Neuro Flashcards
What comprises the central nervous system?
The brain and spinal cord
What comprises the peripheral nervous system?
Cranial nerves, spinal nerves, peripheral nerves, and muscles.
Gray matter
Neuronal cell bodies
White matter
Neuronal axons coated with myelin
Regions of the cerebral cortex
Frontal lobe
Parietal lobe
Occipital lobe
Temporal lobe
Basal ganglia- affect movement
Diencephalon- thalamus processes sensory impulses and relays them to the cerebral cortex; hypothalamus maintains homeostasis and regulates temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure
Brainstem
- connects upper part of brain with spinal cord
- three sections: midbrain, pons, and medulla
Reticular activating system
The interaction between cerebral hemispheres, diencephalon, and upper brainstem produces consciousness.
Cerebellum
- lies at the base of the brain
- coordinates all movement
- helps maintain body upright in space
Where are lumbar punctures most often performed to avoid injury to the spinal cord?
L3-L4 or L4-L5 vertebral interspaces
What are the segments of the spinal cord,
- cervical (C1-C8)
- thoracic (T1- T12)
- lumbar (L1-L5)
- sacral (S1-S5)
- coccygeal
Somatic nervous system
- relies on the PNS
- regulates muscle movements and response to sensations of touch and pain
Autonomic nervous system
- connects to internal organs to control autonomic functions like digestion and maintenance of blood pressure
- sympathetic nervous system: mobilizes organs and their functions during times of stress and arousal
- parasympathetic nervous system conserves energy and resources during times of rest and relaxation
CN I
Olfactory- sense of smell
CN II
Optic- vision
CN III
Oculomotor- pupillary constriction, lid elevation, most extraocular movements
CN IV
Trochlear- downward, internal rotation of the eye
CN V
Trigeminal
- motor: temporal and masseter muscles (jaw clenching), lateral jaw movement
- sensory: facial (1) ophthalmic, (2) maxillary, (3) mandibular
CN VI
Abducens- lateral deviation of the eye
CN VII
Facial
- motor: facial movements including those of facial expression, closing the eye, and closing mouth
- sensory: tasty for salty, sweet, sour, and bitter substances on the anterior two- thirds of the tongue and sensation from the ear
CN VIII
Vestibulocochlear- hearing and balance
CN IX
Glossopharyngeal
- motor: pharynx
- sensory: posterior portions of the eardrum and ear canal, the pharynx, and the posterior tongue, including taste (salty, sweet, sour, bitter)
CN X
Vagus
- motor: palate, pharynx, and larynx
- sensory: pharynx and larynx
CN XI
Spinal accessory
- motor: the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius
CN XII
Hypoglossal
- Motor: tongue
What does upper motor neuron or corticospinal tract damage lead to?
Increased muscle tone and hyperreflexia because lower motor neurons are disinhibited.
What does lower motor neuron damage cause?
Decreased muscle tone and hyporeflexia; atrophy and fasciculations
Corticospinal tract
- Damage causes weakness
- mediate voluntary movement and integrate skilled, complicated, or delicate movements
Basal ganglia system
Damage causes rigidity, slowness of movement (bradykinesia), involuntary movements, and/or disturbances in posture and gait.
- maintains normal muscle tone, controls body movements (especially gross automatic movements such as walking)
Cerebellar system
Damage can impair coordination, gait, equilibrium, and decrease muscle tone. Can also cause nystagmus or dysarthria.
- receives both sensory and motor input and coordinates motor activity, maintains equilibrium, and helps control posture.
A 55 year old comes to the ER with concerns of headache that occurred suddenly and is achy, rates 10/10. She does get headaches, but this one is different. Which of the following is the most concerning sign or symptom?
The headache is more severe than pervious headaches and feels hot and achy.
When performing extraocular movements, the examiner is evaluating cranial nerves
III, IV, VI
An assessment of the motor system reveals limited ability of the patient to perform ankle dorsiflexion and plantar flexion, indicating abnormalities in
L4, L5, S1
The examiner wishes to assess position sense. This is best accomplished by the use of
Romberg Test
In the assessment of reflexes, a grading scale of 0-4 is utilized. Average/normal reflexes are documented as:
2/4
Lumbosacral radiculopathy is best assessed with a
Straight leg raise
One portion of the assessment of the comatose patient is arousal. The function of arousal is dependent on the………….of the brain.
Reticular activity system
You have a patient come to the clinic with decreased sensation to right lower leg. Which statement is true regarding how you would approach your assessment?
You would want to check for vibration using a tuning fork starting distal and going in more proximal.
It is especially important to test for ankle clonus if
Deep tendon reflexes are hyperactive.
Match the cranial nerve with its function
CN I sense of smell
CN V clench your jaw
CN VIII able to maintain balance
CN VII smile that is symmetrical
