neuro review Flashcards
what is kernicterus?
crossing of bilirubin over the BBB
what cell makes up the BBB?
astrocytes
what is a uncal cranial hernia?
uncal - refers to lower area of the brain such as the cerebellum
papilledema and ipsilateral pupil unresponsiveness (causing dilation) are symptoms of?
Increased ICP
ipsilateral dilation = result of impaired PNS
ptosis is also a symptom
what is the cushings reflex?
increased BP
decreased HR
decreased RR
response to cranial ischemia, causes increased ICP with time
what occurs if there is a supratentorial lesion?
supratentorial = above the tentorium
- these lesion result in specific problems
infratentorial lesions are widespread
lesion to the right hemisphere affects?
left is for logic
right side lesion = R-art (music, language, art)
lesion to the
lateral spinal tract
ventral spinal tract
causes?
lateral –> (Lipsi) –> ipsilateral issue
ventral –> (CV) –> contralateral issue
these are upper MOTOR neuron lesions
- spastic paralysis
lesion to LMN is ipsi or contra?
ipsi always - causes flaccid paralysis
lesion to
dorsal column
spinothalamic column
causes?
dorsal –> crosses at medulla –> therefore ipsilateral issue
spinothalamaic –> usually contralateral
these are sensory lesions
cranial nerve lesions are also sensory
dorsal column detects?
spinothalamic detects?
dorsal –> fine touch, presssure, stretches
spinothalamic –> pain and heat and gross touch
What do I mean when i say, optic nerve fibres want to follow their visual fields?
explain inner and outer retina neurons
the inner retina views the outer field (peripheral)
since the neuron wants to follow the the visual field, it crosses over the optic chiasm
the outer retina views the inner field, therefore (right eye views left inner field) –> the neuron does not want to cross over
draw the diagram
what is hemianopia?
when there is loss of half the visual field in one or both eyes
what is dysarthria and agnosia?
dysarthria –> problems with speech articulation probably from a motor problem
agnosia - loss of recognition abilities
these are aphasia’s –> troubles with reception or expression
what is a transient ischemic attack?
temporary, localized occlusion of a vessel in a brain - last less than 1 hour
consciousness retained. This is a sign of stroke
smoking + contraception use may cause this + other obvious precipitating factors
symptoms - paresthesia, muscle weakness, and visual disturbances
what is a cerebrovascular accident? what 3 main causes?
this is a stroke - total occlusion of a vessel leading to infarction of nerve tissue in brain - necrosis
- ischemic - atheroma obstructs vessel
- embolus - thrombosis
- Hemorrhagic - can cause vasospasm and increased ICP
one sign of CVA onset is contralateral muscle paresis. Why?
the occlusion is affecting upper motor neurons. these neurons always cross over (either in medulla for lateral tract or in the SC for the [CV] ventral tract) –> therefore, impairment in brain leads to contralateral muscle weakness
what is the seqeual of a stroke in terms of muscle weakness?
- starts with flaccid paralysis
2. becomes spastic paralysis
what is an expanding penumbra?
the penumbra is the space near the area of damage. this expands after a stroke and then subsides later
what is a berry aneurysm?
an aneurysm that occurs in the circle of Willis
what is nuchal rigidity?
a symptom of an aneurysm –> stiff extended neck
immense headache, hemorrhage, photophobia, slurred speech, confusion
what is a contrecoup contusion?
contusion = bruising of the brain due to small vessel ruptures
contrecoup - brain rebounds off of impact and bruises opposite side of brain
concussion –> severe brain movement leading to short LOC, amnesia, etc.
what is the difference between an epidural and subdural hematoma?
epidural –> occurring in brain meningeal arteries. LOC occurs within one hour
subdural –> occurring in meningeal veins or arachnoid tissue, can be acute or subacute (weeks of development)