Nervous System Flashcards
Describe somatogenic pain
Pain due to recognisable physical cause e.g. burns, fracture, incision
Describe psychogenic pain
No obvious physical cause, however, still real pain in terms of measurable electrical activity
Describe somatic pain
Well localised pain from skin, muscles, or joints, responds well to simple analgesics
Describe visceral pain
Poorly localised pain from organs in thoracic and abdominal cavity
Describe referred pain
Visceral pain which is perceived as somatic pain in an area with the same innervation
e.g. liver and gallbladder pain is referred to right shoulder
Describe the pathophysiology of motor neuron disease
Motor neuron disease is associated with the degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons. Axons of the affected nerve degenerate leading to muscle wasting which begins as weakness and progresses to fatal paralysis.
Describe the pathophysiology of Parkinson’s Disease
Associated with dopamine deficiency - due to loss of nerve cells in the substantial nigra
- Decreased dopamine causes alterations in muscle functions (hypertonia or akinesia)
Identify the signs of Parkinson’s
- Tremor at rest
- Rigidity
- Akinesia (absence of spontaneous movement) or bradykinesia (slow movement)
- Postural instability
Describe the pathophysiology of Huntington’s Disease
A genetic disorder involving a mutation resulting in the formation of the protein called Huntington
- The protein miss folding leads to its aggregation in the cells of the brain leading to neuronal cell loss in the basal ganglia and cerebral cortex
- causes a decrease in activity of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA (GABA contributes to motor control, vision, and many other cortical functions).
Describe the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis
Autoimmune disorder whereby immune cells destroy CNS myelin - leads to plaque formation and causes impairments in motor, sensory and neurological function
- pt may experience fatigue, memory loss, depression, tremor, loss of coordination etc.
Describe the pathophysiology of a spinal cord injury
Nerve injury and regeneration
- nerves can only repair themselves if:
- the injury occurs in the PNS
- the injury occurs near the distal end of the axon
What is a complete/incomplete SCU
Complete: all function below the area of injury is lost
Incomplete: some function may be maintained below site of trauma
What is the primary/secondary phase of SCI injuries
Primary: injury to spine directly exerts force to the spinal cord disrupting axons, blood vessels, and cell membranes. Neurological deficits are present immediately
Secondary: leads to tissue destruction and involves inflammation, oedema, vascular dysfunction, ischaemia, and delayed apoptotic cell death
Describe the pathophysiology of traumatic brain injury
Primary head injury results immediately from trauma e.g. contusion, bleeding
Secondary head injury occurs from processes initiated by the trauma - may be from ischaemia, increased ICP etc.
Describe the pathophysiology observed in ischaemic stroke
Occur due to a blockage in the blood vessels supplying the brain
- results from alterations to neuronal function that persists for more than 24 hours
Neurons cannot survive without a constant supply of oxygen; a disrupted blood supply will result in neuronal death within a few minutes. These are usually the neurons that rely directly and exclusively on oxygen and nutrient supply via the occluded artery
