Lab 6b- Test for cranial nerve function Flashcards
what is the purpose of vestibulo-ocular reflex
stabilise images on retina during head movements
what are the components of the vestibular apparatus and what do they detect
Semi-circular canals
- detects angular acceleration in 3 dimensions
Otolith organs (utricle and saccule) - detects linear acceleration
which component of the vestibular apparatus is involved in eliciting the vestibulo-ocular reflex
Semi-circular canals
what results in disturbance of the vestibulo-ocular relfex
nystagmus
what 2 methods are used to elicit the vestibulo-ocular reflex
Barany chair
Caloric Testing
what type of nystagmus are produced in barany chair testing
horizontal
rotatory
vertical
describe caloric stimulation
injection of water into the external auditory meatus leads to heat transfer and sets up convection currents in the horizontal semi-circular canal. Fluid movement stimulates hair cells -> stimulating vestibulo-ocular reflex
what signs are seen in caloric stimulation to show that vestibulo-ocular reflex has been achieved
dizziness
horizontal nystagmus
what is the relevance of caloric stimulation in a clinical setting
Can be used to test brainstem integrity in an unconscious patient by eliciting the vestibul-ocular reflex
what other tests are used to test brainstem integrity
Direct light reflex
Gag reflex
what leads to physiological activation of semi-circular canals
- Normal ‘sharp’ and ‘short’ head movements lead to transient hair cell activation
- Powerful stimulation e.g. fair ground rides: elicits motion sickness, dizziness and nystagmus
which conditions cause vestibular dysfunction
Labrynthitis
Vesitbular Neuritis
meniere disease
excessive stimulation of semicircular canal leads to what
disorientation and may cause disability
what is the cranial nerve test for olfactory I
Function – smell
- Smell samples of familiar odours with one nostril with the other closed one at a time
- Ensure samples are not irritant since even if olfactory function is lost irritants can still be detected by nociception’s in nasal mucosa
what is the cranial nerve test for optic II
Function- Vision
1) Visual acuity
- one eye covered and printed material (book) is read from 18 inches away. repeat this for the other eye
2) Visual Fields
- sit opposite subject (1 metre away)
- ask subject to cover their left eye with left hand. examiner covers right eye with right hand.
- compare your visual fields to the subjects
- ask the subject to look into your eye and see your fingertip wiggling. test each of the 4 quadrants
what is the cranial nerve test for occulomotor III, Trochlear IV, Abducens VI
Function – Extraocular eye muscles
- Observe if normal position is distorted e.g.
deviation of an eye or for nystagmus
- Ask patient to keep head straight then draw a H
using your finger and ask patient to follow your
finger
what is occulomotor palsy
- Eye position: downward and outward gaze
(SO4 and LR6 function retained) - Dilated pupil and fixed pupil
- Ptosis
SO4- superior oblique muscle controlled by CN IV
LR6- lateral rectus muscle controlled by CN VI
what is trochlear palsy
- Eye position appears normal but rotated outwards
- Compensatory head position tilted to the other side