Brain and Spinal Cord Flashcards

1
Q

What are the 4 types of neuroglia in the CNS

A
  1. Astrocytes
  2. Ependymal cells
  3. Oligodendritic cells
  4. Microglia
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2
Q

What type of astrocytes are found in gray matter and describe it’s appearance?

A

Protoplasmic astrocytes- numerous short branching processes

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3
Q

What type of astrocytes are found in white matter and describe them

A

Fibrous astrocytes- long unbranched processes

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4
Q

What is the function of oligodendrites?

A

Forms and maintains myelin sheath around several CNS axons

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5
Q

Describe microglia and their function

A

Small cells with slender processes- functions as phagocytes

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6
Q

Describe the appearance of ependymal cells

A

Cuboidal to columnar cells that have cilia and microvilli

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7
Q

Where can ependymal cells be found?

A

Lining the ventricle off the brain and central spinal canal of spinal cord

Blood-cerebral spinal barrier

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8
Q

What is the function ependymal cells?

A

Produce, monitor and assist in circulation of cerebral spinal fluid

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9
Q

What are the types of neuralgia in the peripheral nervous system?

A

Schwann cells and satellite cells

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10
Q

What is the function of the Schwann cells?

A

Form and maintain myelin sheath around a single PNS axon and participate in axonal regeneration

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11
Q

What are satellite cells?

A

Flat cells surrounding athe PNS cell bodies

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12
Q

What is the purpose of satellite cells?

A

Provides structural support

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13
Q

What are 2 demyelination disorders?

A

Multiple Sclerosis

Guillain Barre Syndrome

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14
Q

What are the effects of the myelin sheath?

A

Electrically insulates the axon

Increases speed of nerve impulse

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15
Q

What is the most accurate test of multiple sclerosis?

A

MRI

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16
Q

Describe multiple sclerosis

A

Disorder of slow and progressive demyelination of neurons in the CNS due to autoimmune response.

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17
Q

What autoimmune response causes multiple sclerosis?

A

Antibodies are produced against the myelin sheath of neurons which disrupts the propagation of action potential along the neurons.

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18
Q

Who is multiple sclerosis most common for?

A

More common in Caucasians than Blacks and Asians

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19
Q

What are 5 symptoms of multiple sclerosis?

A

Blurred vision due to optic neuritis, spasticity, fatigue, hyperflexia, cerebelli deficits

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20
Q

How would prevention of exacerbation of multiple sclerosis be performed?

A

Steroids in acute phase and interferon/glatiramer

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21
Q

What are the symptoms of Giullain Barre Syndrome?

A

Ascending limb weakness from the feet and loss of deep tendon reflexes

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22
Q

What are used to investigate Gullain-Barre syndrome?

A

Electromyography and nerve conduction studies

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23
Q

What is the most common cause of acute paralysis in North America?

A

Guillain Barre Syndrome

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24
Q

Briefly describe Guillain Barre Syndrome

A

Demyelinating condition of peripheral nervous system.

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25
Q

What causes Gullain-Barre syndrome?

A

Circulating antibodies may affect myelin of peripheral nerves usually following infection by Campylobacter jejuni

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26
Q

Distinguish between a nerve and a tract

A

Nerve- bundle of axons located in the peripheral nervous system

Tract- bundle of axons in the Central nervous system

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27
Q

Distinguish between ganglia and nuclei

A

Ganglia- clusters of neuronal cell bodies located in the peripheral nervous system

Nuclei- clusters of neuronal cell bodies located in the central nervous system

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28
Q

Name 3 parts of the brain stem

A

Midbrain, pons and medulla oblangata

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29
Q

What are the risk factors in a cardiovascular accident(stroke)?

A

High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, alcohol, obesity

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30
Q

What is the most common brain disorder?

A

Cardiovascular attack(stroke)

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31
Q

This disease is the third leading cause of death in America, affecting 500,000 people the U.S.A. each year?

A

Cardiovascular attack(stroke)

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32
Q

What could be the causes of a stroke?

A

Could be ischemic or hemorrhagic e.g. thrumbos or ruptured cerebral aneurysm

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33
Q

What is the fourth leading cause of death in persons over age 65?

A

Alzheimer’s disease

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34
Q

Describe Alzheimer’s disease

A

Degenerative or senile disease characterized by loss of reasoning and ability to take care of self

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35
Q

Where are most of the cerebrospinal fluid produced?

