Neurology Flashcards
What does DAMNIT-VP stand for?
D: degenerative A: anomalous M: metabolic N: neoplastic, nutritional I: infectious, inflammatory, immune, iatrogenic, idiopathic T: traumatic, toxic V: vascular P: parasitic
What is the approach to solving neurological problems
- describe abnormalities
- localize
- charaacterize onset and progression
What is the approach to solving neurological problems
- describe abnormalities
- localize
- characterize onset and progression
- generate differential diagnoses
- use ancillary tests to rule in or rule-out each differential on your list
What are the three divisions of the brain (in this course)
forebrain
brainstem
cerebellum
What are the 4 important regions of the spinal cord?
C1-C5
C6-T2
T3-L3
L4-S2
What are the 4 important regions of the spinal cord?
C1-C5
C6-T2
T3-L3
L4-S2
What is a lower motor neuron?
a neuron that directly innervates the muscle
What are the components of a lower motor neuron?
- nerve cell bodies in ventral grey matter
- nerve roots
- peripheral nerve
- neuromuscular junction
What are lower motor neuron signs? (5)
- decreased muscle tone
- severe muscle atrophy
- weak and diminished reflexes
- gait typically weak
- short strides with feet under body
What are lower motor neuron signs? (5)
- decreased muscle tone
- severe muscle atrophy
- weak and diminished reflexes
- gait typically weak
- short strides with feet under body
What is the cauda equina?
the nerve roots arising from the terminal part of the spinal cord–course caudally within the vertebral canal to exit the canal as a spinal nerve caudal to the vertebral body of same number
What does C6-T2 contain?
The neres of the brachial plexus innervating forelimb muscles
What does C6-T2 contain?
The nerves of the brachial plexus innervating forelimb muscles
What nerves/muscle/reflex does L456 contain/control/mediate
femoral nerve, quadraceps muscle, patellar reflex
What nerves/muscles/reflex does L6-S2 contain/control/mediate
sciatic nerve, flexor muscles of rear leg, withdrawal reflex
What does S1-S3 control?
anus, bladder
What does S1-S3 control?
anus, bladder
What are UMN responsible for?
initiation and continuatio nof movement and regulation of normal tone in extensor muscles of limbs
What is proprioception?
the ability to sense where the limbs are in space
Where do the long tracts cross the midline and what are the implications?
just above the brainstem. Lesions in the forebrain
Where do the long tracts cross the midline and what are the implications?
just above the brainstem. Lesions in the forebrain an diencephalon will cause UMN on the contralteral forelimb and rear limb while lesions of the brainstem or spinal cord will cause UMN signs in the limbs on the same side
What are UMN signs?
- paresis/paralysis
- loss of proprioception
- loss of coordination
- increased extensor tone
- increased reflexes
- basewide stance
- excessive limb abduction during turning
- long strides
What tracts are more superficial? more deep
proprioception–superficial, most susceptible to injury
What tracts are more superficial? more deep
proprioception–large, superficial, most susceptible to injury
motor–medium, deeper–less susceptible to injury
deep pain–small, wiry–very resistant to injury
What is the order of loss with a lesion compression the UMN tracts in the spinal cord
- conscious proprioception
- voluntary motion
- deep pain sensation
Distinguish UMN and LMN signs
- muscle tone
- spinal reflexes
- motor function
- muscle atrophy
- gait
- lesion
- UMN: normal or increased LMN: decreased
- UMN: normal or increased LMN: decreased
- UMN: spastic
Distinguish UMN and LMN signs
- muscle tone
- spinal reflexes
- motor function
- muscle atrophy
- gait
- lesion
- UMN: normal or increased LMN: decreased
- UMN: normal or increased LMN: decreased
- UMN: spastic paresis to paralysis caudal to lesions LMN: flaccid paresis to paralysis at site of lesion
- UMN: muscle atrophy mild from diffuse LMN: severe neurogenic muscle injury
- UMN: delayed protraction, stiff spastic long stride, ataxic, exessive abduction of limbs during turning; LMN: weak, unable to suppport weight short strided apperas lame, may bunny-hop
- UMN: above spinal cord segments; LMN: at spinal cord segments or nerve roots or peripheral nerves
What does change in mentation suggest?
- decreased levels of consciousness may occur during metabolic disturbance or disease of cerebrum
- change in mentation suggests lesion in cerebrum
What can weakness or paresis be caused by ?
- metabolic disturbances
- muscle disease
- LMN disease
- UMN disease–gait very different than LMN
What can weakness or paresis be caused by ?
- metabolic disturbances
- muscle disease
- LMN disease
- UMN disease–gait very different than LMN
What is ataxia or incoordination an indication of?
UMN disease. caused by lesion in cerebellum, vestibular system of general proprioceptive sensory tracts
What can circling be caused by?
lesions in the forebrain or ccestibular system.
What is ataxia?
loss of coordination of muscular function
What is spinal cord/brainstem proprioceptive ataxia?
animals lose awareness of where limbs are in space and have a wide brased stance, long strides, excessive abduction of limbs during turning and exaggerated limb movements. tend to scuff or knuckle