NeURO: Part 7 Flashcards
Where does the cord end
L1/L2 (conus medullar is)
Where do we take lumbar puncture
L4
What is the Cauda Equina
Lumbar and sacral nerve roots
Define paraplegia
Paralysis of BOTH LEGS ALWAYS caused by spinal cord lesion
Define Hemiplegia
Paralysis of ONE SIDE of body caused by lesion of th brain
What side of the body do upper motor neurones effect
CONTRALATERAL to lesion
Where is a lesion in upper motor neurone located
ABOVE anterior horn cell (spinal cord, brainstem and motor cortex)
Signs of upper motor neurones
- SPASTICITY (increased muscle tone)
- Weakness
- Hyperreflexia
What is Spasticity
INCREASED Muscle tone where the faster you move, the greater the resistance
CLASP-KNIFE manner
Why is there weakness in upper motor neurone
Flexors are generally weaker than extensors in legs
Extensors are weaker than flexors in arms
In relation to the site of lesion, where are lower motor neurone signs seen (which part of th body)
IPSILATERAL to lesion
Where is lesion found in lower motor neurone disease
ANTERIOR horn cell or distal to anterior horn (plexus, peripheral nerve)
Signs of lower motor neurone disease
- DECREASED muscle tone
- WASTING (atrophy) + FASCICULATIONS
- Weakness that corresponds to muscles supplied by involved cord segment, nerve root, part of plexus or peripheral nerve
- HYPOREFLEXIA
What are FASCICULATIONS
Spontaneous involuntary twitching
What symptoms suggest a root problem in lower motor neurone disease
- Back pain + sciatica
What is sciatica
Pain radiating from the back to down th buttocks
What causes sciatica
Manual lifting (anything that causes lower back pain)
What suggests cord disease in lower motor neurone
Weakness of biceps with absence of biceps reflex
What suggests cord disease in upper motor neurone
Weakness of legs suggests lesion is below that level
Define spondylolisthesis
- Slippage of one vertebra over the one below
What nerve root is compressed in spondylolisthesis
Nevre root comes out ABOVE the disc and so root affected is the one BELOW disc herniation (L4/5 herniation leads to L5 root compression)
What is Olisthesis
Spondylolisthesis that shows displacement in any direction
What is anterolisthesis
Displacement anteriorly
What vertebra is affected in anterolisthesis
L5
What causes spondylolisthesis
- Degenerative anterolisthesis due to ligamentum flavour weakness and facet arthritis
What is the ligamentous flavour
Connect the laminae of adjacent vertebrae
Elasticity to preserve upright posture after flexion
Define spondylosis
Degenerative disc disease due to ANY disease
What causes spondylosis
YEARS of abnormal constant pressure (sports, repetitive trauma or poor posture) causing body to form new bone to distribute weight (pressure is being applied to vertebrae and discs between them)
What is a myotome
Group of muscles that is innervated by a single spinal nerve
What myotome is innervated by C5
Shoulder abduction/bicep jerk
What myotome is innervated by C6
Elbow flexion/supinator jerk
What myotome is innervated by C7
Elbow extension/triceps jerk
What myotome is innervated by L3/4
Knee extension/knee jerk
What myotome is innervated by L5
Ankle dorsiflexion
What myotome is innervated by S1
Ankle plantar flexion/ankle jerk
Define myelopathy
Compression of spinal cord resulting in upper neurone signs and symptoms dependant on where the compression is
What s the most common cause of acute compression
Vertebral body neoplasms
What causes vertebral body neoplasms
Secondary malignancy from lung, breast, prostate, myeloma and lymphoma
What happens to the disc in pathology
Herniation and prolapse
What happens in disc herniation
Centre of disc (nucleus pulpous) moves out through annulus (outer part of disc) = pressure on nerve root and pain
What happens in disc prolapse
Nucleus pulposus moves and presses against annulus but doesn’t escape outside annulus
Causes bulge in disc which pressures on nerve root = pain but less than herniation
What is an epidural abscess
Collection of puss in epidural space which presses on nerve root causing paralysis
What else can cause spinal cord compression
HAEMATOMA (warfarin)
TUMOUR