23/12/18

Question 1

What are glioblasts precursors to?

Answer 1

Neuroglia

Question 2

Define spinal segment?

Answer 2

A portion of spinal cord that gives rise to a pair of spinal nerves

Question 3

What holds the spinal cord in the middle of the subarachnoid space?

Answer 3

Small protrusions of pia mater called denticulate ligaments

Question 4

What lies between the dura and the vertebral bone?

Answer 4

Epidural space - Used to inject anaesthetic by giving an epidural. Contains venous plexus and fatty tissue

Question 5

Define myotome

Answer 5

Muscles innervated by a single spinal nerve or spinal segment

Question 6

What are the entry points of the posterior and anterior roots?

Answer 6

Posterolateral sulcus

Anterolateral sulcus

Question 7

What are the major tracts of the spinal cord?

Answer 7

See diagram

Fasciculus gracilis
Fasciculus cuneatus
Spinocerebellar tract
Lateral corticospinal tract
Spinothalamic tract
Anterior corticospinal tract

Question 8

Where do 2nd order neurones of the dorsal column pathway and spinothalamic pathway terminate?

Answer 8

In VPL nucleus of the thalamus

Question 9

What are the three most important tracts in spinal cord injury?

Answer 9

Lateral corticospinal tract
Dorsal column pathway
Spinothalamic tract

Question 10

What happens if you get injury to the lateral corticospinal tract?

Answer 10

Stage 1. Spinal shock: loss of reflex activity below the lesion, lasting for days or weeks = flaccid paralysis
Stage 2. Return of reflexes: hyperreflexia and/or spasticity = rigid paralysis

Question 11

What are the features of a thyroid storm?

Answer 11

Hyperpyrexia > 41 degress 
Accelerated tachycardia/arrhythmia 
Cardiac failure  
Delirium/frank psychosis 
Hepatocellular dysfunction, jaundice

Question 12

What are the four drugs used to treat hyperthyroidism?

Answer 12

• Thionamides (thiourylenes, anti-thyroid drugs)
  1) Propylthiouracil (PTU)
  2) Carbimazole (CBZ)
• Potassium iodide
• Radioiodine
• Beta-blockers

Question 13

What is the mechanism of action of thionamides?

Answer 13

1) Inhibits thyroperoxidase
2) Reduces T4 to T3 conversion
3) Suppresses antibody production in graves disease

Delayed clinical effect so manage symptoms short term with a non-selective beta blocker

Question 14

What are the unwanted actions of thionamides?

Answer 14

Agranulocytosis/granulocytopenia (reduction or absence of granular leukocytes) 
Rashes (relatively common) 
Headaches  
Nausea 
Jaundice  
Joint Pain

Question 15

What does DHEAS stand for?

Answer 15

dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate

Question 16

What is the cerebral peduncle?

Answer 16

1) The main motor fibres coming from the motor cortex down to the spinal cord
2) a fibre tract that has a structural AND functional role (it holds the cerebrum onto the brainstem)