A

Lateral ventricles

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36
Q

Describe hydrocephalus

A

The accumulation of excess cerebrospinal fluid with increased pressure in the brain

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37
Q

Describe the cause of hydrocephalus

A

Brain abnormalities like congenital anomalies (like inflammation, tumors and subarachnoid hemorrhage) can interfere CSF circulation in the ventricles and arachnoid granulation

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38
Q

Name the types of hydrocephalus

A
  • Obstructive(non-communicating)

- Non-obstructive (communicating)

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39
Q

How can pressure be relieved from hydrocephalus?

A

Application of ventriculoperitoneal shunts

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40
Q

Give the signs and symptoms of hydrocephalus

A

Obvious superficial cranial veins, damage to soft tissues

Headache and other signs of raised intracranial pressure

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41
Q

Where is the spinal cord found, giving from where it extends and ends at which vertebrae

A

Occupies the vertebral canal, extends from foramen magnum to the 1st or 2nd lumbar vertebrae

42
Q

What anchors the spinal cord to the coccyx?

A

Filum terminale

43
Q

What is the termination part of the spinal cord?

A

Conus medularos

44
Q

What clinical significance does the CSF tap provide?

A
  • Used to introduce antibiotics
  • contrast media for myelography or aesthetics
  • measure CSF pressure
  • evaluate the effects of treatment for disease
  • diagnostic purposes
  • to administer chemotherapy
45
Q

At what level is a a CSF tap done and why?

A

Done between L3 and L4 or between L4 and L5.The spinal meninges are present but the spinal cord so it poses no threat to the spinal cord as it ends around L2.

46
Q

What position is a patient placed in for a spinal tap

A

The fetal position

47
Q

In performing a spinal tap, what can act as a guide to find L4 vertebra

A

The topmost region of the iliac crest

48
Q

Where in the brain is CSF produced?

A

The ventricles in the brain by ependymal cells

49
Q

Where is the CSF found and it’s function?

A

In the subarachnoid space functions in protection and nourishment of the brain and spinal cord and chemical assistance for neuronal communication

50
Q

What must be applied to the area of needle insertion?

A

Area of needle insertion must be cleaned with antiseptic solution and an anesthetic must also applied to the area

51
Q

What is a seizure?

A

The external manifestation of abnormal and asynchronous neuronal discharge

52
Q

What is epilepsy?

A

Seizures of unclear etiology(cause)

53
Q

How can seizures be aborted?

A

Using anti-seizure drugs like phenytoin, carbamazepine and sodium valporate

54
Q

What causes seizures?

A

Metabolic disorders like hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, CNS infections , brain trauma usually at birth, drugs, brain tumors

55
Q

Where. In the spinal column are tracks located? Gray matter or white matter?

A

White mattter

56
Q

Why do all ventricles of the brain have choroid plexuses?

A

To produce CSF

57
Q

What are the functions of cerebral spinal fluid

A

Shock absorption

Homeostatic function

Circulation (medium for nutrient exchange)

58
Q

What is the volume of of cerebral spinal fluid?

A

Appproximately 150 mL

59
Q

_______ ____ proteins, ____________ tangles and loss of ___________________ neurons have been observed in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

A

Beta amyloid, neurofibrillary acetylcholine

60
Q

Name 5 clinical features of Alzheimer’s disease

A

Loss of recent ,Emory

Loss of long term memory

Paranoia

Hallucinations

Confusions

61
Q

How is the brain tissue supplied with blood?

A

Internal carotid and vertebral arteries

62
Q

How is blood returned from the brain to the heart?

A

Using the rural veinous sinuses

63
Q

What is the functional connection between the hemispheres of the brain?

A

Corpus callosum

64
Q

What are the major parts of the corpus callosum in order from front to back?

A

Rostrum

Genu
Body
Splenium

65
Q

What are the three major parts of the pineal gland?

A

Hypothalamus, thalamus and epithalamus(along with pineal gland)

66
Q

What are the functions of the hypothalamus?

A

Regulation of body temperature

Emotional behavior

Hunger and thirst

Sexual activity

Autonomic activities

Endocrine activities

67
Q

What are the functions of the cerebellum?

A

Coordination and integration of different functions e.g. muscle tone, posture, balance, speech

68
Q

What is ataxia?

A

The inability the inability of the cerebellum to coordinate muscular movement of the body.

