Nervous Physiology Flashcards
Function of astrocytes
Form the blood-brain barrier
Function of microglia
Perform a phagocytic role in the CNS
Function of oligodendroglia
Produce myelin
Contents of grey matter
Neuronal cell bodies
Contents of white matter
Axons of the neurons
What proportion of cardiac output does the brain receive
10-15%
Describe myogenic autoregulation of cerebral blood flow
Cerebral blood vessels constrict or dilate to maintain adequate cerebral perfusion
What is the range of Cerebral perfusion pressure that myogenic autoregulation can compensate for
50-150mmHg
What factors inhibit myogenic autoregulation
- Hypoxia
- Ischaemia
- Trauma
- Cerebral haemorrhage
- Tumour
- Infection
Describe metabolic autoregulation of cerebral blood flow
Areas of the brain with increased activity results in a decrease in PaO2 and increase in PaCO2 and H+. These changes result in vasodilatation.
What change in CO2 causes vasodilatation of the cerebral blood vessels
Hypercapnia
What is the total volume of CSF
130-150ml
What is the distribution of CSF
- 40ml in the ventricles
- 100ml surrounds the spinal cord
What is the rate of CSF production
500ml/day
What is the normal CSF pressure
0.5-1kPa (7mmHg)
Where is CSF produced
Choroid plexus
Outline how CSF flows from the 4th ventricle to the subarachnoid space
- Laterally via foramen of Luschka
- Midline bia foramen of Magendie
How is CSF absorbed into the venous circulation
Via arachnoid villi which drain into the venous sinuses
How does SAH cause hydrocephalus
Arachnoid villi become blocked with blood causing rise in pressure
What are the two functions of CSF
- Hydraulic cushion
- Stable ionic environment for cerebral function
What type of molecules are able to travel freely across the BBB
Lipid-soluble molecules (CO2, O2, alcohol, anaesthetics, hormones)
Describe the structure of the BBB
- End-feet of astrocytes cover the basement membrane
- Tight cell-to-cell capillaries in the endothelium
Where does the BBB contain fenestrated capillaries
- 3rd and 4th ventricles
- Posterior lobe of pituitary
- Hypothalamus
Which part of the brain provides the capacity for consciousness
Brainstem
Which part of the brain provides the content of consciousness
Cerebral hemispheres
List the preconditions for diagnosis of brainstem death
- Patient must be in a coma
- Must be a known cause for coma
- Cause must be irreversible
- Ventilator dependent
List the exclusion criteria for diagnosis of brainstem death
- No residual drug effects
- Core body temperature >35
- No circulatory, metabolic, or endocrine abnormalities that may contribute to coma
List the seven areas tested to diagnose brainstem death
- No pupillary response to light
- Absent corneal reflex
- No motor response in the cranial nerve distribution to stimuli in any somatic area
- No gag reflex
- No cough reflex
- No vestibulo-cochlear reflex
- Apnoea test
Which cranial nerves do the cough and gag reflexes test
- Vagus
- Glossopharyngeal
When is the time of brainstem death legally defined
The time the FIRST set of tests are completed
Outline the Monroe-Kellie hypothesis
ICP will increase if volume of any one component (brain, CSF, blood) increases, and this increase can only be compensated by a reduction in one of the other components
What volume of SOL can reduction in blood and CSF accommodate
100-150ml
Describe transtentorial herniation
- Lesion lies within one hemisphere
- Medial part of temporal lobe herniates over the tentorium cerebelli
Describe tonsillar herniation
- Causes by lesion in the posterior fossa
- Cerebellum pushes down through foramen magnum
- Compresses the medulla
Describe subfalcial herniation
- Caused by lesion in one hemisphere
- Leads to herniation of the cingulate gyrus under falx cerebri