Ch.34 Head and Spinal Trauma Flashcards

1
Q

What does SCALP stand for?

A

S—Skin

C—Connective tissue: subcutaneous fat and fibrous tissue

A—Aponeurosis: A sheet of deep fascia stretching over the cranium from frontal bone to occipital bone. Also known as the galea aponeurotica.

L—Loose Areolar tissue: a layer of collagen and other connective tissues

P— Periosteum: Tough outer layer of the bones of the skull

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2
Q

A condition that occurs with flexion injuries or fractures, resulting in the displacement of bony fragments into the anterior portion of the spinal cord. Findings include paralysis below the level of the insult and loss of pain, temperature, and touch perception.

A

anterior cord syndrome

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3
Q

Loss of memory of events that occurred after the injury.

A

anterograde (posttraumatic) amnesia

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4
Q

The middle membrane of the three meninges that enclose the brain and spinal cord.

A

arachnoid

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5
Q

A late, life-threatening complication of spinal cord injury in which stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system below the level of injury generates a massive, uninhibited, uncompensated cardiovascular response; also known as autonomic hyperreflexia.

A

autonomic dysreflexia​

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6
Q

An increase in mean arterial pressure to compensate for decreased cerebral perfusion pressure; compensatory physiologic response that occurs in an effort to shunt blood to the brain; manifests clinically as hypertension.

A

autoregulation

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7
Q

A long, slender extension of a neuron (nerve cell) that conducts electrical impulses away from the neuronal soma.

A

axon

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8
Q

Upward movement of the toe(s) in response to stimulation to the sole of the foot. Under normal circumstances, the toe(s) move downward.

A

Babinski reflex

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9
Q

Fracture generally resulting from the extension of a linear fracture into the base of the skull; usually occurs after a diffuse impact to the head (as in a fall or motor vehicle crash) and can be difficult to diagnose, even with radiography.

A

basilar skull fracture

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10
Q

Bruising over the mastoid bone behind the ear often seen after a basilar skull fracture; also called retroauricular ecchymosis.

A

Battle sign

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11
Q

Irregular pattern, rate, and depth of respirations with intermittent periods of apnea; result from increased intracranial pressure.

A

Biot (ataxic) respirations

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12
Q

The midbrain, pons, and medulla, collectively.

A

brainstem

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13
Q

A condition associated with penetrating trauma and characterized by hemisection of the spinal cord and complete damage to all spinal tracts on the involved side.

A

Brown-Séquard syndrome

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14
Q

The location where the spinal cord separates; composed of nerve roots.

A

cauda equina

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15
Q

A neurologic condition caused by compression of the bundle of nerve roots located at the end of the spinal cord.

A

cauda equina syndrome

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16
Q

A condition resulting from hyperextension injuries to the cervical area that damage the dorsal column of the spinal cord; characterized by hemorrhage or edema. Findings include greater loss of function in the upper extremities, with variable sensory loss of pain and temperature.

A

central cord syndrome

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17
Q

Deep, rapid respirations; similar to Kussmaul, but without an acetone breath odor; commonly seen after brainstem injury.

A

central neurogenic hyperventilation

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18
Q

The brain region essential in coordinating muscle movements in the body; also called the athlete’s brain.

A

cerebellum

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19
Q

Injury that occurs when the brain is jarred around in the skull; a mild diffuse brain injury that does not result in structural damage or permanent neurologic impairment.

A

cerebral concussion

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20
Q

A focal brain injury in which brain tissue is bruised and damaged in a defined area.

A

cerebral contusion

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21
Q

The largest portion of the cerebrum; regulates voluntary skeletal movement and a person’s level of awareness—a part of consciousness.

A

cerebral cortex

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22
Q

Excessive fluid in the brain; swelling of the brain.

A

cerebral edema

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23
Q

The pressure of blood flow through the brain; the difference between the mean arterial pressure and intracranial pressure.

A

cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP)

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24
Q

Fluid produced in the ventricles of the brain that flows in the subarachnoid space and bathes the meninges.

A

cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

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25
Q

The largest portion of the brain; responsible for higher functions, such as reasoning; divided into right and left hemispheres, or halves.

A

cerebrum

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26
Q

A gradually increasing rate and depth of respirations followed by a gradual decrease with intermittent periods of apnea; associated with brainstem insult.

A

Cheyne-Stokes respirations

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27
Q

Total disruption of all spinal cord tracts, with permanent loss of all cord-mediated functions below the level of injury.

A

complete spinal cord injury

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28
Q

injury Dual impacting of the brain into the skull. ____ injury occurs at the point of impact; _________ injury occurs on the opposite side of impact, as the brain rebounds.

