Ch 33 Trauma to the Head, Neck, and Spine Flashcards
Provides overall control of thought, sensation, and the body’s voluntary and involuntary motor functions; components: brain, spinal cord, and nerves
Nervous system
The brain and spinal cord
Central nervous system
The nerves that enter and exit the spinal cord between the vertebrae, the 12 pairs of cranial nerves that travel between the brain and organs without passing through the spinal cord, and all of the body’s other motor and sensory nerves
Peripheral nervous system
Controls involuntary functions
Autonomic nervous system
The body structure making up the forehead, top, back, and upper sides of the skul
Cranium
Bones forming part of the sides of the skull and the floor of the cranial cavity
Temporal bones
The lower jawbone
Mandible
The movable joint between the mandible and the temporal bone
Temporomandibular joint (aka TMJ)
The two fused bones forming the upper jaw
Maxillae
The bones that form the upper third, or bridge, of the nose
Nasal bones
The cheekbone
Malar (aka zygomatic bone)
The body structures around the eyes (the eye sockets)
Orbits
The opening at the base of the skull through which the spinal cord passes from the brain
Foramen magnum
The fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
The bones of the spinal column
Vertebrae (singular: vertebra)
The bony bump on a vertebra
Spinous process
Mild closed head injury without detectable damage to the brain; complete recovery is usually expected, but effects may linger for weeks, months, or even years
Concussion
In brain injuries, a bruised brain caused when the force of a blow to the head is great enough to rupture blood vessels
Contusion
In brain injuries, a cut to the brain
Laceration
In a head injury, a collection of blood within the skull or brain
Hematoma
Pressure inside the skull
Intracranial pressure (ICP)
A distinct pattern of breathing characterized by quickening and deepening respirations followed by a period of apnea
Cheyne-Stokes breathing
A pattern of rapid and deep breathing caused by injury to the brain
Central neurogenic hyperventilation
A pattern of irregular and unpredictable breathing commonly caused by brain injury
Ataxic respirations
Pushing of a portion of the brain downward toward the foramen magnum as a result of increased ICP
Herniation
Flexing the arms and wrists and extending the legs and feet (inward)
Decorticate posturing
Extension of the arms (outward, thumbs down) with the shoulders rotated inward and the legs extended
Decerebrate posturing
A bubble of air in the bloodstream
Air embolism
A blockage in the blood circulation of the lung caused by a blood clot or air bubble
Pulmonary air embolism
An area of the skin that is innervated by a single spinal nerve
Dermatome
Hypoperfusion caused by nerve paralysis that sometimes develops from spinal cord injuries
Neurogenic shock
Limiting the movement of the spine to prevent additional injury
Spinal motion restriction
