acting like
it at the autonomic ganglia and at the neuromuscular junction as they are like the stimulant
effects of nicotine.

nicotinic-muscle (Nm) receptor

Cholinergic receptor located at the neuromuscular junction of skeletal muscle.

nicotinic-neural (Nn) receptor

Cholinergic receptor at the autonomic ganglia; cholinergic receptor located on both sympathetic
and parasympathetic ganglia.

nociceptor

Specialized peripheral nerve cells sensitive to tissue injury that transmit pain signals to the brain
for interpretation of pain.

NREM sleep Stages of sleep characterized by nonrapid eye movement (NREM).

nucleotide: Sometimes referred to as a nucleic acid, these are the biological building blocks
of DNA.

nucleotide sequence: A specific and ordered array of nucleotides that make up a

specific genetic variant or allele.

occipital lobe:

A part of the brain’s cerebrum, located at the rear of the brain, above the cerebellum. The
occipital lobe is primarily concerned with vision and encompasses the visual cortex.

olfactory:

Pertaining to the sense of smell. When stimulated by an odor, olfactory receptor cells in the
nose send nerve impulses to the brain’s olfactory bulbs, which then transmit the impulses to
olfactory centers in the brain for interpretation.

Opioid:

This term is used for agents having similar actions like opiates.

optic nerve:

One of the twelve pairs of cranial nerves in the human body, the optic nerve transmits
information from the retina, at the back of the eye, to the brain.

oral administration

Route of drug administration by way of the mouth through swallowing.

osmoreceptors

Specialized cells in the hypothalamus that respond to changes in sodium concentration

(osmolarity) in the blood.

oxytocin

Polypeptide substance released within the brain that has specific functions during and after
pregnancy, specifically relating to the uterus and the mammary glands.

pain receptors:

Specialized nerve fibers in the skin and on the surfaces of internal organs, which detect painful
stimuli and send signals to the brain.

Parasympathetic drugs:

Drugs that mimic the actions acetylcholine or muscarine ar known as parasympathetic durgs.

Parasympatholytic drugs:

Drugs that block the action of acetylcholine or muscarine are known as parasympatholytic
drugs. Eg: Atropine

parietal lobe:

The area of the brain’s cerebrum located just behind the central sulcus. It is concerned primarily
with the reception and processing of sensory information from the body

Parkinson’s disease:

A neurodegenerative disorder characterized by tremor, slowed movement, and speech changes

due to the death of dopamine neurons located in the substantia nigra.

Partial agonist:

Partial agonist is a drug that has both agonist and antagonist action. This drug in addition to
blocking action of natural agonist to the receptor is capable of a low degree.

partial seizure Seizure originating in one area of the brain that may spread to other
areas.

perception:

The way the brain organizes, processes, and interprets sensory information to give rise to our
ability to make sense of and navigate the world around us.

peripheral nervous system:

The nervous system outside the brain and spinal cord.

pharmacotherapy:

The use of pharmaceutical drugs for therapeutic purposes.

pituitary gland:

An endocrine organ at the base of the brain that is closely linked with the hypothalamus. 

postsynaptic cell:

The neuron on the receiving end of a nerve impulse transmitted from another neuron.

presynaptic cell:

In synaptic transmission, the neuron that sends a nerve impulse across the synaptic cleft to
another neuron.

prodrug

An inactive precursor of a drug, converted into its active form in the body by normal metabolic
processes.

Prostaglandins:

Prostaglandins are a diverse family of fatty acid derivatives synthesized by virtually all cells of
the mammalian organism.

Psychocysleptics:

These are substances that produce mental change, which resembles those of some psychotic
states. They are used by people seeking a new experience or escape. Eg: LSD.

Psychomimetics:

Drugs that produce acute hallucinations and psychotic reactions are psychomimetics. Eg: LSD.

psychosis:

A severe symptom of mental illness in which a person’s thoughts and perceptions are so

disordered that the individual loses touch with reality.

Psychostimulants:

Drugs that elevate mood and reduce fatigue when mood is not depressed are
psychostimulanats. 

Psychotropics:
Drugs used in treatment of mental disturbances and that produce acute reactions.

Pyrogens:

Pyrogens are substances that cause a rise in body temperature.