Neurological Weakness Flashcards
Name 6 causes of neurological weakness?
Tumour Stroke MS Bell's Palsy Motorneurone disease Myasthenia gravis
How does the homunculus relate to neurological weakness?
A small issue in the brain by the foot area of the homunculs is not a massive issue compared to a small issure in the head area of the homunculus
Describe the pathway for neurones from the brain to muscle?
Upper motor neurone through internal capsule
Lower motorneurone through cranial nerve to reach the muscle
What nerve innervated the face and mouth, so that we can smile?
VII - facial
What nerve innervates the jaw so that we can open our mouths?
V - trigeminal
What nerve innervated the tongue so that we can stick it out?
XII - hypoglassal
What nerve allows us to swallow?
X - vagus
IX - glossopharyngeal
Where does tumour, stroke, MS cause problems in the nerve pathway?
In the brain / upper motor neurone
Where does Bell’s Palsy cause problems in the nerve pathway?
Lower motor neurone
Where does myasthenia gravis cause problems in the nerve pathway?
In the muscle
Describe the locations for MG and motorneurone disease?
Diffuse and bilateral
How are neurological problems classified?
According to their duration: mins - hours = vascular days - weeks = infection / inflamation week - months = tumour months - yrs = degeneration
Diagnose:
If weakness is in the bottom of face only?
Upper motor neurone - Stroke / tumour
Diagnose:
If weakness on whole side of face?
Lower motor neurons - Bell’s Palsy
How do we pick up most neurological weaknesses?
Looking at the asymmetry
