Nerves · Nervous System · Hard

Peripheral

Meaning: Relating to nerves outside the brain and spinal cord supplying the limbs and organs.

In practice: Peripheral neuropathy from diabetes causes numbness and tingling in the feet.

Word parts

Many medical words are built from Greek and Latin parts like these, so learning a few helps you work out new terms.

Two questions on related nerves words.

Which word means: The 10th cranial nerve controlling heart rate, digestion and speech.

Which word means: The central organ of the nervous system, enclosed within the skull, responsible for thought, sensation, and control.

One medical word a day, then a quick three-question quiz. Free on iPhone, or play in your browser on Android and computer.