A

coup-contrecoup

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29
Q

The bones that encase and protect the brain: the parietal, temporal, frontal, occipital, sphenoid, and ethmoid bones; also called the _____ or skull.

A

cranial vault

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30
Q

Minimum cerebral perfusion pressure required to adequately perfuse the brain; 60 mm Hg in the adult.

A

critical minimum threshold

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31
Q

Hypertension (with a widening pulse pressure), bradycardia, and irregular respirations; classic trio of findings associated with increased intracranial pressure.

A

Cushing triad

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32
Q

Abnormal posture characterized by extension of the arms and legs; indicates pressure on the brainstem.

A

decerebrate (extensor) posturing

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33
Q

Abnormal posture characterized by flexion of the arms and extension of the legs; indicates pressure on the brainstem.

A

decorticate (flexor) posturing

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34
Q

Fracture caused by high-energy direct trauma applied to a small surface area of the skull with a blunt object (such as a baseball bat striking the head); commonly accompanied by bony fragments driven into the brain, causing further injury.

A

depressed skull fracture

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35
Q

An area of the body innervated by sensor components of spinal nerves. diffuse axonal injury (DAI) Diffuse brain injury that is caused by stretching, shearing, or tearing of nerve fibers with consequent axonal damage.

A

dermatome

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36
Q

Any injury that affects the entire brain.

A

diffuse brain injury

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37
Q

The outermost layer of the three meninges that enclose the brain and spinal cord; the toughest meningeal layer.

A

dura mater

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38
Q

An accumulation of blood between the skull and dura. facet joint The joint on which each vertebra articulates with adjacent vertebrae.

A

epidural hematoma

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39
Q

A type of injury that results from forward movement of the head, typically as the result of rapid deceleration, such as in a vehicle crash, or with a direct blow to the occiput.

A

flexion injury ​

40
Q

A specific, grossly observable brain injury.

A

focal brain injury

41
Q

The portion of the brain that is important in voluntary motor actions and personality traits.

A

frontal lobe

42
Q

The most classic distraction injury, which occurs when a person is hanged by the neck. Bending and fractures occur at the C1 to C2 region, which quickly tear the spinal cord.

A

hangman’s fracture

43
Q

A traumatic insult to the head that may result in injury to soft tissue of the scalp and bony structures of the head and skull, not including the face.

A

head injury

44
Q

A general term that includes both head injuries and traumatic brain injuries.

A

head trauma

45
Q

A process in which tissue is forced out of its normal position, such as when the brain is forced from the cranial vault, either through the foramen magnum or over the tentorium.

A

herniation

46
Q

Hyperacute pain to touch.

A

hyperesthesia

47
Q

Extension of a limb or other body part beyond its usual range of motion.

A

hyperextension

48
Q

A high body temperature.

A

hyperpyrexia

49
Q

Spinal cord injury in which there is some degree of cord-mediated function. Initial dysfunction may be temporary and there may be potential for recovery.

A

incomplete spinal cord injury

50
Q

Bleeding within the brain tissue (parenchyma) itself; also called an intraparenchymal hematoma.

A

intracerebral hematoma

51
Q

The pressure within the cranial vault; normally 0 to 15 mm Hg in adults.

A

intracranial pressure (ICP)

52
Q

Posterior arch of the vertebral bone; arises from the posterior pedicles and fuses to form the posterior spinous processes.

A

lamina ​

53
Q

Structures within the cerebrum and diencephalon that influence emotions, motivation, mood, and sensations of pain and pleasure.

A

limbic system

54
Q

A fracture that usually occurs in the temporal-parietal region of the skull; not associated with skull deformity; accounts for 80% of skull fractures; also called nondisplaced skull fracture.

A

linear skull fracture

55
Q

The average (or mean) pressure against the arterial wall during a cardiac cycle.

A

mean arterial pressure (MAP)

56
Q

A set of three tough membranes—the dura mater, arachnoid, and pia mater—that encloses the entire brain and spinal cord.

A

meninges

57
Q

A region of the body innervated by the motor components of spinal nerves.

A

myotome

58
Q

Injury to a nerve at the level of the spinal cord.

A

nerve root injury

59
Q

Shock caused by massive blood vessel dilation and pooling of blood in the peripheral vessels, so that adequate perfusion cannot be maintained.

A

neurogenic shock

60
Q

The body of a neuron (nerve cell).

A

neuronal soma

61
Q

The portion of the brain responsible for processing visual information.

