Lesion localization strategy Flashcards
1
Q
what anatomical units are involved in UMNs?
A
- cortex
- subcortex
- brainstem
- cerebellum
- spinal cord
2
Q
what anatomical units are involved in LMNs?
A
- nerve root
- peripheral nerve
- NMJ
- muscle
once it leaves the spinal cord it is a LMN
3
Q
what are the characteristics of an UMN lesion?
A
- spasticity
- hyperreflexia
- hypertonicity
- pathological reflexes
- plantar extensor sign
4
Q
what are the characteristics of a LMN lesion?
A
- flaccidity
- hyporeflexia
- hypotonicity
- fasciculations** / atrophy
5
Q
apraxia
A
failure to know how to do something
6
Q
what are deficits pointing to the subcortex?
A
- visual field deficits (quandrantanopia and hemianopia)
- pure motor or pure sensory deficits or affecting entire side of body / more than one area**
**pathognomonic for subcortex
7
Q
definition: ataxia
A
incoordination OUT OF PROPORTION to the amount of paresis
8
Q
what is the pathognomonic feature of a spinal cord lesion?
A
myelopathy - spinal sensory level deficit
9
Q
what is the hallmark of NMJ lesion? what is a second finding?
A
- fluctuating motor weakness with easy fatigueability
- diurnal variation
10
Q
how do you differentiate nerve and muscle disorders?
A
NEUROPATHY
- sensory signs
- distal greater than proximal paresis
MYOPATHY
- absent sensory signs but possibly symptoms
- proximal greater than distal paresis
