Intro PPT Flashcards
neurological exam
-to identify where the problem is
-right side = think LEFT brain
-lower extremity = medial brain on the motor homonculus -> ACA distribution
-weakness = MOTOR cortex (frontal)
ipsilateral vs contralateral
-peripheral facial weakness in upper and lower face (a peripheral 7 nerve palsy) -> ipsilateral to lesion
-hemiparesis is contralateral to lesion of the corticospinal tract above decussation (crossing) of medullary pyramids and ipsilateral to corticospinal tract below decussation
brain stem
-mid brain, pons, medulla
-can herniate through foramen magnum if cranial spinal pressure differentials
etiology
-Progressive(gradual) onset weakness -> mass (eg, tumor)
-Acute(sudden)- vascular etiology (eg, strokeor transient ischemic attack)
-normal- Sometimes, the history can suggest a particular localization:eg, transient numbness offace/arm/leg suggests involvement of the thalamus, even if the exam is normal.
nasal area
-transsphenoidal surgery can be done through sphenoid bone -> brain stem is at risk
-invasive nasal tumors can damage the brain stem
blood supply to brain
-internal carotids supply anterior circulation of the brain -> branches into -> ACA (middle) and MCA (laterals/temporal)
-vertebral artery -> basilar artery -> branches into posterior cerebral artery once reaches brain/pons
-vertebral artery injury -> cerebellum and brain stem damage
-posterior artery damage is more catastrophic than anterior
circle of willis
-Circle of Willis=ring-like structure made of the terminal branches of theanterior and posteriorvascularcirculation
Internal carotidsgives rise to:
MCA, ACA andPCoA
-Vertebral artery (PiCA branch to cerebellum) ->Basilar artery ->PCA
-areas of repeated flow
-not a catastrophic event if there is a block
-bilateral destruction of flow can be catastrophic bc no flow to posterior cerebral artery
aneurysms*
-MC posterior communication artery (PCOA)
-close to nerve 3
-eye problems present
-starfish appearance
-anterior artery aneurysms are not as severe due to collateral flow
brocas and weineckes areas
-left brain
ACA damage
-mostly in the legs- loss of strength and sensation
-supplies middle brain
internal capsule
-know this
-has motor and sensory fibers
-middle inside part of brain
-face arms and legs symptoms - ACA and MCA stroke (rare) OR tiny stroke in internal capsule!
-damage to internal capsule causes:
-pure motor strokes (MC type of lacunar stroke)
-upper motor neuron signs
-mixed sensorimotor strokes
-face, arms, trunk, leg
brain veins
dilated vasculature in the eyes
-arterovenous fistulas -> backup in vessels -> back up into eyes
-increases pressure in veins
CSF
-just review
-clear, watery fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord
-produced in choroid plexus of the lateral ventricles
-Lateral ventricles -> third ventricle -> fourth ventricle -> subarachnoid space or the central canal of the spinal cord
-Drains into the superior sagittal venous sinus
-high CSF -> hydrocephalus
-can damage brain
-2 types: communicating vs non
ascending tract
-from body to head- sensory
-sensory info from leg -> decussates -> brain stem -> thalamus -> cerebral cortex
-lateral spinothalamic tract- pain and temperature
-dorsal columns (posterior funiculi)- deep touch, proprioception, vibratory
-proprioception travels ipsilateral until it hits brain stem and then decussates
-ventral spinothalamic tract- light touch -> numbness
descending tract
-from brain to body
-motor
-voluntary
-UMN are in motor cortex of brain
-travel within posterior limb of internal capsule -> anterior brainstem
-90% decussate at junction between medulla of brain stem and spinal cord -> become the lateral tract
-synapse with LMN at anterior horn and exits as peripheral nerve
-
damange to sensory cortex or thalamus will cause…
sensory deficits in all 3 types on the contralateral side
-mixed contra/ipsilateral deficits are found in spinal cord damage
numbness
-numbness in right leg
-decrease pain and temperature
-if you suspect spinal cord problem -> left spinal cord issue
-vibratory sensation is low but pain and temperature is in tact -> if it is a spinal issue it will be a right side of spinal cord is issue
-if you have decrease pain, temperature, and vibratory -> there is a complete spinal cut
corticospinal tract (pyramidal tract)
-between brain and spinal cord- decussates
-90% of time- lateral corticopsinla tract
-synapse with lower motor neuron at the anterior ventral horn
upper lower neuron vs lower motor neuron
-UMN injury
-Spastic paralysis- resist fast movement
-No significant muscle atrophy
-Fasciculations and fibrillations are NOT present
-Hyperreflexia- loss of modulation due to loss of UMN
-Babinski reflex may be present
-LMN injury
-flaccid paralysis- floppy no matter what you do
-Significant atrophy
-Fasciculations and fibrillations ARE present
-Hyporeflexia
-Babinski reflex not present
-Weakness is more profound
A patient with a spinal tumor experiences loss of pain-temperature sensation in the left lower extremity, followed by spastic paralysis on the right. Where is the tumor located?
-RIGHT ANTEROLATERAL ASPECT OF THE CORD, compressing first the right spinothalamic tract and then enlarging to involve the right corticospinal tract
-upper motor neuron bc spastic