Neuro exam 14 Nov Flashcards
What is the function of the autonomic nervous system?
It regulates involuntary bodily functions such as heart rate, breathing rate, digestion, and arousal responses (fight, flight, freeze).
What are the primary components regulated by the autonomic nervous system?
Heart rate, breathing rate, vasodilation, digestion, saliva production, eye function, facial expressions, body temperature, and neuro-endocrine responses.
What is sensory processing?
Sensory processing involves how the brain receives, interprets, and integrates sensory information from the environment.
What types of stimuli do sensory systems respond to?
Mechanical (touch, pressure), visual (light), thermal, chemical (odors, tastes), electrical, and magnetic stimuli.
What is Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)?
A condition where the brain struggles to receive and respond appropriately to sensory information, affecting daily functioning and emotional regulation.
What are the types of Sensory Processing Disorders?
- Sensory Modulation Disorder (over/under-reactivity)
- Sensory Discrimination Disorder (difficulty distinguishing stimuli)
- Sensory-Based Motor Disorder (motor coordination issues).
What is range fractionation in sensory processing?
A process where different receptors detect varying segments of a stimulus range, allowing for sensitivity to different intensities.
How does adaptation occur in sensory receptors?
Adaptation is the decrease in responsiveness of a receptor to a constant stimulus over time, helping to prevent sensory overload.
What is the role of receptor fields in sensory perception?
Receptive fields are specific areas where sensory receptors detect stimuli, influencing the resolution and sensitivity of sensory perception.
What is the significance of topographic organisation in the brain?
It refers to the spatial arrangement of sensory inputs in the sensory cortex, allowing for precise localisation of sensory information.
What are the key structures of the human eye involved in vision?
Cornea, pupil, lens, vitreous humor, retina (rods and cones), bipolar cells, ganglion cells, and optic nerve.
How do photoreceptors transduce light into chemical reactions?
Photoreceptors (rods and cones) convert light into electrical signals through a series of chemical reactions, ultimately altering the release of neurotransmitters to bipolar cells.
How does the eye function under different light intensities?
Rods are specialized for low light (scotopic) vision, while cones are optimized for bright light (photopic) conditions, allowing the eye to adjust based on light levels.
How does the visual system create brightness?
Brightness perception is created by comparing the responses of cones sensitive to different wavelengths (short, medium, long) and through overall stimulation of photoreceptors.
What is the pathway of a neural signal from the retina to the brain?
Retina -> optic nerve -> optic tract -> thalamus (LGN) -> primary visual cortex -> dorsal (where) and ventral (what) streams.
How does the Royal Society for the Blind (RSB) support individuals with vision impairment?
The RSB provides services and support for people with vision impairment, employing occupational therapists to maximize function and engagement in daily activities.
Where are rods and cones located in the retina?
Rods are found in the peripheral retina, while cones are concentrated in the fovea (central part of the retina).
What is the impact of stroke on vision?
Approximately one-third of stroke survivors experience some form of vision loss, and occupational therapists assist in rehabilitation and adaptation to visual changes.
What is the difference in response time and acuity between rods and cones?
Rods have low acuity and slower response times, while cones have high acuity and faster response times.
Outline the transduction pathway of light in the eye.
Light → cornea → pupil → lens → vitreous humor → retina → rods/cones → bipolar cells → ganglion cells → optic nerve → optic tract → thalamus → occipital lobe → primary visual cortex.
What is sound?
Sound is a form of energy produced by vibrating objects, propagated through mediums like air or water, characterized by vibration, sound waves, frequency, amplitude, and wavelength.
What are the key properties of sound waves?
Frequency: Cycles per second (Hz), determines pitch (higher frequency = higher pitch).
Amplitude: Height of the wave, determines loudness (larger amplitude = louder sound).
Wavelength: Distance between consecutive compressions or rarefactions in a sound wave.
Describe the anatomy of the ear.
The ear consists of three parts:
Outer Ear: Pinna and ear canal, collects sound waves.
Middle Ear: Eardrum and ossicles (malleus, incus, stapes), transmits vibrations to the inner ear.
Inner Ear: Cochlea and hair cells, converts vibrations into electrical signals for the brain.
What is the process of auditory pathways to the brain?
- Sound waves enter the outer ear and vibrate the eardrum.
- Vibrations are transmitted through the ossicles to the oval window.
- Fluid movement in the cochlea stimulates hair cells, generating electrical signals.
- Signals travel via the auditory nerve to the brainstem.
- Signals are relayed to the primary auditory cortex in the temporal lobe for interpretation.