Chapter 9: The Neurologic Examination, Radiologic and other Dx Studies Flashcards
Afferent
Carrying neural impulses to the CNS
Anterior (ventral) spinal column
The source of neurons that comprise the anterior horn of the spinal cord. Diseases involving the anterior column include:
- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- spinal muscular atrophy
- poliomyelitis
Babinski Sign
Fanning of the toes and upward flexion of the big toe. Also referred to as the “extensor plantar response.”
Blown Pupil
A pupil that is dilated and unresponsive to changes in light
Clonus
Repetitive, involuntary vibratory movements
Deep Tendon Reflex
Muscular contraction that occurs in response to the stretching of a muscle
Diplopia
The experience of double vision
Dysdiadochokinesia
Impaired ability to smoothly alternate hand movements
Dyskinesia
Impaired voluntary movement
Dysmetria
Inaccurate range of movement during motion-based activities
Efferent
Carrying neural impulses AWAY from the nervous system
Graphesthesia
The ability to identify letters or numbers traced on the skin
Hemianopsia
The loss of a visual hemifield
Homonymous
On the same side (e.g., homonymous hemianopsia)
Long-tract signs
Neurologic signs related to upper neuron lesions, including hyperactive deep tendon reflexes, clonus, and spasticity
Lower Motor Neuron (LMN)
Motor neurons that originate in the anterior horn of the spinal cord. The motor cranial nerve nuclei are also classified as lower motor neurons.
Mental Status
A broad term used in clinical neurology to refer to general cognitive functions such as attention, orientation, memory, spatial abilities, abstraction, and certain aspects of language.
Nystagmus
Rapid involuntary eye movements, which may be lateral, vertical, rotational, or mixed.
Posterior (dorsal) column
The spinal pathway involved in localized fine touch and conscious proprioception.
Proprioception
Perception of one’s body position in space, based on sensory input from the muscles and tendons.
Quadrantanopsia
Loss of one quadrant of the visual field
Reflexes
an involuntary response to a stimulus
Spasticity
Increased muscle tone or increased resistance to stretching
Suppression
The unilateral diminution of sensory input perception in the presence of bilateral stimulation