Module 7: Nervous system

Question 1

These lesions occur in the cerebral hemispheres above the tentorium cerebelli, And lead to a specific disfunction in a discreet area

Answer 1

Supratentorial lesions

Question 2

Describe infratentorial lesions

Answer 2

• May affect many motor and sensory fibres (results in widespread impairment)
• Respiratory and circulatory function may be impaired
• Level of consciousness may be impaired

Question 3

Damage to left hemisphere may cause…

Answer 3

Loss of logical thinking ability, analytical skills, other intellectual abilities, communication skills

Question 4

Damage to right hemisphere may cause…

Answer 4

• Impairs appreciation of music and art
• causes behavioral problems
• spatial orientation and recognition of relationships may be deficient
• Self-care deficits common

Question 5

Describe vegetative state

Answer 5

Loss of awareness and mental capabilities

• Result of diffuse brain damage
• Brainstem function continues.
• Appearance of a sleep-wake cycle
• Person unresponsive to external stimuli

Question 6

The left side of the brain is responsible for? The right side?

Answer 6

Both - Voluntary movement and sensory function on the opposite side
Left side - Academic and logical side
Right side – artistic and creative side

Question 7

What is the function of the thalamus?

Answer 7

Serve as a sorting and relay station for incoming sensory impulses

Question 8

What is the function of the hypothalamus?

Answer 8

Responsible for behaviours such as hunger and thirst, as well as the maintenance of body temperature

Question 9

What is the cerebellum responsible for?

Answer 9

Balance and coordination of muscles in the body

Question 10

What is the Medulla oblongata responsible for?

Answer 10

Carries out and regulates life sustaining functions such as breathing, swallowing, and heart rate

Question 11

What is the frontal lobe responsible for

Answer 11

Reasoning, planning, movement, speech, emotions, problem-solving

Question 12

The Parietal Lobe is responsible for

Answer 12

Movement, orientation, recognition, perception

Question 13

Neurons require what for metabolism?

Answer 13

Glucose and oxygen

Question 14

What are the preganglionic and postganglionic neurotransmitters of the sympathetic nervous system? And what are the receptors?

Answer 14

Preganglionic – Acetylcholine
Post ganglionic – norepinephrine
Receptors - alpha and beta

Question 15

Local (focal) effects – signs related to the specific area of the brain or spinal cord in which lesion is located. How are expanding lesions caused?

Answer 15

By growing tumour or hemorrhage

Additional impairment is noted as adjacent areas become involved

Question 16

Supratentorial lesions occur in the cerebral hemispheres above the tentorium cerebelli. What do they lead to ?

Answer 16

Lead to specific dysfunction in a discrete area

Question 17

Infratentorial lesions, which are located in the brainstem or below the tentorium, have what effect?

Answer 17

May affect many motor and sensory fibers
Results in widespread impairment
Respiratory and circulatory function may be impaired.
Level of consciousness may be impaired

Question 18

Localized vs systemic is used from the perspective of…

Answer 18

The whole body

Question 19

“Focal” vs “diffuse” is used from the perspective of ..

Answer 19

a single organ

Diffuse brain injuries occur throughout the brain, focal brain injuries are confined to one area of the brain

Question 20

Damage to the left hemisphere of the brain would cause loss of…

Answer 20

Logical and analytical thinking ability, and communication skills

Question 21

Right hemisphere damage causes are

Answer 21

Impairs appreciation of music and art
Causes behavioural problems
Spatial orientation and recognition of relationships may be deficient

Question 22

Visual loss: Hemianopia, Depends on

Answer 22

Site of damage in visual pathway

Question 23

What does Aphasia/dysphasia mean?

Answer 23

Inability to comprehend or express language

There is expressive and receptive aphasia

Question 24

Broca’s Aphasia is expressive or receptive? Damage to what part of the brain may cause Broca’s Aphasia?

Answer 24

Expressive - injury to the left frontal area

Question 25

Wernicke’s Aphasia is expressive or receptive? What is impaired in this form of aphasia?

Answer 25

Receptive
Inability to read or understand the spoken word
Source—inability to process information in the brain
Result of damage to Wernicke’s area in the left temporal lobe
Usually also affects expression

Question 26

Nonfluent aphasia causes slow and labored, with short phrases. Expressive or receptive?

Answer 26

Expressive (broca)

Question 27

Fluent aphasia - pace of speech relatively normal, includes made up words. Expressive or receptive?

Answer 27

Receptive (Wernicke’s)

Question 28

What is Dysarthria? Agraphia? Alexia? Agnosia?

Answer 28

Dysarthria- Words cannot be articulated clearly
-Motor dysfunction—usually results from cranial nerve damage or muscle impairment
Agraphia -Impaired writing ability
Alexia - Impaired reading ability
Agnosia - Loss of recognition or association

Question 29

Seizures are caused by?

Answer 29

Spontaneous, excessive discharge of neurons in the brain.

• They spread to neighbouring areas and created an uncontrolled storm of electrical activity.
• The electrical impulses can be transmitted to the muscles, causing twitches or convulsions

Question 30

What causes seizures or convulsions?

Answer 30

Inflammation
hypoxia
bleeding in the brain
drug abuse

Question 31

Absence seizures Are characterized by

Answer 31

A brief loss and return of consciousness, generally not followed by a period of lethargy

Question 32

A generalized tonic-clonic (grand mal seizure) Is a type of generalized seizure that affects what?
It is most commonly associated with what?

Answer 32

Affects the entire brain. Most commonly associated with epilepsy and seizures in general

Question 33

Myoclonic Seizures - myoclonic means? What are the most common triggers?

Answer 33

‘Muscle jerk’
Most common triggers or lack of sleep and too much stress. (Drinking alcohol, which can lead to you too little sleep, is the strongest trigger for myoclonic jerks and tonic-clonic)

Question 34

What is the difference between simple and complex seizures?

Answer 34

During simple partial seizures, patients retain awareness; during complex partial seizures, they lose awareness

Question 35

Describe simple partial seizures

Answer 35

Are localized to one area on one side of the brain, but may spread from there

Question 36

Complex partial seizures or partial seizures that are associated with

Answer 36

An alteration of consciousness

Question 37

Status epilepticus is usually defined as

Answer 37

30 minutes of uninterrupted seizure activity