CNS Pathology Flashcards
Components of the brain
Cerebrum, brainstem and cerebellum
Components of the brainstem
Midbrain, pons and medulla oblongata
Parts of the brain that are grey matter
Cortex, basal ganglia, thalamus, hypothalamus
Parts of the brain that are white matter
The myelinated axons found beneath the cortex.
Lobes of the cerebrum
Frontal, parietal, temporal, thalamus, hypothalamus
Functions of the frontal lobe
Motor functions, behaviour, emotions, higher intellectual functions
Functions of the parietal lobe
Sensory functions
Functions of the temporal lobe
Hearing and smell
Functions of the occipital lobe
Visual
Functions of the thalamus
Integration of sensory stimulation
Functions of the hypothalamus
Connects and regulates many bodily functions.
Functions of the midbrain
Visual and auditory reflex centres
What is found in the medulla oblongata?
Cardiac, vasomotor and respiratory centres.
Function of the pons
Bridge between cerebellar hemispheres
Functions of the cerebellum
Regulates motor activites and integrates sensory impulses from the spinal cord and vestibular organs.
Layers of the meninges
Dura, arachnoidea and pia mater
Disease classifications of the CNS
Hemodynamic, tumours, infections, autoimmune, developmental, genetic, environmental.
Hemodynamic disorders of the CNS
Stroke, hemorrhage and global ischemia.
Horner’s syndrome
A nerve pathway between the brain and one side of the face is disrupted. Results from another medical condition.
Intracerebral hemorrhages
Rupture of intracerebral vessels. Can be caused by head trauma, stroke, hypertension and abnormal coagulation.
Epidural hematoma
Bleeding between the skull and the dura. Due to trauma and rupture of the middle meningeal artery.
Symptoms of an epidural hematoma
Being knocked out, then waking up, then rapid deterioration.
Subdural hematoma
Bleeding between the dura mater and the arachnoid. Usually due to trauma. Causes non-specific symptoms due to increased pressure.
Subarachnoid hemorrhages
Bleed between the arachnoid and the pia mater. Caused by the rupture of an aneurysm or trauma.
Global ischemia
Condition that results from a short term drop in blood pressure. Secondary to some other problem.
Neoplasms of the CNS
Have a very high mortality. Half are primary and the other half are secondary. Primary tumours cannot metastasize.
Infections of the CNS
Typically caused by bacteria and viruses, but can also come from fungi, protozoa or prions.
How can infectious agents enter the CNS?
Blood, septic emboli, sinuses or trauma that exposes the CNS.
Meningitis
Inflammation of the meninges secondary to another infection.
Symptoms of meningitis
Headache, stiff neck, decreased consciousness, delirium.
Encephalitis
Infection of the brain parenchyma. Viral, caused by herpes, chicken pox and West Nile virus. Similar symptoms to meningitis.
Poliomyelitis
Virus that multiplies in the oropharynx or lower GI tract. Spreads through the lymph and blood to the CNS. Originally causes fever, headache, sore throat and vomiting. If it gets into the CNS, it causes non-paralytic, then paralytic symptoms.
Bell’s palsy
Infection of the seventh cranial nerve. Causes unilateral facial droop and the inability to fully close the eye.
Multiple sclerosis
Chronic autoimmune disease which causes loss of mylination in the CNS.
Anencephaly
The fetal brain does not fully develop.
Myelomeningocele
Defect in the back in which there is protrusion of the meninges and spinal cord.
Meningocele
Defect in the back in which the meninges protrude but the spinal cord does not.
Spina bifida
Absense of musculoskeletal elements in the back with possible exposure of meninges or the spinal cord.
Brown Sequard syndrome
Injury to one side of the spinal cord. Results in ipsilateral motor loss and contralateral pain and temperature loss.
Athetosis
Condition in which abnormal muscular contraction causes involontary spasm and abnormal posture, typically due to neurological disease or drug effects.
Dystonia
State of abnormal muscle tone resulting in muscular spasm and abnormal posture.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Neurodegenerative disease which causes motor weakness and progressive wasting of muscles, starting in the hands.
Friedrich’s ataxia
Nuromuscular disease which affects the spinal cord, peripheral nerves and heart. Hereditary and causes decreased energy production in affected cells.
