neuro oh oh oh Flashcards
What are the functions of the frontal lobe?
Personality, behavior, emotion, intellectual functions
Which area of the brain controls speech production?
Broca’s area
What functions are associated with the temporal lobe?
Hearing, taste, and smell
What is the role of Wernicke’s area?
Speech comprehension
Which brain structure is responsible for motor coordination, balance, and equilibrium?
Cerebellum
What type of movement should normal cerebellar function produce?
Smooth, rhythmic, effortless movements; coordinated arm swing; smooth turns
How is the Romberg test performed?
Person stands with feet together, arms at sides, eyes closed for 20 seconds; they should maintain balance without visual input.
What does an abnormal Romberg test indicate?
Possible cerebellar abnormality
What is the primary function of the occipital lobe?
Visual reception
Which lobe of the brain is responsible for sensation?
Parietal lobe
What is the function of the postcentral gyrus?
Primary sensory area
What is the function of the precentral gyrus?
Primary motor area
Which part of the brain is involved in regulating breathing?
Brain stem
What is the function of the thalamus?
Acts as a relay station where sensory pathways from the spinal cord, cerebellum, and brainstem form synapses on their way to the cerebral cortex.
What are the major functions of the hypothalamus?
Regulates basic vital functions: temperature, appetite, sleep, sex drive, heart rate, and blood pressure; also a major respiratory center.
Where is the cerebellum located, and what does it control?
Located under the occipital lobe; controls motor coordination of voluntary movements, equilibrium, and muscle tone.
What functions are regulated by the brainstem?
Maintains consciousness, regulates sleep, cardiac and respiratory function, and the central nervous system (CNS).
How does the brainstem interact with cranial nerves?
Provides main motor and sensory innervation to the face and neck via cranial nerves.
What is the spinal cord’s primary role?
Acts as the main highway for ascending and descending fiber tracts connecting the brain to the spinal nerves; mediates reflexes.
Why is a neck fracture more concerning than a lower back injury?
Neck fractures can affect vital functions by damaging structures like the brainstem, which regulates breathing and heart rate.
What are normal neurological findings related to speech and coordination?
Clear speech and coordinated movements without tremors, numbness, or weakness.
What is an abnormal neurological sign related to unilateral weakness and facial droop?
Possible cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or Bell’s Palsy.
What subjective symptoms may indicate neurological issues?
Headaches, dizziness, seizures, tremors, numbness/tingling, weakness, speech, or swallowing difficulties.
What are key signs of a cerebrovascular accident (CVA)?
Unilateral numbness, confusion, slurred speech, loss of balance, severe headache, and face droop.
Why is the time of symptom onset important in stroke management?
A 3-4 hour window exists for certain treatments, such as thrombolytic therapy.
What conditions increase the risk of stroke?
Hypertension, lipidemia, tobacco use, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and air pollution.
What are the symptoms of Bell’s Palsy?
Unilateral facial paralysis or weakness due to CN-7 dysfunction; symptoms mimic CVA but have no known cause, possibly viral.
What causes Parkinsonian symptoms, and what are the signs?
Caused by dopamine deficiency; signs include a shuffling gait, “pill rolling” hand motions, drooling, expressionless face, and impaired swallowing.
What should you assess if a patient experiences a seizure?
Note the seizure’s duration, presence of tremors, incontinence, aura, and any precipitating factors (fever, alcohol, disease).
What precautions should be taken during a seizure?
Keep the patient safe by protecting their head and preventing aspiration.
What are common types of involuntary movements?
Tic, ptosis, tremor, and fasciculations.
What is the difference between resting tremors and intention tremors?
Resting tremors occur at rest and partially disappear with movement (e.g., Parkinson’s); intention tremors worsen with voluntary movements.
What are fasciculations?
Rapid, continuous twitching of resting muscles without movement of a joint.
What is a tic?
An involuntary, compulsive, repetitive twitching of muscles (e.g., head movement, wink, grimace, shoulder shrug).
What does ptosis refer to?
Drooping of the eyelid.
What defines a tremor?
An involuntary rhythmic contraction of opposing muscle groups, resulting in back-and-forth movement of one or more joints; can occur at rest or with voluntary movement and disappears during sleep.
What are resting tremors, and in which condition are they commonly seen?
Coarse, slow tremors that partly disappear with voluntary movement; commonly seen in Parkinsonian symptoms with “pill rolling” hand movements.
What is an intention tremor?
A tremor that worsens with voluntary movement, such as trying to pick something up.
What is decorticate posturing, and what causes it?
Caused by a cerebral cortex lesion. The arms are flexed at the elbows, held close to the body, and the wrists and fingers are clenched. Legs are extended with internal rotation and plantar flexion.
What are the upper and lower body positions in decorticate posturing?
Upper body: Flexion of the arm, wrist, and fingers; adduction of the arm.
Lower body: Extension, internal rotation, and plantar flexion of the legs.
What is decerebrate posturing, and why is it more ominous?
Caused by a brainstem lesion, indicating more severe brain damage. The arms are extended at the sides, wrists and fingers flexed, and legs extended with internal rotation.
What are the upper and lower body positions in decerebrate posturing?
Upper body: Arms stiffly extended, adducted, with internal rotation and palms pronated.
Lower body: Legs stiffly extended with plantar extension.
Which posturing indicates more severe brain damage?
Decerebrate posturing indicates more severe brain damage due to a brainstem lesion.
What is the purpose of sensory assessment with eyes closed?
To test the function of peripheral nerve fibers, sensory tracts, and higher cortical discrimination by comparing sensations side-to-side.
How is light touch sensation tested?
Use a wisp of cotton on the skin randomly, and have the person say “now” when they feel it.
What is stereognosis?
The ability to recognize objects by feeling their forms, sizes, and weights.
What is graphesthesia?
The ability to identify a number traced on the skin by touch alone.
How is 2-point discrimination tested?
Test the ability to distinguish the separation of two simultaneous stimuli on the skin.
What is the mnemonic for cranial nerves?
OH OH OH TO TOUCH AND FEEL A GIRL’S VAGINA AH HEAVEN