PSYC 211 Chapter Notes - Chapter 15: Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy, Locus Coeruleus, Caudate Nucleus
3 Apr 2016
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Document Summary
A tumor is a uncontrollable growth of cells that serves no useful function. A benign tumor has a distinct border between the tumor cells and the surrounding tissue (i. e. it is encapsulated). If the tumors infiltrates the surrounding tissue, it is malignant (i. e. cancerous). Malignant tumors give rise to a process of metastasis in which tumor cells travel through vascular system and grow elsewhere in the body. If there is a disbnct border between the mass of tumor cells and the surrounding bssue the tumor is benign. Any tumor in the brain, benign or malignant, is harmful. Tumors are damaging to the brain because: the tumor occupies space and compresses the brain tissue. the tumor invades the surrounding tissue as it grows and destroys cells in its path. Compression can directly destroy brain bssue or indirectly by blocking the ow of cerebrospinal uid and causing hydrocephalus.