A

occipital lobe

62
Q

Subdivision of the autonomic nervous system; involved in control of involuntary, vegetative functions; mediated largely by the vagus nerve through the chemical acetylcholine.

A

parasympathetic nervous system

63
Q

The portion of the brain that receives and evaluates most sensory information, except smell, hearing, and vision.

A

parietal lobe

64
Q

Thick lateral bony struts that connect the vertebral body with the spinous and transverse processes and make up the lateral and posterior portions of the spinal foramen.

A

pedicles

65
Q

Bruising under or around the orbits that is commonly seen after a basilar skull fracture; also called raccoon eyes.

A

periorbital ecchymosis

66
Q

Injury to a nerve anywhere in the body outside the spinal cord.

A

peripheral nerve injury

67
Q

A pinpoint red dot in the sclera of the eye.

A

petechial hemorrhage

68
Q

The innermost and thinnest of the three meninges that enclose the brain and spinal cord; rests directly on the brain and spinal cord.

A

pia mater

69
Q

A cluster of nerve roots that permits peripheral nerve roots to rejoin and function as a group.

A

plexus ​

70
Q

A condition associated with extension injuries in which there is isolated injury to the dorsal portion of the spinal cord. The condition is characterized by decreased sensation to light touch, proprioception, and vibration. Most other motor and sensory functions are unaffected.

A

posterior cord syndrome

71
Q

Injury to the brain and its associated structures that is a direct result of impact to the head.

A

primary brain injury

72
Q

Injury to the spinal cord that is a direct result of trauma (eg, spinal cord transection from penetrating trauma or displacement of ligaments and bone fragments, resulting in cord compression).

A

primary spinal cord injury

73
Q

The ability to perceive the position and movement of one’s body or limbs.

A

proprioception

74
Q

Bruising under or around the orbits that is commonly seen after a basilar skull fracture; also called periorbital ecchymosis.

A

raccoon eyes

75
Q

Located in the upper brainstem; responsible for maintenance of consciousness, specifically one’s level of arousal.

A

reticular activating system (RAS)

76
Q

Loss of memory of events that occurred before the injury.

A

retrograde amnesia ​

77
Q

A type of injury typically resulting from high acceleration forces; can result in a stable unilateral facet dislocation in the cervical spine.

A

rotation-flexion injury

78
Q

The aftereffects of the primary injury; includes abnormal processes such as cerebral edema, increased intracranial pressure, cerebral ischemia and hypoxia, and infection. Onset is often delayed after the primary brain injury.

A

secondary brain injury

79
Q

Injury to the spinal cord, thought to be the result of multiple factors that result in a progression of inflammatory responses from primary spinal cord injury.

A

secondary spinal cord injury

80
Q

The temporary local neurologic condition that occurs immediately after spinal trauma. Spinal cord swelling and edema begin immediately after injury, causing severe pain and possible paralysis.

A

spinal shock

81
Q

Narrowing of the spinal canal, causing compression of exiting nerve roots and pain radiating into the legs or arms.

A

spinal stenosis

82
Q

Stretching or tearing of ligaments.

A

sprain

83
Q

Stretching or tearing of muscle or tendon.

A

strain

84
Q

Bleeding into the subarachnoid space, where the cerebrospinal fluid circulates.

A

subarachnoid hemorrhage

85
Q

An accumulation of blood beneath the dura but outside the brain.

A

subdural hematoma

86
Q

Bleeding between the periosteum of the skull and the galea aponeurosis.

A

subgaleal hemorrhage

87
Q

A partial dislocation.

A

subluxation

88
Q

Bleeding between the subgaleal area of the skull and the galea aponeurosis.

A

supragaleal hematoma

89
Q

Subdivision of the autonomic nervous system that governs the body’s fight-or-flight reactions by inducing smooth muscle contraction or relaxation of the blood vessels and bronchioles.

A

sympathetic nervous system

90
Q

The portion of the brain that has an important role in hearing and memory.

A

temporal lobe

91
Q

A structure that separates the cerebral hemispheres from the cerebellum and brainstem.

A

tentorium

92
Q

An impairment of brain function caused by an external force that may involve physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and vocational changes.

A

traumatic brain injury (TBI)

93
Q

Clenched teeth as a result of spasm of the jaw muscles.

A

trismus

94
Q

Anterior weight-bearing structure in the spine made of cancellous bone and surrounded by a layer of hard, compact bone that provides support and stability.

A

vertebral body

95
Q

A type of injury typically resulting from a direct blow to the crown of the head or rapid deceleration from a fall, with the force moving through the feet, legs, and pelvis, possibly causing a burst fracture or disk herniation.

A

vertical compression