Assessing the Neurological System and Mental Status Examination Flashcards
Right and Left
hemispheres joined by
the corpus callosum
Cerebrum
Four lobes
- Frontal
- Parietal
- Temporal
- Occipital
aggregation of neuronal cell bodies; mediates higher-level function (memory, perception,
communication, initiation
of voluntary movements)
Gray Matter
Regulate emotional expression,
behavior, intellect; influence personality; control voluntary
movement
Frontal Lobe
Influence hearing, smell, taste,
and memory
Temporal Lobe
Perceives and interpret sensory
inputs such as pain, temperature, touch, texture,
and proprioception
Parietal Lobe
Perceive and interpret visual
stimuli, including spatial relationships; Influence the
ability to read with
understanding
Occipital Lobe
Clusters multiple stimuli into a
coherent whole before sending it to the cerebral cortex for perception
Thalamus
Regulates production of several
hormones responsible for regulating water balance, appetite, vital signs, sleep cycles, pain perception, and emotional status
Hypothalamus
Regulates visual, auditory, and other reflexes and controls eye movements, focusing, and
pupil dilation
Midbrain
Helps control respiratory function, facial
movement and sensation, and eye movement
Pons
Regulates heart and respiratory rate, BP, and protective reflexes such as swallowing, vomiting, sneezing, and coughing
Medulla Oblongata
Coordination and smoothing of
voluntary movements,
maintaining equilibrium, and
maintenance of muscle tone
Cerebellum
- Located in the vertebral canal
- Extends from the medulla oblongata
to the first lumbar vertebra (L1) - Conducts sensory impulses up the ascending tracts to the brain
- Conducts motor impulses down the descending tracts to neurons that stimulate glands and muscles
throughout the body - Responsible for simple reflex activity
SPINAL CORD
Afferent
* Conducting or conducted
towards the brain
- Conducting or conducted
away from the brain
Efferent
- Anterior
Ventral
- Posterior
Dorsal
Sensations of pain, temperature, and crude an light touch
travel by the way of the
spinothalamic tract
Sensations of position, vibration and fine touch travel by way
of the
posterior columns
Impulses from the afferent fibers of the peripheral nerves are
carried through
the posterior root ganglion
control voluntary
skilled movement of the extremities and
fine movement of the fingers
Corticospinal tracts
voluntary control of
face, head, and neck
Corticobulbar tract
Pyramidal Tracts
Motor neurons original in the motor cortex
and travel down the medulla
Pyramidal Tracts