Central Nervous System Flashcards
What are the basic functions of the nervous system?
Sensory Motor Central Peripheral Autonomic Somatic
What are the higher functions of the nervous system?
Consciousness
Complex and learned motor skills
Memory and planning
Communication/language
What are the 4 areas of the cerebral hemispheres?
Grey matter
White matter
Basal ganglia
Ventricular system
What are the meninges?
Membranous covering of the central nervous system
What are the functions of the meninges?
Protective
Production of cerebrospinal fluid
What is the name used for the arteries in the brain?
Circle of willis
What is herniation of the brain?
When one part of the brain moves from one compartment of the skull to another
What is the spinal cord made up of?
8 cervical nerve pairs 12 thoracic nerve pains 5 lumbar nerve pairs 5 sacral nerve pairs 1 coccygeal nerve
What is the function of the spinal cord?
Communications of motor and sensory functions between brain and peripheral nervous system
What is the role of neurons?
Processors
What are the 2 types of glial cells?
Schwann cells
Astrocytes
Oligodendrocytes
The pre central gyrus is associated with which cortex?
Motor
The post central gyrus is associated with which cortex?
Sensory
Where is broca’s area located?
Frontal lobe, anterior to pre motor cortex
What is broker’s area responsible for?
Speech production
Where is wernicke’s area located?
Temporal lobe, posterior to auditory cortex
What is wernicke’s area responsible for?
Speech processing
Comprehension of written and spoke language
What is the basic function of the frontal lobe?
Decision making Emotion Memory Motor cortex Olfactory function (smell) Speech
What is the basic function of the parietal lobe?
Sensory cortex
What is the function of the temporal lobe?
Auditory cortex comprehension of written and spoken words
Memory
What is the function of the occipital lobe?
Visual cortex
What is the function of the brain stem?
Conduction of motor/sensory pathways
Cardiorespiratory function
Consciousness
Cranial nerve roots
What is the function of the cerebellum?
Precise motor control
Language
Attention
What are focal neurological signs?
Signs that causation can be localised to an anatomic site in the CNS
What are general neurological abnormalities?
An alteration in level of consciousness
Why is assessment of consciousness important?
It allows identification of the progression of a neurological insults
What are examples of neurological signs that represent the frontal lobe?
Anosmia (no smell)
Inappropriate emotion
Expressive dysphasia
Motor impairment
What are examples of neurological signs that represent the parietal lobe?
Receptive dysphasia
Sensory impairment
What are examples of neurological signs that represent the temporal lobe?
Cortical deafness
Receptive dysphasia
Complete paralysis of body and legs with maintained head and neck movement is caused by what?
Injuries to cervical spine (trauma)
How does diffuse neurological injury manifest?
Impairment of consciousness
What is diffuse neurological injury usually due to?
Intracranial pressure
What are the obvious causes of reduced consciousness?
Trauma
Hypoxia
Hypothermia
What causes of reduced consciousness may require additional tests?
Hypo/hyperglycaemia
Post epileptic seizure
What is the basic AVPU assessment of consciousness?
Alert
Verbal
Pain
Unresponsive
What tool is used to assess consciousness?
Glasgow coma scale
