Function and examination of the vestibular system Flashcards
what does function and examination of the vestibular system involve?
-vestibular function
examination of the vestibular system
peripheral and central vestibular syndrome and their diagnosis
what is the basic function of the vestibular system?
-maintain equilibrium of human body in standing and in walking
-stabilisation of retinal picture and keeping visual sharpness in movement
wha are the basic vestibular reflex circles?
-vestibulo-occilar reflex
-vestibulo spinal reflex-> helps keep head and body in an upright position due to vestibulospinal system
how is the vestibular system associated with equilibrium ?
-Interaction of eye, vestibular- semicircular system, proprioception and cerebellum on keeping balance
what are the three afferent sources of equilibrium ?
eye
proprioception
vestibular system
what do the vestibular disorders manifest as ?
-vertigo
-disturbed balance
proprioceptive information disorders
visual information disorders
vestibular information disorders
what is vertigo?
partial or complete loss of spatial orientation
e.g. apparent movement of the environment as a result of spontaneous vestibular nystagmus
what des disturbed balance mean?
an inability to maintain balance, stand upright or walk properly
what do disorders of proprioceptive information indicate?
loss of control over the ability to stand upright and walk straight causes a balance disorder
what do disorders of visual information indicate ?
loss of optical control of the visually field occasionally leading to dizziness due to discrepancy between visual and vestibular information causing disorientation
what do disorders of vestibular information indicate?
disorders of vest information occur due to involvement of spatial orientation and stabilisation of the gaze axis leading to contraindicatory vestibular visual and kinesthetic information and dizziness
-if central compensation of the loss of vestibular function is also absent there is also a balance disorder.
what occurs in the examination of the vestibular system?
-case history and analysis of symptoms
-examination of the vestibulospinal reflexes
-examination of vestibulo ocular reflexes
what is the general purpose of case history
-vestibular system problems can lead to dizziness
-case history gives a structured analysis and allows diagnostic classification of
-peripheral vestibular dizziness
-central vestibular dizziness
-non vestibular dizziness
what is involved in a case history?
-questions about:
previous illnesses and meds
type of dizziness -> how it feels, duration and intensity
dizziness causing factors
secondary symptoms
what is the purpose of examination of vestibulospinal reflexes?
-using tests to check the influence of vestibular stimulation on body posture and balance
what are the pathologies of the vestibular system ?
peripheral vestibular lesions
central vestibular lesions
what does the body do when there is a peripheral vestibular lesion?
body’s centre of gravity is displaced to the side on which the labyrinth lesion is located
what does the body do when there is a central vestibular lesion?
there is a disturbance of balance
with symptoms like unsteady gait, irregular direction of falling (unlike peripheral vestibular lesions)
what are the tests to examine the vestibulospinal reflexes ?
-romberg test
hautant test
target pursue test
walking in a straight line
unterberger stepping test
what happens in the romberg test?
pt stands with feet together and eyes closed
observe for any unsteadiness or tendency to fall
a loss of balance is a POSITIVE ROMBERG TEST
what happens in the Hautant test?
the patient is seated, arms extended and palms up
observe if patients lose balance
drop their arms
pronate the palms
what happens in the target pursue test?
-arms are stretched out and the index finger of the hand is brought to the tip of the nose with eyes closed
-observe for any overshooting which indicates a disorder in the positional sense