Intro Flashcards
(32 cards)
The brain is the body’s most complex organ
Billions of neurons. Malfunction can lead to multitude of clinical signs.
___ circuits bring info to the nervous system to make animal aware of environment
sensory
___ circuits send information from the brain and spinal cord to muscle and glands to produce a response
motor
Principles of neurological exam are based on
knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the CNS and PNS
Nervous system includes
brain, spinal cord and all nerces that communicate between tissues and brain and spinal cord
Neurons are
specialized cells of nervous tissue that can conduct electrical signals and transmit information from one part of the nervous system to another or to peripheral targets
glia are
the supporting cells of the nervous system; broad range of function
Neurons communicate using both
electrical and chemical signals
Action potentials are
electical signals carried along the axons of neurons.
synapses are
chemical or electrical junctions that allow electrical signals to pass from one neuron to the next or to a target cell
largest part of the brain;
cerebrum/telencephalon
cerebrum/telencephalon controls _____; is inbolbed with
learning and behavior (personality); interpreting sensation
cerebrum/telencephalon is divided into
frontal parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes
Cerebrum clinical signs
dementia, compulsive pacing, circle towards damage, seizures
Brainstem includes
diencephalon (thalamus, hypothalamus); midbrain; pons; medulla
Brainstem is responsible for
basic functions of life including HR, R, swallowing
Diencephalon location and function
most rostral. coordinates and regulates all functional activity of the cerebral cortex; integration center of the ANS; vision, hearing
Clinical signs for diencephalon
altered levels of consciousness; endocrinopathies, behavioral abnormalities, disorders of thirst, appetites and temperature regulation.
Midbrain function
(cranial nerves 3&4) visual reflexes; hearing reflexes; eye movement; body movement;
Clinical signs for midbrain
decreased state of consiousness, loss of papillary light reflex, pupils dilated, extensor rigidity in all 4 limbs; contralteral paralysis or weakness with unilateral lesions.
Pons function
gives rise to trigeminal nerve (jaw opening and receives sensation from head and face). parts important for level of consciousness and sleep
Clinical signs for pons
hopping and placing deficits, muscle atrophy of the head, loss of facial sensation, vital sign changes
medulla function
responsible for maintaining vital body functions (breathing and HR), pain modulation
Clinical signs for medulla
head tilt, facial paralysis, difficulty swallowing, atrophy of the tongue, regurgitation, vital sign changes, vestibular signs, nystagmus