Neurolocalisation (Overview + Where in the CNS) Flashcards
State the structures involved in the general motor pathway.
State the result of a break in the motor axis
General motor pathway:
UMN –> LMN –> NMJ –> muscle
Break in the motor axis = weakness
State the 2 components of extrapyramidal components.
State the result of a lesion in one or both of the components.
Extrapyramidal components
1. basal ganglia
2. cerebellum
Result of lesion in extrapyramidal component = not strictly weakness but imprecise movement if cerebellum
State some conditions (6) confined to the CNS
- troke
- epilepsy
- multiple sclerosis
- dementia
- parkinson disease
- encephalitis
State some conditions confined to PNS (5)
- brachial neuritis
- peripheral nueropathies in GBS
- mononeuritis multiplex
- myasthenia gravis
- myositis
State some conditions that can affect both CNS and PNS (4)
- vitamin B12 deficiency
- vasculitidis (including sjogrens)
- syphilis / HIV
- freidreichs ataxia
Recall the structures involved in
(1) Motor axis
(2) Extrapyramidal system
(1) MOTOR AXIS
UMN –> LMN –> NMJ –> muscles
(2) EXTRAPYRAMIDAL SYSTEM
- basal ganglia
- cerebellum
State the components of the motor axis and their locations (CNS/PNS)
UMN - CNS
Basal ganglia - CNS
Cerebellum - CNS
LMN - CNS (only cell body) and PNS (majority)
NMJ - PNS
Muscle - PNS
State the 3 functions of the reflex arc
- prevents overstretching of muscle
- helps maintain posture
- generates tone
Explain the features of UMN and LMN lesion with reference to:
1. inspection
2. tone
3. power
4. reflexes
5. plantars
6. coordination
7. others
UMN LESION
- Inspection = pyramidal posture
- Tone = clasp-knife rigidity
- Power = pyramidal pattern weakness
- Reflexes = brisk
- Plantars = upgoing plantar
- Coordination = compromised
- Others = spastic gait, hoffman reflex, clonus
LMN LESION
- Inspection = wasting and fasciculations
- Tone = flaccid or normal
- Power = weak
- Reflexes = absent
- Plantars = downgoing plantar
- Coordination = compromised
- Others = foot drop
With regard to LMN lesions,
- Reflex arc is ____ ____
- Inspection =
- Tone =
- Power =
- Reflexes =
- Plantars =
- Coordination =
- Others =
Name the example of this LMN lesion.
With regard to LMN lesions,
- Reflex arc is COMPLETELY BROKEN
- Inspection = WASTING + FASCICULATIONS
- Tone = FLACCID OR NORMAL
- Power = WEAK
- Reflexes = ABSENT
- Plantars = DOWNGOING
- Coordination = COMPROMISED
- Others = FOOT DROP
CHARCOT-MARIE TOOTH SYNDROME
With regard to UMN lesions,
- ____ level of ____ of reflex arc is ____
- Inspection =
- Tone =
- Power =
- Reflexes =
- Plantars =
- Coordination =
- Others =
With regard to UMN lesions,
- HIGHER level of MODULATION of reflex arc is LOST
- Inspection = PYRAMIDAL POSTURE
- Tone = CLASP-KNIFE RIGIDITY
- Power = PYRAMIDAL PATTERN WEAKNESS
- Reflexes = BRISK
- Plantars = UPGOING
- Coordination = COMPROMISED
- Others = SPASTIC GAIT, HOFFMAN REFLEX, CLONUS
Cord lesion in anterior half of the spinal cord at level T12 can result in
1. ____ signs at that level.
2. ____ signs below that level
Cord lesion in anterior half of the spinal cord at level T12 can result in
1. LMN signs at that level.
2. UMN signs below that level
State the 3 elements of movement
- power
- coordination
- quantity
State the important cord levels and outlets (4)
C3-5 - phrenic N (keep the diaphragm alive)
C5-T1 - brachial plexus
L1-S4 - lumbosacral plexus
S2-4 - sphincteric supply (keep the shit off the floor)
State the structures in the cerebral hemispheres and structures in the brainstem
CEREBRAL HEMISPHERE
1. grey matter (cortex)
2. white matter
3. basal ganglia
BRAINSTEM
1. midbrain - CN III and CN IV nucleus, gaze centres, reticular formation of reticulospinal tract
2. pons - CN V, CN VI, CN VII, CN VIII nuclei, gaze centre (horizontal PPRF), long tracts
3. medulla - CN IX, X, XII nuclei, cerebellar connections