Definitions - Neuro Flashcards
Apraxia
inability to perform purposive actions, as a result of brain damage
Somatosensory
relating to or denoting a sensation (such as pressure, pain, or warmth) that can occur anywhere in the body, in contrast to one localized at a sense organ (such as sight, balance, or taste).
Barognosis
perceive the weight of different objects in the hand
Graphesthesia
identify a number or letter drawn on the skin without visual input
Kinesthesia
identify direction and extent of movement of a joint or body part
Proprioception
identify a static position of an extremity of body part
Stereognosis
identify an object without sight
Neuroma
abnormal growth of nerve cells
associated conditions include vasculitis, AIDS, and amyloidosis
Wallerian degeneration
degeneration that occurs distally, specifically to the myelin sheath and axon
Neurapraxia
mildest form of injury
conduction block usually due to myelin dysfunction
axonal continuity preserved
pressure injuries are the most common
Axonotmesis
reversible injury to damaged fibers
the nerve can regenerate distal to the site of lesion (1mm/day)
traction, compression, and crush injuries are the most common
Neurotmesis
the most severe grade of injury to a peripheral nerve
irreversible injury; no possibility of regeneration
axon, myelin, connective tissue components are all damaged/transected
Allodynia
the sensation of pain in response to a stimulus that would not typically produce pain
Analgesia
the absence of pain while remaining conscious
Anesthesia
the absence of touch sensation
Causalgia
constant, relentless, burning hyperesthesia and hyperalgesia that develops after a peripheral nerve injury
Dysesthesia
distortion of any of the senses, especially the sense of touch
Hyperesthesia
heightened sensation
Hyperpathia
an extreme exaggerated response to pain
Hypesthesia
a dimished sensation to touch
Neuralgia
severe and multiple shock-like pains that radiate from a specific nerve distribution
Pallanesthesia
loss of vibration sense
Paresthesia
abnormal sensation such as tingling, pins and needles, or burning sensations
Akinesia
the inability to initiates movement; commonly seen in patient’s with Parkinson’s disease
Asthenia
generalized weakness, typically secondary to cerebellar pathology
Ataxia
the inability to perform coordinated movements
Athetosis
a condition that presents with involuntary movements combined with instability of posture.
peripheral movements occur without central stability.
Bradykinesia
movement that is very slow
Chorea
movements that are sudden, random, and involuntary
Clasp-knife Response
a form of resistance seen during range of motion of a hypertonic joint where there is greatest resistance at the initiation of range that lessons with movement through the range of motion
Clonus
a characteristic of an UMN lesion
involuntary alternating spasmodic contraction of a muscle precipitated by a quick stretch reflex
Cogwheel rigidity
a form of rigidity where resistance to movement has a phasic quality to it
often seen with Parkinson’s disease
Dysdiadochokinesia
the inability to perform rapidly alternating movements
Dysmetria
the inability to control the range of movement and the force of muscular activity
Dystonia
closely related to athetosis, however, there is larger axial muscle involvement rather than appendicular muscles
Fasciculation
a muscular twitch that is caused by random discharge of a LMN and its muscle fibers
suggests LMN disease, however, can be benign
Hemiballism
an involuntary and violent movement of a large body part
Kinesthesia
the ability to perceive the direction and extent of movement of a joint or body part
Lead pipe rigidity
a form of rigidity where there is uniform and constant esistance to range of motion
often associated with lesions of the basal ganglia
Rigidity
a state of severe hypertonicity where a sustained muscle contractiondoes not allow for any movement at a specified joint
Tremor
involuntary, rhythmic, oscillatory movements secondary to a basal ganglia lesion
Ideomotor Apraxia
inabilityo to perform purposeful movements when there is no loss of sensation, strength, coordination, or comprehension
