CNS Pathology

Question 1

Components of the brain

Answer 1

Cerebrum, brainstem and cerebellum

Question 2

Components of the brainstem

Answer 2

Midbrain, pons and medulla oblongata

Question 3

Parts of the brain that are grey matter

Answer 3

Cortex, basal ganglia, thalamus, hypothalamus

Question 4

Parts of the brain that are white matter

Answer 4

The myelinated axons found beneath the cortex.

Question 5

Lobes of the cerebrum

Answer 5

Frontal, parietal, temporal, thalamus, hypothalamus

Question 6

Functions of the frontal lobe

Answer 6

Motor functions, behaviour, emotions, higher intellectual functions

Question 7

Functions of the parietal lobe

Answer 7

Sensory functions

Question 8

Functions of the temporal lobe

Answer 8

Hearing and smell

Question 9

Functions of the occipital lobe

Answer 9

Visual

Question 10

Functions of the thalamus

Answer 10

Integration of sensory stimulation

Question 11

Functions of the hypothalamus

Answer 11

Connects and regulates many bodily functions.

Question 12

Functions of the midbrain

Answer 12

Visual and auditory reflex centres

Question 13

What is found in the medulla oblongata?

Answer 13

Cardiac, vasomotor and respiratory centres.

Question 14

Function of the pons

Answer 14

Bridge between cerebellar hemispheres

Question 15

Functions of the cerebellum

Answer 15

Regulates motor activites and integrates sensory impulses from the spinal cord and vestibular organs.

Question 16

Layers of the meninges

Answer 16

Dura, arachnoidea and pia mater

Question 17

Disease classifications of the CNS

Answer 17

Hemodynamic, tumours, infections, autoimmune, developmental, genetic, environmental.

Question 18

Hemodynamic disorders of the CNS

Answer 18

Stroke, hemorrhage and global ischemia.

Question 19

Horner’s syndrome

Answer 19

A nerve pathway between the brain and one side of the face is disrupted. Results from another medical condition.

Question 20

Intracerebral hemorrhages

Answer 20

Rupture of intracerebral vessels. Can be caused by head trauma, stroke, hypertension and abnormal coagulation.

Question 21

Epidural hematoma

Answer 21

Bleeding between the skull and the dura. Due to trauma and rupture of the middle meningeal artery.

Question 22

Symptoms of an epidural hematoma

Answer 22

Being knocked out, then waking up, then rapid deterioration.

Question 23

Subdural hematoma

Answer 23

Bleeding between the dura mater and the arachnoid. Usually due to trauma. Causes non-specific symptoms due to increased pressure.

Question 24

Subarachnoid hemorrhages

Answer 24

Bleed between the arachnoid and the pia mater. Caused by the rupture of an aneurysm or trauma.

Question 25

Global ischemia

Answer 25

Condition that results from a short term drop in blood pressure. Secondary to some other problem.

Question 26

Neoplasms of the CNS

Answer 26

Have a very high mortality. Half are primary and the other half are secondary. Primary tumours cannot metastasize.

Question 27

Infections of the CNS

Answer 27

Typically caused by bacteria and viruses, but can also come from fungi, protozoa or prions.

Question 28

How can infectious agents enter the CNS?

Answer 28

Blood, septic emboli, sinuses or trauma that exposes the CNS.

Question 29

Meningitis

Answer 29

Inflammation of the meninges secondary to another infection.

Question 30

Symptoms of meningitis

Answer 30

Headache, stiff neck, decreased consciousness, delirium.

Question 31

Encephalitis

Answer 31

Infection of the brain parenchyma. Viral, caused by herpes, chicken pox and West Nile virus. Similar symptoms to meningitis.

Question 32

Poliomyelitis

Answer 32

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.

Question 33

Bell's palsy

Answer 33

Infection of the seventh cranial nerve. Causes unilateral facial droop and the inability to fully close the eye.

Question 34

Multiple sclerosis

Answer 34

Chronic autoimmune disease which causes loss of mylination in the CNS.

Question 35

Anencephaly

Answer 35

The fetal brain does not fully develop.

Question 36

Myelomeningocele

Answer 36

Defect in the back in which there is protrusion of the meninges and spinal cord.

Question 37

Meningocele

Answer 37

Defect in the back in which the meninges protrude but the spinal cord does not.

Question 38

Spina bifida

Answer 38

Absense of musculoskeletal elements in the back with possible exposure of meninges or the spinal cord.

Question 39

Brown Sequard syndrome

Answer 39

Injury to one side of the spinal cord. Results in ipsilateral motor loss and contralateral pain and temperature loss.

Question 40

Athetosis

Answer 40

Condition in which abnormal muscular contraction causes involontary spasm and abnormal posture, typically due to neurological disease or drug effects.

Question 41

Dystonia

Answer 41

State of abnormal muscle tone resulting in muscular spasm and abnormal posture.

Question 42

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Answer 42

Neurodegenerative disease which causes motor weakness and progressive wasting of muscles, starting in the hands.

Question 43

Friedrich's ataxia

Answer 43

Nuromuscular disease which affects the spinal cord, peripheral nerves and heart. Hereditary and causes decreased energy production in affected cells.