ch. 9: vascular disorders

Question 1

What happens when the brain is deprived of oxygen?

Answer 1

• Hypoxia: reduced oxygen supply
• Anoxia: complete absence of oxygen supply
• Cell death can occur within 4-6 minutes

Question 2

Which brain structure is particularly vulnerable to oxygen deprivation?

Answer 2

hippocampus

Question 3

What are the two major routes of blood supply to the brain?

Answer 3

• Vertebral artery
• internal carotid artery

Question 4

What is the Circle of Willis?

Answer 4

A structure that provides redundant blood supply in case of blockage

Question 5

What are the three major cerebral arteries?

Answer 5

• Anterior cerebral artery (ACA): anterior/medial brain
• Middle cerebral artery (MCA): lateral brain
• Posterior cerebral artery (PCA): posterior brain

Question 6

What is a stroke (CVA)?

Answer 6

A sudden neurological disorder caused by a pathological process in blood vessels

Question 7

What are the three main sources of stroke-related deficits?

Answer 7

• Hypoxia/anoxia
• Intracranial pressure (if hemorrhage occurs)
• Blood toxicity to cerebral tissue

Question 8

What are the two types of strokes?

Answer 8

• Ischemic: insufficient blood flow (most common)
• Hemorrhagic: rupture of a blood vessel (most severe)

Question 9

What is a transient ischemic attack (TIA)?

Answer 9

• A temporary blockage of blood flow with symptoms similar to a stroke
• Considered a warning for future strokes

Question 10

What are the primary causes of infarction?

Answer 10

• Thrombosis: artery blockage due to material buildup
• Embolism: foreign material blocks a vessel (e.g., from the heart)

Question 11

What is the most common type of thrombosis?

Answer 11

Internal carotid artery (ICA) thrombosis

Question 12

What are common deficits of a left hemisphere stroke?

Answer 12

• Aphasia
• Apraxia
• Agraphia/dysgraphia
• Right hemiplegia/hemiparesis
• Verbal memory issues
• Right visual field loss
• More prone to depression

Question 13

What are common deficits of a right hemisphere stroke?

Answer 13

• Visual-perceptual issues
• Left hemiplegia/hemiparesis
• Nonverbal communication deficits
• Prosopagnosia
• Visual memory issues
• Left neglect
• Anosognosia (lack of awareness of deficits)
• Possible euphoria

Question 14

What is an aneurysm?

Answer 14

• A weakened, ballooning blood vessel
• High risk of rupture

Question 15

What is an arteriovenous malformation (AVM)?

Answer 15

• Abnormal communication between arteries and veins without a capillary bed
• “Steals” blood from other brain areas
• High risk of leakage or rupture

Question 16

What is vascular dementia?

Answer 16

• Cognitive decline due to cerebrovascular disease
• Can result from multiple strokes affecting cognition