Neuropath Flashcards
_______ are the functional units of the brain.
Neurons
The _____________ create the framework that supports the neurons.
Glial cells
Granular basophilic cytoplasmic material (RER) found in the neuron is called _____________.
Nissl substance
__________ are seen in hypoxia/ischemic injury to neurons due to cytoplasmic eosinophilia and nuclei pyknosis.
Red neurons
___________ are the major supporting cells in the brain.
Astrocytes
How do astrocytes respond to injury?
Reactive gliosis - will always reduce function
________________ form and maintain myelin in the central nervous system.
Oligodendrocytes
_____________ line the ventricles are vary from ciliated columnar to flattened cuboidal cells.
Ependymal cells
_____________ are derived from monocytes and appear as rod cells in some infections (Neurosyphilis).
Microglia
What happens to neurons and astrocytes in response to injury?
Neurons: shrinkage and degeneration
Astrocytes: repair/scar formation; Rosenthal fibers in chronic gliosis
The __________ produces cerebrospinal fluid.
Choroid plexus
What are the two mechanisms for cerebral edema?
- Vasogenic: blood-brain barrier disruption
2. Cytotoxic: secondary to glial or endothelial injury
T/F: Brain swelling is a major factor leading to increased intracranial pressure.
True
What are some classic indications of raised intracranial pressure?
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Papilledema (swelling of optic disk)
What is a brain herniation?
Part of brain is displaced to where it shouldn’t be - result of brain swelling.
Which brain herniation would result in the cerebellum being displaced?
Tonsillar herniation
An accumulation of excess CSF within the ventricular system is called a _____________.
Hydrocephalus
What are the two possible causes of hydrocephalus?
- Decreased CSF resorption: obstructed flow
2. Increased CSF production: rare tumor
T/F: Both cerebral edema and hydrocephalus increase intracranial pressure through similar methods.
False
Edema: brain swelling
Hydrocephalus: increased CSF volume in ventricles
T/F: Increased cranial pressure can lead to herniation.
True
What are the three common pathogenic mechanisms for a stroke?
- Thrombus occludes vessel
- Moving thrombus (embolus) occludes vessel
- Rupture of vessel
____________ is the most common underlying cause of brain infarction.
Atherosclerosis
Especially of MCA
What is the progression of brain infarction like?
First 12 hours - normal 24-36 hrs - red neurons and neutrophils 3rd day - macrophages 1 month - cavitated lesions 6 moths - smooth walled cavity
Liquefactive necrosis!
What are the characteristics of acute brain infarction?
Red neurons and neutrophils
__________ are a characteristic of subacute brain infarction.
Macrophages
What are the most common sites of intraparenchymal brain hemorrhage?
Basal ganglia and pons
What is the most common cause/site of a subarachnoid brain hemorrhage?
Rupture of berry aneurysms on MCA in circle of Willis
What is the most common vascular malformation leading to a brain hemorrhage?
Arteriovenous malformation (AVM)
What is the leading cause of traumatic brain injury?
Motor vehicle accident
An __________ is often the result of blunt force skull fracture and involves the rupture of a meningeal artery (arterial bleeding).
Epidural hematoma
An epidural hematoma results in a _____________, where the affected is still conscious before eventually falling unconscious.
Lucid interval
A subdural hematoma results in __________ bleeding between the dura and arachnoid membranes.
Venous
A contusion directly under the trauma point is a ________ lesion, while a contusion opposite the impact is called a ____________ lesion.
Coup; countrecoup
T/F: In a gunshot injury, the entry wound often causes more damage than the exit wound.
False
Exit wound is worse
Acute bacterial meningitis spreads through the _____________.
Subarachnoid spaces
Acute bacterial meningitis is caused by ____________.
Pyogenic bacteria
T/F: Brain abscesses can be caused by bacterial spread from dental roots.
True
What type of meningitis is caused by bacteria in soil and bird poop?
Cryptococcal meningitis (chronic)
T/F: Encephalitis is caused by a variety of bacteria.
False
Viral (herpes, arboviruses, HIV, etc.)
What is characteristic of a viral brain infection?
Cowdry type A viral inclusions (Herpes)
T/F: A neutrophil response will be seen with encephalitis.
False
Lymphocytes for virus
What is the most common demyelinating disorder?
Multiple sclerosis
Patients with MS will have __________, irregular areas of demyelination.
MS plaques
__________ is the most common cause of dementia.
Alzheimer’s
T/F: Alzheimer’s disease is often sporadic.
True
Rarely familial
Alzheimer’s will show ____________ outside of the cells, and __________ within the cells.
Plaques; tangles
____________ involves degeneration of dopamine-secreting neurons of substantia nigra in the midbrain.
Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s Disease is characterized by eosinophilic inclusions known as ___________.
Lewy bodies
T/F: Patients with Parkinson’s will have an emotionless face.
True
____________ is a hereditary disorder.
Huntington’s Disease
The gene for Huntington’s Disease is located on which chromosome?
Chromosome 4
T/F: With brain tumors, location is more important than tumor type.
True
T/F: Brain tumors often metastasize outside of the CNS.
False
T/F: Most brain tumors are metastasized from somewhere else.
True
What is the most common adult brain tumor?
Astrocytoma
Cerebral hemisphere
What is special about ependymomas?
Adult brain tumors that will bring blood supply with them via perivascular pseudorosettes
Cellular whorls and psammoma bodies are characteristic of a ____________.
Meningioma
Can cause lumps in the head
T/F: Medulloblastoma is a common brain cancer seen in children.
True
Homer-Wright rosettes are characteristic of ___________.
Medulloblastoma