69
Q

What are the three major parts of the pineal gland?

A

Hypothalamus, thalamus and epithalamus(along with pineal gland)

70
Q

This particular part of the diencephalon makes up 80% of the diencephalon, has paired oval masses of gray matter and is the connection from the cerebellum and other basal nuclei to motor areas in cerebrum

A

Thalamus

71
Q

What are the functions of the hypothalamus?

A

Regulation of body temperature

Emotional behavior

Hunger and thirst

Sexual activity

Autonomic activities

Endocrine activities

72
Q

What are the functions of the cerebellum?

A

Coordination and integration of different functions e.g. muscle tone, posture, balance, speech

73
Q

What is ataxia?

A

The inability the inability of the cerebellum to coordinate muscular movement of the body.

74
Q

What are the three major parts of the pineal gland?

A

Hypothalamus, thalamus and epithalamus(along with pineal gland)

75
Q

This particular part of the diencephalon makes up 80% of the diencephalon, has paired oval masses of gray matter and is the connection from the cerebellum and other basal nuclei to motor areas in cerebrum

A

Thalamus

76
Q

What are the functions of the hypothalamus?

A

Regulation of body temperature

Emotional behavior

Hunger and thirst

Sexual activity

Autonomic activities

Endocrine activities

77
Q

What are the functions of the cerebellum?

A

Coordination and integration of different functions e.g. muscle tone, posture, balance, speech

78
Q

What is ataxia?

A

The inability the inability of the cerebellum to coordinate muscular movement of the body.

79
Q

What are 3 cerebelli right peduncles

A

Superior, middle and inferior

80
Q

What is the purpose of sulcus and gyri I’m the cerebrum?

A
  • Increase surface area

- Can be used to roughly divide into functional areas.

81
Q

What are the 3 basal nuclei?

A

Globus pallidus

Putamen

Caudate

82
Q

What is the function of astrocytes for the neuron directly?

A

Support neurons structurally, nutritionally and helps provide a suitable microenvironment

82
Q

What is the role of astrocytes in relation to the blood-brain barrier?

A

Maintains blood-brain barrier

83
Q

How do astrocytes assist in neuron development?

A

Help regulate growth, migration and interconnection among neurons

84
Q

What makes up the CNS?

A

Brain and spinal cord

85
Q

What makes up the peripheral nervous system?

A

Cranial nerves

Spinal nerves and branches

Ganglia

Enteric plexuses

Sensory receptors

86
Q

What are 3 basic functions of the CNS?

A

Sensory, integrative and output

87
Q

List the functional organization of the PNS

A

Somatic nervous system

Autonomic nervous system

Enteric nervous system

88
Q

Where are the Nissl bodies and describe them

A

In the cell bodies, they are clusters of rough endoplasmitic reticulum

89
Q

Give the components of synaptic transmission

A
  1. Impulse arrives at end bulb of presynaptic neuron
  2. Voltage-gated ca2+ channels open
  3. Exocytosis of synaptic vesicles
  4. Release of neurotransmitters
  5. Binding to receptors opens ligan-gated channels
  6. Postsynaptic membrane potential
  7. Postsynaptic impulse
90
Q

Which neuroglial cells plays a role in learning and memory?

A

Astrocytes

91
Q

List four demyelinating disorders

A
  1. Multiple sclerosis
  2. Guillain - Barre syndrome
  3. Ahlzeimer’s
  4. Macular degeneration
92
Q

With which symptoms is Multiple Sclerosis most commonly presented?

A

Most common with sensory symptoms with gait and balance problems

93
Q

What is the most common reason of death from Guillain Barre syndrome?

A

Respiratory muscle involvement

94
Q

What separates pons and medulla?

A

Pontomedullary Junction

95
Q

Which ventricle does the cerebellum overlie?

A

The fourth ventricle

96
Q

How does CSF drain into the subarachnoid space from 4th ventricle?

A

Foramen of luschka

Foramen of Magendie

97
Q

What occurs as a result of CSF accumulation?

A

Suture separation

Wide open Fontanels

Massive head circumference

98
Q

Which ventricle does the cerebellum overlie?

A

The fourth ventricle

99
Q

How does CSF drain into the subarachnoid space from 4th ventricle?

A

Foramen of luschka

Foramen of Magendie

100
Q

What occurs as a result of CSF accumulation?

A

Suture separation

Wide open Fontanels

Massive head circumference