Neuro Vocab

Question 1

Agnosia

Answer 1

Inability to recognize familiar objects with one form of sensation

Question 2

Akinesia

Answer 2

Inability to initiate movement

Question 3

Aphasia

Answer 3

Disturbance to language that results in errors in word choice, comprehension, or syntax

Question 4

Apraxia

Answer 4

Inability to perform movements previously learned even though there is no loss of strength, coordination, sensation, or comprehension

Question 5

Ideational Apraxia

Answer 5

Person no longer understand the “idea” of how to do a routine task

Question 6

Ideomotor Apraxia

Answer 6

Person cannot do the task on command but can do it spontaneously

Question 7

Astereognosia

Answer 7

Inability to identify objects by touch alone

Question 8

Asynergia

Answer 8

Inability to move muscle together in a coordinated manner

Question 9

Ataxia

Answer 9

Uncoordinated movement, especially gait

Question 10

Athetosis

Answer 10

Slow, involuntary, worm-like, twisting motions. Usually seen if forms of CP

Question 11

Causalgia

Answer 11

Burning sensations often associated with CRPS type I

Question 12

Cheyne-Stokes Respirations

Answer 12

A common bizarre breathing pattern characterized by a period apnea lasting 10-60s followed by gradually increasing, then decreasing depth and frequency of respirations.

Accompanied by the depression of frontal lobe and diencephalic dysfunction.

Question 13

Chorrea

Answer 13

Rapid involuntary, jerky movements

Question 14

Clonus

Answer 14

Rhythmic oscillation of a muscle in response to a sustained stretch in patients with UMN disease

Question 15

Decerebrate Rigidity

Answer 15

Contraction of extensor muscles of UE and LE d/t injury of the brainstem

Question 16

Decorticate Rigidity

Answer 16

Contraction of flexor muscles of UE and extensor contraction of LE

Question 17

Delirium

Answer 17

Temporary confusion and loss of mental function often 2/2 illness, drug toxicity, or lack of O2.

Question 18

Dementia

Answer 18

Loss of memory or intellectual functioning. Often slowly progressive and nonreversible.

Question 19

Dysmetria

Answer 19

Inability to judge distances. Seen in cerebellar dysfunction

Question 20

Electromyography (EMG)

Answer 20

The study of graphic record the contraction of a muscle as a result of electrical stimulation. Used to evaluate the voluntary electrical activity of the muscle.

Question 21

Glove and stocking anesthesia

Answer 21

Generalized peripheral neuropathy in which distal portions of the nerves degenerate resulting in anesthesia of the distal extremities in a pattern as if the pt was wearing gloves and stockings. Occasionally seen in GB.

Question 22

Herpes Zoster (shingles)

Answer 22

A painful inflammation of posterior root ganglion, cased by virus, resulting in the formation of vesicles along the course of the dermatome

Question 23

Horner’s Syndrome

Answer 23

Ptosis of the eyelid, constriction of the pupil, and lack of sweating on the ipsilateral face, often accompanying stroke involving the anterior inferior or posterior inferior cerebellar artery.

Question 24

Morton’s Neuroma

Answer 24

An excessive pronation during the stance produces compression between the third and fourth metatarsals

Question 25

Nerve Conduction Velocity Test

Answer 25

Determines the speed of propagation of an action potential along a nerve or muscle fiber

Question 26

Nystagmus

Answer 26

Rapid usually back and forth, movement of the eyeballs

Question 27

Reciprocal Inhibition

Answer 27

Inhibition of muscles antagonistic to those being facilitated. This is essential for coordinated movement

Question 28

Romberg’s Sign

Answer 28

LOB in standing with eyes closed

Question 29

Somatagnosia

Answer 29

A lack of awareness of the relationship of one’s own body parts of the body parts of others

Question 30

Vegetative State

Answer 30

A deep coma with abnormal posturing. Different from a coma in that there are sleep wake cycles.

Question 31

Visual Acuity

Answer 31

Sharpness of vision that generally decreases with age or certain disabilities such as diabetes

Question 32

Homonymous hemianopsia

Answer 32

A deficit of either the right or the left half of the visual field, caused by damage to the contralateral optic nerve.

Question 33

Bitemporal hemianopsia

Answer 33

A deficit of the temporal or peripheral visual fields, caused by injury at the optic chiasm

Question 34

Monocular blindness

Answer 34

Caused by damage to the optic nerve

Question 35

Hyperventilation

Answer 35

Increased rate and depth of respirations. Seen in dysfunction of lower midbrain and pons

Question 36

Apneuistic breathing

Answer 36

Abnormal breathing marked by prolonged inspiration. Seen in damage to upper pons

Question 37

Hypotonia

Answer 37

Decreased tone. Seen in LMN lesions (nerve roots and peripheral nerve injuries). Also seen initially after a UMN lesion for a brief period of spinal shock in SCI or cerebral shock in CVA.

Question 38

Spasticity

Answer 38

Velocity-dependent resistance to PROM. Seen in UMN lesions.

Types: clasp-knife response, clonus, abnormal superficial cutaneous reflexes, hyperreflexia

Question 39

Extensor synergy

Answer 39

UE: Scapular protraction, shoulder ADD, IR, elbow extension, pronation, wrist and finger flexion

LE: Hip extension, hip ADD, IR, knee extension, PF, IV

Question 40

Flexor synergy

Answer 40

UE: Scapular retraction, shoulder ABD, ER, elbow flexion, supination, wrist and finger flexion

LE: Hip extension, hip ADD, IR, knee flexion, DF, IV