neurologic function 1 Flashcards
central nervous system
-brain
-brainstem
-cerebellum
-spinal cord
peripheral nervous system
-cranial nerves
-spinal nerves
cerebral cortex
-receives sensory info from skin, muscles, glands, and organs
-sends msgs to move skeletal muscles
-integrates incoming and outgoing nerve impulses
-performs associative acts such as thinking, learning, and remembering
basal nuclei
-play a role in the coordination of slow, sustained movements
-suppress useless patterns of movement
thalamus
-relays most sensory info from the spinal cord and certain parts of the brain to the cerebral cortex
-interprets certain sensory msgs such as those of pain, temp, and pressure
hypothalamus
-controls various homeostatic functions such as body temp, respiration, and heart rate
-directs hormone secretions of the pituitary
cerebellum
-coordinates subconscious movements of skeletal muscles
-contributes to muscle tone, posture, balance, and equilibrium
brainstem
-origin of many cranial nerves
-reflex center for movement of eyeballs, head, and trunk
-regulates heart rate and breathing
-plays a role in consciousness
-transmits impulses btwn brain and spinal cord
alterations in the NS may result in:
-impaired physical mobility
-chronic pain
-impaired social interaction
-altered thought process
-incontinence
-risk for injury
-self-care deficit
anything growing in the skull will do so at the expanse of neural tissue:
-tumor
-fluid
-blood
hydrocephalus
-“water on the brain”
-CSF accumulation w in the skull
-ventricles dilate and the brain and blood vessels become compressed
-pressure thins the cortex, causing severe brain damage
-may be present at birth or develop later in life
hydrocephalus causes
CSF flow disruption: obstructive hydrocephalus
CSF is not properly absorbed by the bloodstream
risk factors of hydrocephalus
prematurity, pregnancy complications, other congenital defects, nervous system tumors, CNS infections, and severe head injuries
***often fatal if left untreated
hydrocephalus in infants
-unusually large head
-rapid increase in the head size
-bulging fontanelle
-seizures, development delay
hydrocephalus in older children and adults
-headache followed by vomiting, nausea
-blurred vision or diplopia, sluggish pupil response to light
-uncoordinated movements, extreme fatigue, development delay
-memory loss, confusion, irritability, personality changes
spina bifida
-most common neural tube birth defect in the US
-the lumbar area of the vertebrae is most commonly the site
-can vary in severity from mild to debilitating
-the posterior spinous processes on the vertebrae fail to fuse, permitting the meninges and spinal cord to herniate
spina bifida maternal risk factors
family history of neural defects, folate deficiency, certain meds (e.g. antiseizure agents), diabetes mellitus
spina bifida complications
physical and neurologic impairments, hydrocephalus, meningitis, and learning problems
spina bifida occulta
-mildest form
-results in a small gap in one or more vertebrae
-the spinal nerves and meninges do not usually protrude through the opening
-usually no clinical manifestations and no neurologic deficits
-defect may not be evident other than a dimple, birthmark, or tuft of hair over the site
meningocele
-rare form that involves the same bony defect as in spina bifida occulta, but the meninges protrude through the vertebral opening
-the meninges and CSF form a sac on the surface of the back
-the spinal cord develops normally
-neurologic impairment is usually not present
myelomeningocele
-most severe from
-the spinal canal remains open along several vertebrae in the lower or middle back
-the meninges, spinal cord, spinal nerves, and CSF protrude through the large opening and form a sac on the infant’s back
-tissues and nerves are exposed in most cases, making the infant vulnerable to life-threatening infections
myelomeningocele complications
neurologic impairment (often including paralysis), bowel and bladder problems, seizures, and other medical complications
cerebral palsy
-a group of nonprogressive disorders that appear in infancy or early childhood and permanently affect motor movement and muscle coordination
-other cerebral functioning may be affected (e.g. cognition and communication)
-usually caused by damage to the cerebellum during the prenatal period or during childbirth, but can occur any time during the 3 yrs of life, when the brain is developing
contributing factos of cerebral palsy
prematurity, low birth weight, breech births, mult fetuses, hypoxia, cerebral hemorrhage, neurologic infections, head injury, maternal infections during pregnancy (e.g. rubella and varicella), maternal exposure to toxins during pregnancy (e.g. mercury)
manifestations of cerebral palsy
-persistence of early reflexes
-development delays
-ataxia, spasticity, flaccidity, hyperreflexia
-unusual positioning of limbs when resting or when help up
-excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, impaired sucking, and difficulty w fine motor skills
-may or may not be evident at birth
-vary in severity
-may affect the entire body or one area
-may affect one side or both sides of the body
cerebral palsy complications
-balance and coordination issues, contractures
-atrophy below the waist
-speech delays
-learning or cognition difficulties, seizures
-urinary incontinence, constipation
-chronic pain, and injury