Anatomy and Physiology XVI

Question 1

Where is the second synapse in the spinothalamic tract pathway?

Answer 1

VPL of the thalamus (p.428)

Question 2

Where is the second synapse in the lateral corticospinal tract pathway?

Answer 2

Neuromuscularjunction (p.428)

Question 3

Describe the location and path of the third order neuron in the DCML spinal pathway.

Answer 3

Sensory cortex (p.428)

Question 4

Describe the location and path of the second order neuron in the spinothalamic tract pathway.

Answer 4

Sensory cortex (p.428)

Question 5

Compare and contrast UMN lesions to LMN lesions with regards to weakness.

Answer 5

Weakness is present in both UMN and LMN lesions (p.428)

Question 6

Compare and contrast UMN lesions to LMN lesions with regards to atrophy.

Answer 6

No atrophy in UMN lesions; atrophy in LMN lesions (p.428)

Question 7

Compare and contrast UMN lesions to LMN lesions with regards to fasciculations.

Answer 7

No fasciculations in UMN lesions but present in LMN lesions (p.428)

Question 8

Compare and contrast UMN lesions to LMN lesions with regards to reflexes.

Answer 8

Hyperreflexive in UMN lesions; hyporeflexive in LMN lesions (p.428)

Question 9

Compare and contrast UMN lesions to LMN lesions with regards to tone.

Answer 9

Increased tone in UMN lesions; decreased tone in LMN lesions (p.428)

Question 10

Compare and contrast UMN lesions to LMN lesions with regards to Babinski.

Answer 10

Positive babinski in UMN lesions; negative babinski in LMN lesions (p.428)

Question 11

Compare and contrast UMN lesions to LMN lesions with regards to spastic paralysis.

Answer 11

Present in UMN lesions, not present in LMN lesions (p.428)

Question 12

Compare and contrast UMN lesions to LMN lesions with regards to flaccid paralysis.

Answer 12

Absent in UMN lesions, present in LMN lesions (p.428)

Question 13

Compare and contrast UMN lesions to LMN lesions with regards to clasp knife spasticity.

Answer 13

Present in UMN lesions, not present in LMN lesions (p.428)

Question 14

Describe three clinical characteristics associated with LMN lesions.

Answer 14

Everything ‘lowered’ –> less muscle mass, decreased muscle tone, decreased reflexes, downgoing toes (p.428)

Question 15

Describe three clinical characteristics associated with UMN lesions.

Answer 15

Everything ‘up’ –> increased tone, increased DTRs, upward pointing toes (p.428)

Question 16

In what conditions are the anterior horns of the spinal cord exclusively affected?

Answer 16

Poliomyelitis and Werdnig-Hoffman disease (p.429)

Question 17

What characteristics are associated with spinal cord lesions to the anterior horns?

Answer 17

LMN lesions only with flaccid paralysis (p.429)

Question 18

What areas of the spinal tract are destroyed in MS?

Answer 18

Random and asymmetric lesions, mostly in the white matter of the cervical region (p.429)

Question 19

What causes lesions of the spinal tract in MS?

Answer 19

Demyelination (p.429)

Question 20

Name three characteristics of spinal cord lesions associated with MS.

Answer 20

Scanning speech, intention tremor, nystagmus (p.429)

Question 21

What areas of the spinal cord are lesioned in ALS?

Answer 21

Anterior horns and lateral corticospinal tracts (p.429)

Question 22

What sorts of deficits are seen in patients with ALS?

Answer 22

Combined UMN and LMN deficits with no sensory, cognitive, or oculomotor deficits; both UMN and LMN signs are present (p.429)

Question 23

What genetic defect can be associated with ALS?

Answer 23

Superoxide dismutase 1 defect (p.429)

Question 24

How does ALS commonly present?

Answer 24

Fasciculations with eventual atrophy; progressive and fatal (p.429)

Question 25

What treatment has been modestly shown to increase survival in ALS patients?

Answer 25

Riluzole treatment (p.429)