17. Examination of the nervous system 3

Question 1

Which tests are done to examine the postural reactions of proprioception?

Answer 1

• wheelbarrowing test
• hopping tests – on one leg – hemihopping
• knuckling-over test
• placing reactions – tactile – visual
• extensor postural thrust reaction

Question 2

Define ataxia:

Answer 2

Lack of coordination during muscle function (movement)

Question 3

How do we classify ataxia?

Answer 3

By signs or by anatomical origin

Question 4

How do we classify ataxia by signs?

Answer 4

Static: signs in standing position (as well)
Locomotive: signs during movement only
Intentional: tremor of the head when fine adjustment is demanded

Question 5

How do we classify ataxia by anatomical origin?

Answer 5

• Cortical
• Cerebellar
• Vestibular
• Spinal (proprioceptive)

Question 6

Ataxia, cortical origin:

Answer 6

circling, lateral head turn, behavior changes, altered mental state

Question 7

Ataxia, cerebellar origin:

Answer 7

wide based stance, dysmetria-hypermetria, (nystagmus)

Question 8

ataxia, vestibular origin:

Answer 8

ipsilateral head tilt, leans to the affected side, nystagmus

Question 9

Ataxia, spinal (proprioceptive) origin:

Answer 9

• paresis/paralysis (muscle weakness) frequent

* hindlimbs are always affected

Question 10

Definition of paresis, paralysis/plegia:

Answer 10

abnormal posture or movement due to reduced or increased muscular tone

Question 11

What extra neural forms exist of paresis, paralysis/plegia?

Answer 11

– Rhabdomyopathy
– Neuromuscular junction
– Vascular

Question 12

What are the diagnostic methods of paresis, paralysis/plegia?

Answer 12

– inspection, palpation, evaluation of muscle tone
– atony, hypotony (reduced muscular tone)
– hypertony (increased muscular tone)

Question 13

Classification of paralysis:

Answer 13

• by severity
• by affected limbs
• by muscle tone
• by origin, related to neuron nucleus

Question 14

Paralysis by severity:

Answer 14

– paresis = partial loss of strength

– paralysis/plegia = complete loss of strength

Question 15

Paralysis by affected limb:

Answer 15

– monoparalysis (-plegia, -paresis): one limb
– tetraparalysis (-plegia, -paresis): all limbs
– paraparalysis (-plegia, -paresis): rear/hind limbs
– hemiparalysis (-plegia, -paresis): ipsilateral limbs

Question 16

Paralysis by muscle tone:

Answer 16

– spastic, rigid

– atonic, flaccid

Question 17

Paralysis by origin, related to neuron nucleus:

Answer 17

-UMN (upper motor neuron): above the nucleus - LMN (lower motor neuron): in or below the nucleus

Question 18

What is hemiplegia?

Answer 18

Paralysis of one side

Question 19

What is paraplegia posterior?

Answer 19

Paralysis of hind legs

Question 20

What are non neurological paralysis?

Answer 20

• All skeletal muscles 
– Tetraplegia 
– Neck 
– Jaw, tongue, pharynx 
– Respiratory muscles