Nervous system

Question 1

How can you test the function of the hamstrings/ L5 – S2?

Answer 1

Ask patient to flex the knee

Question 2

How can you test the function of the deep perineal nerve/ L5?

Answer 2

Ask patient to dorsiflex the foot or big toe

Question 3

How can you test the function of the superficial peroneal nerve L5/S1?

Answer 3

Ask patient to evert the foot

Question 4

Describe an upper motorneurone

Answer 4

Contained entirely within the CNS

e.g. corticospinal (pyramidal)

Question 5

Describe a lower motorneurone

Answer 5

Cell body in CNS gives off axon that passes into a peripheral nerve to innervate a skeletal muscle
e.g. spinal nerve

Question 6

Anterior/ ventral root

Answer 6

Myotone
Motor
General visceral efferent
General somatic efferent

Question 7

Posterior/ dorsal root

Answer 7

Dermatome
Sensory
General visceral afferent
General somatic afferent

Question 8

What does somatic refer to?

Answer 8

Musculoskeletal

Question 9

What does visceral refer to?

Answer 9

Organs = autonomic

Question 10

Briefly explain how a muscle cell is stimulated

Answer 10

ACh bind to receptor on muscle cell
Opens Na+ channels and Na+ moves in
Causing AP
ACh esterase degrades the transmitter

Question 11

What determines the firing rate?

Answer 11

Strength of contraction required

Question 12

What are medullary, pontine and reticulospinal and lateral vestibulospinal pathways?

Answer 12

Medial system pathways (medial - proximal muscles)
Contribute to balance and posture
Control proximal limb muscles

Question 13

What is the corticospinal tract?

Answer 13

Lateral system pathway (lateral - distal muscles)

Influences reflex arcs that control fine movement of distal ends of limbs

Question 14

What’s the difference between postural and goal directed movements?

Answer 14

Postural control
•Active process
•Unconscious
•Accompanies voluntary movements
•Relies on reflexes

Goal directed movements
•Voluntary
•Conscious

Question 15

What are the 3 categories of movement?

Answer 15

1. Reflexive
2. Rhythmic
3. Voluntary

Question 16

Do reflex arcs often contain interneurons?

Answer 16

Yes

Question 17

Do stretch reflexes contain interneurons?

Answer 17

No they are mono-synpatic

Question 18

Describe the flexor crossed extensor reflex

polysynaptic

Answer 18

Reflex inhibits the motor neurone to extensor muscle and stimulates the flexor muscle on side that felt pain
Stimulates motor neurons in spinal cord to extensor muscle and inhibits flexor muscle in opposite leg

Question 19

What’s responsible for control of distal musculature and control of fine skilled movements?

Answer 19

Primary motor cortex

Question 20

What’s responsible for the initiation and planning of movement and bimanual coordination?

Answer 20

Supplementary motor area (SMA)

Question 21

What’s responsible for the control of proximal musculature and control of movement sequence and preparation for movement?

Answer 21

Premotor cortex (PMC)

Question 22

What’s responsible for motor sequence learning

e.g. learning to walk during infancy?

Answer 22

Basal ganglia

Question 23

Basal ganglia

Answer 23

Primary concerned with with control of movement
Masses of grey matter
Largest mass of grey meter - corpus striatum

Question 24

What does the corpus stratum consist of?

Answer 24

Caudate nucleus
Putamen
Globus pallidus

Question 25

What does the basal ganglia have important connections with?

Answer 25

Cerebral cortex
Thalamus
Subthalamic nucleus (diencephalon) Substantial nigra (midbrain)

Question 26

What is the following describing?
Motor adaptation (timing and co-ordination and learning of motor skills)
Postural stabilisation and fixation
Compares intended movement with actual movement
Can store information (memory)
Novel motor programs
-Inferior olive, teaching function in acquisition of new motor skills
-Red nucleus may function as a novelty detector

Answer 26

Cerebellum

Question 27

What are the main centres in the brain involved in control of movement?

Answer 27

Cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, cerebellum